Jul 2026· Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs· Vol 35, pp. 545 - 553· 0 citations· 67 references
Medicine
TL;DR
Lonvo-z uses CRISPR/Cas9 technology to permanently reduce production of prekallikrein that triggers swelling attacks in HAE, potentially providing long-lasting disease control after a single treatment.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by recurrent swelling caused by dysregulation of the kallikrein–kinin pathway. Although current therapies effectively reduce attack frequency, treatment remains lifelong. Lonvoguran ziclumeran (Lonvo-z; NTLA-2002) is the first systemically administered in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing therapy designed to provide durable suppression of plasma kallikrein through permanent disruption of the KLKB1 gene. Areas covered This review summarizes the pathophysiology and current management of HAE, the development of Lonvo-z, its lipid nanoparticle delivery platform, and the technical advances enabling in vivo genome editing. Preclinical studies and clinical evidence, including early-phase trials and the Phase 3 HAELO study, are reviewed with emphasis on efficacy, safety and clinical implications. Expert opinion Lonvo-z represents a major milestone in precision medicine and the clinical application of systemic genome editing. A single administration has produced sustained reductions in plasma kallikrein levels and HAE attack frequency. Although long-term follow-up is ongoing, current evidence supports its potential as the first one-time disease-modifying treatment for HAE and a landmark advance in CRISPR-based therapeutics. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Lonvo-z uses CRISPR/Cas9 technology to permanently reduce production of prekallikrein that triggers swelling attacks in HAE, potentially providing long-lasting disease control after a single treatment.
Inherited genodermatoses are a heterogeneous group of rare monogenic disorders. Among these, epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and ichthyoses represent paradigmatic disorders characterized by severe skin fragility and hyperkeratosis, respectively, and impaired barrier function, often with profound effects on quality of life and systemic health. Current management remains largely palliative, underscoring the urgent need for disease-modifying therapies. Over the past 2 decades, advances in epithelial stem cell biology, vector engineering and genome editing technologies have transformed the therapeutic landscape for genodermatoses. Ex vivo gene therapy has provided the first proof that genetically corrected epidermal stem cells can achieve long-term tissue regeneration in EB skin patients, establishing a new paradigm for regenerative medicine. In parallel, the emergence of programmable genome engineering platforms, including CRISPR/Cas nucleases, base editors and prime editors, have enabled increasingly precise strategies for mutation-specific correction in both recessive and dominant disorders. Furthermore, the development of in vivo topical approaches is expanding the possibility of directly targeting the skin. Despite these advances, substantial translational barriers continue to limit broad clinical implementation. Efficient and durable targeting of epidermal stem cells within a highly regenerative tissue, together with safe delivery across the skin barrier, stringent control of off-target activity, scalable manufacturing and demonstration of long-term safety, remain major challenges for the clinical translation of these approaches. In this Review, we discuss the current state of gene therapy for genodermatoses, highlighting key clinical milestones, emerging genome editing technologies and next-generation delivery systems. We further examine the biological and regulatory challenges that need to be overcome to bridge the gap between experimental innovation and clinically accessible therapies for patients with inherited skin diseases.
A. Fabrizi, Marta Valenti, Silvia Zacchino et al.· Frontiers in Bioengineering...· 0 citations
This review provides a comprehensive and critical appraisal of the current landscape of CRISPR-based therapies for genetic liver diseases, and underscores that CRISPR gene editing is transitioning from experimental promise to clinical reality for genetic liver diseases, with personalized approaches poised to redefine the treatment paradigm.
Anh Tuan Quan· Clinics And Research in Hepa...· 0 citations
Hemophilia is an X-linked hereditary bleeding disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the genes encoding coagulation factors, leading to excessive bleeding and potentially being life-threatening. Currently, regular treatment for hemophilia is the infusion of recombinant blood coagulation factors. This approach is not only costly but can also give rise to complications such as the development of neutralizing antibodies (Nabs), which impede the therapeutic outcome. Hemophilia is a monogenic disease, making gene therapy a promising curative measure that includes gene addition and gene editing approaches. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have gained massive attention as the premier delivery vehicle for clinical gene therapy due to their diverse tissue tropisms dictated by the natural and engineered AAV capsids, their excellent safety profile since AAVs do not cause any known human diseases, low immunogenicity, and long-lasting gene expression. Several AAV-based gene addition therapies have been approved for hemophilia B and hemophilia A, and dozens of similar AAV-based clinical trials are underway. Gene editing technologies, like Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), have shown immense potential in the treatment of genetic diseases. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgene integration provides critical advantages over regular gene insertion therapy by enabling site-specific, targeted genomic integration rather than random integration. Clinical trials focusing on AAV-CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of human genes represent the frontier of
in vivo
genetic medicine, and one such prominent ongoing clinical trial for hemophilia B is designed to insert the human Factor IX gene into hepatocytes. This review outlines recent advances and feasible strategies of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing for hemophilia therapy, highlights the potential applications of next-generation gene editing and vector delivery technologies, and offers new insights for the advantages, limitations, and future directions for these novel treatment modalities.
Xiao-Yu Zhang, Kai-Di Xu, Shi-Hui Zou et al.· Frontiers in Genome Editing· 0 citations
The success of CRISPR-Cas9 in monogenic diseases represents the prelude to precision medicine, whereas conquering complex diseases will require systematic leaps in target discovery, delivery technology, and safety profiles.
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant deficiency or dysfunction of C1 esterase inhibitor, resulting in dysregulated kallikrein—bradykinin signaling and potentially life-threatening angioedema. While existing C1-INH products and kallikrein inhibitors have improved disease control, new clinical trials aim to further reduce treatment burden and achieve durable prophylaxis through novel therapeutic strategies.
Active and recruiting HAE clinical trials were identified through the trial registry on clinicaltrials.gov.
A total of twenty-two trials were identified, eleven of which are recruiting as of December 2025, and eleven others that are active but no longer recruiting. The sole drug in phase 4 is CSL312 (Garadacimab), a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting activated factor XIIa. Drugs in phase 3 include: NTLA-2002, a single-dose intravenous gene therapy targeting inactivation of the KLKB1 gene; Navenibart, an IgG1 monoclonal antibody inhibiting activated kallikrein; OCTA-C1-INH, a virus-inactivated, nanofiltrated, highly purified concentrate of C1-INH derived from pooled human plasma; ADX-324, an siRNA therapy to reduce hepatic production of prekallikrein (PKK); Donidalorsen, an antisense oligonucleotide targeted against hepatic PKK mRNA; Sebetralstat and berotralstat, both plasma kallikrein inhibitors that reduce production of bradykinin; and deucrictibant, a competitive bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. Drugs in phase 2 are: BW-20805, another siRNA therapy targeting human hepatic PKK mRNA; and BMN 331, an AAV5-based gene therapy that introduces the SERPING1 gene which encodes wild-type human C1INH protein.
Advances in gene therapy, biologics, RNA interference therapeutics, and improved replacement strategies hold promise for transforming both rescue and prophylactic management for HAE. Ongoing evaluation of safety, durability of response, and real-world applicability will be critical in defining the future standard of care for HAE.
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Translational and Interventional Immunology (TI)
Jooyoung Moon· Journal of Immunology· 0 citations
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