Clincal trials (Phase 2A) of conotoxin Vc1.1 (ACV1) from Conus victoriae
were begun by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, Melbourne, (www.metabolic.com.au)
in September 2006.

ACV1 is a synthetic 16 amino acid peptide drug designed from a component
of the venom of the Australian marine cone snail, Conus victoriae, a
mollusc hunting cone shell.

In laboratory animals, ACV1 has profound, direct effects on pain sensing
nerves in the peripheral nervous system called C-fibres, which are
hypersensitive in neuropathic pain. It blocks a subtype of a broad class
of receptors called neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR)
which reside on the C-fibres. ACV1 has been shown to directly reduce the
sensitivity of sensitised C-fibres. It is the first drug to utilise this
biochemical mechanism.

ACV1 has been tested in several well-established animal pain models and
shows efficacy in relieving the characteristic pain symptoms of
neuropathy, allodynia and hyperalgesia, following subcutaneous or
intramuscular dosing. In addition, evidence suggests that ACV1 accelerates
the recovery of injured nerves and tissues.

On 24 November 2006, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals announced that the Phase 2A
programme for ACV1, for neuropathic pain is progressing well. This
programme involves two human clinical trials targeting specific
neuropathies. The first group of patients (with painful sciatica) in the
first of two trials in this Phase 2A programme have been treated and the
second trial (involving patients with painful shingles and others with
painful diabetic neuropathy) is due to commence in Q107.  Additionally, a
separate trial to test safety of a higher dose level of ACV1 commenced in
Q406.

PODCAST
An interview with Bruce Livett, one of the researchers who discovered
ACV1, is available on the web as a podcast at:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/podcast/innovations/innovations_20060410.m
p3

VIDEO
You may also like to view an excellent video of cone shell envenomation
from National Geographic which has come to my notice:
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/video/snail_cone.html

Enjoy !

Bruce Livett

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------