As we head into the fifth annual UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson’s this weekend, here’s an inspirational story on how events like this can make a difference.
For many years, scientists worldwide have been working hard to find new answers to Parkinson’s disease.
For a live link of the 24-hour event, click here.
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Howard Gendelman, M.D. | Lee Mosley, Ph.D. |
It’s estimated more than one million Americans currently live with Parkinson’s. It’s a devastating condition that causes tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination. There is no cure.
A UNMC research team headed by Howard Gendelman, M.D., and R. Lee Mosley, Ph.D. came up with a novel approach that the immune system might hold a key.
They used the drug Leukine to stimulate the immune system to repair the damaged brain tissue that occurs with Parkinson’s.
Testing was successful in lab animals, but human testing was needed to ensure safety and potential drug effectiveness. Additional funding was required to move the project forward.
Lending a helping hand
Dr. Gendelman saluted the following people for their invaluable support on the Parkinson’s disease research study:
- Carolyn Peterson, clinical research center
- LuAnn Larson, clinical research center
- Pamela Santamaria, M.D., neurologist, Internal Medicine Associates
- Amy Hellman, M.D., neurological sciences
- Diego Torres-Russotto, M.D., neurological sciences
- John Bertoni, M.D., Ph.D., neurological sciences
- Max Kurz, Ph.D., Munroe-Meyer Institute
- Tony Wilson, Ph.D., pharmacology and experimental neuroscience
Proceeds from the 2011 Skate-a-thon opened the door, and the ball started to roll. Soon, community and national sources kicked in, and the project was off to the races.
Four years later, the Parkinson’s project is among the most promising translational research endeavors at UNMC.
A Phase I clinical trial is under way with 32 participants who are or will be enrolled – 16 with Parkinson’s and 16 without.
“Had it not been for the Skate-a-thon funding, this project may never have gotten off the ground,” said Dr. Gendelman, professor and chairman of the UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience.
As the project developed and early results were reviewed, Sanofi, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world and producer of Leukine, became engaged.
Sanofi was enthusiastic, providing the drug given to trial participants as well as adding substantial new funding to support the research.
“Leukine is part of our oncology portfolio so using it in Parkinson’s research is certainly out of the ordinary,” said Yvonne Barnes, senior medical science liaison for Sanofi. “We’re excited to be a part of this project. It has been a joy to work with Drs. Gendelman and Mosley and their team.”
Barnes is coming to Omaha Friday and will be on hand as Dr. Gendelman speaks at the opening ceremonies at 5 p.m.
She won’t be wearing skates, but hundreds of others will be. They all have the same goal — to put Parkinson’s on ice.
Congratulations to Drs. Howard Gendelman and Lee Mosley and the entire department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience for their hard work on Parkinson’s Disease. The PEN department M &M's (movement & medicine) will be back for this year’s Skate-A-Thon. Join the M & Ms on the ice for a fun event and a great cause. (Visit the department's Facebook page for pictures of the M & Ms and PENguins – https://www.facebook.com/PEN.UNMC)
I'll be there again this year! Great fun, great cause.