May23, 1996. Dear Camilla: I missed the PBS program with Dr.Keith Black. I
have kept up my interest in the blood-brain-barrier sinde 1952. It became a
focus of my Ph.D. thesis research in neuropharmacology. Since then my
research has frequentkly touched on the cellular biology of the bbb and the
mechanisms of the toxic efects of heavy metals on the permeability of brain
surface capillaries. Dr. Black's development of a technnique for temorarily
opening the bbb could, as you pointed out, have great utility in
facilitating transfer of non-lipid-soluble drugs into specific brain areas.
Exciting results can be expected in treating neurologic diseases and to
weaken or destroy tumor metasteses in the brain. We may be in the beginning
of a revolution of how to destroy abnormal cells in the CNS in a specific
manner and prolong life that can remain productive.
With best regards, Steven E. Mayer [log in to unmask],edu.
>Explorers" series, which covers scientific discoveries. It featured a
>neurosurgeon/scientist ,Dr. Keith Black, who has apparently found a way to
>get through the netwoork of capillaries in the brain, the BBB, and "open"
>it briefly so a substance can be injected into a brain tumor. Not only
>was this fascinating in itself, but this was the first time I really knew
>what the BBB is, after hearing so much about it in connection with PD and
>problems of delivering our meds. I wonder, of course, whether this breakthrou
>gh will have any possible significance in relation to PD? If anyone has any
>info on the subject, please post it. The BBB is the brain's defense
>against toxins, etc., but also prevents the tumor-zapping drugs from reach-
>ing the tumor--hence the importance of Dr. Black's discovery, which is now
>going into phase 2 trials, apparently, since the safetyphase is past, and there
>seems to be evidence the tumors are reached in this way. The substance
>that Dr.Black used is called RMP-7, BTW. Could this have any possible
>PD application, I wonder?Deliver dopa to the sub.nigra???
> Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter,78/6+ Oxford,OH
>
>
