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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research has uncovered a new way to help people with asthma breathe easier.
Researchers from Aerovance, Inc., in Berkeley, Calif. conducted two different phase II trials looking at the effect of the drug pitrakinra in patients with asthma. In the first trial, 12 patients received 25 milligrams of pitrakinra by injection once a day. Twelve others in the study were given a placebo. In a separate study, 16 patients received either 60 milligrams of pitrakinra twice a day by nebulization and another 16 received a placebo.
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In the first study, researchers found the maximum percentage decrease in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) -- a measure of lung capacity -- was 17.1 percent in the drug group and 23.1 percent in the placebo group. In the second study, the average decrease in FEV1 was 4.4 percent in those received the drug and 15.9 percent in those on the placebo.
Researchers report pitrakinra works by inhibiting interleukins-4 and -13 in the lungs. Its long been thought these cytokines play a crucial role in the onset and development of asthma.
Authors of the two studies write, The effects of pitrakinra on late phase asthmatic response are promising when compared with similar studies with other successful anti-inflammatory asthma therapies ... whether the effect is due to inhibition of interleukin-13 alone, or both interleukin-13 an interleukin-4, is not yet known. Future studies of this drug, as well as molecules that specifically inhibit interleukin-13, in asthmatic individuals of all levels of severity over longer periods of time are clearly warranted.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2007;370:1422-1431
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