Gene Therapy for Arterial Disease: Is it hype or is There Hope?

New and promising treatments were on the map several years ago, but clinical applications so far have proven elusive.

Published: March 15, 2007

Optimistism among physicians about potentially revolutionary treatments for arterial disease grew at the turn of the 21st century. Much attention was focused on the theory that angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) could be stimulated via gene therapy (inserting genes into cells), thereby increasing blood flow in diseased areas and improving conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).