National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha

Japan As Represented by President of National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

Takashi Yamamura

Masakazu Nakamura

Hirokazu Annoura

Kenji Murata

Manabu Araki

Daisuke Noto

Sachiko Miyake

Takako Matsuoka

Shinji Oki

The present invention provides a GM-CSF-producing T-cell control agent comprising a glycolipid compound represented by the following formula (I) or a salt thereof as an active ingredient: wherein Rrepresents an aldopyranose residue, Rrepresents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, Rrepresents —CH—, —CH(OH)—CH—, or —CH═CH—, Rrepresents a hydrogen atom or CH, x is 0 to 35, and y and z each represent an integer that satisfies y+z=0 to 3.

GM-CSF-producing t-cell control agent and Th1/Th2 immune balance regulator

The present invention provides a prophylactic agent, onset-suppressing agent, or therapeutic agent for progressive immune demyelinating diseases comprising, as an active ingredient, a substance capable of suppressing or inhibiting production of prolactin.

Prophylactic agent, onset-suppressing agent or therapeutic agent for progressive immune demyelinating diseases

It has become clear that the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor for IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases can be predicted using the expression level of neutrophil-associated genes as an indicator. It has also become clear that an IL-6 inhibitor is effective for the treatment of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in patients with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes. The present invention provides a method for selecting cases of IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases in which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, as well as a method for effectively treating patients with IL-6- and neutrophil-associated diseases and with high expression levels of neutrophil-associated genes.

Method for predicting and evaluating therapeutic effect in diseases related to IL-6 and neutrophils

According to the present invention, the amount of a plasmablast (PB) in a sample of a relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patient can be measured, thereby predicting the therapeutic effect of interferon beta (IFN-&#x3b2;) or predicting a RRMS case for which the continuous administration of IFN-&#x3b2; is difficult due to the manifestation of a serious adverse reaction or the aggravation of concomitant immune disorder. In addition, the amount of PB in a sample of a RRMS patient can also be measured, thereby predicting the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor in the treatment of RRMS. As a result, a treatment method effective for patients not suitable for IFN-&#x3b2; in the treatment of RRMS can be provided.

Method for predicting post-therapy prognosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patient, and method for determining applicability of novel therapy

According to the present invention, the therapeutic effect of an IL-6 inhibitor on MS was found to be predictable by using as indicators the amount of plasmablasts and/or the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts (amount of immature plasmablasts or amount of follicular helper T cells) in MS patients with a large amount of plasmablasts. Furthermore, IL-6 inhibitors were found to be effective against MS in which plasmablasts occur at high levels and in which the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts is high. The present invention provides methods for selecting MS cases for which treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor is effective, and also provides an effective therapeutic method for patients with MS in which plasmablast occur at high levels and in which the indicator of change in immature plasmablasts is high.

Method for determining application of therapy to multiple sclerosis (MS) patient

The invention is a glycolipid useful in treating autoimmune diseases and a medicine thereof as active ingredient for autoimmune diseases, represented by the formula wherein Ris an aldopyranose group, Ris a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, Ris &#x2014;CH&#x2014;, &#x2014;CH(OH)&#x2014;CH&#x2014; or &#x2014;CH&#x2550;CH&#x2014;, Ris a hydrogen atom or CH, x is 0-35, y and z represent integers satisfying y+z=0-3.

Glycolipid and medicine for autoimmune disease containing the same as active ingredient

Novel glycolipid derivatives, where the substituent of the sphingosine base part is a short carbon chain alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group and efficient synthetic methods for practical mass production of the same and intermediates useful for the synthesis of these compounds. Glycolipids having the formula (I): where Rindicates a substituted or unsubstituted Cto Clinear alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group and Rindicates a substituted or unsubstituted Cto Calkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group are chemically synthesized.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Takashi Yamamura