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Biotech / Medical : Techniclone (TCLN) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: GregSL who wrote (3086)	5/21/1999 11:11:00 PM
From: Maurice Winn	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3702

Greg, thanks. Do the surviving people get treatment with more Cotara now that the statistics are in or are they left to die having served the cause of profits for Techniclone, the Medical Practitioners and Scientific Knowledge? The ethics of this puzzle me. The patients have been helped by taking part in this experiment. There is proof of some effectiveness compared with other treatments and no treatment. I don't understand how they can be left to die [assuming they might want further Cotara treatment if it was available to them]. I understand that the experiments only have validity if meaningful statistics or mechanisms are established from the experiment. Since the median survival has been reached, there seems little point in finding how long the survival tail is if the individuals concerned have got recurrent progressive disease. Once progression is established, it's just a question of time before their brains are further damaged and they die. It seems that more information would be gained on the safety and efficacy of Cotara if the remaining people were retreated and they might enjoy another 30 weeks of life. The lack of treatment seems unethical to me. Without knowing much about the USA constitution and civil liberties, the patients seem to be forfeiting their lives in breach of human rights. The right to life is a primary and most basic human right [when not convicted of criminal acts or being an alien 'enemy']; the right to act to keep oneself alive without damaging other people or their property. I'd be interested in some explanation if anyone can enlighten me. That's great to see that there has been some help from Cotara. Things are looking up. Oncolym licensed, Cotara effective to some extent. Maurice

To: GregSL who wrote (3086)	5/22/1999 10:27:00 AM
From: shero	Respond to of 3702

Greg, that info is what I've heard--4 patients are still alive. Maurice, what an interesting thought, a terminal patient suing the FDA for infringing on his/her inalienable right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. It does indeed seem unethical. And that's the nicest word I can use to describe this practice. I have heard that Dr. Patel may try to get one of the surviving patients into the Phase 2 trial, but that's just another rumor. While we are talking about unethical, irrational behavior I have a recent story. It seems a very good friend of mine has a fishing buddy who was just diagnosed with GBM. The tumor was "debulked" about 1 month ago. Of course they were on the phone to TCLN/MUSC immediately. The patient won't be eligible to enter the trials until his tumor comes back. You go figure. On the bright side I received reports on the responsiveness of the people at TCLN and MUSC. They get the highest marks. Joanna at TCLN returns calls immediately. The people at MUSC, I thinks its Sue and Peg are also very helpful and respond immediately. All questions are answered in a responsive and forthright manner. Which is somewhat better than our management team seems to be able to muster. Regards to all.