Rintatolimod and Herb Garden: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 05:59, 6 April 2007

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{{Infobox musical artist 2

{{drugbox |

|Name = Herb Garden

| IUPAC_name =

|Background = group_or_band

| image = Ampligen.jpg

| widthAlias = 200

|Origin = [[Castlemaine]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]

| CAS_number =

|Instrument =

| ATC_prefix =

|Genre = [[Celtic]]<br>[[Folk]]

| ATC_suffix =

|Years_active = 2006&ndash;Present

| PubChem = 38077

| DrugBankLabel =

|Associated_acts =

| C = 28 | H = 40 | N = 9 | O = 25 | P = 3

|URL = www.myspace.com/theherbgarden

| molecular_weight = 995.584

|Current_members = [[Felix Macdonald]]<br />[[Allan Evans]]<br />[[Jourdan Keillor-Reed]]<br />[[Julia Carter]]|

| density =

| melting_point =

| solubility =

| bioavailability =

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| legal_AU =

| legal_UK =

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| routes_of_administration = IV

}}

'''Herb Garden''' are a [[folk]] band formed in [[Victoria, Australia]] by [[Felix Macdonald]] ([[Singer|vocals]], ([[guitar]]), [[Allan Evans]] ([[Tin Whistle]]), ([[Flute]]), ([[Harp]]), [[Jourdan Keillor-Reed]] ([[Electric Bass]]), ([[Double Bass]]), and [[Julia Carter]] ([[Guitar]]), ([[Violin]]), ([[Vocals]]). With the exception of Carter, none of the band's members had learnt their instruments prior to the band's formation.

'''Ampligen''', also known as '''Atvogen(quotation?)''' and '''polyI:polyC12U''', is an experimental [[antiviral drug|antiviral]] and [[immunomodulator]]y [[RNA#Double-stranded RNA|double stranded RNA]] [[drug]] developed by HEMISPHERx Biopharma, Inc. It is believed to be of use in the treatment of [[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]] (CFS), an unexplained (quotation?) and severely debilitating [[disease]]. Ampligen completed clinical trials phase III for CFS in 2004[http://www.hemispherx.net/content/investor/default.asp?goto=298], and an extension of the interventional uncontrolled open trial under the cost recovery programme (Amp 511 )is currently recruiting [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00215813].

A [[new drug application]], or NDA, is in preparatory stages, and Hemispherx management has targeted late 2006 for its filing with the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]], although the company has missed several target deadlines for an NDA filing in the past, including the end of 2005 and the third quarter of 2006 [http://sec.edgar-online.com/2006/01/03/0000946644-06-000001/Section4.asp].

==History==

Herb Garden formed mid 2006 with the intent to make good Celtic music, something the members had been surrounded with all their life, and were adamant on which to leave their own footprint. Felix Macdonald, Allan Evans and Jourdan Keillor-Reed decided to learn singing and tin whistle, tin whistle and harp, and double bass respectively. They enlisted the help of Julia Carter on guitar and fiddle, and began playing traditional Celtic tunes and covering modern songs originally performed by bands such as The Pogues and Loreena McKennitt (who are extremely notable influences).

Ampligen was first used in clinical trials in America in early 1988, after [[DuPont]] invested $30 million in Hemispherx. In Belgium, Ampligen has been available for use since a drugs trial beginning in May 1996 was significantly expanded, and has also been available under Canada's Emergency Drug Release Program for both CFS and [HIV] treatment since 1996, Ampligen is not available in the USA except for clinical trials [http://www.hemispherx.net/content/rnd/clinical_trials_cfs.htm].

An agreement between the Spanish company [[Esteve]] and Hemispherx in 2002 gave Esteve rights to perform clinical trials at their own cost in Spain, Portugal and Andorra [http://www.esteve.es/EsteveFront/CargarPagina.do?pagina=dn_capacidaddesarrollo.jsp&div=dn&cm=0].

==Mechanism Of Action==

{{expert-subject|Drugs}}

The mechanism of action in relation to CFS is not entirely clear, but it is known to act on two important enzyme systems, one of which is the 2-5 Synthetase/[[RNase L]] anti-viral pathway. Research increasingly shows that the upregulation of this pathway is an important factor in the development of CFS [http://www.immunesupport.com/library/print.cfm?ID=4016]. The downregulation of this pathway leads to the [[immune system]] being better able to destroy viral [[RNA]] and accelerates the [[apoptosis]] of virally compromised cells{{Fact|date=February 2007}}(quotation?). Ampligen must be received [[intravenously]], but Hemispherx is researching an oral form of the drug [http://www.chronicillnet.org/online/Ampligen.html]. It is generally administered twice weekly for periods of one year or greater.

==Impact==

Approximately 760 patients have received Ampligen as part of clinical trials in the US, representing about 75,000 doses. Some patients have reported a complete recovery, with others reporting clear and measurable improvements [http://www.cfids-me.org/aacfs/ampligen.html], while others have suffered relapses and serious side effects(quotation?){{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

More common benefits include improved [[cognitive]] skills, an increase in energy, and greater oxygen uptake. These improvements can be measured on the [[Karnofsky score#Karnofsky scoring|Karnofsky]] scale.

Some studies suggest that Ampligen is most effective against a certain subset of CFS patients (quotation?), those with severe [[debilitation]]. Other studies indicate that Ampligen has a more significant effect on those who have suffered for 5 years or less, for reasons relating to activation of the 2,5 Rnase pathway (quotation?)[http://www.co-cure.org/cheney.htm].

==Side Effects==

Reported side effects include [[flushing]], [[chills]], [[fever]], [[malaise]], [[leukopenia]], [[neutropenia]] and [[leukocytosis]]. A full list is available on the Hemispherx website [http://www.hemispherx.net/content/rnd/drug_candidates.htm]. The extent of these side effects are unknown, although Hemispherx claim they usually subside within 'several months'.

==Controversy==

Ampligen has been surrounded by controversy

==Other Uses==

They then worked on increasing their repertoire, incorporating local talents such as [[Beth Sayer]] on [[Bodhran]] and Sam Jarvis as [[sound engineer]].

Alternative potential uses of Ampligen include fighting [[Avian Flu]], [[AIDS]] [http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/26E043C1-10CA-4FF7-BA24-77529D386442.asp], [[Hepatitis B]] and [[Cancer]], although studies have been limited [http://www.hemispherx.net/content/rnd/product_candidates.htm]. Dr Carter has also proposed that tobacco could be infused with Ampligen to make a safe cigarette [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4498485.html].

The band is currently working on their debut LP, which is due in early 2008.

==See also==

*[[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]]

*[[Oragen]]

==External links==

* [http://www.myspace.com/theherbgarden]

*[http://www.cfs-news.org/kitei.htm History of Ampligen Article - Mindy Kitei, Philadelphia Magazine, 1994]

[[Category:drugsCeltic music groups]]

[[Category:Irish musical groups]]

[[Category:Irish folk musical groups]]