PML and a tale of two drug companies. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

PML and a tale of two drug companies. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.

Notes Undergr. 1995 Winter;(no 29):4-6. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE AIDS/95700304

Abstract: PML is a rare disease that destroys myelin tissue in the central nervous system and causes lesions in the brain. Probably caused by the JC virus, the disorder can proceed rapidly. Currently there is no treatment for PML. However, Dr. Khalili at Thomas Jefferson University published research showing that topotecan, an analogue of campthotecin (derived from the bark of a chinese tree), suppresses the JC virus in the test tube at low doses. Although this is promising, it is unclear how well the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier or even if targeting the JC virus is the best way to stop PML. The drug is in phase II/III cancer trials. Although toxic, topotecan appears to inhibit the JC virus at lower doses than for cancer. SmithKline Beecham (SKB) owns the license to develop topotecan. SKB has had little interest in AIDS research since their protease inhibitor did not pan out. Responding to activists, SKB announced that they are pursuing topotecan as an anti-HIV drug, with studies opening this spring. There are other derivatives of campthotecin, 9-A-C and CPT-11 or irinotecan. 9-A-C does not work in the test tube; however, CPT-11, a cancer drug from Japan, is being studied by Upjohn. Upjohn supplied Dr. Khalili with CPT-11 and SN-38. Dr. Khalili found that both inhibited the JC virus in the test tube, and that SN-38 was a better JCV inhibitor than topotecan. Dr. Sidney Huff, Georgetown, has requested and received compassionate use for two PML patients.

Keywords: Albendazole/*THERAPEUTIC USE AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/*DRUG THERAPY Blood-Brain Barrier Camptothecin/ANALOGS & DERIVATIVES/PHARMACOLOGY/PHARMACOKINETICS/ *THERAPEUTIC USE Drug Industry Human Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY Microspora Infections/*DRUG THERAPY Polymerase Chain Reaction Polyomavirus hominis 2/DRUG EFFECTS/GENETICS/ISOLATION & PURIF NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
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