Experts Explain Gene Therapy in Plastic Surgery

Gene therapy, although an exciting frontier, can sound like a complex process, and it’s made all the more mystifying by pairing it with plastic surgery, but we’re here to clear things up. Using gene therapy in plastic surgery can reap benefits from enhanced tissue regeneration to reduced scarring. “While still in the research and developmental stages, its future applications could transform both aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, leading to better outcomes for patients,” says Newport Beach, CA, plastic surgeon Siamak Agha, MD. We asked experts to explain gene therapy, the benefits it might have in plastic surgery, and what conflicts might arise.

Featured experts

• Andrew Peredo, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
• Elie Levine, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
• Siamak Agha, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, CA

What is gene therapy?

“Gene therapy is a medical treatment aimed at modifying one’s genetic code/DNA by targeting specific genes,” explains New York plastic surgeon Andrew Peredo, MD. “It basically changes the ‘errors’ in certain genes that cause diseases or disorders. It could potentially even change some physical traits.” Gene therapy and the science of “fixing” genes can have applications across virtually all areas of healthcare, says New York plastic surgeon Elie Levine, MD.

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Although gene therapy is still in its early stages, it’s been demonstrated to apply to the treatment of various disorders, from immunodeficiency to cystic fibrosis, says Dr. Agha. Dr. Peredo notes that the biggest area of research is focused on preventing and treating cancers.

The experimental technique involves “gene insertion, replacement, or inactivation is performed to better equip a patient with mechanisms for combating disease,” explains Dr. Peredo. “As such, gene therapy holds great potential in the field of plastic surgery.”

Gene therapy in plastic surgery

Dr. Levine says gene therapy “may allow for advances in plastic surgery, reconstructive options in bone formation and healing, nerve regeneration, wound and tissue healing for all surgical procedures, cranial suture development, cleft lip and palate formation, transplant rejection and treatment of malignancy.”

Currently, “Most of the research in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery is in the reconstructive part of the specialty—wound healing, promoting faster healing,” says Dr. Peredo. “It could help with rejections of face and hand transplants. It could target certain cancers, preventing the need for excision and reconstruction.”

Dr. Agha adds that gene therapy may also be beneficial when it comes to combating skin aging and promoting skin regeneration. “Gene therapy could be used to deliver genes that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, helping to reduce wrinkles, sagging, and overall skin aging,” he explains. “By introducing specific genes into skin cells, plastic surgeons could offer non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments that promote skin regeneration.” Additionally, introducing genes that stimulate hair follicle regeneration may offer a long-term solution for hair loss.

Personalization is another place gene therapy can be useful. “For example, understanding how a person’s genes might affect skin healing, the propensity for scarring, or their response to certain cosmetic procedures can allow for more precise and personalized surgical approaches, potentially minimizing risks and maximizing outcomes,” says Dr. Agha.

Endless possibilities

“We are in the infancy of understanding fully how much value this may be in healthcare.  There are so many possibilities that, with time, we will discover how many we can implement and how quickly this will happen,” says Dr. Levine. 

“A lot of work still needs to be done, but the possibilities are endless as long as the gene is identified,” says Dr. Peredo. “One could cure baldness. One could potentially change appearances by targeting the genetic codes for fat in different areas of the body, leading to larger breasts or buttocks. It could eventually lead to the holy grail, the fountain of youth.”

Doctor’s note

While being at the forefront of a new technology is exciting, it also means we should proceed with some amount of caution. “Ongoing research and careful consideration of safety and ethical implications will be essential as this technology continues to evolve,” says Dr. Agha. “The long-term effects of gene therapy are still not fully understood, and there are ethical considerations regarding genetic modifications.”