UK
UK leads Europe in Gene Therapy trials
By DH, UK
Apr 1, 2005, 17:30

Details of eleven gene therapy trials approved by the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) will be published on 3 April 2005 at GTAC�s annual public meeting in Manchester.

Information on the trials, published today in GTAC�s Eleventh Annual Report covering 2004, show the majority of the approved gene therapy trials focus on cancer. Trials have been approved for colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, leukaemia, brain cancers, breast cancer and advanced tumours. This continues the trend of over 70% of all applications to GTAC having a focus on cancer. Of the other applications, one is an approach to combat HIV infection and three are for coronary heart disease.

The report highlights the UK�s leading position on gene therapy trials in Europe, and also includes summaries of the completed gene therapy trials and an analysis of all the 96 UK trials carried out to date.

Health Minister, Lord Warner said:

"I am delighted to announce the publication of GTAC's Eleventh Annual Report and congratulate the committee on its good work. The UK leads Europe in this field with 40% of European gene therapy clinical trials being carried out in the UK.

Gene therapy has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of patients. The government is committed to ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of innovative medical research and has provided the funding towards new gene therapy clinical trials for inherited diseases such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and childhood blindness. These trials are likely to be considered by GTAC in 2005/6."

The GTAC public meeting is taking place at Manchester University on Sunday 3rd April. Over 100 scientists, students, parents, genetic counsellors, charity representatives and health care professionals are expected to attend. The aim of the meeting is to raise public awareness of gene therapy.


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