What preparatory measure is often implemented before reinfusing corrected cells during *ex vivo* gene therapy?
Answer
A preparatory procedure like chemotherapy to make room in the patient's body.
The *ex vivo* process culminates in reinfusing genetically corrected cells back into the patient. To ensure these newly introduced cells have a favorable environment in which to thrive, proliferate, and establish themselves as a long-term population, the patient’s native cell population must often be temporarily reduced or cleared. Chemotherapy serves this purpose by creating space within the patient's body, often in the bone marrow or circulatory system, allowing the infused, corrected cells—which may include stem cells—the best chance to engraft successfully and provide the desired therapeutic benefit.
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