Table 2

Human clinical trials of arthritis gene therapy

Transgene
Vector, ex vivo/in vivo
Phase
Principal investigator, institution/sponsor
OBA Protocol Number
Status
n

IL-1 receptor antagonist
Retrovirus, ex vivo
I
Evans and Robbins, University of Pittsburgh, USA
9406-074
Closed
9
IL-1 receptor antagonist
Retrovirus, ex vivo
I
Wehling, University of Düsseldorf, Germany
Not applicable
Closed
2
HSV-tka
Plasmid, in vivo
I
Roessler, University of Michigan, USA
9802-237
Closed
1
TNFR:Fc fusion protein (etanercept)
AAV, in vivo
I
Mease, Targeted Genetics Corp., USA
0307-588
Closed
15
TGFβ1
Retrovirus, ex vivo
I
Ha, Kolon Life Sciences, Korea
Not applicable
Open
12
TGFβ1
Retrovirus, ex vivo
I
Mont, TissueGene Inc., USA
0307-594
Open
4
TNFR:Fc fusion protein (etanercept)
AAV, in vivo
I/II
Mease, Targeted Genetics Corp., USA
0504-705
Enrolled. Clinical hold lifted by FDA in December 2007
127

All of these trials target rheumatoid arthritis except for the TissueGene and Kolon trials, which target osteoarthritis. The Targeted Genetics Corp. trial can also recruit subjects with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. A phase I study injecting NF-κB decoy oligonucleotides is underway at the University of Osaka in Japan (principal investigator: Tomita). This study is not included because it is not strictly gene therapy. Also omitted for the same reason are two trials using TNF antisense RNA [14]. aWhen expressed in conjunction with ganciclivir administration, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) kills synovial cells and produces a synovectomy. AAV, adeno-associated virus; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; n, number of subjects in study; OBA, Office of Biotechnology Activities; TGFβ1, transforming growth factor beta 1; TNFR:Fc, tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc domain of immunoglobulin fusion protein.

Evans et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008 10:110   doi:10.1186/ar2411