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Gold/Mining/Energy : Vasogen-- VAS on TSE -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Done, gone. who wrote (348)	4/30/2006 2:55:45 PM
From: Nikole Wollerstein	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 377

INFLAMMATION AND ADVANCED HEART FAILURE Through ACCLAIM, UAB offers modulation therapy Imagine prescribing a statin for peripheral arterial disease or anti-inflammatories for advanced heart failure (HF). Among the latest cardiac technologies is a device that offers immune modulation therapy — Vasogen's Celacade™ modulates the production of potent chemical messengers that initiate and control inflammation. HF is emerging as the nation's number one diagnosis-related group, with an estimated $28.8 billion annual price tag. "Inflammatory processes are an underappreciated cause of heart failure and atherosclerosis," UAB cardiologist Laura J. Pinderski, MD, PhD, says. For instance, a protein linked to low-grade chronic inflammation has emerged as a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events. C-reactive protein, the acute-phase reactant to injury or infection, markedly increases during an inflammatory response. "Upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines — such as TNF-a, interleukin-1b, and interferon-gamma, made by immune cells — occurs in the setting of heart disease, especially congestive heart failure," she says. Researchers are mounting the case that these chemical mediators amplify the inflammatory response through tissue damage and endothelial cell activation within vessel walls. "While inflammation plays a major role in heart failure, simply blocking some of these factors, or their cellular receptors, fails to help," Pinderski continues. "For example, both the Renaissance and RENEW trials targeted TNF-a to no avail, partially because the immune system is a web of interdependent cytokines able to upregulate many arms to overcome a single blockade." The ACCLAIM Trial The phase 3, 2000-patient Vasogen ACCLAIM (Advanced Chronic Heart Failure Clinical Assessment of Immune Modulation Therapy) trial is investigating a novel approach to combat the proinflammatory immune state, specifically how apoptosis can treat advanced chronic HF patients. "Apoptosis is a normal physiological function and unlike necrotic cell death leads to inhibition of inflammation. This principle underlies the ACCLAIM trial, where a patient's own blood cells are triggered to undergo apoptosis and thereby broadly decrease inflammation." Through ACCLAIM, UAB now offers immune modulation therapy. Altering Immune Activation "During an outpatient procedure, a small sample of a patient's blood undergoes ex vivo exposure to controlled oxidative stress factors, which causes the cells to undergo apoptosis," Pinderski says. The treated blood sample is given back to the patient intermuscularly in two procedures on consecutive days, followed by monthly injections beginning 2 weeks later. Results from phase 2 trials recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology show patients are hospitalized less, exhibit clinical improvement, and enjoy greater longevity. UAB is 1 of 160 North American ACCLAIM sites. "Our division is excited by this new protocol, which marks the first time advanced heart failure patients at UAB have a treatment that does not require an additional drug or a surgical procedure," she concludes. UAB cardiologists carry out treatment and clinical and basic research in the mechanisms and management of HF, including cardiac transplantation. Colleagues include Division of Cardiovascular Disease Director Robert C. Bourge, MD, and Clinical Director of Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation Barry K. Rayburn, MD. For more information Dr. Laura Pinderski 1.800.UAB.MIST mist@uabmc.edu