Avian Influenza (" Bird Flu "): Study of Combination Therapy Utilizing Biologic TNF Inhibitors and Neuraminidase Inhibitors May be Warranted

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA January 29,2004 –-
A potential new therapeutic approach to attempt to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with both SARS and avian influenza (H5N1 influenza) (" bird flu ") in humans is described in a newly published research letter. The article, entitled "TNF-alpha inhibition for potential therapeutic modulation of SARS coronavirus infection," authored by Edward Tobinick, MD of Los Angeles, has published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Current Medical Research and Opinion, Volume 20, No.1, 2004, pp. 39-40.

This article describes a theoretical approach to ameliorate the immune-based pulmonary damage which can follow infection with both SARS and H5N1 influenza ( bird flu ) ( avian influenza ) in humans. This approach is the subject of a U.S. patent, 6,419,934 B1, filed September 5, 2000, awarded to Dr. Tobinick, which describes the use of biologic TNF inhibitors, including etanercept, in combination with oseltamivir, to treat influenza. Experimental support for the use of TNF inhibitors to reduce viral pulmonary damage published the following year in an article by Dr. Tracy Hussell and his colleagues from the National Heart and Lung Institute at St. Mary's Hospital in London entitled "Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor reduces the severity of virus-specific lung immunopathology", Eur J Immunol. 2001 Sep; 31(9): 2566-73. Further experimental support for this concept followed in 2002 in the form of an article published in the Lancet by Cheung et. al.: "Induction of proinflammatory cytokines in human macrophages by influenza A (H5N1) viruses: a mechanism for the unusual severity of human disease?" Lancet. 2002 Dec 7; 360(9348): 1831-7.

Further study of this treatment approach is warranted.

The CMRO article can be downloaded directly by typing in the web address web.ingentaselect.com/vl=9310341/cl=11/ini=libra_cmro/ nw=1/rpsv/cw/libra/03007995/previews/2489.pdf

This press release was issued by Institute Research Associates, A [private Medical Group, Inc., 100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suites 205-210, Los Angeles, California 90095 which is solely responsible for its contents. This press release is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a treatment recommendation for influenza or SARS without completion of the testing which would be necessary to confirm both the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Note: Please see www.nrimed.com for more information regarding novel uses of biologic TNF-alpha inhibitors. Dr. Tobinick has filed a patent application covering the use of certain TNF inhibitors for the treatment of SARS.





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