Gene delivery to the epidermis

Abstract

Epidermal gene delivery techniques are being developed as an experimental approach to understanding the pathogenesis of skin disorders and for developing therapeutic strategies for the treatment of disease. This technology is being evaluated in many clinical trials in the treatment of disorders such as cutaneous melanoma and skin wounding, with 20% of all gene therapy protocols being applied in the field of dermatology. This review focuses on recent advances in the development of gene transfer technology to the epidermis, describing the diseases that may be amenable to treatment by use of these strategies. We will discuss the advantages and limitations of the currently used techniques and the future prospects for gene therapy via the epidermis.