Further development of Remicade...A novel approach to cancer drug delivery

Todays Headlines from across the DailyUpdates network (June 22nd, 2006) - currently featuring 60+ selected journal articles, 11 drug development press releases and 10 pharmaceutical jobs

• Breaking News (from DailyUpdates-Oncology): Further development of Remicade Psoriasis affects about 1 million Americans. This autoimmune disorder has greatly benefited from the advent of biologics such as Amevive/Raptiva. This CD2 blocking immunomodulator has improved the treatment of the once uncontrollable burning sensation and disfiguration of the skin associated with the disease. In addition to dermatological aspects of the disease, psoriasis is associated with arthritis in 10-30% of patients. TNF blockers such as Remicade are able to reduce joint disease severity by 50% in a large number of patients however there is still room for improved control of this aspect of psoriasis (see our feature Autoimmune Disorders & Transplant Rejection). Remicade (infliximab), a neutralizing anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, was approved in the European Union in September 2004, in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in patients who have responded inadequately to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. In May 2005, Centocor announced that the FDA had also approved Remicade, for the reduction in the signs and symptoms of active psoriatic arthritis. Remicade had previously gained approval for the treatment of Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. With sales of Remicade already driving global revenue of close to 2.5 billion in 2005, Centocor have now announced that the FDA has accepted its filing of an sBLA for Remicade for inhibiting the progression of structural damage and improving physical function in patients with active psoriatic arthritis [Source: Centocor Release]

Featured Journal Article (from DailyUpdates-Technology): A novel approach to cancer drug delivery: Drug delivery remains a challenge in management of cancer. Approximately 11 million persons are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer worldwide in 2003 and considerable research is in progress for drug discovery for cancer. Cancer drug delivery is no longer simply wrapping up cancer drugs in a new formulations for different routes of delivery. The focus is on targeted cancer therapy (see our feature Drug Delivery in Cancer - technologies, markets and companies). Today's featured article describes a highly novel approach to drug delivery employing T lymphocytes as carriers to deliver chemotherapy coated nanoparticles to tumors [Int J Pharm. 2006 Mar 27;311(1-2):229-36]