Review: Gene Therapy for Cancer:

Gene therapy is a new form of therapeutic intervention with applications in many areas of medical treatment. There are still many technical difficulties to be overcome, but recent advances in the molecular and cellular biology of gene transfer have made it likely that gene therapy will soon start to play an increasing role in clinical practice and particularly in the treatment of cancer. The first clinical gene transfer in an approved protocol took place exactly 10 years ago, and it was for the transfer of gene-marked immune cells into patients with advanced cancer. Now there are 218 active clinical protocols in the United States, and they have involved over 2000 patients worldwide. Among the conditions and diseases for which gene transfer is being tried as treatment, cancer comes first with 130 clinical trials. Fundamental research in the mechanisms of cancer and the development of molecular biology tools are crucial for the success of the treatments in the future. The identification of tumor rejection antigens from a variety of cancers and the immune response that is defective in cancer patients are important topics for future studies. The evaluation of gene therapy combinations involving use of tumor suppressor genes and constructs that inactivate oncogenes is also another important area for future research. The future improvement of present viruses as well as the use of new viral vectors will likely expand the applicability and efficacy of gene therapy. During the next decade technological developments, particularly in the areas of gene delivery and cell transplantation, will be critical for the successful clinical practice of gene therapy.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: The porphyrias: pathophysiology

Porphyrias are a group of inherited and acquired metabolic disorders due to a defect in haem biosynthesis. An enzymatic defect at different steps of haem synthesis leads to tissue accumulation and excessive excretion of porphyrins and/or their toxic precursors. The specific patterns of accumulation determine the variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from acute neurovisceral attacks to skin lesions and liver disease. Most enzyme defects represent partial deficiencies, while familial cases are linked to autosomal or recessive traits. The incomplete penetrance of the genetic defects often requires the triggering or aggravating effect of host-related or environmental factors. While genetics has a role in confirming clinical suspicion and in family screening, biochemical and clinical studies are still central in the diagnosis.     

Erratum zu: Sinnvolle Diagnostik: Bildgebung

Herz - In der Legende der Abb. 1 „Sinnvolle Diagnostik: Bildgebung“ (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-019-04873-3) wurde der Endpunkt des 10-Jahres-Risikos des schematisch...     

State-of-the-Art: Pharmacologic-Therapecitic Update: Theophyllines-A Review

Management of asthma in emergency departments (ED) has been well documented to be deficient over many years, despite national and international guidelines. This review summarizes the effect of ED protocols aimed at improving the assessment and treatment of asthma in the ED. We performed a PubMed search of the English literature for ED asthma protocols published from 1986 to 2006 and identified 11 studies. Protocols were effective in improving at least some areas of management, including use of appropriate patient assessment, drug therapy per national guidelines, and patient education. A small number of protocols with the specific aims of reducing the length of stay in the ED as well as rates of hospital admission and return visits were effective. Persistent education of ED staff regarding protocols based on current management guidelines and adoption of easy-to-use forms can facilitate improved care of patients with asthma in the ED.