"The antibody appears to be well-tolerated in human patients," Lessey says. In the UNC study, led by Lessey and members of the medical staff, Cheresh also collaborated. Among animals treated with the antibody solution, were fewer, less extensive and less dense post-surgical adhesions, compared to animals treated with a control antibody. Moreover, there was no statistical difference between adhesions in LM609-treated animals and animals that received a sham operation (surgically opened and then closed).

"We propose to use LM609 or its humanized counterpart, in collaboration with Dr. Cheresh, in a randomized, prospective trial of adhesion prevention in women undergoing laparoscopy for endometriosis and/or pelvic adhesive disease, Lessey says. "If this antibody can be shown to be efficacious in preventing adhesions in women, a larger multi-center approach will be organized."

The researcher adds: "We hope it will be possible to prevent lesions before they form. The implications of these neutralizing antibodies for surgery appear tremendous."

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Contact: Lynn Wooten
Lwooten@unch.unc.edu
919-966-6046
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
27-Sep-1999