New Therapies Show Promise for Treating Critical Illnesses

IN THIS ISSUE of BioSupply Trends Quarterly, we take an in-depth look at burgeoning therapeutic methods poised to change the way physicians treat key critical illnesses.

For example, cancer treatments typically consist of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, but innovative approaches are being added to the oncology toolbox. One such therapy is plasma therapy. While plasma therapy itself is not new, we are just beginning to explore its potential for use in cancer patients. As we discuss in our article “Plasma’s Pivotal Role in Cancer Therapy,” plasma contains lifesaving properties; it shows potential to filter out harmful antibodies that build up in cancer patients and kill cancer cells. More research is needed, but plasma therapy may soon be considered part of routine cancer treatment.

Another example: autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease in the United States is approaching epidemic levels, with some studies projecting an increase of three to 12 percent every year. More alarmingly, we still don’t really know why. “The reasons behind the increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases are not fully understood,” said Molly Murray, president and chief executive officer of the Autoimmune Association. Research continues to race toward answers, and we’re learning more about immune conditions all the time. One potentially revolutionary approach: complement inhibitors, which suppress the immune system and prevent the complement system from damaging the body’s own tissues. Our article “Complement Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents for Autoimmune Disease” explores the potential for complement inhibitors to bring hope to patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Using the body’s natural defenses to combat critical illness is one thing; but using synthetically made cells is another. We explore this new approach to therapeutics in our article “Using Synthetic Biology to Create Therapeutic Solutions.” Some experts say synthetic biology has advantages over traditional cellular therapies because it can be designed to focus on singular targets with unparalleled precision and seamlessly integrates with natural immunity. Despite its promise, synthetic biology remains controversial, and questions about ethics and access are important to consider.

One thing is certain: Chronic disease, unexpected health events and the natural aging process all require medical care. The gap between the millions of Americans who need care and the workers who provide it continues to widen. We look at a growing strategy that successfully closes the gap in our article “Virtual Hospitals: A New Era of Care.” Virtual hospitals deliver a wide range of medical services to patients who receive care in the convenient, familiar comfort of their own homes.

As always, we hope you enjoy the additional articles in this issue of BioSupply Trends Quarterly, and find them both relevant and helpful to your practice.

Helping Healthcare Care,

Patrick M. Schmidt

Publisher