Promising Nerve Regeneration Drug Tested by Neuropathy Association Researcher at Ohio State

From Neuropathy News, Issue 17:1203, December 2003

At the October, 2003 meeting of the American Neurological Association held in San Francisco, at team of researchers headed by Dr. Sarife Sahenk of Ohio State reported promising results in a nerve regeneration study using the drug NT-3 INeurotrophin 3).

Eight CMT patients in total were given either the active drug or placebo for a period of 6 months, and then re-evaluated. The treated patients showed improvement in both neurological scores that measured function and in nerve biopsy studies. Those receiving placebo showed no improvement or continued to deteriorate.

NT-3, which is made by Regeneron and Amgen, is thought to work by protecting cells in the peripheral nerves and helping them regenerate. It could work for other types of neuropathy as well.

Although further studies are needed to prove efficacy and to obtain FDA approval, this is the first time that any drug has been shown to promote nerve regeneration in patients. The study was supported by a grant from The Neuropathy Association. We are thrilled to be a part of this great effort and send our thanks and congratulations to Dr. Zanenk and her team and to all our members, whose generous donations contributed to this landmark study.

This was typed in from my copy of the newletter, which I opened today, April 18, 2004. It appears to have been mailed out late. Italics and link added.

A web search then found this more complete article.

CMT "is an inherited disorder that affects the nerves that carry information to and from the spinal cord. It causes symptoms of weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs." (source)

Although CMT has very different symptoms from PN, both are forms of neuropathy. Thus is it possible that further research along the lines of NT-3 could lead to something that will help PN patients. It is also possible that NT-3 itself could help PN patients.

Hope this helps somehow, in some small way....

Jack Harich