‘New drug lowers deadly Huntington’s disease protein’


Team Udayavani, Dec 12, 2017, 4:50 PM IST

London: In a ‘ground-breaking’ development, scientists have developed a drug that can treat Huntington’s disease by lowering the level of the harmful protein in the nervous system. Huntington’s disease is characterised by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain. This fatal disorder is caused by a hereditary defect in a single gene.

IONIS-HTTRx successfully lowered the level of the harmful huntingtin protein in the nervous system. The first human trial of the huntingtin-lowering drug began in late 2015 by researchers from the University College London in the UK.

The trial involved 46 patients with early Huntington’s disease at nine study centres in the UK, Germany and Canada. Each patient received four doses of either IONIS-HTTRx or placebo, given by injection into the spinal fluid to enable it to reach the brain.

As the phase 1/2a trial progressed, the dose of IONIS- HTTRx was increased several times according to the ascending- dose trial design. IONIS-HTTRx was well-tolerated by the trial participants and its safety profile supported further testing in patients.

“The results of this trial are of ground-breaking importance for Huntington’s disease patients and families,” said Sarah Tabrizi, from the University College London. “For the first time a drug has lowered the level of the toxic disease-causing protein in the nervous system, and the drug was safe and well-tolerated. The key now is to move quickly to a larger trial to test whether the drug slows disease progression,” Tabrizi said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Molestation case registered against Karnataka Cong general secretary Gurappa Naidu

Karkala: College student drowns at Durga falls 

Indian culture resonates globally: PM Modi

Hemant Soren takes oath as 14th CM of Jharkhand

INDIA bloc boosted by people’s mandate in J’khand, fight for tribal rights to continue: Akhilesh

BMTC collects over Rs 19 lakh as fine from those travelling without tickets, occupying ladies seat

LeT member, wanted for terror activities in Bengaluru, extradited from Rwanda

Related Articles More

Genetic vulnerability for low insulin, unhealthy fat major causes for diabetes in South Asians: Study

Study links overthinking to ‘constant communication’ between brain’s fear-centre, social behaviour

Mangaluru: Campco opposes WHO’s claim of arecanut being carcinogenic

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

World COPD Day: Know your lung function

MUST WATCH

Grafting

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing


Latest Additions

Molestation case registered against Karnataka Cong general secretary Gurappa Naidu

Over 1,80,000 cases disposed off by exclusive POCSO courts: WCD

Karkala: College student drowns at Durga falls 

Blast near PVR in Delhi’s Prashant Vihar, 1 injured

ECI must clarify how voter turnout rose by over 7 per cent after polling ended: Patole

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.