Journal of Heredity 2004:95(3):271-271
© 2004 The American Genetic Association
Book Review |
Gene Therapy and Lung Disease
Edited by Steven M. Albelda.Marcel Dekker, New York. 2002. 576 pp. $185.00.
Almost 30 years ago, Claude Lenfant, recently retired director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and Marcel Dekker began a series of books that would present up-to-date and comprehensive reviews of pulmonary science in health and disease. To date, 170 separate volumes have appeared, and the subject of this review is volume 169. At least nine more are in preparation. This remarkable series has captured essentially every aspect of the lungs both as an organ unto itself and as a component of systems incorporating several other tissues and organs. The authors of these volumes are a "who's who" of the pulmonary community.
The subject of gene therapy was first addressed in 1997, in volume 104 of the series, but just 5 years later its sequel, volume 169, appeared. This unusually short time between treating the same subject reflects the explosion of research that has occurred in this area. Without unnecessarily repeating the information in the 1997 version, the present volume does an admirable job of surveying the present situation. It is well-organized into three sections: a description of how genes can be transferred into tissues using a variety of methods, applications of gene transfer to the study of lung disease processes (inflammation, infection, fibrosis), and applications intended to modify the course of human disease. This section deals not only with the obvious—attempts to treat diseases known to be caused by single gene defects—but also with complex diseases such as cancer and acute lung injury, and the situation created by lung transplantation. Major single-gene diseases form the focus: cystic fibrosis and alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in particular.
The editor has succeeded in "herding cats," insofar as the structure of most chapters has a pleasing similarity. Reflecting the current state of affairs, there is heavy emphasis on delivery systems, since how a gene is presented to the lungs has such a major effect on the physiological response to both the gene and the vector used to deliver it. There is a wealth of detail, yet this volume can be assimilated well by those not directly involved in gene transfer research.
The theme is cautious optimism despite continuing challenges. What is not in doubt is that there will be a proliferation of research in gene therapy in the coming years such that Dr. Lenfant will need to solicit a third effort to follow-up this volume, probably in less than the 5 years that have elapsed between the first two.
Professor of Medicine and Bioengineering Vice President, American Thoracic Society Chief, Division of Physiology Interim Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine University of California, San Diego San Diego, CA 92103
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