SAN ANTONIO -- A humanized monoclonal antibody against nerve growth factor provided relief in three chronic pain syndromes, according to a summary of small studies reported as an abstract here.
Treatment with tanezumab led to statistically or clinically significant reductions in pain for patients with osteoarthritis, chronic lower back pain, and interstitial cystitis. The most common adverse events were transient abnormal peripheral sensations, which generally occurred only after the first infusion.
"Patients with these three different pain syndromes all had significant improvement when treated with tanezumab," Leslie Tive, PhD, of Pfizer, said in an interview at the American Academy of Pain Medicine meeting. "The pain relief was sustained over time, and patient acceptance was good."
"Nerve growth factor is increased in many types of chronic pain and therefore represents an attractive target for therapy," she added. "Tanezumab is being evaluated in some of these other conditions in ongoing studies."
A small phase I study showed that the humanized monoclonal antibody resulted in significant pain improvement in patients with osteoarthritis (Arthritis Rheum 2005; 52: S461). Tive presented data from a phase II trial involving 400 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. They were randomized to placebo or to one of five tanezumab doses, administered on day one and day 56.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAPM/18300Lynn,