Therapeutic Enzymes: Function and Clinical Implications

This edited work presents studies that clarify several aspects of the development and application of therapeutic enzymes. Therapeutic enzymes exhibit fascinating features and opportunities, and represent a significant and promising subcategory of modern biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of several severe diseases. Research and drug developments efforts and the advancements in biotechnology over the past twenty years have greatly assisted the introduction of efficient and safe enzyme-based therapies for a range of both rare and common disorders. The introduction and regulatory approval of twenty different recombinant enzymes has enabled effective enzyme-replacement therapy.

This book covers mainly three areas of recombinant therapeutic enzymes and their clinical and pharmaceutical technology: (i) overview of the production process and biochemical characterization of therapeutic enzymes, (ii) focuses upon the engineering strategies and delivery methods of therapeutic enzymes,(iii) clinical applications of selected therapeutic enzymes, including aspects on their mechanisms of action and information on safety, immunogenicity issues and various adverse events of the enzymes used for therapy.

The topic of this book is particularly relevant to academics, researchers and students undertaking advanced undergraduate/postgraduate programs in the biopharmaceutical/biotechnology area who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of enzyme-based therapeutic molecules.