Disease Information
Sinunase (Amphotericin B for Chronic Sinusitis)
Chronic rhinosinusitis, or CRS, is a condition that affects an estimated
37 million Americans. The National Institute for Health Statistics estimates that CRS is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States.
CRS is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal and associated mucosa that persists for greater than three months. It results in symptoms that include nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and in some patients, a decreased sense of smell. Long-term consequences include extensive mucosal thickening in the nasal cavity and the formation of nasal polyps.
CRS differs from acute rhinosinusitis (which last three to four weeks) not only by its longer duration, but also in the cause. Whereas acute rhinosinusitis is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis has, until now, been less well-defined.
Recent studies by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota have revealed that the underlying cause for chronic rhinosinusitis may in fact be the presence of fungus in the nasal cavity that causes an immune response in some people that then results in the symptoms of CRS. This ground-breaking research has led to better understanding of the condition and the availability of new treatment options.
Treatment Options for CRS
Treatment approaches for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) differ from those used for acute sinusitis, where antibiotics are used to treat the infection. The cause of CRS had been unknown until recently. Therefore, a variety of treatments had been used with only limited success. To date, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medication for the prevention or treatment of CRS.
Treatments that have and continue to be used include antibiotics, inhaled or oral corticosteroids, and surgery to clear blocked nasal passages. Antibiotics are most useful in treating infections that result when bacteria enter the damaged nasal tissue that occurs in CRS. However, no antibiotic is effective in preventing the tissue damage. Oral and inhaled corticosteroids have been used to reduce inflammation and decrease the body's immune response to the fungus. However, corticosteroids can cause serious side effects and must be used with caution in certain patients, such as those with diabetes. Although surgery to remove polyps and other abnormal nasal tissue growth does temporarily relieve symptoms, it does not treat the cause of the disease.
Following their discovery that fungus starts a process that causes the symptoms of CRS, researchers at the Mayo Clinic began to look for new treatments. Their work and that of other doctors has shown that applying an antifungal medication to the nasal cavity reduces symptoms and prevents changes in the nasal tissue that are caused by the body's immune response to the fungus.
For more information on our ongoing clinical trial for Sinunase, please visit Accentia's Sinus Education Center
BiovaxID (Autologous Anti-idiotype Vaccine for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma)
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. Most people are familiar with lymph nodes; however the lymphatic system is a complex network of organs, ducts and nodes that interact with the blood circulatory system. The system of lymphatic vessels run throughout the body and connect lymph organs (bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes (glands)). Circulating through the lymph system are white blood cells called lymphocytes. The lymphocytes (white blood cells) are an important part of the body's immune system to fight infection and disease. The lymphocytes are further classified as B-cell and T-cell lymphocytes. Both B -cells and T- cells fight infection but in different ways.
Although all lymphomas (cancer of the lymphatic system) start in the lymphatic system, they are broadly classified into two major groups, B-cell lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma. B-cell lymphoma develops from an abnormal B-cell and T-cell lymphoma develops from an abnormal T-cell. B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is much more common than T-cell lymphoma. In fact about 85% of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas are B-cell. These abnormal cells multiply uncontrollably to form tumors and spread through the lymphatic system. These two major groups, B-cell and T-cell, are further classified into over 20 subtypes depending on the clinical symptoms, location of the lymphoma and what the cells look like under the microscope. The subtypes of lymphomas will progress differently, some will be very fast growing tumors (aggressive) and other will be slow growing tumors (which are called 'indolent').
The treatment of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma depends on the subtype (i.e. indolent follicular) and the stage (how long the person has had the cancer). To diagnose Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the physician will take a biopsy of the tissue in the site thought to be cancerous. From this biopsy, the physician will determine if it is cancerous and if so the type. To determine the stage of the cancer, the physician will collect information from physical exams, blood tests, x-rays, CAT scans or ultrasounds of various organs and tissues. In some cases the physician may also collect biopsies of the bone marrow and lymph nodes.
Clinical Trials Information:
Accentia is currently performing clinical trials on BIOVAXID™, a cancer immunotherapy vaccine for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. To find out more on BIOVAXID™, or to inquire if may be a option for you, please visit our BIOVAXID™ Physician Information Center.
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