Gene therapy can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic conditions, suggests a new human trial.
The treatment approach has faced concerns and criticism over high-profile side effects such as the development of leukemia in children treated for a severe immune disorder.
To date, it has largely been tried in humans only to treat potentially fatal conditions.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have now shown that a gene therapy that blocks inflammation in arthritic joints is feasible and safe.
Between 1996 and 1999, the researchers injected genetically modified cells directly into the arthritic knuckles of nine women&emdash;the first time a gene was introduced into a human joint.
