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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