Gene Doping and Sport

Friedmann, Theodore; Rabin, Olivier; Frankel, Mark S.

doi:10.1126/science.1177801

Cited by 29 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Also, if a cell producing the desired product is infected by another virus, this could lead to overexpression of the protein 12 30. Expression is controllable by an inducer drug (eg, doxycycline, which is approved for human use), but since this is detectable, it is less likely to be used for gene doping 18 47

Storage and usage

Gene therapy would require good storage and it is questionable whether those wishing to abuse it are knowledgeable about proper handling procedures 41.

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Section: From Gene Therapy To Gene Dopingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though a couple of gene therapy products have been marketed outside China to date, at least 1843 gene therapy trials have been conducted worldwide with thousands of patients suffering from cancer diseases, cardiovascular and neurological diseases and a range of other diseases 10 15 19 34. Early clinical trials in Europe and the USA had limited results and even fatalities were reported from gene therapy;9 46 47 however, examples of successful gene therapy include treatment of SCID-X1 and Leber's congenital amaurosis 17. The proof of concept of various transfer strategies in gene therapy shows that we are at least at the beginning of a gene therapy revolution for patients with monogenic diseases 16 17 48…”

Section: From Gene Therapy To Gene Dopingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gene doping: an overview and current implications for athletes

et al. 2013

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The possibility of gene doping, defined as the transfer of nucleic acid sequences and/or the use of normal or genetically modified cells to enhance sport performance, is a real concern in sports medicine. The abuse of knowledge and techniques gained in the area of gene therapy is a form of doping, and is prohibited for competitive athletes. As yet there is no conclusive evidence that that gene doping has been practiced in sport. However, given that gene therapy techniques improve continuously, the likelihood of abuse will increase. A literature search was conducted to identify the most relevant proteins based on their current gene doping potential using articles from Pubmed, Scopus and Embase published between 2006 and 2011. The final list of selected proteins were erythropoietin, insulin-like growth factor, growth hormone, myostatin, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, endorphin and enkephalin, α actinin 3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARδ) and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C). We discuss these proteins with respect to their potential benefits, existing gene therapy experience in humans, potential risks, and chances of detection in current and future anti-doping controls. We have identified PPARδ and PEPCK-C as having high potential for abuse. But we expect that for efficiency reasons, there will be a preference for inserting gene target combinations rather than single gene doping products. This will also further complicate detection.

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Storage and usage

Gene therapy would require good storage and it is questionable whether those wishing to abuse it are knowledgeable about proper handling procedures 41.

…”

Section: From Gene Therapy To Gene Dopingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: From Gene Therapy To Gene Dopingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gene doping: an overview and current implications for athletes

et al. 2013

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“…The successful development of gene therapy has provided the concepts, tools, opportunity and, in some cases, the justification for genetic modification of functions that affect normal human aspects, including athletic performance (Friedmann, 2010;Friedmann et al, 2010). The potential misuse of this type of therapy is regarded as gene doping.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Erythropoietin non-viral gene therapy does not affect motility, viability, morphology or concentration of rabbit sperm

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Urtiaga

et al. 2013

Animal

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Erythropoietin (EPO) gene therapy can be used for several purposes; however, its effects on reproductive performance are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological effects of non-viral (EPO) gene transfer on sperm motility, viability, morphology and concentration. Rabbit EPO cDNA was cloned into a pTarget mammalian expression vector. Rabbits were administered with: (1) pTarget/EPO vector, (2) recombinant human EPO (rHuEpo) and (3) saline (control). Both pTarget/EPO and rHuEpo significantly increased (P , 0.05) hematocrit levels 1 week after injection and they remained significantly higher than the control for up to 5 weeks (P , 0.05), showing that both EPO treatments were effective in stimulating the production of red blood cells in rabbits. The EPO gene transfer or rHuEPO administration had no significant effect (P . 0.05) on sperm motility, vigor, viability, concentration or morphology in the testis.

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“…In the past, doping and cheating in sports were enabled by advances in pharmacology and physiology. Now, advances in molecular genetics have given rise to the potential to improve various non-medical human features including sports performance by the use of GM technology (3,4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%