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Pastimes : ASK Vendit Off Topic Questions -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Vendit™ who wrote (9291)	3/5/2000 11:36:00 PM
From: Bald Man from Mars	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 19374

dude, can you let me know what you feel about RNWK also, this is from fbr research.fbr.com the target needs to be adjusted for the recent 2-1 split ...

To: Vendit™ who wrote (9291)	3/6/2000 12:48:00 AM
From: DOUG H	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 19374

IMNX could have a good week. askresearch.com This was released Saturday: New Immunex inhaled asthma drug effective -study Reuters Story - March 04, 2000 11:15 By Deena Beasley LOS ANGELES, March 4 (Reuters) - An experimental new asthma drug that, like current treatments, is inhaled -- but weekly rather than several times daily -- is raising the prospect of a revolution in asthma treatment, according to a study released on Saturday. The new protein-based drug, Nuvance (Soluble interleukin-4), potentially offers the 5 percent of Americans who suffer from asthma a side-effect-free alternative to current steroid-based treatments, researchers said. Nuvance, made by Immunex Corp., appeared, in early testing, to shut down the allergic reaction that causes asthma before it has a chance to take hold in the body, explained Dr. Larry Borish, associate professor of medicine at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Borish is lead investigator for the clinical trials, which are supported by a grant from Immunex. "This represents the next generation of asthma therapies," Borish said. "Right now asthma treatment in the United States is a disaster in the sense that so many people have the disease." The results from the early Phase I/II clinical trial of Nuvance were reviewed at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. A Phase III trial of the drug is now underway and those results are expected sometime this summer, a spokesman for Seattle-based Immunex said. Some 10 percent of American children and 5 percent of the nation's total population are afflicted with asthma, which occurs when bronchial tubes swell up and go into spasm blocking the passage of air in and out of the lungs. "They are using nebulizers (humidifiers) or inhalers three or four times a day, but many are still not sleeping and can't exercise. They are trapped in their asthma," Borish said. The 12-week Phase I/II study assessed the safety of weekly treatments, at three different dosages, of inhaled IL-4R compared with placebo in patients who had discontinued use of inhaled corticosteroids, a steroid Thormone treatment used by many asthmatics. Patients receiving the highest dose kept their asthma under control compared to those receiving the placebo and there were no adverse reactions, the researchers said. Further studies of the drug's effectiveness in comparison with steroid inhalers will probably need to be done at some time in the future, Borish said. Nuvance works on the same principle as Enbrel, the popular arthritis drug Immunex launched early last year. Enbrel is a protein-based drug that inhibits the binding of a type of protein secreted by cells that regulate the immune response. Nuvance acts like sponge to inhibit IL-4, a naturally occurring protein that regulates a variety of immune system functions and is responsible for all of the respiratory inflammation associated with asthma. "There is probably no potential for side effects because this is something everybody makes and there is no reason for the body to eliminate it," Borish said. The once-weekly treatment is another big advantage since many asthmatics have trouble complying with having to use corticosteroid inhalers several times a day, he said. Borish also noted that many people, especially parents of asthmatic children, are uncomfortable with the use of any type of steroids. Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved