Gene therapy for lung transplantation

The results of lung transplantation have improved for the treatment of many endstage pulmonary diseases. However, they continue to lag behind other solid organ transplants. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival for lung transplantation are 70, 60, and 46%, respectively (1). The major obstacle to better long-term survival is bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic rejection. Ischemia reperfusion injury and acute rejection are also associated with significant morbidity and mortality and are risk factors for bronchiolitis obliterans. The treatment of these acute lung injuries remains imprecise and has done little to improve long-term outcome. Gene therapy strategies aimed at prevention and management of ischemia reperfusion injury and acute rejection may reduce chronic rejection and ultimately improve long-term survival.