Novel Therapeutic Proteins

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Summer 2002 by Rimoldi, John M

KLAUS DEMBOWSKY AND PETER STADLER. Novel Therapeutic Proteins. New York, NY- John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001. xxi 358 pp., 59 figs, 25 tbls, $99.95 (hardback).

This text represents the first treatise concerning the medical applications of therapeutic proteins from abciximab to vaccines. As stated by one of the contributors in the text, 369 biotechnology products are currently in the clinic and market for treating over 200 diseases, excluding the 75 approved biotech products for diagnostic use. Clearly, biotechnology products are "alive and well," and will continue to represent a sustainable market presence.

Thirty scientists representing six different nations have contributed to this volume which is comprised of fifteen chapters. These chapters have been grouped into five topical areas, including: Introduction and Overview; Recombinant Hormones; Recombinant Cytokines and their Receptors; Recombinant Enzymes, Enzyme Activators, and Inhibitors; and Recombinant Vaccines. Each chapter represents a "case study" of sorts, insofar as each selected biotechnology product is discussed in terms of manufacturing processes, clinical development strategies and clinical trial hurdles that were encountered.

Chapter 1 provides the framework for the text and represents an update of an earlier review written by the same author in 1999. Chapters 2 through 4 clearly document the application of several recombinant hormones, including human erythropoietin, human growth hormone, and human follicle stimulating hormone. Chapters 5 through 7 address the recombinant cytokines and their receptors, including granulocyte colony stimulating factor, the use of interferonbeta- 1b in multiple sclerosis, and, the use of TNF-alpha for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Chapters 8 through 10 cover tissue plasminogen activator, coagulation factor VIII for treatment of hemophilia A, and apoprotin for the reduction of surgical blood loss. Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is covered in a single chapter, and the remainder of the text comprises monoclonal antibodies, with chapters covering antibody therapy for sepsis, the use of CDP571 for chronic therapy, and the evolution of the antithrombotic agent abciximab (ReoPro). The total volume contains over 1,200 references to the primary and secondary literature, with a bibliography section following each chapter. Structures, tables, and illustrations are found throughout the text, however, the illustrations are in black and white, and this greatly limits the impact. The use of colorplates throughout the text would have been beneficial (there is a single colorplate page at the beginning of the book).

Overall, this text would be extremely beneficial for graduate students in pharmaceutical sciences, as well as pharmacy undergraduate students. For example, seven years ago, our School of Pharmacy had created and implemented a new curriculum which introduced a P3level class titled "Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacoimmunology." This textbook would be a nice addition to this class as a secondary text or as a supplementary reading resource. At the very least, this text should be added to every library system based on the content and very affordable price.

John M. Rimoldi

University of Mississippi