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Scientists find better treatment for cystic fibrosis
Joanna Pelletier, Daily Vidette Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: News
Scientists across the globe have been working in conjunction to find a better treatment for cystic fibrosis, a painful genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 Americans and 70,000 people worldwide.
Now, it is possible that they have found it through a drug called VX-770.
"VX-770 is the first of a new generation of drugs under development that tackle the problems at the root of CF rather than treating the symptoms of the disease," David Sheppard, a professor of physiology at the University of Bristol, said.
Sheppard, who has been working with Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on the project, explained that the new drug is designed to treat the genetic defects that cause cystic fibrosis and make it easier for proteins to move more freely throughout the body of the patient.
"Just like oil helps a rusty turnstile to turn more easily, VX-770 allows the gates in defective CFTRs to move more easily," Sheppard said. "[As a result] the tubes in the body are less susceptible to being blocked by mucus and the patient is far less prone to infections, poor digestion and discomfort."
Sheppard explained that CFTRs are proteins that transfer chlorides throughout the body, a trait that is commonly nonexistent in individuals with cystic fibrosis.
People who suffer from cystic fibrosis do not have the same "slipperiness" in their organ ducts as other people, which makes it more difficult for them to digest food, keep their air passages clear and avoid lung infections.
Now, it is possible that they have found it through a drug called VX-770.
"VX-770 is the first of a new generation of drugs under development that tackle the problems at the root of CF rather than treating the symptoms of the disease," David Sheppard, a professor of physiology at the University of Bristol, said.
Sheppard, who has been working with Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on the project, explained that the new drug is designed to treat the genetic defects that cause cystic fibrosis and make it easier for proteins to move more freely throughout the body of the patient.
"Just like oil helps a rusty turnstile to turn more easily, VX-770 allows the gates in defective CFTRs to move more easily," Sheppard said. "[As a result] the tubes in the body are less susceptible to being blocked by mucus and the patient is far less prone to infections, poor digestion and discomfort."
Sheppard explained that CFTRs are proteins that transfer chlorides throughout the body, a trait that is commonly nonexistent in individuals with cystic fibrosis.
People who suffer from cystic fibrosis do not have the same "slipperiness" in their organ ducts as other people, which makes it more difficult for them to digest food, keep their air passages clear and avoid lung infections.
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