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Medical Products & Applications

Medical Products & Applications. Cancer may soon pass Heart Disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. Scientists are investigating oncogenes & tumor-suppressor genes (genes in charge of the growth properties of the cell)

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Medical Products & Applications

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  1. Medical Products & Applications • Cancer may soon pass Heart Disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. • Scientists are investigating oncogenes & tumor-suppressor genes (genes in charge of the growth properties of the cell) • Drugs are being sought to act as inhibitors and activators for the transcription of these genes

  2. Pharmacogenomics • Most effective drug therapy and treatment strategies based on genetic profile of the patient • Individuals react differently to same drugs (different degrees of efficacy & adverse events) • Example in action = breast cancer

  3. Breast Cancer • Some forms of breast cancer are hereditary, while others are not • BRCA1 (chromosome 17) & BRCA2 (chromosome 13) are the defective genes that increase the risk of developing breast cancer • DNA microarray analysis is used to determine which genes are involved

  4. Chemotherapy • This form of treatment is effective but it is cytotoxic (affects normal cells) • Researchers are looking for drugs to target only cancerous cells • If the genetic basis is understood, custom designed drugs will improve. • However, the delivery of those drugs to their target still needs improvement.

  5. Drug Delivery • Companies must develop ways to deliver drugs to maximize their efficacy • Drug solubility, breakdown by body organs, & elimination by liver and kidneys • Microspheres may improve effectiveness

  6. Microspheres • Tiny particles that can be filled with drugs • Made of materials that resemble lipids • Mist spray successful (for lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses) • Implantation?

  7. Nanotechnology • An area of science involved in designing, building, and manipulating structures at the nanometer scale. • Nanomedicine = applications of nanotechnology for improving human health • Not a reality yet • Scientists envision “smart” drugs (deliver medicine to specific cell to destroy without side effects)

  8. Blood Transfusions • Blood transfusions routinely performed since 1930s • Trauma victims, surgeries, blood-clotting disorders • Tested for pathogens • Has a shelf life • There is often a need for blood, so research into artificial blood has become a new field

  9. Artificial Blood Advantages • Disease-free alternative • Constant supply (no worry of shortage) • Stored for long periods of time • Would not have to be matched (no rejection) • Oxycyte pictured at left

  10. Artificial Blood Limitations • Designed to transport oxygen to body tissues (only primary task of RBCs) • Iron absorption • Removal of carbon dioxide • No substitute yet created that can perform functions of whole blood • No immune protection • No clotting

  11. Oxycyte Video

  12. Hemopure • In 2000, South Africa was the first country to approve a blood substitute called Hemopure • Made from hemoglobin of cattle (produced by Biopure, a MA company) • Cell-free solution containing molecules that can bind to and transport oxygen same way as hemoglobin • Some use fluorocarbons, which are chemicals that can bind oxygen and release it to surrounding tissues

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