Other Treatment
Recent research has focused
on treating the cause as well as the symptoms of
cystic fibrosis. Medical researchers are currently
looking at gene transfer therapy, which tries to correct the result of the gene
defect that causes cystic fibrosis. Gene transfer therapy involves introducing
healthy genes into the lung cells of people who have cystic fibrosis.
Researchers are also investigating protein repair therapy, or protein
assist therapy. This therapy involves taking medicines that help the defective
protein work more normally to allow a small amount of salt and water to move
out of cells.
Gene transfer and protein repair therapies are in
the experimental, developmental stages; and clinical trials are being
conducted. For more information, see the Other Places to Get Help section of
this topic for organizations to contact.