International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Sep 2008
Review Meta AnalysisGene therapy as a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Stimulation of therapeutic angiogenesis using gene therapy is a novel intervention for peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Despite encouraging outcomes from animal studies and phase 1 trials, results from larger trials in this area have been conflicting. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials in this field, to clarify the current situation. ⋯ The available data suggests that gene therapy confers no benefit on patients with PVD. Closer examination of the individual trials shows that several have an excessive placebo response, which may go some way to explaining our result. Further research in this area in needed.