Treatment offers hope for CFS patients
Treatment offers hope for CFS patients
Studies find IV program improves function
Hemispherx Biopharma, a pharmaceutical company in Philadelphia, recently announced a treatment protocol that improves function in highly disabled chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients. The company worked with Olsten Health Services in Melville, NY, to deliver a six-month, twice-weekly infusion program of its new drug, Ampligen.
"Ampligen is a nucleic acid. It works for viruses in the same way a broad spectrum antibiotic works for bacterial infections," says William A. Carter, MD, chief executive officer and chairman of Hemispherx. "Ampligen also helps reactivate the body's own natural killer cells. It arms the body to physically attack any virus agent," he explains. "This natural killer cell mechanism is disarmed in CFS patients. In fact, in Japan, CFS is called 'natural killer cell disease.'"
Quality of life improvedThe drug is administered twice weekly because clinical trials indicate that's necessary to keep the enzyme topped off. Studies also indicate six months is enough time to evaluate significant clinical response, Carter says. "We've found that in six months, patients treated with Ampligen are significantly more ambulatory in well-controlled studies." To measure clinical improvements, patients were submitted to pre-treatment and post-treatment treadmill tests.
Phase I and II trials of the drug also found that hospitalization rates, medication needs, and quality of life were improved significantly in patients on Ampligen therapy, Carter says. "We're focusing on a subset of the severely disabled. Those at greatest risk of disability from the disease."
The price of Ampligen is roughly $7,200 for the six-month treatment cycle. In addition, Olsten charges $8,000 to $9,000 for the cost of infusion and related medical services, making the total cost roughly $15,000 for six months. Under the Hemispherx/Olsten partnership agreement, the companies agree to provide the drug and infusion services at no cost to 5% of patients who are severely disabled and cannot afford the treatment.
[Editor's note: For more information, visit the Hemispherx World Wide Web site at www.hemispherx.com or call (215) 988-0080.]
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