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This is a very good news, Peggy! It makes sense this would work better tha anything else we have seen so far! Raj ******* ----- Original Message ----- From: Peggy Willocks <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 2:02 PM Subject: Re: Retinal cells help Parkinson's > In replying to John Cottingham's report I would like to tell you more detail > about this new treatment known as Spheramine. Co-sponsors are Titan > Pharmaceuticals and Schering AG. Titan recently posted this news release at > their site: http://titanpharm.com/press/Spheraminefasttrack.htm . > The crux of this release is that FDA has given approval for Spheramine > trials to move along the pipeline at an accelerated rate; as quoted in the > above article: "the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted > Fast Track designation for Spheramine for the treatment of advanced > Parkinson's disease. The Fast Track Program is designed by FDA to > facilitate the development and expedite the review of drug candidates that > demonstrate the potential to treat serious or life-threatening diseases and > address unmet medical needs." > > There are two (no - three!) reasons to be turning cartwheels because of this > news: > 1) We're hot on the trail of a novel treatment to help with advanced PD, > 2) The fast-track designation means it shouldn't take the average 10-14 > years to get approval of this treatment, > 3) and probably the best news is that FDA is recognizing Parkinson's disease > is a "serious or life-threatening disease!" > > Another couple of comments about this treatment, beause of the encapsulating > beads that hold the retinal cells (hence the name "Spheramine" due to their > shape), patients do not have to take immunosuppresant drugs. Additionally, > the article doesn't make it clear enough that the cells are from a donor eye > (such as are stored in an eye bank). And get this - one eye can treat up to > 10,000 PD patients! Thus, there's no controversial issues with the source > of the cells implanted. > > Spheramine is a viable treatment - I can say this with true conviction, > because I was one of the original 6 in Phase I of the clinical trials. The > stats tell the story - after 2 years - nearly 50% symptom improvement! And > remember, we're talking about a "progressive" illness! The original six > only had unilateral implantation; the Phase II trial recruits will receive > bilaterial implantation. > > It's still early into the trials, and anything could go awry. It's not a > total cure - and I still have PD problems, but my meds are less than nearly > 5 years ago when I had the surgery, and who knows where I would be had I not > chosen to do this? In a word - there is "hope." > Peggy > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn