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A long-acting prolactin to combat lactation insufficiency
Kasia Kready1,2,3, Kailyn Doiron1,2,3, Katherine Redfield Chan4
1Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA.
Researchers engineered a long-acting prolactin variant (Prolactin-XL) to combat insufficient lactation. This novel drug candidate significantly increases milk production, offering a potential solution for nursing individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Human infants rely on breastfeeding for nutrition.
- Approximately 50% of lactating individuals experience insufficient milk production.
- Currently, no government-approved drugs exist to enhance lactation.
Conclusions:
- Engineered long-acting prolactins represent a promising pharmacologic strategy for treating insufficient lactation.
- Prolactin-XL demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent to support breastfeeding.
- This research paves the way for novel treatments addressing lactation challenges.
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