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Biotech / Medical : Pharmacyclics (PCYC) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Biomaven who wrote (244)	12/31/1997 5:14:00 PM
From: HB	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 717

So, what do people think about the offering: biz.yahoo.com. The stock was happy today; this announcement was after the close.

To: Biomaven who wrote (244)	1/6/1998 10:46:00 PM
From: squetch	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 717

Peter Here is some info from Stanford. Stanford did a release this summer stating start of photoangio trial. Regards, squetch Stanford University Medical Center Office of Communications 8/13/97 Contact: Mike Goodkind or Jody Sumrall at (650) 723-6911 Broadcast Media Contact: M.A. Malone, (650) 723-6912 or 723-6911 For comment: Drs. John P. Cooke or Andrzej Szuba at (650) 725-3778 Experimental treatments target clogged leg arteries STANFORD -- Patients hobbled by clogged leg arteries may be eligible to receive a new treatment using laser light to activate a drug that causes plaque in blood vessels to dissolve. The experimental treatment, called photodynamic therapy or photoangioplasty, is being tested in one of three studies pursuing better solutions for peripheral artery diseases under the direction of Dr. John P. Cooke, associate professor of medicine (cardiovascular) and director of Stanford's Lymphedema Center. The other two studies use a manufactured version of a human protein to encourage the growth of new blood vessels in legs with blocked arteries. All three studies may offer new hope to patients suffering from leg ischemia, a clogging of the arteries that can lead to pain, inability to walk and, in some cases, amputation of the leg, said Dr. Andrzej Szuba, postdoctoral fellow in Stanford's Lymphedema Center and a lead researcher in the studies. In the photoangioplasty study, an experimental compound called lutetium texaphyrin (PCI-0123) is injected into the bloodstream. The compund flows to the clogged artery and accumulates there. A laser light is then threaded via catheter into the clogged vessel. When the laser light is switched on, the photosensitive compound manufactures oxygen "free radicals." These molecules cause mild damage to the plaque while leaving healthy tissue alone, Szuba said. Similar techniques have shown promise in limited tests for treating specific cancers, Szuba said. The photoangioplasty study is sponsored by the drug's manufacturer, Pharmacyclics, Inc., of Sunnyvale, under the auspices of the Food and Drug Administration. The two other studies offer patients a manufactured protein -- a basic fibroblast growth factor designed to resemble the human version of the same growth factor. Animal studies have shown that this protein stimulates the growth of blood vessels, Szuba said. The two studies at Stanford involve similar treatments for related but distinct symptoms. One focuses on a condition called intermittent claudication, which causes calf pain only during walking. The other study focuses on more seriously affected patients who suffer from chronic leg pain and/or foot ulcers that are beyond surgical treatment. Both studies are sponsored by Scios, Inc., of Mountain View. Patients wishing to participate in any of the three treatment studies must be adults suffering from leg ischemia with pain or other symptoms of vessel blockage, such as severe leg ulcers or sores. During the study period, which will last approximately one month, participants must be able to travel to Stanford about once weekly for treatment sessions lasting several hours each. Women must not be pregnant or planning to conceive during the study. There is no treatment fee. For further information or to volunteer, call (650) 725-4182. www-med.stanford.edu