Gene therapy moves forward - The Second International Meeting on Gene and Cell Therapies of Arthritis and Related Disorders, 17-18 May 2001, Montpellier, France

The field of gene therapy for bone and joint disorders has grown considerably over the last two and a half years. Investigators have shown that ex vivo or in vivo gene transfer is highly effective in blocking arthritis or facilitating repair of damaged cartilage or bone. The feasibility of applying gene therapy for the treatment of arthritis in humans has also been demonstrated. Thus, gene therapy appears poised to make significant contributions to the clinical treatment of joint and bone diseases in the near future.