Volume 41, Issue 3 pp. 94-96

Airway gene therapy and cystic fibrosis

DW Parsons

DW Parsons

Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, and Department of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia

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First published: 17 March 2005
Citations: 8
Dr David W Parsons, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, and Department of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, 5006, Australia. Fax: +61 8 8161 7050; email: [email protected]

Abstract

Abstract: Airway disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) is the major cause of death and is presently inadequately treatable, but genetic therapies offer the hope that such life-long disease will be curable, or at least satisfactorily treated. Normal pathogen defences that have evolved on airway surfaces also prevent the various gene vectors now available from producing effective gene transfer. Nevertheless, findings from basic research and human clinical trials are revealing how these barriers might be overcome or circumvented, with benefits to therapeutic efficacy and patient safety. Though progress is slower than expected or desired, the therapeutic rewards will be great when safe and effective gene therapy for CF airway disease becomes a clinical reality.

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