An Overview of Gene Therapy in Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases represent a major global health burden due to their long duration, complex pathophysiology, and requirement for lifelong management. Conventional treatment strategies for chronic conditions often focus on symptomatic relief rather than addressing the underlying genetic or molecular causes, leading to limited efficacy. Gene therapy involves the modification, replacement, or regulation of defective genes to restore normal cellular function. Advances in molecular biology and biotechnology have enabled the development of efficient gene delivery systems, including viral vectors such as adenoassociated viruses and lentiviruses, as well as non-viral delivery platforms like nanoparticles and liposomes. These technologies have significantly improved the safety, specificity, and effectiveness of gene transfer.