Therapeutic approaches to cystic fibrosis: memorandum from a joint WHO/ICF(M)A meeting.

Cystic fibrosis is one of the commonest genetic diseases among Caucasians and represents an important cause of suffering and death among children and adults. In the past two decades marked prolongation of the life of patients with cystic fibrosis has been achieved as the result of improved case-finding and an extensive regimen of therapies. More recently, a variety of new approaches to therapy have been developed or proposed as the result of advances in cell physiology and molecular biology. This article summarizes the presentations and discussions made at a joint WHO/ICF(M)A (International Cystic Fibrosis (Mucoviscidosis) Association) meeting, held in Washington, DC, on 14 October 1992, and reviews the current status of possible therapies for cystic fibrosis and their implications for treatment in various countries of the world.