Early approval for Antegren

wilson · Family Member Joined: Mar 21, 2004 Posts: 60

Can someone revisit and summarize what Antegren means to the MS community, listing the positive benefits and the potential downside and side effects?

There seems to be lot of new people onboard. Perhaps we all can share in some hope in the near future.

Question

Xenova · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:03 pm Post subject:

The drug was relatively well tolerated. It seems to be 2-3 times more effective than the CRABs. I read speculation that one would or could continue the weekly CRAB infusion and that Antegren would be administered every four week via IV.

Here are the stats from Phase II data:

Although data from the pivotal phase III trials are not yet widely available, phase II trial data from earlier studies in multiple sclerosis patients showed evidence of Antegren's efficacy. In comparison with placebo, patients treated with infusions of Antegren for six months had many fewer new enhancing lesions on MRI (85% to 95% reduction) and fewer clinical relapses (45% to 75% reduction).

http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/antegren/

treez · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:05 am Post subject: Antegren

Glad to here the potential benefits. All of those here that are newly dx'ed, we probably have few symptoms due to the early stages we're in. Unless someone ignored their strange neuro symptoms for a long time. I personally am looking at the ABC's injections as something to buy me time until more effective treatments or combinations are developed. Hurry up FDA!!

Trying to stay positive...............

Steve

finn · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 4:23 am Post subject:

Sorry, time to leave the board.

-finn

Lap · Newbie Joined: Jul 31, 2004 Posts: 5

finn

I am writing to you because you sound very knowledgable and I am frantic about the steady decline my daughter is exhibiting. She was only diagnosed 2.6 years ago, )originally it was diagnosed at relapse/remission but now as seconday progressive) has had two babies since and just gets worse and worse by the day. Her walking, eyesight, hand use and tremors are all very bad and she has had a couple of catastrophic exacerbations where she was hospitalized for long periods. They have tried steriods, Rebif and now Novantrone (she's had 3 doses but with no positive effect). Is there any hope of any other treatments or of the Novantrone eventually working. I am just sick with worry about her and we all need hope.

Lap

rndlph · Getting to Know You... Joined: Jun 01, 2004 Posts: 15

I have extremely high hopes about Antegren, as my understanding is that it has a very good side effect profile. I focus on side effects for two reasons. First, the side effects I experience with Avonex vary from bad to horrible--worse than anything MS has ever done to me. It would be great not to have to deal with the weekly hangover without benefit of prior drunkenness. Second, I think that the science will be better behind Antegren than the interferons because of the good side effect profile. I have never understood how the interferons could be said to have undergone a double-blinded study. I mean, there would be no question in the minds of most study participants whether they were getting the "good" stuff. Placebos just could not make you feel that crappy.

So while I am excited about the increased efficacy that I assume Antegren will prove to have, I am even more excited that this increased efficacy will have a more sound basis in science.

Antegren is really our best source of hope right now.

Dave

treez · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:00 am Post subject: Antegren combos. & cost

First, I'd like to thank Wilson for pointing out all us "newbies".

I hadn't thought about the expense Antegren & say, rebif would involve. I guess the insurance companies will have to analyze the benefits vs. expense too. Would the combination ultimately reduce their claims? Only time will tell. Supportive care, treatments for acute exasperations and relapses would definitely be reduced, the question is by how much?

Lets worry about getting Antegren "in the real world" first. I too have extremely high hopes. The data percentages that Xenova points out are very encouraging. I think the biggest problem we all face is one of supply once it reaches the market.

Treez

finn · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:18 am Post subject:

Sorry, time to leave the board.

-finn