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Biotech / Medical : XOMA. Bull or Bear? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LarryS who wrote (14205)	7/23/2000 3:26:19 PM
From: Bluegreen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 17367

Psoriasis isn't the big deal in my opinion. It is the POSSIBLE off label usage.

To: LarryS who wrote (14205)	7/23/2000 3:28:21 PM
From: Robert K.	Respond to of 17367

I would venture a guess that most docs would prefer the DNA drug to the bgen drug. Ease of administration is a issue, but i would certainly prefer a non t cell depleting therapy. What most fail to understand though is the range of possible applications are enormus if this drug works. Psoriasis and transplant are only two of many. And they aint small apps either. Plenty of room for 2 drugs. Last point, and its a important one. You claim dna has more resources. Think deeper, ever hear of Hoffman LaRoche? Do they have resources or motive here? Just IMO.

To: LarryS who wrote (14205)	7/23/2000 10:42:41 PM
From: Bluegreen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 17367

Larry I didn't notice this in the clubhouse. Notice the word SIGNIFICANT in this article.>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ann Surg 2000 Aug;232(2):208-215 Related Articles, Books Bactericidal/Permeability-Increasing Protein Preserves Leukocyte Functions After Major Liver Resection. Wiezer MJ, Meijer C, Sietses C, Prins HA, Cuesta MA, Beelen RH, Meijer S, van Leeuwen PA Departments of Surgery and Cell Biology and Immunology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. OBJECTIVE: To analyze postoperative leukocyte functions in patients undergoing hemihepatectomy, and to assess the effect of treatment with the endotoxin-neutralizing agent bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (rBPI21). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Extensive liver resection is associated with a high incidence of infectious complications. Because elimination of pathogenic microorganisms occurs mainly by leukocytes, this increased rate of infections is most likely due to an impaired function of these cells. Endotoxin, translocated from the gut into the systemic circulation as a result of increased gut permeability and reduced hepatic clearance function after major liver resection, may play an important role in the impairment of posthepatectomy leukocyte function. METHODS: To investigate whether hemihepatectomy results in impaired leukocyte functions and to determine the role of endotoxin in this process, leukocyte oxidative burst and leukocyte antigen expression were studied in three groups of patients: patients undergoing a hemihepatectomy and receiving rBPI21 treatment, patients undergoing hemihepatectomy and receiving placebo, and as an extra control group patients undergoing other major abdominal surgeries. Blood samples were collected before surgery, 2 hours after surgery, and at days 1, 2, 5, and 7. Phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated oxidative burst was measured using dihydrorhodamine, and leukocyte surface expression of the antigens CD11b, CD16, and CD14 was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence. Both oxidative burst and membrane surface expression were quantified by flow cytometry. An indication of the antiendotoxin effect of rBPI21 treatment was provided by assessment of plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The oxidative burst in the hemihepatectomized patients receiving placebo and the controls increased 2 hours after surgery, whereas it decreased in the rBPI21-treated patients, resulting in significant differences between the groups. On day 1, neutrophil CD11b expression and monocyte CD14 expression in the rBPI21-treated patients and controls were significantly lower than in the placebo group. At 2 hours, CD16 expression in the placebo-treated patients was significantly higher than in the rBPI21-treated patients and controls. On day 5 and day 7, plasma LBP levels were significantly higher in the placebo-treated patients compared with the rBPI21-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that patients undergoing major liver resection have an increased activation of leukocytes compared with those undergoing other major abdominal surgery. This enhanced activation may contribute to the increased risk of infection in these patients. Administration of the endotoxin-neutralizing agent rBPI21 to hemihepatectomy patients was shown to reduce plasma LBP levels, to preserve leukocyte functions partially, and to reduce leukocyte activation to the level of other, nonhepatic abdominal surgery.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

To: LarryS who wrote (14205)	7/24/2000 9:10:48 AM
From: Robert K.	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 17367

Larry here is some info for you regarding the psoriasis race. LFA3tip is I believe the biogen drug, and is scheduled to complete august 00. Anti-cd11a is "scheduled" to end dec 00, but I think NOT. Follow this link and compare the trial centers and I think you will see how serious DNA is about getting the job done. Its Impressive. >http://www.psoriasis.org/volunteer/index.html#index

To: LarryS who wrote (14205)	7/25/2000 11:18:37 PM
From: Cacaito	Respond to of 17367

"supposedly Biogen in slight lead" 500 patients completed, and 500 to get done by end of summer is a big lead. "DNA has far more resources,centers, money,personnel" you are wrong again, Biogen is par with any of the big biotechs (remember they KO Chiron) and they have a world marketing machine, not depending in big pharma anymore. And Cash, what do you think of $500M in CASH. Wish as much as you like, but reality is Biogen is already ahead. Anticd11a is theoretically safer than Amevive. Anticd11a is as per gw: "compelling" but to conclude that the increase in Lymphocytes equals good function of the same is not enough it must be proven in the real world (remember rbpi21 still pending to be proven after 1800 patients!). For example,(and just for ilustration, nothing to do with anticd11a), steroids give a big increase in neutrophils blood count (pool release)but they do not function as well, net results increase infections.