A class of medical interventions derived from living organisms, including cells, tissues, proteins, or nucleic acids, used to treat, prevent, or diagnose diseases. In the context of hormonal health, this often refers to biological products that modulate the endocrine system, such as specific growth factors or peptide hormones. These agents are distinct from traditional small-molecule pharmaceuticals due to their complex biological structure and mechanism of action.
Origin
The field of biotherapeutics has historical roots in vaccination and blood transfusions, but its modern application in endocrinology surged with the advent of recombinant DNA technology. This technology allowed for the large-scale, consistent production of human proteins like insulin and growth hormone, revolutionizing the clinical management of deficiency states.
Mechanism
Bio-therapeutics function by directly replacing deficient endogenous substances or by selectively interacting with specific cellular receptors and signaling pathways. For example, recombinant human growth hormone binds to somatotropin receptors on target cells, initiating intracellular cascades that promote growth and metabolic regulation. These targeted biological interactions offer a high degree of specificity in modulating physiological responses.
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