What kind of new therapies are scientists working on to treat cystic fibrosis?
Select all that apply.
inhalers to deliver CFTR to the cells
injections to add water directly to the mucus
gene therapies to fix the CFTR gene
gene editing to remove the CFTR protein
To find out what kind of new therapies scientists are working on to treat cystic fibrosis, you can start by conducting a search on reliable scientific research databases and websites. Some reputable sources for scientific information include PubMed, the website of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and scientific journals like Nature and Science.
By using keywords such as "new therapies," "cystic fibrosis," and "treatment," you can find relevant studies and articles that discuss the latest developments in cystic fibrosis treatment.
Once you have gathered the information, you can determine whether the following therapies are being researched to treat cystic fibrosis:
1. Inhalers to deliver CFTR to the cells: Scientists are indeed exploring the use of inhalers to deliver CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) proteins to the cells affected by cystic fibrosis. This approach aims to restore normal function to the faulty CFTR protein.
2. Injections to add water directly to the mucus: While interventions to add water directly to the mucus are not widely pursued, improving airway hydration is an important aspect of cystic fibrosis treatment. However, there are other methods, such as using hypertonic saline solutions, airway clearance techniques, and newly developed medications that help to hydrate the mucus and facilitate its clearance.
3. Gene therapies to fix the CFTR gene: Gene therapies involving the correction or supplementation of the faulty CFTR gene are actively being investigated for cystic fibrosis treatment. These therapies aim to replace or repair the defective gene to enable the production of functional CFTR protein.
4. Gene editing to remove the CFTR protein: Gene editing to remove the CFTR protein is not a widely explored therapy for cystic fibrosis. Most of the research in this field focuses on correcting or supplementing the CFTR gene rather than removing the CFTR protein.
Remember to consult reliable sources to get the most up-to-date and accurate information on the current state of cystic fibrosis therapies.