The University of Oxford and 180 Life Sciences Corp (NASDAQ: ATNF) received their results from the Phase IIb study of adalimumab. The parties had developed the drug to treat Dupuytren. Moreover, the Lancet Rheumatology has published these results.
According to 180 Life Sciences CEO, Dr James Woody, the drug could potentially treat Dupuytren disease. While the condition has an easy diagnosis, the treatment is complex and often requires surgery ad later stages for patients to regain their hand function.
Dr Woody adds that he hopes the company could use anti-TNF shots to treat patients with the disease. The study shows that injecting adalimumab, an anti-TNF, in the hand had durables efficacy. The therapy prevented or delayed the progression of the disease to disability and finger contractions.
The condition has limited treatment options
Dupuytren is a form of fibrosis which affects the hand. The disease makes the fingers fold into the hand’s palm. This change is irreversible and causes disability. Researchers believe that between 20% and 35% of people with the disease with palmar modules are likely to develop finger contractions.
Reports indicate that millions around the world suffer from the disease. This number includes 22 million, 2.5 million, and 12 million in the E.U, the U.K and the U.S. U for no regulator has approved therapy for Dupuytren disease in its early stages. The condition often has to progress before being treated with collagenase or surgery to help them regain hand function. Despite the treatment, the disease could recur.
The study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, and randomised trial which looked into the efficiency of investing the drug in patients with the disease. These patients all had early-stage diseases.
The study built on the company’s lab studies
The lead study author and University of Oxford’s clinician-scientist, Jagdeep Nanchahal, states that the study builds on the company’s lab studies where it found that TNF was a viable target for therapy. It also builds on the company’s Phase IIa study, where the company investigated the right dose for treatment.
Researchers gathered 140 volunteers from two U.K sites. They split them into two groups. The first group revived four adalimumab doses at intervals. The researchers then followed up on their progress during the 12th and 18th months. They noticed an improvement more significant than with the placebo group.
