The Latest Biology News And Medical NewsBiology News 2Health News 2Biology News 3Health News 3
HOME >> MEDICINE >> NEWS
Interferon Significantly Affects Metabolism Of Other Drugs Given To Cancer Patients, Finds University Of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

ATLANTA, May 17 -- Cancer patients undergoing therapy with interferon alfa 2b (IFNa2b) could be overmedicated with narcotics and antidepressants commonly administered with this agent, according to a University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) study showing that IFNa2b significantly depresses the activity of internal enzymes that break down these drugs. Results of the study, which have broad implications for using IFNa2b, are being presented Monday, May 17, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Atlanta.

Interferons are biological response modifiers produced naturally by the body to fight infections and tumors. IFNa2b is manufactured for use in cancer treatment studies, and it can cause flu-like symptoms and depression in people receiving it.

The study focused on patients who were surgically treated for melanoma and receiving high-dose IFNa2b to prevent recurrence of the disease. Six patients got a "cocktail" of chemicals, each of which is metabolized by a different enzyme in the family of CYP450 enzymes. CYP450 enzymes operate within the liver. Results of the study showed that IFNa2b depressed the activity of two enzymes, CYP1A2 and CYP2E1, by 30 percent. These enzymes are important in metabolizing narcotics and antidepressants given to relieve side effects of IFNa2b therapy.

"What these results tell us is that we are probably intoxicating patients when we use narcotics and antidepressants together with IFNs," said John Kirkwood, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the UPCI's Melanoma Center. "The CYP enzymes in IFNa2b-treated patients simply can't metabolize these drugs effectively, so we could probably reduce the amount of these medications we're administering during the course of IFNa2b therapy."

Dr. Kirkwood and Mohammed Islam, M.D., a research associate at UPCI who is presenting this study at the ASCO meeting, are extending their studies to other CYP enzymes involved in drug metab
'"/>

Contact: Lauren Ward
wardle@msx.upmc.edu
412-624-2607
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
17-May-1999


Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. Interferons for treatment of SARS?
2. Interferon Alfa 2b extends overall survival and relapse-free survival in patients with high-risk melanoma, reports University of Pittsburgh-led U.S. I
3. University Of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Defines First Immunologic Markers Of Interferon Effectiveness Against Melanoma
4. Significantly lower physical activity levels in obese adolescents contribute to continued obesity
5. Relaxation And Music Significantly Reduce Patients Postoperative Pain
6. Beta Blocker Significantly Improves Heart Failure Survival
7. Novel Therapy Significantly Reduces Spinal Fractures In Postmenopausal WomenWith Two Years Of Therapy
8. Study Reveals Gender Affects Lung-Cancer Development
9. HIV Patients Mental Health Affects How Seriously They Take Treatment
10. Other highlights in the March 16 JNCI
11. Other highlights in the March 2 JNCI

Post Your Comments:
(Date:11/22/2009)... The Onder Law Firm&rsquo...w to those or families of those who may have exper...h problems after taking XOLAIR. , ...- The Onder Law Firm are among attorneys offering...ems such as heart attack and stroke. The attorney...
(Date:11/22/2009)..., WASHINGTON, D.C. November 18, 2009 -- When peo...m parasites, which enter the body from the saliva ... spread to red blood cells. Inside the blood cells... adhesive proteins on the cell surface that change...am. , Experiments show that infected red blood c...
(Date:11/22/2009)... NEW YORK (Nov. 22 2009) -- Physician-scientists ... a molecular mechanism that may prove to be a powe...phoma, a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, ..., researchers have been able to powerfully suppres...els. , Promising results have led to the design ...
(Date:11/22/2009)...Planning ahead can help keep eating under control,...Day News) -- The holiday season means you,ll be fa...tion. While some people simply give in and eat too..., But there are ways to navigate between overin...rn, manager of Nutrition Consult Services at Brigh...
(Date:11/22/2009)... The holiday season is fi...d can be both fun and joyous. It can also be stres...combination of stress, fatigue, and high fat foods...k of cancer. That,s why the National Foundation fo...ood Tips that can help ensure a happier, more heal...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:The Attorneys of The Onder Law Firm Offers Free XOLAIR Case Review 2Health News:Measuring and modeling blood flow in malaria 2Health News:New cancer target for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 2Health News:Go Healthy, Not Hungry for Holiday Eating 2Health News:Top 10 Food Tips for the Holidays from the National Foundation for Cancer Research 2Health News:Top 10 Food Tips for the Holidays from the National Foundation for Cancer Research 3
(Date:11/20/2009).... 20 Cornerstone Therape...tical company focused on acquiring, developing and...r the respiratory and related markets, today repor... Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") alleging tha...HCl 10 mg, Pyrilamine Maleate 16 mg) and Deconsal ...
(Date:11/20/2009)...Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Landauer, Inc...e fiscal fourth quarter and full year of 2009 pre-...pany will host a conference call for investors on ...me. Investors may access the live call by dialing ..., or 480-629-9835 (international callers), or by v...
(Date:11/20/2009)...., Nov. 20 The Departme...hots to members of priority groups that did not ha...f 18 clinics are being held statewide on Nov. 20-2... Hours on Saturday, Nov. 21, will be 8 a.m. to 2 p...rom 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. ,, Individuals in the rec...
Breaking Medicine Technology:Cornerstone Therapeutics Provides a Response to FDA Warning Letter on Deconsal 2Cornerstone Therapeutics Provides a Response to FDA Warning Letter on Deconsal 3Landauer, Inc. Sets Date and Time for Announcement of Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results 2Pennsylvania Department of Health Begins Statewide H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Targeting Priority Populations; Some Appointments Still Available 2Veteran Rehab Specialist Rafael Ibarra Joins Alliance Seating 26 Mobility in Georgia 54804 1Veteran Rehab Specialist Rafael Ibarra Joins Alliance Seating 26 Mobility in Georgia 54804 2Synch Solutions Named to Inc Magazines 2009 Ranking of the Fastest Growing Companies in the United States 54801 1Synch Solutions Named to Inc Magazines 2009 Ranking of the Fastest Growing Companies in the United States 54801 2Lilly Reports on Outcome of Phase III Study of Arzoxifene 54798 1Lilly Reports on Outcome of Phase III Study of Arzoxifene 54798 2Lilly Reports on Outcome of Phase III Study of Arzoxifene 54798 3Lilly Reports on Outcome of Phase III Study of Arzoxifene 54798 4
Other News:
...1, 2003 Rice University today announced that bioen...ist of the world's 100 Top Young Innovators by Tec....The annual TR100 list recognizes individuals unde...as a profound impact on today's world. Nominees ar...
...MBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL DATE AND TIME OF PRESEN... and nanotechnology will be presented among nearly... of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world..., Sept. 29 - Oct. 2. Approximately 750 scientists ...
...MBER 23, 2004 Previously published research sugge...ibe once-daily strength tablets instead of two low...e same thus doubling the cost would save money. ...Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, while savings op...
...rich foods could reduce the spread of breast cance...evealed.......Dr Pamela Magee, from the School of ...fects of a group of dietary compounds, found almos...ancer spread.......Dr Magee said: "Breast cancer i...
health news:Rice bioengineer named to Technology Review's TR100 2health news:Rice bioengineer named to Technology Review's TR100 3health news:World's largest scientific society holds regional meeting Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 in Fort Worth 2health news:Study findings question claims of significant savings from pharmacy dose consolidation programs 2
...severe facial blemish may not improve the quality ...id not matter how severe or what kind of blemish s...ticeable facial scar or pronounced dark spots cove...s to cover these kinds of marks reported having a ...
...e age at which other foods are introduced to infan...Research on this question has produced mixed resul...ss at age five is not related to being breastfed o...ed. ......In studying the association between infa...
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- People with diabetes who keep their blood sugar in check today will probably have a far lower chance of developing foot pain or other nerve damage tomorrow, according to new resear
...rostate cancer diagnosis and treatment will be pre... at a revolutionary new meeting being launched by ........The two-day conference, held in Antwerp, Belg...t Europe's cancer physicians and scientists are up...
health news:Corrective cosmetics may not boost quality of life for women with severe facial blemishes 2health news:Corrective cosmetics may not boost quality of life for women with severe facial blemishes 3health news:Formula feeding, early introduction of infant food may not contribute to childhood obesity 2health news:Diabetics who control blood sugar today are more likely to have healthy feet and nerves tomorrow 2health news:Diabetics who control blood sugar today are more likely to have healthy feet and nerves tomorrow 3health news:Diabetics who control blood sugar today are more likely to have healthy feet and nerves tomorrow 4health news:Latest in prostate cancer therapy presented at a new style scientific conference 2