Before gene therapy, your doctor may check for antibodies. These can sometimes affect eligibility for gene therapy treatment. Not all tests are the same, and levels can change over time, so timing matters. Hear Ricardo, a scientist at our Genetic Therapies Center of Excellence, break it down in this video.
Read the transcript below.
Video Transcript
If you’re considering gene therapy, one of the first things to discuss with your healthcare provider is antibody testing.
What are antibodies?
Antibodies are part of your body’s natural defense system. When you’re exposed to something like a virus, your body makes antibodies to help fight it. Even after you recover, those antibodies can stick around—ready to respond if they see the same virus again.
Why test for antibodies before gene therapy?
Some gene therapies use a tool called a viral vector, a modified version of a virus, to deliver a working gene into cells throughout the body. Viral vectors are made in a lab, but they look like viruses that exist in nature. So some people may already have antibodies that recognize the vector. Those antibodies could spring into action and block the gene therapy from working as intended.
Antibody testing is done before treatment to check if those antibodies are present. If someone tests positive for certain antibodies, it may affect whether gene therapy is an option for them.
Is there one antibody test for all gene therapies?
The short answer is no. Each unique gene therapy requires a specific antibody test, which is usually a simple blood test.
Can antibodies change over time?
Antibody levels can change over time. That’s why antibody testing is done close to when gene therapy is being considered, and sometimes checked again just before treatment, so your care team has the most up‑to‑date information to guide next steps.
Let’s review!
- Antibodies are part of your body’s natural defense system.
- Some gene therapies use a viral vector to deliver a working gene.
- If you’re considering gene therapy, antibody testing is one of the first things you should discuss with your healthcare provider.
If you have questions about gene therapy, talk to your healthcare provider or email our Patient Affairs team at [email protected].