Paul Gissen – VJRegenMed

Immunogenicity of AAV-based gene therapies

Simon Ng — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 18:22:05 +0000

Whilst adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors show great promise as effective gene transfer platforms, they have been demonstrated to trigger both innate and adaptive immune responses. Paul Gissen, MD, PhD, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK, describes the challenge of immune-related adverse events caused by AAV vector-based gene therapy and strategies being investigated to address this. Today, most clinical trials involving AAV vector-based gene therapy screen patients to detect the presence of antibodies against viral vectors as part of the patient enrolment process. Dr Gissen also discusses issues around cytotoxicity and the ongoing development of immunomodulatory regimens currently being developed. This interview took place at the Advanced Therapies Congress & Expo 2021.

Driving the development of gene therapies for more common conditions

Simon Ng — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 17:11:13 +0000

Paul Gissen, MD, PhD, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK, discusses translating advances made in gene therapies for rare monogenic disorders to more common chronic conditions, including neurodegenerative and liver diseases. The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout demonstrated that technologies initially designed for the treatment of a small number of patients, including RNA and viral vector-based therapies, were able to be manufactured at a greater scale and administered to a very large number of patients. Prof. Gissen highlights the importance of global investment to enhance the development and manufacturing capacity of such gene therapies in the future. This interview took place at the Advanced Therapies Congress & Expo 2021.