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FDA and NIH confirm WPI XMRV findings (report of leaked presentation)

Messages
5
http://www.mmdnewswire.com/xmrv-9040.html

Original Press Release from the Netherlands FDA and NIH confirm 'XMRV findings'
E-mail | Print | PDF
Gendringen, NL (MMD Newswire) June 22, 2010 -- The FDA and the NIH have independently confirmed the XMRV findings as published in Science, October last. This confirmation was issued by Dr. Harvey Alter of the NIH during a closed workshop on blood transfusion held on May 26-27 in Zagreb. Two journalists from the Dutch magazine for health professionals, ORTHO, who have been working on XMRV stories for several months, were able to obtain a copy of the Alter lecture.
In the October 8, 2009 issue of Science Express, the Lombardi-Mikovits group at the Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI), the Cleveland Clinic and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported that 67% of 101 chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients tested positive for infection with xenotropic murine retrovirus (XMRV). Only 3.7% of 218 healthy subjects tested were positive for this gammaretrovirus. Since that time, a number of research groups have proved unable to independently confirm these findings.

On Friday last, the AABB released an Association Bulletin recommending that its member blood collectors actively discourage potential donors who have been diagnosed with CFS from donating blood or blood components. This interim measure was proposed by the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on XMRV. This Task Force includes representatives from several government agencies, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The fact that the measure was introduced suggests the presence of information not yet published. The ORTHO journalists were able to obtain a pdf document of the lecture given by Harvey Alter at the IPFA/PEI 17th Workshop on 'Surveillance and screening of Blood Borne Pathogens' in Zagreb. The International Plasma Fractionation Association (IPFA) represents the not-for-profit organizations around the world involved in plasma fractionation. The IPFA is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The highly-experienced Dr. Harvey Alter is Clinical Studies Chief at the Infectious Diseases and Immunogenetics Section of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda. "The data in the Lombardi, et al Science manuscript are extremely strong and likely true, despite the controversy", was one comment on the XMRV findings reported by Alter in Zagreb. "Although blood transmission to humans has not been proved, it is probable. The association with CFS is very strong, but causality not proved. XMRV and related MLVs are in the donor supply with an early prevalence estimate of 3%‐7%. We (FDA & NIH) have independently confirmed the Lombardi group findings."

ORTHO contacted Dr. Harvey Alter today for a reaction. He did not want to comment, but confirmed that a paper is soon to be published.

ORTHO is a Dutch magazine for health professionals focusing on nutrition and dietary supplements. ORTHO has been publishing reports on CFS since 1988. Editor-in-chief: Gert E. Schuitemaker (PhD). Tel: + 31 (0) 315 695211 / + 49 (0) 170 808 9484. E-mail: ortho@orthoeurope.com.
 

SeaShel

Senior Member
Messages
111
Location
AZ
OMG - FINALLY!!!

Just saw it on FB and popped over here to do the happy dance.

Shelley
 

acer2000

Senior Member
Messages
818
Wow if this is true... what a leak... heh. You'd think the NIH/FDA would want to present the findings in their own press release, but someone beat them to it based on attending a closed door presentation. I am looking forward to hearing the details of what they found. :0
 

SeaShel

Senior Member
Messages
111
Location
AZ
I find a perverse sense of satisfaction/revenge/neener-neener-ness that the Netherlands scooped this news.

How much longer was the NIH and FDA going to sit on it?!

Shelley
 

kurt

Senior Member
Messages
1,186
Location
USA
This is NOT an official announcement, it is a leak from a closed conference. I am still hearing back-channel that these NIH, FDA and CDC studies are continuing to be reviewed. There has not been a statement from the NIH or FDA yet, at least not that I can find, so this is UNOFFICIAL at this time.
 

sproggle

Jan
Messages
235
Location
Teesside, England UK
Just heard this from Annette over on facebook &came straight over to see if it was up here!! Great news :D

Can anyone explain exactly what this means?? Will things really start happening now?? or is this just another mile stone...

LOVE IT !!!!!!!! :victory:

Jan xxxxxxxxx
 

kurt

Senior Member
Messages
1,186
Location
USA
Kurt, could you tell us your source for this information? Thank you!

Just read the press release carefully, it is from a wire service. The reporter got a copy of a presentation that was not intended for public release, and leaked that.

I know from my past discussions with researchers that the NIH and FDA and CDC are not ready yet to release their papers, they are still in discussion. So this is premature, although it certainly could be the eventual finding to be released. Remember the CDC rumor? This is in the same category still.
 

VillageLife

Senior Member
Messages
674
Location
United Kingdom
Breaking News FDA and NIH confirm Science paper findings

Breaking News FDA and NIH confirm Science paper findings
Just seen this on the WPI facebook page!

http://www.mmdnewswire.com/xmrv-9040.html

Original Press Release from the Netherlands: FDA and NIH confirm 'XMRV findings'
E-mail | Print | PDF
Gendringen, NL (MMD Newswire) June 22, 2010 -- The FDA and the NIH have independently confirmed the XMRV findings as published in Science, October last. This confirmation was issued by Dr. Harvey Alter of the NIH during a closed workshop on blood transfusion held on May 26-27 in Zagreb. Two journalists from the Dutch magazine for health professionals, ORTHO, who have been working on XMRV stories for several months, were able to obtain a copy of the Alter lecture.
In the October 8, 2009 issue of Science Express, the Lombardi-Mikovits group at the Whittemore Peterson Institute (WPI), the Cleveland Clinic and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported that 67% of 101 chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients tested positive for infection with xenotropic murine retrovirus (XMRV). Only 3.7% of 218 healthy subjects tested were positive for this gammaretrovirus. Since that time, a number of research groups have proved unable to independently confirm these findings.

On Friday last, the AABB released an Association Bulletin recommending that its member blood collectors actively discourage potential donors who have been diagnosed with CFS from donating blood or blood components. This interim measure was proposed by the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on XMRV. This Task Force includes representatives from several government agencies, including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The fact that the measure was introduced suggests the presence of information not yet published. The ORTHO journalists were able to obtain a pdf document of the lecture given by Harvey Alter at the IPFA/PEI 17th Workshop on 'Surveillance and screening of Blood Borne Pathogens' in Zagreb. The International Plasma Fractionation Association (IPFA) represents the not-for-profit organizations around the world involved in plasma fractionation. The IPFA is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The highly-experienced Dr. Harvey Alter is Clinical Studies Chief at the Infectious Diseases and Immunogenetics Section of the Department of Transfusion Medicine at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda. "The data in the Lombardi, et al Science manuscript are extremely strong and likely true, despite the controversy", was one comment on the XMRV findings reported by Alter in Zagreb. "Although blood transmission to humans has not been proved, it is probable. The association with CFS is very strong, but causality not proved. XMRV and related MLVs are in the donor supply with an early prevalence estimate of 3%‐7%. We (FDA & NIH) have independently confirmed the Lombardi group findings."

ORTHO contacted Dr. Harvey Alter today for a reaction. He did not want to comment, but confirmed that a paper is soon to be published.

ORTHO is a Dutch magazine for health professionals focusing on nutrition and dietary supplements. ORTHO has been publishing reports on CFS since 1988. Editor-in-chief: Gert E. Schuitemaker (PhD). Tel: + 31 (0) 315 695211 + 31 (0) 315 695211 / + 49 (0) 170 808 9484 + 49 (0) 170 808 9484. E-mail: ortho@orthoeurope.com.
 

akrasia

Senior Member
Messages
215
Just read the press release carefully, it is from a wire service. The reporter got a copy of a presentation that was not intended for public release, and leaked that.

I know from my past discussions with researchers that the NIH and FDA and CDC are not ready yet to release their papers, they are still in discussion. So this is premature, although it certainly could be the eventual finding to be released. Remember the CDC rumor? This is in the same category still.

Still, I don't think the WPI would have put it up on the site unless they have background confirmatory evidence and sources, which of course, they can't divulge.
 

judderwocky

Senior Member
Messages
328
I just can't wait to see the reaction of all the magazines that sided with the opposition LUL

especially ERV's science blog