research / study

yánjiū

研究

to show / to reveal

xiǎnshì

显示

，

single / one-time

dān cì

单次

gene therapy

jīyīn zhìliáo

基因治疗

injection

zhùshè

注射

can / is able to

kě

可

to make / to enable

shǐ

使

congenital / hereditary

xiāntiānxìng

先天性

deafness

ěrlóng

耳聋

patients

huànzhě

患者

to recover / to restore

huīfù

恢复

hearing

tīnglì

听力

。

New Words

News in English

Single Gene Therapy Injection Restores Hearing in Children Born Deaf, Study Finds

New research by Karolinska medical school and Chinese partner institutions shows a gene therapy injection can effectively restore hearing in people with congenital deafness. All ten patients in the trial showed improvement within six months.

According to research report released April 3, Sweden Karolinska medical school and China research institutions jointly conducted a gene therapy clinical trial. Researchers delivered normal OTOF gene to inner ear cochlea by injecting synthetic adeno-associated virus to patients. Ten congenitally deaf patients participating in clinical trial all showed positive response to treatment. Most patients began showing hearing improvement signs within one month after injection. One seven-year-old girl has recovered normal daily conversation ability after four months of treatment. Data shows treated patients average sound perception threshold dropped from 106 decibels to 52 decibels. Researchers stated the next phase will expand this therapy to GJB2, TMC1 and other common deafness-causing gene patients. This research result is considered major breakthrough in hereditary deafness treatment field, expected to benefit millions of deaf patients globally within coming years.

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