| Popis: |
Initially viewed principally as a means of treating inherited genetic diseases, gene therapy is now seen as a promising approach for virtually all kinds of disorders, and by disciplines as diverse as oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and infectious diseases [1, 2]. There has been a rapid growth in the number of clinical trials that utilize gene transfer either for cell marking or therapeutic intent. While the usefulness of the gene transfer for patient care is not yet known, what is emerging is a profusion of different strategies and applications of clinical gene transfer. Its potential impact likened to that of the introduction of antibiotics, gene therapy may very well become part of the standard armamentarium of all clinicians. If gene therapy succeeds in realizing even part of its promise, there will be a need in medical institutions for a facility that can dispense the agents to be administered to patients in a gene therapy procedure. The transfusion laboratory, with its well-establishedrole for the collection, processing and distribution of cells and other blood components, is well-suited to serving this need. |
