FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia

  • 9 Replies
  • 8545 Views
*

Offline Bostonian_04

  • ****
  • 395
  • Gender: Male
There is another option opening up for Thal patients.....don't know much details but heard that it increases HgB production in thal patients and reduces transfusion frequency and iron overload.


http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/hematology/news/online/%7B5eda39b5-84f2-44fd-86bd-221c11fedfcc%7D/fda-grants-fast-track-status-to-luspatercept-for-beta-thalassemia
« Last Edit: May 18, 2015, 08:29:51 PM by Bostonian_04 »
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes ? - Plato

*

Offline Manal

  • *****
  • 3100
  • Gender: Female
  • mother of thal intermedia child
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2015, 09:35:03 PM »
I heard about this too from a friend but have no details :dunno

*

Offline Andy Battaglia

  • *****
  • 8793
  • Gender: Male
  • Will thal rule you or will you rule thal?
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2015, 01:48:19 AM »
We have a previous thread about this drug at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,5303.0/highlight,luspatercept.html

Of all the current approaches in development for thal, this is the one that holds the most hope for the most patients. The trial results so far have been amazing. Dr Piga is on board and I can't see him behind anything that doesn't have great promise. As glamorous as gene therapy is, the cost will be prohibitive for many people, whereas a mass produced drug will have a more affordable cost. And, if this works as well as it has so far, boosting Hb while chelating iron, we can expect that chelation drugs will eventually not be needed.
Andy

All we are saying is give thals a chance.

*

Offline Sharmin

  • *****
  • 4155
  • Gender: Female
  • Little A
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2015, 03:35:34 AM »
Bostonian,

Thank you for sharing!  What great news!  This drug definitely has the potential to keep patients healthy while they wait for gene therapy to become main stream! 

I understand that this drug is given sub Q every 3 weeks - I wonder if it can be given at home like desferal or if it is a quick injection every 3 weeks.  We plan to visit Oakland this summer - hopefully more information will be available about this drug.
Sharmin

*

Offline Andy Battaglia

  • *****
  • 8793
  • Gender: Male
  • Will thal rule you or will you rule thal?
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2015, 03:45:25 AM »
Sharmin,

I believe they are still recruiting for the trials. It might be worth inquiring about it.
Andy

All we are saying is give thals a chance.

*

Offline Parin

  • ***
  • 137
  • Gender: Male
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2015, 05:07:33 AM »
Thank you for sharing this information. GOD is with us....

Ashutosh

*

Offline Manal

  • *****
  • 3100
  • Gender: Female
  • mother of thal intermedia child
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2015, 05:42:01 AM »
But as I understand this drug inhibits a certain protein in order to increase the red blood counts...
what is the use of increasing the counts and the cells are genetically muted and how will this rise hb???

*

Offline Parin

  • ***
  • 137
  • Gender: Male
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2015, 10:32:51 AM »
Hello Andy,

If all goes well by GOD Grace and scientist, doctors, how much time Luspatercept will take to make it to public?

*

Offline Andy Battaglia

  • *****
  • 8793
  • Gender: Male
  • Will thal rule you or will you rule thal?
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2015, 02:50:17 PM »
Manal, I can't tell you exactly how it works, but it involves red cells at their maturation stage, resulting in a much higher output of good red blood cells. This means good red blood cells reach maturity, rather than failing that step and being destroyed.

Quote
luspatercept regulates late-stage red blood cell precursor cell differentiation and maturation,
Andy

All we are saying is give thals a chance.

*

Offline Manal

  • *****
  • 3100
  • Gender: Female
  • mother of thal intermedia child
Re: FDA grants fast track status to luspatercept for beta-thalassemia
« Reply #9 on: May 19, 2015, 04:11:11 PM »
Thank you Andy...praying for the best

Manal

 

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk