A team of collaborative researchers from George Washington University, the University of Perugia, and the University of Rome have uncovered a possible new treatment for cystic fibrosis in the drug thymosin alpha 1 (Ta1), aka "Zadaxin". In their study, the collaberaters examnined the theraputic affects of the drug on cystic fibrosis. By doing this, they hoped it would stop the progression of this disease. They chose Ta1 becasue of it is acts like a natural polypeptide found within thymus tissue and plays a role within the immune ssytem. This drug has also been on the market for 15 years in other countires as a treatment for HIV, immunodificiency diorders, and viral infections. In the study, the researchers found that this drug reduces inflamation and corrected genetic errors within mice and human subjeacts. It was able to reduce inflammation associated with CF and stabilies the degrading CFTR protein, which is responsible for regulating the chlorine channel that balances out the amount of salt water within the lungs.
This new discovery is amazing for those affected by this disease. It was interesting to learn about because it combats this genetic code mutation, making it possible for people to breath properly. I also found it interesting to learn that this drug has been around for some time, but it is not available within the US. This matter caught my attention becuase I wondered why a drug that has proven to be clinically effective would not be offered within the US, and to what extreme must it go through to be available to the US.
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