In a landmark clinical trial, Gene Therapy has restored hearing in teens and adults who were born deaf, offering hope to millions.
A global team from Swedish company, Karolinska Institutet, made the milestone possible during a trial, treating 10 patients, ages 1 to 24, all born with mutations in the OTOF (Otoferlin) gene which causes profound deafness.
By injecting a harmless virus carrying OTOF directly into the inner ear’s cochlea, the single, precise shot rewired the ear’s ability to send sound signals to the brain.
Most patients noticed hearing improvements within a month, while by six months, all could detect sounds and speech, opening the doors for treating more common forms of genetic deafness.
Gene therapy is the introduction of normal genes into cells, in place of missing or defective ones in order to correct genetic disorders.
It allows doctors to treat a disorder by altering a person’s genetic makeup instead of using drugs or surgery.
