標靶藥品與基因治療

Target Therapy and Gene Therapy

自從西元2,000 年，人類基因圖譜解碼後，分子生物科技的蓬勃發展，新藥開發的平台與疾病治療的思維起了革命性的改變。針對腫瘤細胞的特殊分子表現，發展出一系列標靶藥品，藉由阻斷調控細胞基本功能活動及細胞凋亡的信號轉導梯網，干擾腫瘤細胞的生長與病程；目前，標靶治療已成為最夯的話題。一般而言，標靶藥品均有良好的安全性與耐受性，唯少數病人仍會發生特異性的嚴重毒性反應。基因圖譜解碼後，不僅僅是識別人類所有基因外，同時也藉由最新的基因資訊平台，增進人們對疾病致病機轉的瞭解。基因治療雖然未必是未來醫學的主流，但個人化醫療則是未來的趨勢。另一方面，基因資訊可能衍生的倫理、法律及社會問題，似乎仍需要集思廣益的解決。

The Human Genome Project had been virtually completed to decipher the human genetic codes since 2,000. The vigorous development of molecular biologic medicine has eventually leaded to new pharmaceutical products and treatments for an array of illnesses. By targeting these molecules specific to tumor cells, a series of novel targeted agents have been developed. These agents interfere with tumor growth and progression by blocking the cell signaling pathways, which form a complex cascade that governs basic cellular functions, activities, and apoptosis. In general, targeted agents have good toxicity profiles, but some patients are exquisitely sensitive to these agents and can develop particular and severe toxicity reactions. The application of latest gene technology changed the basic ideals of disease to the mechanism of disease. The cracking of the genetic code not only identify all of the genes in the human genome, but also address the ethical, legal, and social issues that arising from the availability of genetic information. It requires much more consideration, even though the promise of a personalized medicine is beginning to be the main current by degrees.