Targeted gene therapy for the treatment of heart failure

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs

November 23-24, 2012 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

B. Shruthi, K. Mounika and P.K.Lakshmi

Posters: Pharmaceut Reg Affairs

Abstract :

Chronic heart failure is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Western countries and is a major financial burden to the health care system. Although progress in conventional treatments is making steady and incremental gains to decrease heart failure mortality , to improve survival and have offered significant improvements in patient quality of life, but they fall short of producing an authentic remedy. So there is a critical need to explore new therapeutic approaches. Gene therapy was initially applied in the clinical setting for inherited monogenic disorders. It is now apparent that gene therapy has a broader potential that also includes acquired polygenic diseases, such as congestive heart failure. Cardiac gene therapy involves the introduction of genetic material to the heart. Recent advances in understanding of the molecular basis of myocardial dysfunction, together with the evolution of increasingly efficient gene transfer technology, have placed heart failure within the reach of gene-based therapy. Calcium cycling proteins are prominent genes for targeting, as abnormalities in calcium handling are key determinants of heart failure. A major impediment, however, has been the development of a safe, yet efficient, delivery system. Initially nonviral vectors have been used, but they fail to produce significant gene expression. Viral vectors, especially adenoviral, on the other hand, can produce high levels of expression, at the expense of safety. Hence adeno-associated viral vectors have been used as myocardial gene delivery vehicles. They can sustain gene expression at a therapeutic level and maintain it over extended periods of time, even for years without a safety risk.

Biography :

B. Shruthi had completed her B them with 77.1% from the Sarojini Naidu Vanitha College of Pharmacy and join into a postgraduate course (M. pharm) of qualifying GPAT having all India rank 1314. She is currently pursuing her M. Pharm first year from G. Pulla Reddy College of Pharmacy. She participated and gave presentations in national seminar on "INNOVATIVE EMERGING APPROACHES IN DRUG DISCOVERY" held in the Vishnu Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in March 2012 where she secured the best presentation award. Till date she has given 4 presentations in different educational institutions.