Multicenter Epidemiological Study for the Evaluation of the Seroprevalence of Total and Neutralizing Antibodies Against Adenoassociated Virus Serotypes Used in Gene Therapy in Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases of Genetic Origin.

This research aims to determine the seroprevalence and immunological profiles of recent and/or emerging AAV capsids that could be used in future gene therapy programs. It will thus make it possible to: 1/ improve knowledge of the prevalence of anti-AAV antibodies (total and neutralizing) in these specific populations; 2/ identify the clinical, demographic or biological factors likely to influence this seroprevalence (age, sex, type of pathology, immunosuppressive treatment followed); 3/ to characterize the phenomena of cross-reactivity between different serotypes or variants of capsids, a major challenge for the design of new generations of vectors.

The data generated will contribute to a better estimation of the populations potentially eligible for gene therapies, by making it possible to anticipate exclusion rates related to pre-existing immunity. They may also guide the rational selection of alternative capsids that are less immunogenic or evade cross-immunity, as well as the development of immunomodulation or re-assay strategies.