Archive for May, 2010
AIN457 from Novartis
We would be interested to learn more about this new drug which is currently being used in a number of studies in the US and we understand that studies in the UK will commence soon. We searched for uveitis research on the Novartis site and came up with the following link http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00685399?term=novartis&cond=%22Uveitis%22&rank=8
We checked the MERSI website and found that a proof-of-concept study sponsored by Novartis, was carried out in MERSI in Boston US. The purpose of the study was to determine the safety of AIN457 in patients with uveitis and to investigate whether an antibody like AIN 457, which neutralizes the cytokine IL-17A, will safely reduce the intraocular inflammation associated with non-infectious uveitis. Data collected during Phase I of the trial is extremely promising and as a result, Novartis has amended the study protocol to allow more patients to enroll.
A multi-center, international placebo controlled study sponsored by Novartis to determine the difference in the rate of recurrent exacerbations in Behçet’s patients treated with AIN457 versus those given placebo or standard of care immunosuppressive therapy.
The study medication for this trial is identical to that of the Novartis AIN457 trial with the only difference being the delivery method. The preliminary proof of concept trial studying the AIN457 antibody yielded promising data and has resulted in new studies which target specific ocular inflammatory diseases such as Behçet’s.
It is possible that this drug may help people with Birdshot and we will keep a look out for updates about this.
Publicising the Birdshot Day and BUS
We have been advertising the Birdshot Day and our website in as many places as possible, as we want everyone who has birdshot, their families and friends and health care professionals with an interest in the condition, to have the opportunity to come to participate and learn.
Graphic Artist David Bethell has designed another superb poster specifically to advertise the day. Please contact us at Birdshot@live.co.uk if you would like a copy of the poster to display in the eye clinic (you will need to ensure you give it to the right person to get it displayed). If you prefer you can download the poster from the site and print copies. We have a choice of colour or black and white.
We need your help to make sure the Birdshot Day is widely publicised in the right places.
We now have links to the Birdshot Uveitis Society’s website on a growing number of national and international sites as well as sites such as Facebook, Wikipaedia, Rareshare, Birdshot lefora forum and a many more. If you have ideas about other places we should advertise our Birdshot Uveitis Society website and the Birdshot Day, we would be grateful for your suggestions.
Below are a number of links to sites where the Birdshot Uveitis Society is mentioned.
Many thanks. Annie
Article in Orphanet News April 21st about the Patient Day
RNIB – Rare Diseases and the Events listing
Unintended effects of Statins
Rea came across this piece of research, published in the BMJ last week, which highlights increased risk of liver/kidney damage and myopathy and cataracts from taking statins. The research highlights some of the possible side effects of taking higher doses of statins.
As a result of this, Doctors are being urged to choose the lowest possible dose when they prescribe cholesterol lowering statins.
If you currently take statins you may wish to review this with your GP and Ophthalmologist, discuss the benefits against the risks to find out if drug you are prescribed should be changed.
The link below takes you to the published paper.
A sponsor of the Birdshot Day
