title: Cerebroventricular infusion of pentosan polysulphate in human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
abstract: Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy believed to be caused by the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent, an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP(sc)). At present there is no specific or effective treatment available for any form of CJD. Pentosan polysulphate (PPS), a large polyglycoside molecule with weak heparin-like activity, has been shown to prolong the incubation period of the intracerebral infection when administered to the cerebral ventricles in a rodent scrapie model. PPS also prevents the production of further PrP(sc) in cell culture models. These properties of PPS prompted its cerebroventricular administration in a young man with vCJD. Long-term continuous infusion of PPS at a dose of 11 microg/kg/day for 18 months did not cause drug-related side effects. Follow-up CT scans demonstrated progressive brain atrophy during PPS administration. Further basic and clinical research is needed in order to address the issue of efficacy of PPS in vCJD and in other prion diseases.
authors.affiliation: Regional Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle General Hospital NHS Trust, Newcastle, UK.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Doh-ura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dealler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Hare
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farling
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duddy
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Rainov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008297:Male; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester