A Helper-Dependent Adenoviral Gene Therapy Delivery and Expression System

Abstract

The present invention relates to gene therapy delivery and expression systems comprising at least one helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding for proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) or a biologically active fragment thereof. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing said nucleic acid sequence encoding for proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), or a homolog thereof from any other species, or a biologically active fragment thereof. The invention also relates to the use of the novel gene therapy delivery and expression system according to the invention for use in the prevention and / or treatment of camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP), or a musculoskeletal disorder such as a joint disorder or joint disease.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to gene therapy delivery and expression systems comprising at least one helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding for proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) or a biologically active fragment thereof. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one helper-dependent adenoviral vector containing said nucleic acid sequence encoding for proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), or a homolog thereof from any other species, or a biologically active fragment thereof. The invention also relates to the use of the novel gene therapy delivery and expression system according to the invention for use in the prevention and / or treatment of camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP), or a musculoskeletal disorder such as a joint disorder or joint disease.DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART[0002]Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common chronic conditi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved system for delivering and expressing biologically active proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) for preventing and treating disorders such as camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP) and muscle disorders. This system allows for long-term expression of PRG4.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, despite significant investment, the development of inhibitors of such pathways has not proven effective in the clinical setting.

However, the long-term biological effects of PRG4 over-expression and the molecular mechanism of its potential therapeutic benefits are still poorly understood.

Although some approaches suggest gene therapy for treating or preventing joint disorders such as osteoarthritis, no curative treatments are currently available.

However, while these drugs can suppress joint inflammation, many of them are known to have deteriorating effects on the cartilage, which further worsens the underlying process of osteoarthritis development.

Furthermore, polysulphated glycosaminoglycans injected into the joint or intramuscularly as well as orally administered glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate have been used in the treatment for osteoarthritis, however, the efficacy has not been proven in large randomized trials.

Thus, currently used therapies have only limited efficacy in the treatment of joint disorders such as osteoarthritis and their success often depends on the severity of the case.

However, frequent drug injections into the joint are laborious, bear the risk for infections, cause stress for the patient and are costly.

In addition, the active agent shall exhibit its therapeutic effects for a prolonged amount of time.

However, AAV transduction efficiency in joints has never been directly compared to transduction efficiency of other viral gene therapy vectors such as adenoviruses including helper-dependent adenoviral vectors.

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