Monday, April 17, 2017

Possible Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis Discovered

[lungs diagram]

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening disease that damages the respiratory and digestive systems in the body. This disease affects 30,000 people in the US alone and currently has no cure however, recent research shows that a certain therapeutic approach may stop the disease from progressing.  Secretory glands in the body are responsible for the production  of mucus and swear, in a person with CF however, these secretions build up in the lungs causing respiratory infections as well as cause other infections in other parts of the body affected.

A group of researchers from George Washington University as well as the University of Perugia and the University of Rome have identified a synthetic polypeptide called thymosin alpha 1 and have examined its therapeutic affects. Thymosin alpha 1 is a synthetic form of a polypeptide found in thymus tissue. A mutation in the genetic code of a protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) causes CF. The mutation causes the protein to degrade prematurely which leads to poor chloride permeability in the affected areas and causes inflammation and infection. With the combination of several drugs, a therapeutic approach is able to be made that has shown multiple beneficial effects, more then ever found when dealing with the cure for CF. I believe this is a huge step in the right direction for curing this disease that so many people in the world are diagnosed with. Hopefully with further funding and more extensive research done, a complete cure can be made to totally eradicate this disease and save the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Links:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316837.php
https://gidigest.musc.edu/potential-new-treatment-for-cystic-fibrosis-uncovered-medical-news-today/


2 comments:

  1. What a great discovery! It's nice to see science working towards helping those struggling with these genetic diseases.

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  2. Cystic Fibrosis effects so many people and I am so thrilled that progress is being made to help these people suffering. I believe is this a huge step in the right direction and an excellent discovery made my researchers. I hope in the near future there will be even more discoveries to hopefully find a cure.

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