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Clinical Research Fellow
Senior Investigator Molecular Pharmacology Section National Cancer Institute Bethesda, Maryland
| Edited by Jay P Rho PharmD and Stan G Louie PharmD PhD.
Published by Pharmaceutical Products Press, Binghamton, NY, 2003. ISBN
0-7890-1635-4. Paperbound, xi + 191 pp. (21 x 15.5 cm), $34.95.
www.haworthpress.com
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Published Online, November 25, 2003. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1D276
Handbook of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is intended for use by pharmacy and biomedical students, teachers, practicing clinicians and clinical pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. The authors' main goal—to provide the information in a very concise, easy-to-read and understandable manner—is skillfully achieved. Overall, the authors and editors succeed at summarizing the role of newer biotechnological drug advances in the pharmaceutical industry. The handbook consists of only 191 pages, but provides a wealth of information on latest biotechnology-based drug entities in clinical development. It comprises a total of 7 chapters, each individually dealing with separate classes of drugs— monoclonal antibodies, clotting factors, enzyme regulators, cytokines, anti-cytokines, oligonucleotides, and gene therapy.
Specific areas of clinical applications contained in the text include cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiencies, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, HIV and other infectious diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and xenotransplantation. Each chapter begins with a short introduction to the disease state, followed by a discussion of the drug therapy techniques and a list of each biotechnology-based pharmaceutical product, describing its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical applications, toxicities, and dose administration guideline. The straightforward organizational style specifically outlines the drugs and then delves into the details of their application and current developmental status. The introduction is short and to the point. The tables and figures are comprehensive, relate to each drug, and serve as concise summaries of important concepts. An extensive list of references has been well researched throughout the length of the book.
Considering the rapid pace at which the therapeutic applications of biotechnology drugs are advancing, the authors have done an excellent job ensuring that the information presented is as current as possible. There is a strong consistency in the monographic description of each drug; particularly, the chapters on monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and gene therapy are very well done. For example, Chapter 5 (cytokines) and Chapter 7 (gene therapy) include figures and tables that are self-descriptive and provide a quick review for everyone, whether a clinician, pharmacist, or student.
In addition to its strengths, this book does have some areas where it could improve. For example, adding a short glossary containing definitions of specific terminology would be useful. Also, in comparison with other similar handbooks, the authors could make the initial introductory chapter a bit more explanatory, which may be helpful to readers from other healthcare areas, such as those with a classical pharmacy background. Apart from cystic fibrosis, several other clinical areas in which gene therapy is being studied are not mentioned including liver diseases, renal diseases, lysosomal storage diseases, infertility, diabetes mellitus, and other endocrine disorders.
For the price, this handbook is an extremely important resource to have for a quick and concise update on current biopharmaceutical drugs. Although this handbook makes an excellent resource for information on cutting-edge diseases like cancer and HIV, it would not be the best choice for drug information centers and clinicians involved in direct patient care, in which a broader description into each drug and its interactions may be required.
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