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Glaucoma Gene

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -mo…@netcom.com (Monty Swaiss) wrote: >Anyone have comments about the following press release from Insite Vision? >What is the medical opinion of eye doctors reading this newgroup? How >far away are we realy from the development of the medication mentioned below? >Looks promissing. >–Monty >————————-  Begin Press Release ——————– >Wednesday May 14 6:31 AM EDT >Company Press Release >Studies link "glaucoma gene" product to non-hereditary glaucoma >InSite Vision developing products based on findings >ALAMEDA, Calif.–(BW HealthWire)–May 14, 1997–InSite Vision Incorporated (NASDAQ:INSV) today announced that the company’s collaborators at >the University of California (UC) have demonstrated that the TIGR gene, a defect of which was recently identified as a cause of glaucoma, also has a central >role in non-hereditary forms of the disease. >These findings may lead to the development of novel approaches to glaucoma diagnostics, treatment and prevention. InSite Vision is developing genetic >screening tools for glaucoma based on the TIGR technology as well as ISV-205, a related glaucoma treatment utilizing the company’s DuraSite ophthalmic >drug delivery technology. The UC research will be published in the May issue of the journal Ophthalmologica. Additional data was presented yesterday at an >international vision research meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Mostly related only to open-angle glaucoma. >Earlier this year, these UC San Francisco researchers joined with other geneticists and ophthalmologists in the publication in “Science” of a defect in the TIGR >gene that causes glaucoma. This important finding may make it possible to identify individuals who inherit the gene defect so that they can be followed carefully >and given therapies to prevent vision loss.

But there are seldom effective therapies and many make matters worse, so what’s the gain of knowing you may have trouble ahead?  So you can go get a bargain on a truckload of beer to cry in? >The new work described by the UC researchers and colleagues builds on the gene discovered with a series of experiments using the TIGR protein, a product >of the TIGR gene that is produced in ocular trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. In the studies, the presence of the TIGR protein blocked the outflow of fluid >through TM cells, which may lead to an elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP), a hallmark of glaucoma. >Further, the researchers found that exposure of TM cells to steroid drugs known to cause elevated IOP resulted in increased TIGR protein production, as did >exposure of the cells to oxidative stress, a mechanism thought to be involved in primary open-angle glaucoma, the form of the disease most associated with the >aging process. The scientists then confirmed their findings by showing a significant increase in the TIGR protein in the trabecular meshwork of patients with >primary open-angle glaucoma and in trabecular meshwork exposed to long term steroid treatment.

One more attempt to hang onto the theory that glaucoma is simply caused by high IOPs and stopped by reducing same. >Finally, the researchers showed the TM cells could be prevented from producing the TIGR protein in response to steroids or oxidative stress by ISV-205, a >high-dose DuraSite-based formulation of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. ISV-205 has been evaluated in a Phase I clinical safety study in healthy >volunteers and is expected to enter Phase II testing later this year. >“A new understanding of how and why glaucoma occurs is developing as a result of this research,” said Richard Lewis, M.D., clinical professor of >ophthalmology at the University of California, Davis. “I’m very hopeful that this information will accelerate the development of new diagnostic tools and >treatments to prevent irreversible vision loss and blindness due to glaucoma.” >“We are pleased to be working on two exciting approaches to the management of glaucoma,” said Kumar Chandrasekaran, Ph.D., InSite Vision’s Chairman >and Chief Executive Officer. “With ISV-205, we are developing a product candidate designed to attack glaucoma by preventing TIGR production in TM >cells. >“If successful, ISV-205, could be used to treat glaucoma as well as to prevent IOP elevation when steroids are given to reduce inflammation after eye >surgery. We also are using the TIGR gene defect as well as gene defects associated with other forms of glaucoma to develop diagnostic and prognostic kits >designed to identify those with a hereditary predisposition to the disease.”

I’ll wait for the hard evidence. >The paper, “Cellular Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of the Trabecular Meshwork Inducible Glucocorticoid Response (TIGR) Gene Product,” was >authored by UC researchers Jon Polansky and Thai Nguyen along with their primary collaborators at the Mayo Clinic and the University of >Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany. >General >Often referred to as “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma has afflicted an estimated two to four million Americans. The numbers vary since so many victims go >undiagnosed. Glaucoma is a disorder characterized by increased intraocular pressure that may cause impaired vision, ranging from slight sight loss to complete >blindness.

False.  Not necessarily "characterized by increased IOP". >InSite Vision is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on the development of improved and novel eye medications based on its proprietary DuraSite >eyedrop-based delivery system, and on the development of genetically-based tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of glaucoma. DuraSite-based products are >designed to permit the gradual release of drug into the eye over a period of hours, thereby overcoming various treatment problems common with conventional >ophthalmic drug delivery. >This press release contains certain forward-looking statements reflecting InSite Vision Incorporated’s current expectations. These statements are made under >the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned >that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ from those currently anticipated by InSite Vision, >including, without limitation: risks inherent in developing a genetic discovery into a commercially viable diagnostic product, which include issues of >manufacturability, proving the validity of diagnostic, preclinical and clinical studies and obtaining, if required, approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug >Administration; changes in demand for the company’s products; rapidly changing markets and advancing technologies; keen competitive pressures; and those >matters set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” listed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. Investors are encouraged to review InSite Vision’s >Quarterly Report, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, filed with the SEC, for a more complete discussion of factors that could cause InSite >Vision’s results to differ from current expectations.

Nobody’s responsible for anything except the livelihoods of us forward-looking lawyers.  ;-) Ray (MD, lawyer?   Not me.)

Response:

Anyone have comments about the following press release from Insite Vision? What is the medical opinion of eye doctors reading this newgroup? How far away are we realy from the development of the medication mentioned below? Looks promissing. –Monty ————————-  Begin Press Release ——————– Wednesday May 14 6:31 AM EDT Company Press Release Studies link "glaucoma gene" product to non-hereditary glaucoma InSite Vision developing products based on findings ALAMEDA, Calif.–(BW HealthWire)–May 14, 1997–InSite Vision Incorporated (NASDAQ:INSV) today announced that the company’s collaborators at the University of California (UC) have demonstrated that the TIGR gene, a defect of which was recently identified as a cause of glaucoma, also has a central role in non-hereditary forms of the disease. These findings may lead to the development of novel approaches to glaucoma diagnostics, treatment and prevention. InSite Vision is developing genetic screening tools for glaucoma based on the TIGR technology as well as ISV-205, a related glaucoma treatment utilizing the company’s DuraSite ophthalmic drug delivery technology. The UC research will be published in the May issue of the journal Ophthalmologica. Additional data was presented yesterday at an international vision research meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Earlier this year, these UC San Francisco researchers joined with other geneticists and ophthalmologists in the publication in “Science” of a defect in the TIGR gene that causes glaucoma. This important finding may make it possible to identify individuals who inherit the gene defect so that they can be followed carefully and given therapies to prevent vision loss. The new work described by the UC researchers and colleagues builds on the gene discovered with a series of experiments using the TIGR protein, a product of the TIGR gene that is produced in ocular trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. In the studies, the presence of the TIGR protein blocked the outflow of fluid through TM cells, which may lead to an elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP), a hallmark of glaucoma. Further, the researchers found that exposure of TM cells to steroid drugs known to cause elevated IOP resulted in increased TIGR protein production, as did exposure of the cells to oxidative stress, a mechanism thought to be involved in primary open-angle glaucoma, the form of the disease most associated with the aging process. The scientists then confirmed their findings by showing a significant increase in the TIGR protein in the trabecular meshwork of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and in trabecular meshwork exposed to long term steroid treatment. Finally, the researchers showed the TM cells could be prevented from producing the TIGR protein in response to steroids or oxidative stress by ISV-205, a high-dose DuraSite-based formulation of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. ISV-205 has been evaluated in a Phase I clinical safety study in healthy volunteers and is expected to enter Phase II testing later this year. “A new understanding of how and why glaucoma occurs is developing as a result of this research,” said Richard Lewis, M.D., clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Davis. “I’m very hopeful that this information will accelerate the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments to prevent irreversible vision loss and blindness due to glaucoma.” “We are pleased to be working on two exciting approaches to the management of glaucoma,” said Kumar Chandrasekaran, Ph.D., InSite Vision’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With ISV-205, we are developing a product candidate designed to attack glaucoma by preventing TIGR production in TM cells. “If successful, ISV-205, could be used to treat glaucoma as well as to prevent IOP elevation when steroids are given to reduce inflammation after eye surgery. We also are using the TIGR gene defect as well as gene defects associated with other forms of glaucoma to develop diagnostic and prognostic kits designed to identify those with a hereditary predisposition to the disease.” The paper, “Cellular Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of the Trabecular Meshwork Inducible Glucocorticoid Response (TIGR) Gene Product,” was authored by UC researchers Jon Polansky and Thai Nguyen along with their primary collaborators at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany. General Often referred to as “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma has afflicted an estimated two to four million Americans. The numbers vary since so many victims go undiagnosed. Glaucoma is a disorder characterized by increased intraocular pressure that may cause impaired vision, ranging from slight sight loss to complete blindness. InSite Vision is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on the development of improved and novel eye medications based on its proprietary DuraSite eyedrop-based delivery system, and on the development of genetically-based tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of glaucoma. DuraSite-based products are designed to permit the gradual release of drug into the eye over a period of hours, thereby overcoming various treatment problems common with conventional ophthalmic drug delivery. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements reflecting InSite Vision Incorporated’s current expectations. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ from those currently anticipated by InSite Vision, including, without limitation: risks inherent in developing a genetic discovery into a commercially viable diagnostic product, which include issues of manufacturability, proving the validity of diagnostic, preclinical and clinical studies and obtaining, if required, approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; changes in demand for the company’s products; rapidly changing markets and advancing technologies; keen competitive pressures; and those matters set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” listed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings. Investors are encouraged to review InSite Vision’s Quarterly Report, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, filed with the SEC, for a more complete discussion of factors that could cause InSite Vision’s results to differ from current expectations.

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