|
 |
|
A Long Journey Toward Health
Diagnosed with psoriasis as an infant, Marge Harris has been plagued with flare-ups and skin lesions over much of her body surface throughout her life. She's tried virtually every treatment available, with little or no relief. Today, Marge is participating in a clinical trial of the monoclonal antibody Xanelim, which is being developed by Genentech and Xoma Ltd. Her flare-ups are down to a minimum, and she's never felt or looked better. |
Humanized monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have become a major focus of Genentech's development efforts in recent years. Spurred by the success of Rituxan and Herceptin, the first monoclonal antibodies marketed in the United States for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer, respectively, Genentech now leads the industry in the research and development of this important new drug category, whose promise extends well beyond oncology.
Specially engineered versions of the body's own antibodies, humanized monoclonal antibodies are highly targeted therapeutics. Some MAbs are capable of tracking down specific cells, such as cancer cells, and destroying them without many of the debilitating, toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Monoclonal antibodies were first discovered in 1975, when British scientists Milstein and Kohler invented a process for generating large quantities of uniform mouse antibodies designed to target specific proteins - work that earned them a Nobel Prize in medicine in 1984. However, early mouse MAbs were of limited therapeutic value, predominantly due to the patient's allergic response to mouse-derived antibodies. Over the years, researchers have used recombinant DNA technology to create "humanized" antibodies, thereby lowering the risk of allergic responses and making the drugs safer and more effective.
With seven new humanized monoclonal antibody projects in development, and an additional two studies evaluating the further utility of Herceptin and Rituxan, monoclonal antibodies account for approximately half of Genentech's pipeline projects. Each of these studies holds the promise of offering patients a much-needed therapy by filling a gap or deficiency in the existing treatment options.
In addition to oncology, Genentech's current monoclonal antibody projects include potential therapies for asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, organ transplant rejection and inflammatory bowel disease.
Xanelim, a monoclonal antibody developed by Genentech and partner XOMA Ltd., is currently in Phase III investigation for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis - an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Xanelim anti-CD11a antibody works by preventing the activation of T cells and their migration to sites of inflammation on the skin. This ability of Xanelim to inhibit T cells may prove useful in other autoimmune or T-cell-mediated diseases. Phase I/II studies of Xanelim in kidney transplant patients began in early 2000.