Molecular biological methods in diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases.
Molecular biology is making a tremendous impact on the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. Methods such as the polymerase chain reaction are changing the way physicians diagnose and monitor patients with viral hepatitis. Assays based on recombinant protein antigens allow for detection of specific autoantibodies in diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis. The diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases, such as hemochromatosis and Wilson disease, is being revolutionized by discovery of the defective genes involved and the development of methods to rapidly sequence DNA and identify mutations. Treatments and preventive measures are now possible with use of drugs and vaccines produced by recombinant DNA technology. Gene therapy and nucleic acid-based therapeutics are also realistic future treatment options for individuals with liver diseases.
Worman
H J
HJ
Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. hjw14@columbia.edu
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D015195:Drug Design; D018067:Flaviviridae; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins