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Related News - sirolimus

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Following are a few extractions from a MDS news release today. They are conducting the Phase III tests for a drug called Sirolimus. This drug was previously known as Rapamycin, and also has the brand name Rapamune. As far as I can tell, FDA has approved the drug for testing, providing it is used in conjunction with Cyclosporin and steriods. It appears that this combination reduces rejection by about 40% in renal transplant patients over a previous 6 month trial. So how does it work? (Altius, you can skip this "technical section")Whereas cyclosporine block lymphokine gene transcription , sirolimus acts later to blocks IL2-dependent T lymphocyte proliferation and the stimulation caused by cross-linkage of CD28. Therefore, sirolimus is believed to act in synergy with cyclosporine (or tacrolimus) in suppressing the immune system. It was under development for over 20 years before getting FDA approval! ------------------------------------------------------------------ TORONTO, Nov. 28 /CNW/ - MDS Inc. (NYSE: MDZ; TSE: MDS) now provides cross-Canada access to therapeutic drug monitoring for the new anti-rejection drug sirolimus using state-of-the-art tandem mass spectrometry. This supports the MDS strategy of leading in the introduction of new technology in Canada and ensuring all Canadians have access to specialty diagnostic tests. Sirolimus is a new immunosuppressant drug that significantly improves kidney transplant survival rates and reduces the toxic side effects on the patient. Monitoring of drug levels in the patient's system is critical to patient care, and mass spectrometry is the most accurate way to perform these tests. Without immunosuppressant drugs, such as sirolimus, the patient's normal immune response would reject a transplanted kidney. Patients often stay on these drugs for extended periods. Patients on these drugs need regular testing to ensure they have the right amount of drug in their blood. Like many other drugs, the optimal use depends on achieving the correct balance within a target therapeutic range. If the drug level is too low, the patient's immune system may reject the kidney. If the drug level is too high, there may be toxic side effects from the drug itself. Monitoring of sirolimus blood levels is recommended for patients following renal and liver transplant, for pediatric patients, for those with hepatic (liver) impairment and for those patients receiving certain drug combinations. MDS is working with transplant centres across Canada to ensure national access to the MDS drug monitoring service for sirolimus.