Antegren & Myositis

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From the TMA (MAA) BB:

Antegren

Posted by Spooner/TMA Communications , Jan 03,2003,11:38

Post

Several of you have posted articles written on the new experimental

drug, Antegren. Here are some comments from Dr. Fred , Chief,

Environmental Autoimmunity Group NIEHS, National Institutes of Health,

and TMA medical advisor:

Much interest has been expressed in a new experimental drug called

Antegren, a humanized monoclonal antibody, which is one of the first

in a new class of potential therapeutics known as alpha 4 integrin

inhibitors that are designed to prevent migration of inflammatory

cells from blood vessels to sites of inflammation.

Several recent Phase 1-2 clinical studies suggest that Antegren may

be useful in the treatment of two autoimmune diseases, multiple

sclerosis and Crohn's disease. Antegren binds to cell surface

receptors known as alpha-4-beta-1 (VLA-4) and alpha-4-beta-7

integrins. These receptors help white blood cells, particularly T

lymphocytes and eosinophils, move from the inside of blood vessels out

into the tissues of the body at sites of inflammation, where these

cells then participate in the inflammatory process. Blocking these

receptors with Antegren prevents the cells from contributing to

inflammation by preventing their migration and subsequent activation.

This antibody may be useful in many immune-mediated diseases since

most result from inflammation in tissues.

Several studies have shown that these receptors (VLA-4) are present

on the inflammatory cells in muscles of polymyositis and

dermatomyositis patients, and are also likely to be present in

juvenile and inclusion body myositis, so there is a possibility that

Antegren may be beneficial in treating myositis patients. At this

time, to our knowledge, no myositis patient has been treated with

Antegren and there are no studies planned.

Like other immunotherapies, however, there will likely be side-effects

from this treatment, including an increased likelihood of infections

and delayed wound healing, so only carefully performed research

studies in clinical trials will determine the safety and efficacy of

such treatments in each disease.

Because other monoclonal antibodies (Enbrel, Remicade and Rituxan),

which are already FDA-approved for other diseases, now show some

evidence of efficacy in treating myositis and are being studied in

myositis trials, it is likely that we will have useful information

about the risks and benefits of these drugs in myositis long before

such information is available about Antegren.