Side effects of gene therapy drugs in Zhongshan Ophthalmology Department
Gene therapy is a new therapeutic method emerging in recent years, which can treat hereditary diseases by changing the genes of human cells. Zhongshan Ophthalmology is a hospital specializing in the development of ophthalmic gene therapy drugs. Although this treatment method has great potential, it also has some side effects. The side effects of Zhongshan ophthalmic gene therapy drugs will be described in detail from four aspects below.
1. Immune reaction
Gene therapy involves the operation of introducing foreign genes into human cells or changing endogenous genes, which may trigger an immune response. The human immune system will reject foreign genes as invading substances, leading to local or systemic immune responses. Immune reaction may lead to inflammation, redness, swelling, pain and other symptoms at the treatment site, and even lead to allergic reaction or immune system abnormality in severe cases.
In addition, gene therapy may cause the immune system to attack the human body's own tissues, leading to the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, when carrying out gene therapy, doctors need to carefully evaluate the immune status of patients to prevent and control the occurrence of immune reactions.
2. Cytotoxicity
The goal of gene therapy drugs is to treat diseases by changing the genes of cells, but in this process, they may also have toxic effects on normal cells. The gene carrier of therapeutic drugs may cause irreversible damage to the DNA of normal cells, leading to damage or even death of normal cells.
In addition, therapeutic drugs may play a role in non target cells, triggering systemic toxic reactions. For ophthalmic gene therapy, a possible side effect is the toxicity to eye cells, which may lead to vision loss or other eye complications. Therefore, when carrying out gene therapy, doctors need to find the best way to balance the therapeutic effect and toxicity.
3. Genetic risk
Gene therapy involves changing human genes, which may bring genetic risks. Gene therapy drugs may cause gene mutation or recombination, and these changes may be transmitted to the offspring of patients, leading to the occurrence of genetic diseases.
In addition, the long-term side effects of gene therapy drugs may have an impact on the future fertility and offspring of patients. Therefore, before gene therapy, doctors need to carry out detailed genetic counseling and auxiliary decision-making for patients to help them make wise choices.
4. Unpredictable side effects
Gene therapy is a new therapeutic method, and there are many unknown side effects. Despite strict clinical trials and approval procedures, unpredictable side effects cannot be excluded. These side effects may be caused by individual differences, improper drug dosage control or other unknown factors.
Therefore, Zhongshan Eye Hospital and other hospitals need to strictly monitor the treatment effect and side effects of patients when carrying out gene therapy, adjust the treatment plan in time and actively respond to possible adverse reactions.
Summary
The side effects of gene therapy drugs in Zhongshan Ophthalmology Department mainly include immune response, cytotoxicity, genetic risk and unpredictable side effects. The immune response induced by therapeutic drugs may lead to inflammation, allergic reaction and abnormal immune system; Cytotoxicity may cause irreversible damage to normal cells; Genetic changes of therapeutic drugs may cause genetic diseases or affect fertility and offspring; In addition, as gene therapy is a new therapeutic method, there are many unknown side effects. Therefore, when carrying out gene therapy, doctors and patients need to jointly assess the risks and benefits to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
