Gene therapy for blocked leg arteries

Posted By  CCF CARDIO MD sc on December 01, 1997 at 12:35:34:

In Reply to: Gene therapy for blocked leg arteries posted by Jo Ann Christina on November 25, 1997 at 09:41:41:

: My stepfather has severely blocked leg arteries; since he also has a weak heart (heart attack in Feb. 1997; diagnosis includes
  congestive heart failure) and mild kidney failure, he is at risk for any surgery.  We have heard recent news of
  experimental gene therapy techniques which indicate that injection of some sort of gene solution, presumably into
  the legs, results in fairly rapid growth of new arteries in many patients who are at risk of amputation due to
  severely blocked arteries.  This is my stepfather's condition.
  Do you know where we might get more information?  Is the Cleveland Clinic considering starting such a program?  Jack
  would like very much to participate in such a program, if possible.
  Thank you for your help.

[CCF Cardio MD sc]

Dear Ms Christina
Your question is a very topical question. I have recently answered a question on the same topic which you can  refer to   by scrolling down to the answer to the question posted by Ed MacAlmen on 11/10/97 entitled VEGF. This should answer all of your questions. Unfortunately as I outlined to Mr. MacAlmen we are not currently involved in any VEGF gene transfer therapy at this time. However if you have any further questions or would like to come to the Cleveland clinic to discuss your options with one of our vascular specialists please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARD to set this up.
Questions answered in this forum are intended for general purposes only, specific diagnosis and treatment should only be undertaken by physicians directly involved in patient care.