Gene therapy - a novel form of drug delivery

Article Abstract:

Gene therapy offers great potential for treating diseases, but much more research is required before gene therapy will be effective in humans. In gene therapy, genes are incorporated into cells and then the cells' mechanisms use the genes to produce therapeutic agents. The genes may compensate for defective genetic material, inhibit cell growth, or produce proteins that act on other cells. The primary problem in gene therapy is finding a vector that will effectively insert the therapeutic gene into target cells. Retroviruses and adenoviruses are commonly used vectors but they can only carry genes of limited size and they tend to insert genes into too few or too many cells. Another obstacle in gene therapy is devising mechanisms to regulate inserted genes so that they do not produce proteins continuously. While current animal models exist for testing gene therapies, these need to be refined so that the diseases in animals more closely resemble those in humans.

Drug delivery systems

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Boosting cardiac contractility with genes

Article Abstract:

Techniques that increase the number of receptors for adrenaline on heart cells may be beneficial in the treatment of heart disease. Heart disease strikes approximately 400,000 people in the U.S. each year and costs over $10 billion. However, most treatments do not cure the disease and heart transplants are costly and in short supply. A 1994 study showed that mice implanted with a gene that would increase beta-adrenergic receptors on heart muscle had faster heart rates and higher pressure in the heart ventricle. The therapeutic use of beta blockers might prevent the loss of beta-adrenergic receptors usually seen in chronic heart failure. However, the consequences of increasing beta-adrenergic receptors in a diseased heart are unknown.

Congestive heart failure, Beta adrenoceptors, Adrenergic beta receptors

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Apoptosis and heart failure

Article Abstract:

Apoptosis may be involved in the development of heart failure. Apoptosis is the technical term for natural cell death. Cell death often occurs naturally in the body. Scientists believe this may be one way the body eliminates damaged cells. Many reports have documented the occurrence of cell death in the heart. Some doctors believe cell death may contribute to the development of a heart disease called cardiomyopathy. Therefore, a substance that would block cell death might be a good treatment for cardiomyopathy.

Health aspects, Cell death, Heart failure

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