News
2012 "the year of the liver," for Alphas, doc predicts; Research Registry "desperately needs" liver-affected Alphas
“For Alpha-1, 2012 will be the year of the liver,” predicts Jeffrey Teckman, MD. Teckman, of the University of St. Louis School of Medicine, expects exciting liver studies to begin in the next year.
Teckman said in the fall issue of Alpha-1-To-One magazine that he expects several experimental treatments for Alpha-1 liver disease to be announced in the next 12-24 months.
Teckman joined John Walsh, Alpha-1 Foundation president & CEO, for an update of the latest liver research on a teleconference call Wednesday as part of the regular “Alpha-1 Timely Topics Virtual Support Group Telecall” series sponsored by the Alpha-1 Association.
Jeffrey Teckman, MD
One study Teckman hopes to see is his own natural history study of Alpha-1 liver disease, for which he is preparing a request for funding to the Alpha-1 Foundation. Teckman hopes to enroll 100 Alphas for a five-year liver study, and eventually to collect the DNA of 1,000 Alphas for genetic analysis.
Teckman also pointed to an upcoming study by Isis Pharmaceuticals, a California company. Isis has announced its collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline to develop a drug designed to inhibit the production of defective Alpha-1 protein as a treatment for Alpha-1 liver disease.
Walsh said the Alpha-1 Foundation Research Registry urgently needs more liver-affected Alphas. “We desperately need more individuals either with diagnosed liver disease or elevated liver enzymes to join the Registry and make these studies possible.”
John Walsh
Teckman said that Alphas with both the ZZ and SZ genotypes will be considered for his study, including those who have already had lung transplants. He was unsure whether Alpha-1 carriers (MZ genotypes) would be accepted in his own study, but he urged them to join the Registry in any case.
Walsh said Teckman’s proposal must receive approval of its scientific merit by the Foundation Grants Advisory Committee. If approved, he said, AlphaNet has committed to a grant of $250,000 a year to fund the study for five years.
He also said the Foundation has signed nondisclosure agreements with five different companies who are interested in collaborations for trials of new drugs.
For Research Registry information, visit www.alphaoneregistry.org, email alphaone@musc.edu or call toll free 1-877-886-2383. Or you can Enroll Now
Liver study now enrolling young Alphas
Complete list of research sites studying children’s liver disease
Text of Isis Pharmaceuticals press release
Click to hear the Alpha-1 Association’s recording of the telecall
