To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Researchers Develop New Protein To Fight Brain Cancer URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/49432.htm Doctor's Guide November 26, 1997
HERSHEY, PA -- November 26, 1997 -- Penn State's College of Medicine, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have licensed an anticancer immunotherapeutic drug to NeoPharm Inc., an Illinois-based biotechnology company. The new protein, IL13-PE38QQR, is a combination of interleukin 13, a protein found in the body, and a toxic bacterial protein, Pseudomonas exotoxin. The interleukin 13 penetrates a range of brain cancer cells which These cells are covered by receptor sites which accept the interleukin 13. However, when the interleukin 13 is combined with Pseudomonas exotoxin, it creates this new protein which kills the cancerous cells in the brain and does not harm the healthy cells. Investigators add that the work so far has been limited to a laboratory, but feel this work holds great hope for humans. "There are several things that are important in fighting brain cancer. The treatment must be specific, the potency must be correct and the delivery system is also a key. We are very pleased to pioneer the transfer of such a new method of pharmaceutical therapy to industry," said Waldemar Debinski, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery and director of tumor research. Debinski added this protein will be delivered through the skull by a needle and patients may be able to be awake during the procedure. "Twenty thousand Americans will be diagnosed with brain cancer each year. Most people will eventually die from it," Debinski said. "Eighty percent die within two years and there are almost no survivors after five years." Dr. Raj K. Puri of the FDA is a co-inventor of the technology. He and Debinski have worked together for a number of years. Debinski adds that he is pleased that Penn State's College of Medicine can witness a research compound making the journey from bench to clinic. "This is designed primarily to fight brain cancer. However, I anticipate that it will be applicable to a range of different types of cancer," added Debinski. He says it can often take about 10 years for such a drug to reach the public. However, based on his work so far, and with very enthusiastic and effective participation by NeoPharm, he believes the process may go faster and the drug could reach patients within just a few years. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.