1. Gene therapy of rare diseases as a milestone in medicine : overview of the field and report on initial experiences in SloveniaUrh Grošelj, Marko Kavčič, Ana Drole Torkar, Jan Kafol, Duško Lainšček, Roman Jerala, Matjaž Sever, Samo Zver, Gregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, Primož Strojan, Aleš Grošelj, Mojca Žerjav-Tanšek, Špela Miroševič, Simona Ivančan, Tomaž Prelog, David Gosar, Jasna Oražem, Matej Mlinarič, Sara Bertok, Jernej Kovač, Jana Kodrič, Saba Battelino, Marko Pokorn, Alojz Ihan, Janez Jazbec, Tadej Battelino, Damjan Osredkar, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Gene therapy has transitioned from a long-awaited promise to a clinical reality, offering transformative treatments for rare congenital diseases and certain cancers, which have a significant impact on patients’ lives. Current approaches focus on gene replacement therapy, either in vivo or ex vivo, mostly utilizing viral vectors to deliver therapeutic genes into target cells. However, refining these techniques is essential to overcome challenges and complications associated with gene therapy to ensure long-term safety and efficacy. Slovenia has witnessed significant advancements in this field since 2018, marked by successful gene therapy trials and treatments for various rare diseases. Significant strides have been made in the field of gene therapy in Slovenia, treating patients with spinal muscular atrophy and rare metabolic disorders, including the pioneering work on CTNNB1 syndrome. Additionally, immune gene therapy, exemplified by IL-12 adjuvant therapy for cancer, has been a focus of research in Slovenia. Through patient-centred initiatives and international collaborations, researchers in Slovenia are advancing preclinical research and clinical trials, paving the way for accessible gene therapies. Establishing clinical infrastructure and genomic diagnostics for rare diseases is crucial for gene therapy implementation. Efforts in this regard in Slovenia, including the establishment of a Centre for Rare Diseases, Centre for the Technologies of Gene and Cell Therapy, and rapid genomic diagnostics, demonstrate a commitment to comprehensive patient care. Despite the promises of gene therapy, challenges remain, including cost, distribution, efficacy, and long-term safety. Collaborative efforts are essential to address these challenges and ensure equitable access to innovative therapies for patients with rare diseases.
Ključne besede: gene therapy, rare genetic diseases, Slovenia, CAR-T cells, cancer, immune gene therapy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 04.12.2025; Ogledov: 160; Prenosov: 124
 Celotno besedilo (2,18 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
2. Hereditary α − tryptasemia and peripheral blood KIT D816V mutation in patients with pediatric mastocytosisOlga Točkova, Tanja Planinšek Ručigaj, Simona Ivančan, Urška Bidovec, Matija Rijavec, Julij Šelb, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Hereditary α-tryptasemia (HαT)—a genetic trait caused by increased α-tryptase-encoding typtase alpha/beta-1 (TPSAB1) copy number—is associated with adult mastocytosis. The primary objective was to assess the association between α-tryptase and pediatric mastocytosis. We also want to evaluate whether the KIT p.D816V mutation in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) reliably predicts systemic mastocytosis (SM) in children. A prospective cohort of 68 children from a referral center in Slovenia with cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) underwent tryptase genotyping by droplet digital PCR and examination for KIT p.D816V in PBL using a sensitive PCR test. A significant majority of patients (57 of 68; [83.8%]) had at least one α-tryptase-encoding gene; none had HαT. 7 of the 68 (10.3%) who were positive for KIT p.D816V in PBL, one fulfilled diagnostic criteria for indolent SM, and another was diagnosed with monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome. One of those individuals had an increased basal serum tryptase (BST) level (14.5 ng/mL). We found a high presence of germline α-tryptase in children with CM, but not HαT. By employing sensitive examination for KIT p.D816V in PBL, in combination with clinical data and other examinations, our study suggests that KIT p.D816V in PBL may indicate systemic disease in children with CM.
Ključne besede: KIT D816V, hereditary α-tryptasemia, peripheral blood
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.08.2025; Ogledov: 436; Prenosov: 273
Celotno besedilo (856,57 KB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
