DNA strand gene transfer and bone healing.

Continued research is still needed to broaden the understanding of the biology of bone formation, bone repair, and bone remodeling. Preliminary data reviewed in this article confirm that it is possible to use ex vivo and in vivo gene-transfer strategies to transfer genes to bone and express them in the repair site. As work progresses, strategies of gene therapy with osteoinductive-growth factors may provide the orthopedic surgeon with more effective and less-costly treatment options for bone-healing problems.