Artikel zu BHQ 880
Bone Regeneration
Multiple Myeloma
Quelle: http://www.wsoctv.com/health/25147070/detail.html
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer found in the plasma cells of the bone marrow. The most commonly affected bones are the spine, skull, ribs, pelvis and those in the areas around the shoulders and hips.
As the abnormal plasma cells grow uncontrollably, they crowd out healthy blood forming cells in the bone marrow. Patients may develop anemia from a shortage of red blood cells, causing weakness and fatigue. Low levels of platelets cause thrombocytopenia, increasing the risk for bleeding and bruising. Leukopenia is a shortage of white blood cells, reducing the ability of the body to fight infections. Other signs of multiple myeloma include: increased thirst, frequent urination, nausea or constipation, weight loss, bone pain, high levels of calcium in the blood and kidney problems.
Multiple myeloma is not very common. The American Cancer Society estimates 20,180 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. The condition is more common in men, older people (average age of onset is after 65), African-Americans and those with a family history of multiple myeloma. The five-year survival rate for multiple myeloma is 35 percent. In 2010, 10,650 men and women will die from the cancer.
Multiple Myeloma and the Bones
Many of the bones in the body are constantly renewing. Cells called osteoblasts build new bone, while osteoclasts break down old bone tissue. Multiple myeloma cells send out a chemical message that causes the osteoclasts to speed destruction of bone. However, the rate of new bone production doesn?t change, causing bone to break down much more rapidly than it can be replaced by new bone. Patients experience significant bone loss and fractures.
Swaminathan Padmanabhan, M.D., Hematologist with the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, says drugs used to treat osteoporosis, another condition leading to low bone mass and fractures, don?t help patients with multiple myeloma because the cancer causes structural changes to the bones.
Researchers are now testing a new drug, BHQ880, as a potential bone-building treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. Scientists theorize multiple myeloma cells produce too much DKK-1, a gene that blocks the activity of osteoblasts. BHQ880 binds to and inhibits DKK-1, and thus, may promote bone formation.
The current Phase I/II study will enroll more than 260 people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The drug is given intravenously and will be used in combination with zoledronic acid (ZOMETA®, an osteoporosis medication). Participants will be randomly assigned into one of four groups. Group 1 will receive a low dose of BHQ880. Group 2 will get a medium dose, group 3, a high dose and group 4, a placebo.
So far, Padmanabhan says the drug appears safe (no significant side effects) and appears to benefit at least some patients. In the U.S., the study is taking place at the following sites:
The Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
Highland Oncology, Fayetteville, AR
Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, Little Rock, AR
Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cancer Therapy and Research Center/UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
For information about the trial, click here, then type the trial identification number in the search box: NCT00741377.
Information about the drug, BHQ880, can be found on the manufacturer?s site.
For information on multiple myeloma:
American Cancer Society
International Multiple Myeloma Foundation
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
National Cancer Institute
|
Thread abonnieren
ETF-Sparplan