Artificial cells as a novel approach to gene therapy - Artificial Cells, Cell Engineering and Therapy - page 273

10.4 Artificial cell for gene therapy ± a platform technology.
factorial cancer, for purposes of product replacement, vaccination or systemic
delivery (Fig. 10.4). In the past decade, the proof-of-principle has been estab-
lished for almost all of the above categories of applications. In some cases, the
technology has advanced even to human clinical trials. The challenge remains in
how to translate this technology into standard clinical practice. This will require
concerted effort in tissue engineering, chemistry, molecular and cell biology and
medicine to create an optimal combination of capsule polymer, high-expression
vectors, appropriate cell types, supportive microcapsule milieu and device
monitoring to meet the requirement of good manufacturing practices. This will
be the challenge and opportunity for the coming decade.
10.8 References
Aebischer, P., Goddard, M., Signore, A. P. & Timpson, R. L. (1994) Functional recovery
in hemiparkinsonian primates transplanted with polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells.
Exp Neurol, 126, 151±8.
Aebischer, P., Pochon, N. A., Heyd, B., Deglon, N., Joseph, J. M., Zurn, A. D., Baetge, E.
E., Hammang, J. P., Goddard, M., Lysaght, M., Kaplan, F., Kato, A. C., Schluep,