Hunter-Hopkins ME-letter

October 2010

Hunter-Hopkins Center, P.A.

7421 Carmel Executive Park Drive, Suite 320

                                    Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

                             Tel. (704) 543 9692 á Fax. (704) 543 8547

Contents      

XMRV Update: The Controversy

Research Opportunities

Hunter-Hopkins Is On Facebook  

Best of luck to Tonya and Danielle

Tips From Other Patients...

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XMRV Update:  The Controversy

Xenotropic Murine leukemia virus-Related Virus (XMRV) is an authentic and novel retrovirus that was first discovered in men with hereditary prostate cancer, but was subsequently described in up to 97% of individuals with CFS as well (Lombardi VC, Science, 23 Oct 2009). It is not clear, however, if XMRV causes CFS or is just associated with CFS (that is, it likes to settle in persons with CFS).  Although many antiviral drugs have been considered for treatment of this virus, only four are currently considered Îpossibly effective.â  So there is no known treatment at this time.

Controversy has developed because three subsequent studies from the UK (2) and the Netherlands failed to confirm the presence of XMRV in persons with CFS or in healthy controls.  An elegant review of the subject (Silverman RH, Nature Reviews, June 2010) pointed out that this was not unexpected since these three groups used a variety of different techniques and human subjects.

Last week, two US government groups produced contradictory papers. Scientists at the FDA and NIH concluded from their research that XMRV is found in the blood of CFS patients (Alter H, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, unpublished).  Speaking at a blood bank safety meeting in Zagreb, Croatia,  Alter stated that his group confirmed the Lombardi study and described the data in the Science study as ãextremely strong and likely true, despite the controversy.ä  Separately, scientists at the CDC concluded that they could not find XMRV in the PWCs (Switzer W, Retrovirology).  In an unparalleled move, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS under Secretary Sibelius) requested both journals to ãhold publicationä of those articles, allegedly to Îget things straightened outâ  (Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2010).   While the official government explanation was that senior public health officials wanted to see consensus or at least an explanation of why the results were different,  many patients and CFS researchers fear that the CDC is once again trying to discourage research in what seems to be a productive arena.

Based on findings by Drs. Lombardi and Alter, the American Association of Blood Banks has recommended that CFS patients be discouraged from donating blood.  [Note:  Hunter-Hopkins has always cautioned against this, as well as organ donation.]

On July 1, the CDC group ãjumped the gunä  by prematurely publishing a provisional summary of their findings in Retrovirology online.  We will leave it to the reader to consider the bio-politics in play here!

So the XMRV issue remains controversial and ãup in the airä much as the retroviral issue was in the late 1980âs when we first discovered retroviruses in PWCs.  Research was stifled at that time by opposing factions, and it has taken over 20 years and the resources of the Whittemore-Peterson Institute to bring this intriguing possibility back to light.  We urge patients everywhere to support efforts to explore XMRV further. Ways you can help are:

á         Donate a specimen of your precious blood to the SolveCFS BioBank. Click here for details.  

á         Support the CFIDS Association of America.  This group has worked tirelessly for almost three decades to promote scientific research about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

á         Donate to the Whittemore-Peterson Institute so that they can pursue this important lead to the bitter end.

Research Opportunities

We have four  research opportunities available at Hunter-Hopkins:

The Ampligen open label cost basis program continues to attract new participants. We currently have four PWCs actively receiving Ampligen (check out the ãNew Ampligen Diariesä blog !)  and one on temporary holiday, but the program is accepting new applicants on a regular basis.   If you are interested, go to our website, click on  ãResearch,ä then again on ãAmpligen,ä or just click here.

A new drug for the treatment of Neurally Mediated Hypotension in persons with CFS is currently being studied at HHC.  Details can be found at the Clinical Trials site (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00977171?term=droxidopa&rank=6)

Adolescents with Fibromyalgia may be interested in the study of  two experimental medications for this condition.  Obtain details about these and any other these studies by calling our research coordinator, Wendy Fallick, at 704 543 9692 or email her at wendy@drlapp.net. 

Mike Brownâs Triangle Facebook Page

 Mike Brown (Raleigh NC) wanted to help those with CFS and FM so he has started a new Facebook page, ãTriangle Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Support and Social Group.ä  He already has 34 fans, and is seeking more.  Mike hopes to make this a social outlet for those with CFS/ME/FM, but he will also try to help out those who need a ride to the doctor, to run an errand, etc.  If you are in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area check out his site by searching ãtriangle chronic fatigueä on Facebook. Good luck, Mike!

Best of Luck to Tonya and Danielle

 Two excellent employees have had to leave our folds recently.  Tonya Mills (Medical Assistant) suffered the tragic loss of a family member and resigned to be with her family.   Our Administrator, Dani Ewalt, has had pressing family issues in Ohio, and resigned to take a good job closer to ãhome.ä  It is regrettable that Tonya and Dani both left on September 16.  It has been challenging to find replacements for these excellent workers, and it has placed a strain on the remaining staff.  Please understand that we are working extraordinarily hard to provide you the same excellent service that you are used to at HHC, and we expect to be back to ãfull staffä very soon.  

Hunter-Hopkins Facebook Page

 Donât forget to bookmark the Hunter-Hopkins site on Facebook.  This media source is run by Dr. Laura Black and not only provides ways to meet others with CFS/ME/FM, but Dr. Black tries to keep you up-to-date with the latest information!  Find us by logging on to Facebook, then searching ãHunter-Hopkins Center.ä   See you there!

Tips From Other Patients

 Jan B. buys some groceries and lots of supplies from www.alice.com (paper goods, cleaning supplies, etc.)

This newsletter is published periodically by Hunter-Hopkins Center, P.A., 7421 Carmel Executive Park,  Charlotte, North Carolina 28226, USA..  Telephone (704) 543 9692, Fax (704) 543 8547. 

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