Gene therapy in gastroenterology.

Gene therapy can be defined as the introduction and expression of an exogenous gene in human cells for therapeutic benefit, and is conventionally restricted to human diseases associated with single gene defects. However, there are wider opportunities for genetic inter- vention and these include strategies to reduce or block gene expression as well as the introduction of non- mammalian genes. The potential role for genetic interven- tion extends from diseases caused by single gene defects, through severe viral infections to polygenic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerosis. The rapid progress in our understanding of some of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and metabolic disorders, coupled with the development of gene delivery vector technology, has stimulated us to con- sider novel genetic approaches to digestive diseases.