DARA BioSciences Announces New Analysis of Patient Self-Reported Diary Results in a Phase 2a Clinical Trial of KRN5500 in Patients With Cancer and Neuropathic Pain - Drugs.com

http://tinyurl.com/7tmt942

DARA BioSciences Announces New Analysis of Patient Self-Reported Diary Results in a Phase 2a Clinical Trial of KRN5500 in Patients With Cancer and Neuropathic Pain

"....Previous analyses of the study data were based predominantly on patient-reported Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores collected by healthcare professionals in a clinic setting during weekly visits, whereas this new analysis focused specifically on self-reported daily pain scores from patients' diaries. Responders in this analysis were defined as patients attaining a clinically-meaningful (at least 20%) improvement in mean NRS scores from baseline within any given week. Of the 12 patients who received KRN5500 in this 19-patient trial, 7 (58%) were classified as responders. Further, 5 of the 7 (71%) showed sustained pain relief over several weeks. Of the 7 patients who received placebo, none were responders. Therefore, the new analysis showed a temporal consistency of pain relief in a larger fraction of patients than had been noted in the earlier analysis of weekly clinic-reported pain. These findings are impressive since patients enrolled in this proof-of-concept trial had unrelenting pain at baseline despite the concomitant use of other approved analgesic agents........

 

abstract - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - A Spicamycin Derivative (KRN5500) Provides Neuropathic Pain Relief in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Placebo-Controlled, Proof-of-Concept Trial

ScienceDirect.com - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - A Spicamycin Derivative (KRN5500) Provides Neuropathic Pain Relief in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Placebo-Controlled, Proof-of-Concept Trial

Conclusion

This proof-of-concept study for KRN5500 in patients with advanced cancer and any type of neuropathic pain found gastrointestinal adverse events to be the predominant safety concern. The results also provided the first indication of clinical and statistical efficacy in reducing pain intensity.

press release: Scripps Research scientists provide new understanding of chronic pain (neuropathic pai

(In research)

Findings suggest new target for drug development

LA JOLLA, CA – January 22, 2012 – Millions of people worldwide suffer from a type of chronic pain called neuropathic pain, which is triggered by nerve damage. Precisely how this pain persists has been a mystery, and current treatments are largely ineffective. But a team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute, using a new approach known as metabolomics, has now discovered a major clue: dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a small-molecule byproduct of cellular membranes in the nervous system. In their new study, the scientists found that DMS is produced at abnormally high levels in the spinal cords of rats with neuropathic pain and appears to cause pain when injected. The findings suggest inhibiting this molecule may be a fruitful target for drug development.....

focus on: Cancer Neuropathic Pain: Overview of Current Status and Future Objectives -- The Oncologist

 ARTICLES

Cancer Neuropathic Pain: Overview of Current Status and Future Objectives

Frederick H. Hausheer, Kathleen M. Foley
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 1-2; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S506
[Full Text] [PDF]  

Types and Epidemiology of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain: The Intersection of Cancer Pain and Neuropathic Pain

Mark J. Lema, Kathleen M. Foley, Frederick H. Hausheer
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 3-8; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S505
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly surveys the types and causes of neuropathic pain and then discusses what is known about the epidemiology of cancer-related neuropathic pain.

Pathophysiology and Animal Models of Cancer-Related Painful Peripheral Neuropathy

Gary J. Bennett
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 9-12; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S503
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: The article reviews some of the work that has been done to study the peripheral causes of neuropathic pain as it relates to cancer.

Assessment of Cancer-Related Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain

Charles S. Cleeland, John T. Farrar, Frederick H. Hausheer
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 13-18; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S501
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly outlines the currently accepted measures of neuropathy and neuropathic pain, discusses their commonalities and limitations, and offers thoughts on improvements to current assessment strategies.

Integrative and Behavioral Approaches to the Treatment of Cancer-Related Neuropathic Pain

Barrie R. Cassileth, Francis J. Keefe
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 19-23; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S504
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly describes research illustrating the promise of important integrative oncology therapies for the treatment of cancer-related neuropathic pain, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and psychological/behavioral interventions.

Future Directions in Neuropathic Pain Therapy: Closing the Translational Loop

Miroslav Backonja, Clifford J. Woolf
The Oncologist 2010; 15(Supplement 2): 24-29; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2009-S502
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]   SUMMARY: This article briefly reviews emerging treatments for neuropathic pain and discusses specific opportunities to alter the drug discovery paradigm, stressing the need for an approach that emphasizes the unbiased evaluation of the particular neurobiological mechanisms contributing to neuropathic pain in individual patients.