Immunomodulation

[Guest guest]

I think I remember reading this report in the past but I can't remember. I'd

rather give you all the benefit of the doubt just in case you haven't read it

as there are always new members and I found it very interesting:

Immunomodulation May Benefit Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome SEATTLE

(Reuters Health) Jan 29 - Immunomodulation using lymph node extraction and ex

vivo cell culture, followed by autologous cell reinfusion, significantly

improves the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, according to the results

of a phase 1 trial. The patients studied " had more restorative sleep and woke

up rested, and their activity levels improved, " Dr. G. Klimas, of the

University of Miami in Florida, told Reuters Health. She presented the

findings here at the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fifth

International Conference. Dr. Klimas and colleagues obtained lymph nodes from

13 patients and cultured the cells for 10 to 12 days with anti-CD3 and

interleukin-2. The cells were then infused back into the donors, who were

monitored for 24 weeks. No adverse effects were noted, the researchers

reported. The patients had significant improvement over the 24 weeks in tests

of word retrieval fluency, and there was a trend toward significant change in

speed of visual scanning. The most pronounced improvements were in cognitive

function, but patients also reported less muscle pain, less lymph node pain,

fewer sore throats and more physical stamina. Dr. Klimas said that the

benefits began immediately and were seen throughout the trial. " Many

clinicians are still having trouble even believing that this is an entity

that deserves their attention or is 'real,' " she noted. " Studies like this, I

think, should validate the severity of the biologic underpinnings of this

illness and that they are amenable to therapy. " Her group hopes to begin

expanded clinical trials within the next 12 months. The trials will probably

involve about four sites and as many as 100 patients. " I think

[immunomodulation] does have the potential to be a new and novel form of

therapy, " Dr. Klimas said. She pointed out that it would only involve one

injection and that if it proves successful in the long term, it could be cost

effective. She estimated that if the therapy is approved for commercial use,

it would cost about $5000 per patient. Several physicians attending the

conference hailed the report as confirming that the immune system is

important in causing the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Dr.

Gantz, of Pinnacle Health Systems in burg, Pennsylvania, said,

" Possibly by altering the cytokine balance we can decrease symptoms....This

suggests that maybe other therapies directed at various cytokines may help

some patients. "