Immunex and Wyeth-Ayerst Continue Research Into Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor
And Chronic Heart Failure
SEATTLE, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers continue to explore an
emerging approach in the study of chronic heart failure, a disease that
affects nearly five million Americans every year. New research on the effect
of inhibiting the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) will be
presented at the 73rd Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association
(AHA) from November 12 - 15, 2000.
In patients with chronic heart failure, seven to eight times more TNF is
produced by the heart than is produced in healthy individuals. TNF exerts its
damaging action by attacking a heart that is already failing, perhaps due to
damage from such causes as high blood pressure, poor blood supply to the heart
or a defect such as a defective heart valve. Studies have found that soluble
TNF receptors developed by scientists have been able to "mop up" excess TNF by
binding to it. This may prevent excess TNF from impacting heart tissue
leading to an improvement in clinical status of patients suffering from the
disease.
"Inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF, is a novel approach to
treating heart failure," said Douglas Mann, MD, of the Veterans Administration
Medial Center and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine,
Houston, TX, and a pioneer in TNF inhibition research. "Our studies with TNF
and with ENBREL(R) (etanercept), a soluble TNF receptor, suggest that
inhibiting TNF could improve the clinical status of patients with heart
failure."
During the Scientific Sessions, two poster presentations
(Abstract # 2612; Abstract #2590) will feature new clinical data on TNF
inhibition with ENBREL in chronic heart failure. Other oral and poster
presentations also describe TNF inhibition in heart failure.
The details of the sessions are as follows:
Oral Presentations:
-- Site and Source of Cytokine Overexpression in Heart Failure: The Role
of Immune Activation -- Abstract # 2021
Monday, November 13, 11:30 a.m., Main Building, La Nouvelle Ballroom C
Presenter: Douglas Mann, M.D.
-- Increased Matrix Metalloproteinase Plasma Levels in Patients with
Chronic Heart Failure: Relation to Cytokine Activation
-- Abstract # 1963
Monday, November 13, 9:30 a.m., Main Building, Room 224
Presenter: Douglas Mann, M.D.
Posters:
-- Long-term Improvements in Quality of Life and Clinical Status in
Patients With Chronic Heart Failure After Treatment with ENBREL(R)
(etanercept, TNF receptor) -- Abstract # 2612
Monday, November 13, 1:30/Location: Main Building, Exhibit Hall
Presenter: Biykem Bozkurt, M.D.
-- Brain Natriuertic Peptide Levels are Associated With Improved Clinical
Status in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure After Treatment With
ENBREL(R) (etanercept, TNF receptor) -- Abstract # 2590
Monday, November 13, 4:30/Location: Main Building, Exhibit Hall
Presenter: Biykem Bozkurt, M.D.
-- Cardiac Restricted Overexpression of Membrane Bound Tumor Necrosis
Factor Provokes a Hypertrophic Cardiac Phenotype -- Abstract # 338
Monday, November 13, 9:00 a.m., Main Building, Exhibit Hall
Presenter: Abhinar-Diwan
Chronic heart failure occurs when the heart is damaged from disorders such
as heart attack, high blood pressure, or physical defect. While the heart
continues to pump, it does so inefficiently, resulting in fluid retention and
shortness of breath.
Currently, Immunex and Wyeth-Ayerst, its development partner, have
initiated large, on-going phase II/III trials called RENAISSANCE, RECOVER and
RENEWAL in the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
To arrange an interview with Dr. Mann or Dr. Bozkurt, please call
Courtney Self at Immunex at 206-972-3775.
SOURCE Immunex
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