ADERIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

N‐0923 is a non‐ergot, dopaminergic D2 agonist designed to be transdermally available. It has anti‐parkinsonian effects when infused intravenously. An adhesive matrix patch was developed to deliver N‐0923 transdermally (N‐0923 TDS).In this phase II trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of various doses of N‐0923 TDS at replacing levodopa. Eighty‐five Parkinson's disease (PD) patients were randomized to placebo or one of four doses of N‐0923 TDS for 21 days. Change in daily levodopa dose was the primary efficacy measure. Significantly greater reductions in levodopa dose were achieved as compared to placebo for the two highest doses of N‐0923 TDS. Patients treated with 33.5 mg and 67 mg N‐0923 TDS decreased levodopa use by 26% and 28%, vs. 7% for placebo. N‐0923 TDS was safe and well tolerated. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.

Balloon angioplasty involves the simultaneous activation of platelets and neutrophils. Activated platelets release mitogenic substances that cause smooth muscle cell proliferation and thereby contribute to restenosis. Activated neutrophils activate platelets and activated platelets activate neutrophils. Therefore the simultaneous activation of both cell types may be responsible for the exaggerated repair mechanisms resulting in restenosis of coronary blood vessels. Adenosine inhibits neutrophil activation, platelet activation and smooth muscle cell proliferation and stimulates endothelial cell proliferation predominantly through activation of A2A-receptors. Adenosine and A2A-selective agonists may be useful in the prevention of restenosis following balloon angioplasty.

A review with many references