Drugs in R&D
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Trabectedin [Ecteinascidin 743, Yondelis, ET 743, NSC 684766] is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid derived from the Caribbean marine tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata. The drug is being developed by PharmaMar (Zeltia) in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development LLC. It was synthetically isolated and developed by the University of Illinois and licensed to PharmaMar; the company has completed the hemisynthesis of agent. ⋯ Trabectedin has completed phase II studies for small round cell sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, which are aggressive tumours occurring predominantly in children. A phase II study evaluating two dosing schedules of trabectedin has been conducted in patients with leiomyosarcomas or liposarcomas refractory to standard doxorubicin + ifosfamide chemotherapy. The study was conducted in Australia, Canada, Russia and the US.
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Methylnaltrexone is a peripheral opioid receptor antagonist undergoing phase III clinical trials for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced medical illness who are being treated with narcotics for pain. The compound does not cross the blood-brain barrier in humans and reverses the opioid effects without interfering with pain relief. Some opioid-induced adverse events that the drug may potentially target include constipation, nausea/vomiting, cough suppression and urinary retention. ⋯ Based on these phase I studies, Progenics selected an oral formulation and dose levels of methylnaltrexone that will be tested in phase II clinical trials for relief of opioid-induced constipation in patients with chronic-pain. The technology licensed from UR Labs, Inc., is the subject of issued US and European patents and several related US and foreign patent applications relating to certain compositions, formulations and uses of methylnaltrexone filed by the University of Chicago. Progenics have continued to expand the patent coverage relating to methylnaltrexone with the filing of new patent applications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of dexmedetomidine on haemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation : perioperative haemodynamics and anaesthetic requirements.
Dexmedetomidine reduces the dose requirements for opioids and anaesthetic agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single pre-induction intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine 1 microg/kg on cardiovascular response resulting from laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation, need for anaesthetic agent and perioperative haemodynamic stability. ⋯ Preoperative administration of a single dose of dexmedetomidine resulted in progressive increases in sedation, blunted the haemodynamic responses during laryngoscopy, and reduced opioid and anaesthetic requirements. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine decreased blood pressure and heart rate as well as the recovery time after the operation.