Uncertainty dogs Campath for MS.Sometimes the news about an experimental treatment seems almost too good to be true. That seems to be the case for Campath, the monoclonal antibody monoclonal antibody, an antibody that is mass produced in the laboratory from a single clone and that recognizes only one antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by fusing a normally short-lived, antibody-producing B cell (see immunity) to a fast-growing drug that, in MS, showed a promising ability to control the immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. and slow down active disease in early relapsing-remitting MS. Complications A three-year trial comparing Campath (alemtuzumab) with Rebif (interferon beta-1a interferon beta-1a Avonex, Rebif Pharmacologic class: Biological response modifier Therapeutic class: Antiviral, immunoregulator Pregnancy risk category C Action) was temporarily suspended after one year when nine people taking Campath developed serious side effects Side effectsEffects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. according to a press release from manufacturers Genzyme Corporation and Schering AG Germany. Three people developed severe idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Definition Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP, is a bleeding disorder caused by an abnormally low level of platelets in the patient's blood. (ITP ITP - Intent to Package ), a condition in which low levels of blood platelets can lead to abnormal bleeding. One person died of ITP and another person died of unknown causes. There also was one case of listeria meningitis (a serious infection of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord) and two people developed Graves' disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition that requires lifetime maintenance. In fact, in earlier Campath studies involving people with MS, there was a 26% incidence of developing Graves' disease. At the start of the trial, 334 people were randomly selected to receive either Campath as a one-time-a-year, five-day IV infusion, or Rebif. Campath's developers reported that after one year, the 217 people receiving both high and low doses of Campath had 75% fewer relapses than were experienced by the group taking Rebif. Wait and see These are strong results. However, there won't be any further Campath treatments for MS until patient safety protocols are established. At present, Campath is used for the treatment of one type of leukemia. The companies emphasize that Campath should not be used for MS at this time. The study will continue to follow participants for a second year. We'll keep you posted on future developments. |
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