Genome spray 'heals sores'

WASHINGTON - A protein spray found by fishing through the human genome helps to heal the large, painful sores that plague many elderly patients, say scientists at Human Genome Sciences.

It is the United States company's first success in making a drug using its genetics technology, rather than trying to use the genes it has found in gene therapy - a controversial and, so far, not terribly successful approach.

The protein spray, called repifermin, is made by a human gene called keratinocyte growth factor-2, or KGF-2.

The company found the protein by screening 10,000 genes to see which one might produce a protein that would heal skin.

"We are taking a human protein, not a foreign chemical but a human protein, and using it as medicine," said Dr William Haseltine, chairman and chief executive officer.

Researchers told a wound-healing meeting in Melbourne that a spray made from the protein helped patients with chronic venous ulcers.

"These are large, persistent, unhealing wounds," Dr Haseltine said.

"They are the size of a pack of cards or larger, and last a minimum of three to six months or even for years. They change people's lives - they become less mobile."

He estimated that as many as 700,000 people in the United States alone are affected.

The company and collaborating researchers tested the spray on 94 patients in a phase two clinical trial, meant to show both safety and whether a new drug works.

A third were given a saltwater spray, the placebo, a third received the protein spray once a day and the rest had the protein spray twice a day.

"Those who got the drug grew almost 10 times as much skin as people who did not get any," Dr Haseltine said. After 15 weeks of treatment, many of the sores were nearly gone.

He believed that after 20 weeks they would be healed.

Larger trials are planned.

"Repifermin accelerates healing of chronic venous ulcers and its safety profile is excellent," said Dr Martin Robson, professor of surgery at the University of South Florida, who worked on the trial.

"Based on these results, repifermin has strong potential as a wound-healing agent and we look forward to performing additional clinical trials with repifermin in patients with venous ulcers."

Dr Haseltine said the protein-drug could have other uses.

"When the drug is administered not to the wound on the surface but injected into the bloodstream, it can heal sores in the gastrointestinal tract," he said.

This meant it might help people with ulcerative colitis.

- REUTERS