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23, 1996 • Tm P oru
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New data on multiple sclerosis vaccine
C onnective therap eu tics, Inc
(N A SD A Q CN CT) announced today
that results from Phase l/ll clinical
testing o f T-cell Receptor (TCR)
peptide vaccines for the treatment of
multiple sclerosis will be published
in the October 1996 issue o f the
Journal o f Natural Medicine.
The results from this pilot study
indicated that patients who responded
immunologically to TCR vaccines
experienced stabilization o f disease
without side effects during one year
o f therapy
The Phase l/ll physician-spon­
sored study was conducted by a team
o f scientists led by Connective’s
collaborator, Arthur A. Vandenbark,
Ph D. o f N euroim m unology Re­
search, Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, Portland and Oregon Health
Sciences University.
The double-blind, placebo-con­
trolled trial involved 23 patients with
chronic, progressive multiple scle­
rosis who were treated for 12 months
with a native or substituted version
o f a V beta 5.2 ICR peptide vaccine
or placebo. Successful peptide vac­
cination boosted protective T-cells
and low ered pathogenic T-cells
thought to cause the disease.
“These promising early data sup­
port our decision to conduct addi­
tional studies in a larger population
o f progressive multiple sclerosis pa­
tients," said W Scott Harkonen,
M.D., senior vice president o f Prod­
uct Development and Operations at
Connective. “ We believe these clin­
ical observations in multiple sclero­
sis generated by Dr Vandenbark’s
group also serve as indications o f the
potential therapeutic value o f TCR
technology as a platform to develop
vaccines for other autoimmune and
connective tissue diseases.”
In the Phase 1/11 study, all TCR
peptide vaccine responders (6/6)
were clinically improved or stable,
while only 7 o f 17 non-responders
were improved or stable There were
no responders in the placebo group
The vaccines were well-tolerated,
with no evidence o f adverse events
a ttrib u ta b le to TCR p e p tid e
treatment.
Additional findings in the Nature
M e d ic in e re p o rt su g g e st that
protective (regulatory) cells elicited
by the vaccine not only inhibit
their specific target pathogenic
T-cells, but also inhibit “bystan­
der" pathogenic T-cells in the area
o f inflammation in the nervous sys­
tem.
This information implies that the
target T-cells need only represent a
fraction o f the total pathogenic
population for the vaccine to be
effective
an important finding as
multiple sclerosis is believed to be
caused by a heterogeneic (mixed)
population o f T-cells.
Ihe publication o f this data coin­
cides w ith Connective’s plans to sub­
mit an Investigational New Drug
Application to conduct a Phase l/ll
study o f native and substituted TCR
V beta 5.2 peptide vaccines in pro­
gressive multiple sclerosis. The study
will be a multicenter, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial which is
expected to enroll 100 patients. Con­
nective plans to compare the immu­
nogen ¡city o f the two vaccines against
placebo.
Dr Vandenbark commented. "We
are excited about the potential of
ICR vaccines as th erap ies for
multiple sclerosis and look forward
to participating in C onnective’s
upcoming trial. Boosting the body ’s
natural immunity with vaccines such
as these may provide long-term clin­
sure to rise with age. But when it
does, if s still treatable,” he said. "By
lowering blood pressure, you can
reduce the risk o f death from heart
attack and stroke.”
The key is m aking healthful
lifestyle choices, such as eating low-
salt, low-fat and low -cholesterol
foods, not smoking, and watching
your weight.
Among the bestchoices? Exercise.
“Recent studies have shown that
sedentary older adults who gradually
add physical activity to their lifestyle
can significantly improve cardiovasc­
u lar p e rfo rm a n c e ,” luchi said.
Walking, water aerobics, and dancing
are good ways to improve blood cir­
culation and make you feel good.”
Medications like “clot-busting”
Streptokinase and aspirin can help
prevent blood clots that cause heart
attacks. Studies have shown that
postmenopausal women who take
estrogen supplements seem to be pro-
tected against heart attacks.
A ccording to L uchi, ad u lts
should annual check-up by age 65
and have a stress test before begin­
ning and exercise program.
Luchi says it’s important to
know hear, attack warningsigns:
♦ Chest discomfort spreading to
the neck, shoulders, and arms
♦ S w e a tin g , n a u se a a n d
shortness o f breath
♦ Dizziness or fainting
In some older people, a heart
attack can occur with few or no
symptoms. "Heart attacks come in
different forms—from no symptoms
to severe pain,” Luchi said.
If any symptoms appear, Luchi
says d o n 't ignore them . “G et
evaluated early, even if you have
mild pain," he said. "Heart attack
treatment is best when given early.
And remember, by making appro­
priate lifestyle changes, you can
probably prevent another attack.”
mune cells, possibly arresting the
autoimmune disease process at its
earliest stage.
Connective Therapeutics, Inc.,
headquartered in Palo Alto, Califor­
nia. is focused on the development of
novel therapeutics for serious con­
nective tissue disorders. I he compa­
ny has four products in development:
gam m a in te rfe ro n fo r a to p ic
dermatitis and keloids; betameth­
asone mousse for scalp psoriasis and
other scalp dermatoses; Con Xn( TM)
(recombinant human relaxin H2) for
scleroderma and other fibrotic indi­
cations; and TCR peptide vaccines
for rheumatoid arthritis and multiple
sclerosis.
This news release contains for­
ward-look i ng statements that i n volve
risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those in such for­
ward-looking statements.
Shriners fre e screening clinic
Never too late to prevent heart disease
It’s never too late to prevent heart
disease, says a geriatrics expert in
The DeBakey I leart Center at Bay lor
College o f Medicine in Houston.
“ Even if you are 70 years old,
exercising and eating right can
decrease your heart disease risk,”
said Dr. Robert Luchi, a professor
o f medicine and director o f the
Huffington C enter on Aging at
Baylor. “But the earlier in life you
start, the better.”
Heart disease is the leadingcause
o f death o f Americans and is more
common in older people. The risk
fo r h e a rt fa ilu re in c re a se s
dramatically after age 75.
Coronary artery diseases, such
as atherosclerosis (artery blockage),
often take up to 40 years or more to
progress to a heart attack. And, like
high blood pressure, heart disease is
not necessarily a natural part o f
aging, Luchi said.
“ It’s not normal for blood pres-
ical benefit by arresting disease pro­
gression."
As with other vaccines, the TCR
technology is being developed to help
the body recognize and destroy patho­
gens. In the case ofautoim m une dis­
eases. the pathogens are believed to
be T-cells. TCR vaccines are manu­
factured from the receptor portion o f
pathogenic T-cells and injected into
the patient to elicit a heightened im­
mune response against the T-cells
thought to cause autoimmune dis­
ease.
Connective Therapeutics’ TCR
peptide vaccines are being designed
to boost the naturally occurring con­
trol arm o f the immune system
believed to function inefficiently in
immune-mediated diseases.
These vaccines are expected to
e lic it a “ re g u la to ry im m une
response" that can immunize against
the activity o f disease-causing im-
I he Portland Shriners Hospital
for children will hold a free orthope­
dic and plastic surgery'screening clin­
ic on Saturday, Nov 2 from 8 a.m. to
2 p in. in the hospital's outpatient
clinic. 3181 S. W. Sam Jackson Park
Road. I faccepted, children at Shriners
Hospital are treated free o f charge.
"Last year, when we offered this
clinic we saw 112 children in six
hours,” said Phyllis Newton, Direc­
tor o f Community Outreach. “ We
were stunned that there were so many
families who did not know about our
free medical services ”
Shriners Hospital accepts children
up to age 18 who have bone, muscle or
joint problems, or who have plastic
surgery needs -- such as for burn scars,
clef, lip palate and facial anomalies.
Most patients at Shriners have con­
genital, life-long problems such as
cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular
dystrophy or club foot. Other children
suffer accidents and illnesses, such as
losing a hand or leg. Other common
conditions seen include scoliosis --
curvature of the spine - and congenital
hip dislocation.
Because care at Shriners Hospital
is free, there is always a waiting list
o f several hundred names. However,
children seen at a screening clinic
generally can begin their care w ithin
two months. (The hospital does not
provide emergency services, such as
for broken bones or acute burns.)
"We are especially interested in
making sure we are reaching out to
minority' and low income families,"
Newton said. "We are making every
effort to inform those communities
that we are available to them by con­
tacting community clinics, distribut­
ing flyers in english and Spanish, and
working through all news media.” A
Spanish interpreter will be at the clinic,
and interpreters for other languages
will be provided if requested in ad­
vance Tree return Tri-Met passes will
be given to anyone who arrives by bus
(#8 from downtown).
No appointments are needed to be
seen at the Screening clinic. Hospital
surgeons will be on hand to evaluate
every child who arrives forcare. Al­
though the wait may be long at times,
families will be entertained by Shrine
clowns. Free refreshments will also
be available to sustain those who are
waiting. If, for some reason a child is
not appropriate for care at Shriners
Hospital, the family will be referred.
Generally, Shriners Hospital ac­
cepts al I patients for care if treatment
would benefit the child and if treat­
ment at another facility would put a
financial burden on the family.
For info call (503) 241-5090.
reast cancer risk
Legacy Cancer Services offers free
education program:
Breast Cancer & Hereditary...
How at risk are you?
Wha, does your m other’s or sis­
ter's diagnosis o f breast cancer mean
for your health? What can you do to
reduce your risk? What is the current
status o f genetic testing for breast
cancer? Learn more about your risk
for breast cancer as Kathryn Murray,
genetic counselor and Karen Greco,
nurse practitioner discuss:
♦ Is all breast cancer genetic?
♦ Heredity and other risk factors
♦ Genetic testing
♦ Reducing your risk
“ Breast Cancer & Heredity: How
at risk are you?” will be held on
Wednesday, October 23,7-8:30 p.m..
at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital
& Medical Center. Free parking is
available. Although there is no charge
to attend the program, preregistration
is required. Contact Legacy Referral
Services at (503)335-3500 for more
information or to register. This com­
munity health education program is
sponsored by Legacy Cancer Servic­
, ■
h
U fes- r :
es.
Flab is now the norm
For the first time, overweight peo­
ple outnumber normal-size ones in
the United States, according to the
latest government statistics, released
Tuesday.
The reasons are not entirely clear
K atherine Flegal o f the N a ­
tional C en ter for H ealth S ta tis­
tic s in H y a ttsv ille , M d ., w ho
outlined the data, said m any sm all
red u ctio n s in p h y sical activ ity
m ight be to blam e.
She noted the development o f the
TV remote control, wh ich keeps peo­
ple planted on the couch all evening,
and fear o f crime, which gives them
another reason to stay inside.
“It's just eating too much,” con­
tended Dr. Albert J. Stunkard o f the
U n iv e rsity o f P e n n sy lv a n ia .
’’Physical activity hasn't increased
enough to make up for it.”
Whatever the reason, the latest
government figures show just how
fat the country has gotten.
Federal guidelines suggest that
people should keep their body mass
indexes under 25. Anything more
than that is too much
Body mass index, or BMI, is
quickly becoming the standard way
oftalking about obesity, since it is an
easy way to compare the fatness o f
people o f different heights. BMI is
body weight in kilograms divided by
height in meters squared. A woman
5-foot-4 who weights 145 pounds
has a BMI o f 25.
The National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, conducted on
30.000 people between 1991 and
1994, shows that 59 percent o f Amer­
ican men and 49 percent o f women
have BM Isover25. Ten years earlier,
5 1 percent o f men and 4 1 percent of
women were this heavy.
Flegal presented the figures at a
meeting o f the North A merican
Assoc ¡at ion for the Study o f Obesity.
“ It’s been clear for several years
that Americans are getting fatter, and
it’s accelerating. That’s troubling,”
said Dr. Tim Byers o f the University
ofColorado Health Sciences Center
People in their 50s are the fattest.
The survey found that 73 percent of
men and 64 percent o f women this
age have BMIs over 25.
However, the survey also found
overweight increasing among pre-
Thinks
H e’s The
O ne.
teen children, too.
Extreme obesity is also becoming
more common. The survey found 2
percent o f men and 4 percent of
women have BMIs over 40 - double
the rate a decade ago. A 5-foot-4
women with a BMI of40 weighs 230
pounds.
W hilea BMI of25 is probably not
p a rtic u la rly bad, e x p e rts say
significant health problems begin to
emerge when people’s BMIs hit 27.
T hat’s 155 pounds for the 5-foot-4
woman.
Flegal noted, however, that some
w eight-related health ills do not
appear to be rising with Americans'
increasing weights. I he survey shows
that cholesterol levels are falling,
and blood pressure appears to be
holding steady or dropping slightly.
On the other hand, the statistics
suggest that diabetes, which is also
closely related to weight, may be
increasing.
W hile there is no universally
accepted definition o f obesity, some
experts call it a BMI o f 30 or more.
This is 175 pounds for the 5-foot-4
woman.
For sonic reason, we all think we'rt?
tile one person who doesn’t e \e r
hav e to think about i linlc-acrol.
But the truth is, we all have to keep
our hearts healthy. So we should all
eat foods low in saturated fat, total fat,
ami cholesterol, be physically active,
and watch our weight. We all can.
We all should Because every heart
counts. Especially yours. For more
im in a tio n , eu
Older Americans and the flu
Older Americans: You may not feel
threatened bythcflu. But you are Inan
average year, the flu claims the lives of
up to 20,000 Americans, 90 percent of
whom are age 65 an older.
That is why this Adult Immuni­
zations Awareness Week, I want to
provide all older Americans with the
information you need to save your
health maybe even your life.
<
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Here are the facts: Last year’s shot
will not protect you from this year's
flu Because the virus takes on a d i fièr­
ent form every year, you need to get a
flu shot every year. And the ideal time
to get yours is between October and
mid November Let me be clear: The
flu shot will not make you sick. And. if
you are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
you can get yours absolutely free
Unfortunately, recent statistics show
that only about 55 percent ofO regon’s
residents age 65 or older protect them­
selves by getting a flu shot each year.
We can and must do better.
Remember, if you get the flu shot
today, you can avoid getting sick to­
morrow. So, get the flu shot - not the
flu.
Sincerely, Donna Shalala
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Every I leart Counts -
Care About ( Cholesterol
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