Gene Therapy Proven to be Effective Against Gum Disease

Scientists at the University of Michigan (U-M) have shown that gene therapy can be used to successfully stop the development of periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. 

The findings were published online December 11, 2008 in advance of print publication in Gene Therapy. Using gene transfer to treat life threatening conditions is not new, but the U-M group is the first known to use the gene delivery approach to show potential in treating chronic conditions such as periodontal disease, said William Giannobile, professor at the U-M School of Dentistry and principal investigator on the study. “Gene therapy has not been used in non-life threatening disease. (Periodontal diease) is more disabling than life threatening,” said Giannobile, who also directs the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research and has an appointment in the U-M College of Engineering. “This is so important because the next wave of improving medical therapeutics goes beyond saving life, and moves forward to improving the quality of life.” The preclinical study was a collaboration with the Seattle-based biotechnology company Targeted Genetics.

In July 2008, Targeted Genetics released human trial results that showed the same gene therapy approach used to stop periodontal disease had positive effects in human patients with rheumatoid arthritis, another chronic, nonlife threatening, disabling condition. The company tested 127 human subjects and showed a 30% improvement in pain relief and gain of function among other enhancements using the gene treatment. People with rheumatoid arthritis are 4 times more likely to also be afflicted with periodontitis. Periodontal disease is also linked to systemic conditions such as heart disease, bacterial pneumonia, and stroke, likely due to the spread of bacteria coming from the oral cavity that invade other parts of the body. 

Using gene therapy, Giannobile’s group found a way to help certain cells using an inactivated virus to produce more of a naturally produced molecule soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor. This factor is underproduced in patients with periodontitis. The molecule delivered by gene therapy works like a sponge to sop up excessive levels of TNF, a molecule known to worsen inflammatory bone destruction in patients afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, joint deterioration, and periodontitis.