title: Gene therapy in cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene and is the most common life-shortening genetic defect in Caucasians. Life expectancy in CF has improved substantially over the last 75 years because of treatments aimed at end-organ complications. Since the CFTR gene was discovered in 1989 more than 1900 mutations have been reported to cause CF and significant effort has been put forth into gene therapy to find a mutation independent "cure" for CF. Gene-based approaches have not yet led to a viable therapy but have provided insights into hurdles that limit the efficacy of gene therapy. This review will address the nomenclature of CFTR mutations, attempts at viral and nonviral gene therapy, and recent advances in mutation-specific molecules.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prickett
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018389:Codon, Nonsense / Q000235:genetics; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016153:Genes, Suppressor; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator