Gene therapy for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis?

Gene therapy shows promise as a means of improving the treatment of a number of rheumatic diseases, including adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We summarize these developments and discuss the merits of extending such approaches to the treatment of juvenile RA. The special issues that arise when treating children by experimental new procedures predicate a cautious approach using strategies first shown to be safe in adults. Patients with severe, erosive, nonremitting pauciarticular juvenile RA might be suitable first candidates for gene therapy.