Three-year-old becomes youngest patient to receive groundbreaking gene therapy

Health & Fitness
25 Jun 2025 • 1:33 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Three-year-old Gunreet Kaur became the youngest person in the UK to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy for a rare, life-threatening inherited condition.
  • Gunreet, diagnosed with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, received the Upstaza treatment in February 2024 at Great Ormond Street children’s hospital (GOSH).
  • AADC deficiency is a rare and often deadly condition caused by a gene mutation that prevents the production of dopamine, leading to severe developmental and movement issues.
  • The Gene therapy, eladocagene exuparvovec, involves delivering a working AADC gene directly into the brain to enable the production of the missing enzyme.
  • Since receiving the treatment, Gunreet has made significant progress, including improved coordination, new movements, and vocalisation, with hopes for further development.

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