Yamano Seiichi, Inoue Kenji, Taguchi Yoichiro
Department of Prosthodontics, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA.
Department of Operative Dentistry, Endodontology and Periodontology, Matsumoto Dental University, Shiojiri-shi 399-0704, Nagano, Japan.
Pharmaceutics. 2025 Jun 30;17(7):859. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17070859.
Gene therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach across various oral diseases. This review examines current applications and future prospects of gene therapy in dentistry, focusing on five key areas: oral cancer, cancer-related pain, xerostomia (dry mouth), dental caries, and periodontal disease. Recent advances in viral and non-viral vectors have enabled more efficient gene delivery systems, with particular success in cancer pain management through µ-opioid receptor gene transfer and xerostomia treatment using aquaporin-1 gene therapy. For periodontal applications, gene therapy strategies include both immunomodulation and tissue regeneration approaches using growth factors like platelet-derived growth factor and bone morphogenetic proteins. While significant progress has been made, particularly in treating radiation-induced xerostomia and oral cancer pain, challenges remain in vector optimization and delivery methods. Clinical trials, predominantly in Phase I, indicate both the potential and current limitations of gene therapy in oral healthcare. This review synthesizes current evidence and outlines future directions for gene therapy applications in oral medicine and dentistry.
基因治疗已成为一种针对各种口腔疾病的有前景的治疗方法。本综述探讨了基因治疗在牙科领域的当前应用和未来前景，重点关注五个关键领域：口腔癌、癌症相关疼痛、口干症（口干）、龋齿和牙周疾病。病毒载体和非病毒载体的最新进展使更有效的基因传递系统成为可能，通过μ-阿片受体基因转移在癌症疼痛管理方面取得了特别成功，以及使用水通道蛋白-1基因治疗口干症。对于牙周应用，基因治疗策略包括使用血小板衍生生长因子和骨形态发生蛋白等生长因子的免疫调节和组织再生方法。虽然已经取得了重大进展，特别是在治疗放射性口干症和口腔癌疼痛方面，但在载体优化和递送方法方面仍存在挑战。主要处于I期的临床试验表明了基因治疗在口腔医疗保健中的潜力和当前局限性。本综述综合了当前证据，并概述了基因治疗在口腔医学和牙科应用中的未来方向。
