Health

STAT+: New tumor cases show common gene therapy tool can come with risk

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/11/2026, 16:51:25 UTC.

Briefings

A new series of cases published in 2026 demonstrates that adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), commonly used to treat spinal muscular atrophy, can induce cancer. This finding challenges the long-standing belief that AAVs are safe for gene therapy, shifting the medical calculus for patients and families to weigh the risks against the potential lifesaving benefits.

Key points

• AAVs have been used for two decades to deliver genes for spinal muscular atrophy, but recent cases show they can cause cancer.
• Researchers at University of Rochester, speaking to STAT+, note that this discovery forces a re-evaluation of the technology's safety profile.

Context

AAVs are small viruses used to deliver new genes into thousands of patients, including those with spinal muscular atrophy. The discovery of their potential to drive tumors forces a critical reassessment of the technology's safety profile.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a series of cases from 2026. The study does not provide causal claims or specific patient outcomes, and the full story is not available in the source.

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