Biogen-Idec to Present at GTCbio`s 6th Cytokines and Inflammation (January 28-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida
Released on: January 7, 2008, 11:01 am
Press Release Author: GTCBIO
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Press Release Summary: Shelia Violette, Director of Discovery Immunology at Biogen-Idec will give a presentation entitled "The Alphavbeta6 Integrin: A Mediator of TGF-Beta Activation and Therapeutic Target in Fibrosis and Oncology" at GTCbio's 6th Cytokines and Inflammation (January 28-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida.
Press Release Body: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 26, 2007
Biogen-Idec to Present at GTCbio's 6th Cytokines and Inflammation (January 28-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida
Shelia Violette, Director of Discovery Immunology at Biogen-Idec will give a presentation entitled "The Alphavbeta6 Integrin: A Mediator of TGF-Beta Activation and Therapeutic Target in Fibrosis and Oncology" at GTCbio's 6th Cytokines and Inflammation (January 28-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida.
The avb6 integrin is expressed at low levels in healthy adult tissue and significantly upregulated, mainly on epithelial cells, in fibrotic disease and carcinomas. avb6 binds and activates the latent precursor form of TGF-b and mediates interactions with matrix proteins. TGF-b is central to the initiation and maintenance of fibrosis, a pathological process marked by the replacement of diseased tissue with excess extracellular matrix and ultimately leading to organ scarring and failure. This cytokine is also implicated in promoting tumor progression, and metastases. Biogen-Idec evaluated avb6 expression in human disease and in preclinical animal models. avb6 is highly upregulated in lung and kidney disease associated with fibrotic pathology, and in liver disease associated with acute biliary duct injury. It is also highly upregulated in squamous cell carcinomas and metastatic lesions, with expression often predominant at the tumor-stromal interface reflecting a unique mechanism for localized TGF-b activation promoting tumor growth and invasion. Biogen-Idec generated potent and selective blocking avb6 antibodies, and tested their ability to inhibit fibrosis and tumor progression in animal models. These antibodies have potent anti-fibrotic activity and inhibit tumor progression in multiple models of disease. A lead clinical candidate antibody has been selected and humanized. Biogen-Idec findings support a role for avb6 in fibrosis and tumor progression and the potential for therapeutic intervention with a function blocking antibody. This approach provides an opportunity to locally inhibit TGF-b and minimize the potential for tumor promoting and pro-inflammatory activity that may be associated with systemic blockade of the TGF-b pathway.
The conference also features presentations from other leading organizations such as Amgen, AstraZeneca, FDA, Genentech, Merck, NIH, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche, Schering Plough, and many more. The full agenda is available online at www.gtcbio.com.
GTCbio's 6th Cytokines and Inflammation conference will take place on January 28-29, 2008 at the Orlando Metropolitan Resort in Orlando, Florida and will cover Cytokines Signaling and Regulation, Inflammation and Cancer, Technological Developments in Cytokines Biology, Chemokines, and Targeting of Cytokine Receptors
For more information including a detailed agenda, exhibitor opportunities and registration information visit http://gtcbio.com/userAgenda.aspx?id=115
ABOUT GTCbio
GTCbio organizes conferences specifically for the biomedical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our goal is to facilitate the exchange of biopharmaceutical and biomedical intelligence between industry leaders, academic and government organizations, and the financial community.
GTCbio is a subsidiary of Global Technology Community, LLC, a privately held company founded in 2002.
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