Subject: Immunex Drug Boosts Cells In Cases of Marrow Failure
Date: Published: 12/15/89 (39 lines)
Source:  Wall Street Journal.  Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc. 

    Technology:
    Immunex Drug Boosts Cells
    In Cases of Marrow Failure

    SEATTLE -- Immunex Corp. said its product interleukin 3
 boosted blood cells in about half of the patients in a small
 clinical trial of the drug against bone marrow failure.
    Bone marrow failure can occur as a result of disease,
 chemotherapy or radiation.  All 15 patients in the study
 suffered from a condition called pancytopenia, or depletion
 of all types of blood cells from bone marrow failure.
    IL3 is a form of a natural protein that sparks the growth
 and differentiation of white blood cells, from immature cells
 to mature functioning cells that carry out crucial functions
 such as fighting infection, carrying oxygen and clotting.
    Seven of the 15 patients showed increases in
 infection-fighting white blood cells called granulocytes and
 eosiniphils; in oxygen-carrying red cells called
 reticulocytes; and in clot-forming platelets, according to
 the report by Razelle Kurzrock of the University of Texas
 M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
    Separately, the biotechnology company cited a new study
 showing its product GM-CSF, a protein that increases
 infection-fighting white blood cells, can reduce by roughly
 30% the length and cost of a hospital stay for bone marrow
 transplant patients.  In addition, the company said GM-CSF
 reduced bone marrow failure among AIDS patients receiving the
 drugs AZT and interferon for an AIDS-related tumor.
    The studies were presented at the American Society for
 Hematology meeting in Atlanta last week.

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