Norwood Immunology completes study of LHRH agonist in bone marrow transplant

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., July 5 - Norwood Abbey Ltd. said its subsidiary, Norwood Immunology Ltd., completed a pilot exploratory clinical study in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) to determine whether an LHRH agonist can enhance recovery of T cells.

In the non-randomized, open label study conducted in Melbourne, Australia, 83 patients with either leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma (40 treated; 43 control) received standard of care myeloablative chemotherapy, with or without a course of an LHRH agonist, and either self-derived or donor BMT.

Primary endpoint of the trial was renewed thymic function and output of new naive CD4+ T cells.

Norwood said it is fully analyzing the results for publication. Key data indicates a significant increase in naive CD4+ T cells and CD4+ TRECs, confirming the interim results.

"Many patients become seriously immune compromised as a result of the transplant regime, and a treatment that will improve recovery and reduce post-transplant infections would be important," principal investigator Anthony Schwarer said in a company news release.

"The results of this exploratory study are encouraging."

Norwood Immunology licensed its immunology intellectual property to TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. for commercialization in the United States.

TAP is a joint venture between Abbott and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. of Japan.

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