MFG-IRAP University of Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh is developing MFG-IRAP gene therapy for the potential treatment of arthritis. Phase II studies have commenced, including one trial in arthritis patients [225365]. A retrovirus (MFG-IRAP) is used in the ex vivo transfer of a cDNA encoding the human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). The therapy is being tested in post-menopausal women, and involves the removal of some of their synovium, which is then transfected with the IRAP gene and reimplanted into the joint [188197]. A phase I rheumatoid arthritis trial of a therapy using the IL-1 antagonist gene therapy in synergy with soluble TNF alpha receptors was reported in March 1999 and was considered to be effective in producing an anti-arthritic effect [318398].