From the office of Robert S. Grimshaw Jr MD FACP Internal Medicine 3535 Hill Blvd Yorktown Hts NY 914 962-3180 NEWS Recognized Provider  “With Distinction” by the American Diabetes Association/National Committee for Quality Assurance 2/99-2/02

84                            August 2000

Gene Therapy Closer for Cancer: injections into head and neck tumors with a virus called Onyx-015 are showing promise in amplifying the effect of conventional chemotherapy.  Dr. David Kirn of London’s Imperial College of Medicine told the annual meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy in Denver that the virus infects malignant cells and kills them  In a 30 patient trial a 50% cut in tumor size was seen in almost 2/3 compared to about 1/3  treated with chemo alone.

Another Winner: Joseph Gallucci joins our previous monthly winners of 2 movie tickets each for getting their colon cancer screening cards in promptly.  Remember, everyone who sends in their cards wins in our fight against colon cancer, the most preventable of the major tumors.

Flu Vaccine Delay?  There may be a problem getting enough influenza vaccine this fall.  First, the demand is expected to be higher.  Second, manufacturers are having trouble making enough supply because one of this year’s strains - the A Panama - is growing much more slowly than expected.  And third, 2 companies are having trouble making the vaccine to FDA specifications.  The other 2 vaccine parts are A New Caledonia and B Yamanashi.  The Beijing and Sydney viruses were dropped. We hope to have enough vaccine to give a shot to everyone in health care, all over 50 and anyone with chronic disease.

Headache and High BP: it turns out that headache can accompany mild to moderate hypertension, as well as in severe disease.  Writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Dr. L Hansson from Sweden’s Uppsala University and colleagues also report on 2,673 patients. Bringing the diastolic (lower) number from 95-110 to below 90 with irbesartan (Avapro) dropped headaches 22% compared to 17% in untreated patients.

Alzheimer’s Progress: Exelon (rivastigmine), is now available.  It shows a mild improvement in thinking in Alzheimer’s patients after 12 weeks, compared to  declines in untreated patients.  It affects both acetylcholinesterase (as do other drugs) and butyrylcholinesterase.  It also works for patients with the less common Lewy body dementia that can be easily confused with Alzheimer’s. Less behavior problems, such as night time agitation, have been seen in treated patients and about 1/3 showed improvement in functions such as dressing. Side effects include nausea and increased stomach acid, trouble urinating and slowing of the heart.  Other drugs available for Alzheimer’s are Cognex and Aricept.