Haemophilia A: from mutation analysis to new therapies

Nat Rev Genet. 2005 Jun;6(6):488-501. doi: 10.1038/nrg1617.

Abstract

Haemophilia is caused by hundreds of different mutations and manifests itself in clinical conditions of varying severity. Despite being inherited in monogenic form, the clinical features of haemophilia can be influenced by other genetic factors, thereby confounding the boundary between monogenic and multifactorial disease. Unlike sufferers of other genetic diseases, haemophiliacs can be treated successfully by intravenous substitution of coagulation factors. Haemophilia is also the most attractive model for developing gene-therapy protocols, as the normal life expectancy of haemophiliacs allows the side effects of gene therapy, as well as its efficiency, to be monitored over long periods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Factor VIII / chemistry
  • Factor VIII / genetics*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Hemophilia A / genetics*
  • Hemophilia A / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Factor VIII