Gene therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has seen significant advances over the past decade. The use of biologic agents, such as TNF-α inhibitors, have led to improvement in up to 60% of RA patients. Unfortunately, biologic therapy also presents significant limitations, including systemic side effects, a short half-life with requirement for frequent dosing, and a lack of curative response. Owing to such limitations, the ideal therapy for RA remains unrealized. Progress in the field of gene therapy provides interesting and applicable methods to overcome many of these deficits. In this review we will discuss some of these advances, focusing on the development of new vectors, gene-therapy targets and regulatory mechanisms. With continued efforts in this field, the hope for a lasting, regulated and possibly curative modality appears attainable.