title: The pharmacology and toxicology of three new biologic agents used in pulmonary medicine.
abstract: Biological agents have played an important role in the evolution of modern medical therapeutics. Recent advances in biologicals have in part been stimulated by the biotechnology revolution seen over the last several years. Toxicologists need to be aware of the proposed mechanisms and approved and experimental uses of these new biologic agents. Further, controversies about their use, efficacy, cost issues and potential toxicities should be known. Often these drugs are designed for small patient populations thus limiting the availability of human toxicological data bases. This paper reviews the pharmacology and toxicology of three new biologics (recombinant human DNase I, alpha 1-protease inhibitor, and nitric oxide). These agents appear to have important roles in treating specific diseases or disease states seen in pulmonary medicine.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis, USA.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Albertson
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Walby
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tharratt
mesh_terms: D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I