Orbec developed by DOR BioPharma Inc. is known to Improve Survival in Patients with Intestinal Graft-Versus-Host Disease. According to the results presented at the 2006 annual Tandem Bone Marrow Transplant Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, the oral agent Orbec (oral beclomethasone dipropionate) improves survival in patients diagnosed with intestinal graft-versus-host-disease.

Allogeneic bone marrow and stem cell transplantation are one of the most common treatment regimens for patients with various types of cancer. The treatment process includes the use of higher than normal doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy that kill more cancer cells than standard doses of therapy. However, the higher doses also kill more healthy cells than the standard doses; this potentially results in serious side effects.

One of the most common side effects of many high-dose regimens is the killing of blood cells, which results in low levels of immune cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These low levels do leave patients susceptible to severe infection, anemia, and bleeding. In response, patients often received an infusion of hematopoietic stem cells (immature blood cells) from a donor. The stem cells do ultimately mature in the patient's body to restore acceptable levels of blood cells.

Researchers recently conducted a phase III clinical trial to evaluate the agent Orbec in patients with GVHD. Orbec is an oral steroid that does reduce inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal track.

The researchers concluded that Orbec appears to be reducing the risk of death associated with GVHD in patients undergoing bone marrow or stem cell transplants. Since GVHD is the main cause of death in patients who receive an allogeneic transplant, these results are promising for patients undergoing this procedure.