Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Focused Ultrasound Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening for Targeting Brain Structures and Evaluating Chemogenetic Neuromodulation
Published on: December 22, 2020
Targeted gene therapy: frontiers in the development of 'smart drugs'
Ingo H Tarner1, Ulf Müller-Ladner, C Garrison Fathman
1Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Chronic diseases, particularly malignancies and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), are a challenging frontier for clinical diagnosis and treatment, as well as for biomedical research. Current treatment regimens are frequently insufficient and thus new treatment strategies are needed. Novel therapies for disabling such diseases should provide improvements with respect to safety, efficacy and cost. To fulfill these three key criteria, recent research efforts have focused on the development of 'smart drugs'. This review highlights some examples of the rapidly expanding possibilities that current biotechnology has to offer in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for complex diseases such as IMIDs. Special attention is given to advances in, and limitations of, controlled and targeted gene product application in inflammatory diseases.
More Related Videos
08:59Looking for Driver Pathways of Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapy: Drug Resistant Subclone Generation and Sensitivity Restoring by Gene Knock-down
Published on: December 11, 2017
10:00Development of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Membrane-Enveloped Nanovesicles for Enhanced Gene Delivery
Published on: February 17, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...