Bringing Gene Therapy Into Real World Clinical Practice

INTRODUCTION: Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy for haemophilia has shifted therapeutic paradigms by enabling hepatic gene transfer, restoring endogenous clotting factor expression, and reducing reliance on conventional prophylactic treatments. Two products, valoctocogene roxaparvovec (haemophilia A) and etranacogene dezaparvovec (haemophilia B), are now in clinical use, with ongoing development of additional gene therapy modalities. DISCUSSION: The clinical benefits include sustained increases in factor VIII or IX levels, reduction or elimination of bleeding episodes, and improved quality of life. However, significant challenges remain, such as immune-mediated responses leading to hepatocellular inflammation, inter-individual variability in factor expression, and the unresolved durability of therapeutic effects. Comprehensive clinical infrastructure and multidisciplinary coordination-guided by hub-and-spoke models and standardized centre qualification criteria-are essential for the safe delivery of gene therapy. Lifelong post-treatment monitoring is mandatory to detect adverse events such as hepatotoxicity and malignancies, with structured protocols for laboratory testing and imaging now established through international guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its transformative potential, slow real-world adoption is observed, constrained by scientific, operational, and reimbursement challenges. Ongoing data collection via registries and harmonized monitoring pathways will be vital for optimizing outcomes and delineating long-term safety profiles for gene therapy in haemophilia clinical practice.