Gene therapy improves immune function in older children with SCID

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and their colleagues studied three youth (ages 10, 11 and 14 years) who had X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), in which there is little or no immune system function. The youth received gene therapy, similar to that used in younger children with SCID, to see if it would help improve their immune systems. Improvement was seen in the youngest child. The research shows that it is possible for gene therapy to improve immune function in older children with SCID. The research was published in the July 1, 2007, issue of Blood.

Chinen, Javier, Joie Davis, Suk See De Ravin, Beverly N. Hay, Amy P. Hsu, Gilda F. Linton, Nora Naumann, Effie Y. H. Nomicos, Christopher Silvin, Jean Ulrick, Narda L. Whiting-Theobald, Harry L. Malech, & Jennifer M. Puck. "Gene therapy improves immune function in preadolescents with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency." Blood 110(2007): 67-73.