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| February 09, 2010 |
| Rapamycin a Possible Treatment for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) |
| Posted By DeCarli Law |
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The immunosuppressant drug
rapamycin, also known as
sirolimus, may help improve the symptoms of
nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), according to a Case Report published in the February 2010 Journal of the
American Academy of Dermatology.
NSF is a fibrosing disorder caused by the use of
gadolinium-based contrast agents on patients with impaired kidney (renal) function. Some
NSF patients have seen a slowing of the progression of the disease, or even improvement, after kidney transplants. The Case Report indicates that the improvement may result from the immunosuppressant drugs used as part of the transplant procedure.
The Case Report notes that rapamycin targets a protein related to another protein found in the fibrocytes associated with
NSF. An
NSF patient was treated with rapamycin, and after three weeks, experienced a “dramatic” decrease of the swelling, hardening and pain in his lower legs. A complete copy of the Case Report may be obtained
HERE
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Because there is still no cure for
NSF, another possible treatment is welcome news, complementing other
NSF treatment options. NSF treatments are still experimental and expensive. If you or someone you know has
NSF, you may have a legal claim. Contact the NSF attorneys/MRI lawyers at DeCarli Law for a free, no-obligation consultation, to learn more about your legal rights and the possibility of receiving compensation for your injury.
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| November 04, 2009 |
| UV-A1 Therapy Promising for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) |
| Posted By DeCarli Law |
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A recent study indicates that UV-A1 phototherapy has promise for reducing symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). Four patients with NSF were treated with UV-A1. The skin on all four softened, and for two, their hand and leg mobility improved.
The study was conducted by the Dermatology Department of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas. All four patients had NSF and were undergoing hemodialysis. They were treated with a UV-A1 bed with varying levels of radiation depending on their complexion. UVA radiation has a long wavelength that enables it to reach the subcutis (the connective tissue beneath the skin).
After treatment, the effected areas of the skin on all four of the patients became less hard, and had decreased pain and itching. Two had increased joint mobility, resulting in an enhanced quality of life. Significantly, their improvements appeared to last. The patients were tracked for varying lengths of time after treatment (six months to one year), and their improved skin condition and mobility lasted during those periods. This is very promising, since the improvements from other experimental treatments appear far more temporary.
You may obtain a complete copy of this study HERE. Tran, et al., “UV-A1 Therapy for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis,” Archives of Dermatology, Vol. 145, No. 10, Oct. 2009, pp. 1170-1182.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a disease characterized by hardening of the skin and other tissue caused by exposure to a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Dialysis patients and others with renal failure (kidney failure) are at greatest risk for this MRI side effect. If you have been diagnosed with NSF or are experiencing symptoms of NSF (hardening of the skin, joint pain), you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer of the contrast agent used in your treatment. Contact the MRI lawyers/NSF attorneys at DeCarli Law for a free consultation.
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| October 28, 2009 |
| Cancer Drug Gleevec Shows Promise for Treatment of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) |
| Posted By DeCarli Law |
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A recent clinical trial shows that the cancer drug Gleevec (generic name Imatinib Mesylate) helps lessen the skin symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
The study was conducted by Dr. Jonathan Kay of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Dr. Kay presented the results of his study on October 18, 2009, at the 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals.
Participants in the clinical trial were given 400 mg of Imatinib Mesylate daily for four months. The six subjects who completed the trial showed an improved modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), which is a measurement of skin thickness at 17 different parts of the body. But the improvements did not last after treatment stopped. The mRSS scores of four of the six participants worsened after they stopped taking the drug. The participants also experienced known side effects of Imatinib Mesylate, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A summary of the results of Dr. Kay’s study may be found HERE.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a side effect of gadolinium-based contrast agents used in MRIs and other medical scans. Symptoms of NSF include hardening of the skin, joint pain, and joint contractures. If you or a loved one began experiencing these symptoms after an injection of a gadolinium-based contrast agent, you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer of the contrast agent. Contact the NSF lawyers/NSF attorneys at DeCarli Law for a free, no obligation consultation.
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