Max
10-22-2001, 08:42 AM
Progenics Reports Positive Phase II Clinical Results for Methylnaltrexone
- University of Chicago Study Shows Significant Reversal of Morphine Side Effects -
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX - news) today announced statistically significant, positive results from Phase II clinical studies of methylnaltrexone (MNTX), an investigational drug designed to reverse the debilitating side effects of opioid pain medications. Clinicians at the University of Chicago reported that administration of MNTX prevented morphine-induced bowel paralysis and reduced 12 common side effects of morphine. For the first time, investigators reported that subcutaneous administration of MNTX produced clinical activity similar to that of intravenous or oral administration of the drug. The scientific findings were presented this week at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in New Orleans by Professor Jonathan Moss, M.D., Ph.D., and Chun-Su Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., both of the University of Chicago's Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010410/PROGENICS )
``These results substantiate MNTX's significant activity in rapidly reversing a wide range of opioid-induced side effects,'' said Robert J. Israel, M.D., Progenics' Vice President of Medical Affairs. ``Subcutaneous dosing of MNTX may provide substantial benefit in the setting of cancer pain, where it may be more convenient than oral or intravenous dosing.''
Opioids are widely used for analgesia after surgery or traumatic injury and to lessen suffering in terminal illness. To relieve pain, narcotic medications such as morphine interact with receptors that are located in the brain and spinal cord. Opioids also react with receptors outside the central nervous system, resulting in undesirable side effects including constipation, delayed gastric emptying, nausea and vomiting, pruritis, and urinary retention. Many patients are forced to reduce or stop medication and endure pain rather than experience the severe side effect caused by opioids. MNTX is designed to block opioids from activating the peripheral receptors in the body that cause these side effects. As MNTX does not cross the blood-brain barrier, it does not interfere with brain-centered pain relief.
The placebo-controlled studies conducted by the University of Chicago were conducted using 12 healthy volunteers and two subcutaneous doses (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) of MNTX. The results are summarized below:
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- University of Chicago Study Shows Significant Reversal of Morphine Side Effects -
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX - news) today announced statistically significant, positive results from Phase II clinical studies of methylnaltrexone (MNTX), an investigational drug designed to reverse the debilitating side effects of opioid pain medications. Clinicians at the University of Chicago reported that administration of MNTX prevented morphine-induced bowel paralysis and reduced 12 common side effects of morphine. For the first time, investigators reported that subcutaneous administration of MNTX produced clinical activity similar to that of intravenous or oral administration of the drug. The scientific findings were presented this week at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists in New Orleans by Professor Jonathan Moss, M.D., Ph.D., and Chun-Su Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., both of the University of Chicago's Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010410/PROGENICS )
``These results substantiate MNTX's significant activity in rapidly reversing a wide range of opioid-induced side effects,'' said Robert J. Israel, M.D., Progenics' Vice President of Medical Affairs. ``Subcutaneous dosing of MNTX may provide substantial benefit in the setting of cancer pain, where it may be more convenient than oral or intravenous dosing.''
Opioids are widely used for analgesia after surgery or traumatic injury and to lessen suffering in terminal illness. To relieve pain, narcotic medications such as morphine interact with receptors that are located in the brain and spinal cord. Opioids also react with receptors outside the central nervous system, resulting in undesirable side effects including constipation, delayed gastric emptying, nausea and vomiting, pruritis, and urinary retention. Many patients are forced to reduce or stop medication and endure pain rather than experience the severe side effect caused by opioids. MNTX is designed to block opioids from activating the peripheral receptors in the body that cause these side effects. As MNTX does not cross the blood-brain barrier, it does not interfere with brain-centered pain relief.
The placebo-controlled studies conducted by the University of Chicago were conducted using 12 healthy volunteers and two subcutaneous doses (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) of MNTX. The results are summarized below:
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