QJM vol. 97 no. 11 © Association of Physicians 2004; all rights reserved.
Review |
Biopharmaceuticals derived from genetically modified plants
From the 1Monsanto Company, St Louis, and 2The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA
Modern biotechnology has resulted in a resurgence of interest in the production of new therapeutic agents using botanical sources. With nearly 500 biotechnology products approved or in development globally, and with production capacity limited, the need for efficient means of therapeutic protein production is apparent. Through genetic engineering, plants can now be used to produce pharmacologically active proteins, including mammalian antibodies, blood product substitutes, vaccines, hormones, cytokines, and a variety of other therapeutic agents. Efficient biopharmaceutical production in plants involves the proper selection of host plant and gene expression system, including a decision as to whether a food crop or a non-food crop is more appropriate. Product safety issues relevant to patients, pharmaceutical workers, and the general public must be addressed, and proper regulation and regulatory oversight must be in place prior to commercial plant-based biopharmaceutical production. Plant production of pharmaceuticals holds great potential, and may become an important production system for a variety of new biopharmaceutical products.
Address correspondence to: Dr D.A. Goldstein, Monsanto Company A2NE, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63167, USA. e-mail: daniel.a.goldstein{at}monsanto.com