Rats and mice stimulated to regenerate islet cells today!!,...Humans tomorrow??
For more on the therapy,...
http://www.transitiontherapeutics.com/technology/index.php?cm=2&cp=3
I.N.T.TM therapy stimulates the regeneration of insulin-producing islet cells via the administration of two well-defined growth factors, gastrin and epidermal growth factor. Islet neogenesis is the process by which islet cells are formed from stem cells in the pancreatic duct during fetal development. Stimulation of islet neogenesis by these two growth factors results in the regeneration of insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas and hence a subsequent improvement in the diabetic conditions.
Transition has demonstrated that I.N.T.TM treatment has resulted in a significant increase in pancreatic insulin levels, increase in beta cell mass and an improvement in glucose tolerance in diabetic adult rats to a level consistent with the normal non-diabetic range. This finding has been recently confirmed using non-obese diabetic ("NOD") mice, the standard inflammatory model for insulin-dependent diabetes.
Transition Therapeutics' I.N.T.(TM) Treatment Increases
Survival
TORONTO, ONTARIO--Transition Therapeutics Inc. ("Transition")
(TSXV: TTH) announced today that studies of its Islet Neogenesis
Therapy (I.N.T.(TM)) show the treatment increases the survival of
diabetic mice through the regeneration of insulin-producing islet
cells.
I.N.T.(TM) is a short course of injections of two, well-defined
human growth factors that is being developed to stimulate the body
to regenerate insulin-producing islet cells.
After the onset of diabetes, the mice were treated with either
I.N.T.(TM) or a placebo. These studies demonstrated that treatment
with I.N.T.(TM) for 14 days increased the survival rate of
Non-Obese Diabetic ("NOD") mice from 23% to 100%, increased
pancreatic insulin levels and resulted in normal blood glucose
levels for most of the mice. The improvement was maintained for at
least 14 days after I.N.T.(TM) treatment was stopped.
Dr. Tony Cruz, Chairman and CEO of Transition, said these results
show promise for humans with Type 1 diabetes who are dependent on
insulin injections.
"The significant increase in survival for diabetic mice is very
encouraging as we prepare to enter our first human Phase I trial."
Transition received approval on September 20, 2002 to begin a dose
escalation Phase I human trial in the United Kingdom for
I.N.T.(TM). The Company expects to begin enrolling patients in the
Phase I trial by early October 2002.
About Transition Therapeutics
Transition Therapeutics Inc. is a publicly listed
biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutics
focusing on the treatment of multiple sclerosis, diabetes and
restenosis. Transition offers a deep product portfolio and a
strong management team with expertise in product development.
Transition's management intends to continue to build shareholder
value by rapidly and cost effectively advancing products from
discovery to the clinic and licensing to corporate partners.
Transition's commenced a Phase I clinical trial for its multiple
sclerosis Interferon Enhancing Therapy in August 2002 and has
received approval to commence a Phase I clinical trial for its
diabetes Islet Neogenesis Therapy.
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Transition Therapeutics Inc.
415 Yonge Street, Ste. 1103
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2E7
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For further information, visit http://www.transitiontherapeutics.com |
