Curr Opin Invest Dr
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Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analog that is under development by Pfizer for the potential treatment of central nervous system disorders, including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and generalized anxiety disorder. By April 2003, Pfizer had filed for approval of pregabalin in Europe for neuropathic pain and as an adjunctive therapy for epilepsy, and in October 2003 an NDA was filed for these indications and generalized anxiety disorder. At this time, phase III trials in fibromyalgia were ongoing.
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Curr Opin Invest Dr · Nov 2003
ReviewIndividual cytokines contributing to asthma pathophysiology: valid targets for asthma therapy?
Asthma is a common, chronic inflammatory condition of the airways that leads to airway hyperresponsiveness, reversible narrowing of the airways, and airway wall remodeling. Cytokines are involved in various aspects of asthma pathophysiology, such as the polarization of T-helper (Th)2 cells, antigen presentation, immunoglobulin (Ig)E response, airway wall remodeling, and mast cell and eosinophil recruitment and activation. Th2-derived cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 contribute to many of these aspects. ⋯ The anti-IgE monoclonal antibody approach has demonstrated the most benefit in allergic asthma, particularly in severe disease. Which individual cytokine target can be inhibited with beneficial effects comparable to or above that of current inhaled corticosteroids can only be discovered through clinical trials. Blocking the effects of more than one cytokine may be more successful, and greater therapeutic effects may be observed in particular categories of asthma.
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BIII-890-CL is a non-orally active sodium channel blocker under development by Boehringer Ingelheim Corp for the potential treatment of thromboembolic stroke. By April 2001, the compound was in phase II clinical trials for this indication, with trials ongoing in June 2002. The compound is also under investigation for its potential use in the treatment of pain.
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MGI Pharma is developing irofulven, a semi-synthetic compound derived from illudin S, a toxin from the Omphalotus illudens mushroom, for the potential treatment of refractory and relapsed tumors, including ovarian, prostate, hepatocellular, breast, lung and colon cancers. Phase II trials of the compound as a monotherapy or in combination therapies are ongoing for a number of these indications.
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Palonosetron, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, is being developed by Helsinn for the potential treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. By 1999, it was in phase III trials, and as of May 2002, an NDA filing was scheduled for the third quarter of 2002.