Experimental Drug to Improve Mobility
Sept 5, 2014 7:49:03 GMT -8
Post by Lαrα on Sept 5, 2014 7:49:03 GMT -8
The Shepherd Centre is being tested to see its effectiveness on improving mobility after Spinal Cord injury. Some patients just hours after their injury and when they are out of their 'life or death' situation are being given the drug.
The investigational medication, called SUN13837, is given intravenously within 12 hours of a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and then daily for 28 days. It is a fat-soluble molecule that may protect damaged neurons and even promote new nerve growth, preventing some loss of function.
Shepherd Center was one of the first rehabilitation centers in the country to launch a clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of SUN13837, which was developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Asubio. The first Shepherd Center patient was enrolled in 2013 in a partnership with Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Asubio is seeking to enroll 164 patients at more than 60 acute trauma centers around the country and internationally
Shepherd Center was one of the first rehabilitation centers in the country to launch a clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of SUN13837, which was developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Asubio. The first Shepherd Center patient was enrolled in 2013 in a partnership with Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Asubio is seeking to enroll 164 patients at more than 60 acute trauma centers around the country and internationally
It is hoped that the drug will help keep neurons alive and healthy so the potential for nerve regrowth is higher. This will offer more opportunity for function because damage will less than usual.
The investigational SUN13837 mimics the properties of the beta fibroblastic growth factor, keeping neurons alive and healthy and promoting the regrowth of nerve axons, or the long, delicate fibers that relay nerve messages – without harmful cell growth.
This is not being touted as the elusive “cure” for spinal cord injury. But SUN13837 may significantly improve functioning in SCI patients, said Issi Clesson, RN, MSCN, CCRP, Shepherd Center’s director of clinical research.
For example, an injury at cervical level 4 (C-4) affects the biceps, so with a complete injury, the patient can’t move his arms and is dependent upon others for care. But if the impairment begins at C- 6 level, the patient often retains movement in the biceps and wrists. “He can operate his own wheelchair, feed himself and meet many of his daily needs with little support from a caregiver,” Clesson explained. “Improvement in two motor levels means significant improvement in function and lifestyle.
This is not being touted as the elusive “cure” for spinal cord injury. But SUN13837 may significantly improve functioning in SCI patients, said Issi Clesson, RN, MSCN, CCRP, Shepherd Center’s director of clinical research.
For example, an injury at cervical level 4 (C-4) affects the biceps, so with a complete injury, the patient can’t move his arms and is dependent upon others for care. But if the impairment begins at C- 6 level, the patient often retains movement in the biceps and wrists. “He can operate his own wheelchair, feed himself and meet many of his daily needs with little support from a caregiver,” Clesson explained. “Improvement in two motor levels means significant improvement in function and lifestyle.