Review on gene therapy and its application in veterinary medicine

The discovery of gene therapy is a pillar of contemporary science and has turned into a revolution in medical treatment. While there are some limitations associated with this approach, its advantages continue to grow. Gene therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves transferring DNA into an individual to correct defective genes and treat conditions not responding to conventional medication. Over time, the scope of gene therapy has expanded from a primary focus on treating monogenetic disorders to a more complex approach that includes induction of cell death in disease management. However, efficient delivery of enough genetic material to target cells or tissues and maintaining gene expression for the desired duration are the challenges in gene therapy. There are numerous ways to transfer genetic material to specific cells or tissues. They can be broadly categorized into viral and non-viral techniques. Among viral vectors adenovirus (AV), adeno-associated virus (AAV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), lentivirus (LV), and poxvirus have been extensively studied. Non-viral delivery methods include extracellular vesicles, bacteria, nanoparticles, and direct injection of naked DNA. Advancements in genetic engineering have enabled the development of species-specific gene therapies for animals, while reducing risks of unintended consequences and adverse effects. In addition, of providing new and modern choices of treating a variety of animal ailments, gene therapy can potentially address the issues such as pet overpopulation. Numerous animal health issues, including hemophilia, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, lysosomal storage disorders, eye problems, cancer, and infectious diseases have recently been treated by gene therapy. Though considerable success have been achieved in human medicine, gene therapy still remains underutilized in veterinary medicine. Therefore, broader application across different species and targeted veterinary research is essential to fully realize its potential in animal health care.