B-vec treatment is a really exciting breakthrough in gene technology. In dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) sufferers lack a gene which codes for collagen (type VII). Their skin is so fragile and shears off with small force/friction. B-vec uses a HSV-1 virus that has been altered not to cause HSV infection, but with the gene DEB patients lack has been inserted. The gel is easy to apply to wounds and reduces wound size and time to heal. Limitations are that it cannot treat intact non wounded skin, so patients can still get lesions easily. However the study had very minor adverse effects and no serious adverse effects which were observed in earlier studies using gene therapy as a treatment.
If anyone wants to read the study here’s the link:
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B-vec treatment is a really exciting breakthrough in gene technology. In dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) sufferers lack a gene which codes for collagen (type VII). Their skin is so fragile and shears off with small force/friction. B-vec uses a HSV-1 virus that has been altered not to cause HSV infection, but with the gene DEB patients lack has been inserted. The gel is easy to apply to wounds and reduces wound size and time to heal. Limitations are that it cannot treat intact non wounded skin, so patients can still get lesions easily. However the study had very minor adverse effects and no serious adverse effects which were observed in earlier studies using gene therapy as a treatment.
If anyone wants to read the study here’s the link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347281/
It’s fascinating.
Butterfly skin seems like an absolutely horrific condition. Whatever can help those effected is definitely welcomed im sure.