Gene doping : an overview and current implications for athletes

Gene doping : an overview and current implications for athletes / Toon van der Gronde, Olivier de Hon, Hidde J. Haisma and Toine Pieters. - (British Journal of Sports Medicine 47 (2013) 11 : p. 670-678)

The possibility of gene doping, defined as the transfer of nucleic acid sequences and/or the use of normal or genetically modified cells to enhance sport performance, is a real concern in sports medicine. The abuse of knowledge and techniques gained in the area of gene therapy is a form of doping, and is prohibited for competitive athletes. As yet there is no conclusive evidence that gene doping has been practiced in sport. However, given that gene therapy techniques improve continuously, the likelihood of abuse will increase. A literature search was conducted to identify the most relevant proteins based on their current gene doping potential using articles from Pubmed, Scopus and Embase published between 2006 and 2011. The final list of selected proteins were erythropoietin, insulin-like growth factor, growth hormone, myostatin, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, endorphin and enkephalin, α actinin 3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARδ) and cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C). We discuss these proteins with respect to their potential benefits, existing gene therapy experience in humans, potential risks, and chances of detection in current and future anti-doping controls. We have identified PPARδ and PEPCK-C as having high potential for abuse. But we expect that for efficiency reasons, there will be a preference for inserting gene target combinations rather than single gene doping products. This will also further complicate detection.

Parameters

Science
Review
Date
15 January 2013
People
Gronde, T. van der
Haisma, Hidde J.
Hon, Olivier de
Country
Netherlands
Language
English
Doping classes
M3. Gene And Cell Doping
Substances
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs)
Growth hormone (GH)
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1)
Myostatin
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor δ (PPARδ) agonists
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK)
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Medical terms
Gene Therapy
Document category
Abstract
Document type
Pdf file
Date generated
1 October 2013
Date of last modification
22 March 2018
Category
  • Legal Source
  • Education
  • Science
  • Statistics
  • History
Country & language
  • Country
  • Language
Other filters
  • ADRV
  • Legal Terms
  • Sport/IFs
  • Other organisations
  • Laboratories
  • Analytical aspects
  • Doping classes
  • Substances
  • Medical terms
  • Various
  • Version
  • Document category
  • Document type
Publication period
Origin