Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Ligand (LGND) Breakout! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Henry Niman who wrote (29983)	1/8/2000 11:43:00 PM
From: Torben Noerup Nielsen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 32384

Henry, Thanks for the clarification regarding the use of Targretin as a first line treatment. If I understand it correctly, it would seem that topical treatment would be appropriate if you diagnose the disease correctly early on and once it will no longer respond adequately to the topical treatment, you can move on to systemic treatment using Targretin capsules and follow that with ONTAK when this becomes necessary. Assuming that it is going to be effective for plaque psoriasis, we have two patient populations that can use it. The kicker would then be breast cancer. In regard to breast cancer, there are some things I do not understand. Mainly I do not see why a drug with relatively benign side effects would not be used - assuming that it is indeed efficaceous - as a first line treatment against breast cancer in combination with Tamoxifen or whatever other drug might work in that context. Isn't the risk of side effects worth it given how benigh they are if it could even postpone surgery for some time? Mastectomies are not exactly a good thing. Apart from the physical scars, you're dealing with severe psychological damage and quality of life issues. As I understand things - again, I'm a lay person and not an MD - quite a few people have hypertriglyceridemia without even knowing it and even if it were diagnosed, it isn't always considered necessary to treat it. Hypothyroidism I do not know about. Sorry if I'm asking too many naive questions; I'm trying to really sort out where Targretin is going to take Ligand. As well as what it may do for patients. By the way, do you have any feel for how soon Targretin will be generally available? I'm aware that it is possible to obtain it now, but I don't know when it is expected to hit the distribution channels and thus start generating real sales for Ligand. Best Regards, Torben

To: Henry Niman who wrote (29983)	1/9/2000 1:20:00 PM
From: Andreas Helke	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

A few weeks ago I did read a post from an oncologist (probably on yahoo or raging bull) that claimed it was unreasonable to expect Targretin approval for early CTCL because there exist several approved therapies for early CTCL that can delay the progression of the disease for several years. When I read the testimonials of CTCL patients that you posted those alternative therapies seemed not to work very well compared with Targretin an I am happy that the FDA ignored the vote of its review panel and approved Targretin for early CTCL too. Andreas