New Treatment Found for Devastating Blood Disorders
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified a breakthrough treatment for a group of devastating blood disorders that can cause heart failure and death.
These disorders, called hypereosinophilic syndromes, are associated with allergies and are so severe that they can attack the heart, lung, gastrointestinal tract and skin. Characterized by severely elevated levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, these disorders have been increasing rapidly in recent years.
Researchers tested a newly developed drug, Anti-IL-5, which blocks the eosinophil growth hormone Interleukin-5 (IL-5). The drug was originally developed to treat asthma and is under clinical trials for this use. Anti-IL-5 enabled one patient to stop regular vomiting and begin swallowing solid foods for the first time in years. Other patients reported improved respiratory symptoms and more normal lifestyles.
The study was published in the January 2004 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Marc Rothenberg, MD, director of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Cincinnati Children's, leads the research team.
