Selected Drugs in Development for Diseases Affecting African Americans

Asthma – African Americans have higher asthma rates than any other racial and ethnic group in the United States and are three times more likely to die from asthma than are whites, according to the American Lung Association. One medicine in development represents a new generation of inhaled corticosteroids. The medicine is an inhaled corticosteroid being studied for its novel release and distribution properties resulting in lung-targeted anti-inflammatory effects, which result in almost none of the side-effects often associated with steroid use. Inhaled corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation – the underlying disease process – in the lungs and airways.

Breast cancer – African American women are 10 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, but are 35 percent more likely to die from the disease, according to the HHS’ Office of Minority Health. A medicine in the pipeline for breast cancer targets the Bcl-2 protein, which appears to contribute to the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. By reducing the amount of this protein in cancer cells, the medicine may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Diabetes – African Americans are nearly two times more likely to have diabetes than whites, according to the American Diabetes Association. A new, first-in-class medicine in development has been shown in clinical trials to significantly improve long-term glycemic control. The medicine increases levels of a specific hormone (GLP-1) that stimulates insulin production and reduces the secretion of glucagons, by blocking the action of an enzyme (DPP-4) that inactivates the GLP-1 hormone. By increasing levels of GLP-1 the new medicine could improve the imbalance between insulin and glucose that causes type 2 diabetes.

Prostate cancer – African American men are 2.4 times as likely to die from prostate cancer, as compared to white men, according to the HHS’ Office of Minority Health. Several vaccines are currently being studied as treatments for cancer. Traditionally vaccines have been used to prevent disease, but the new vaccines attempt to get the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer after it has developed. One potential vaccine has tripled the survival rate of men with advanced prostate cancer in clinical trials.

Sickle cell disease – An inherited disorder where sickle-shaped red blood cells clog the blood vessels, depriving the patient of oxygen and often causing severe pain, progressive organ failure and reduced lifespan. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health, about 1 in 600 African Americans is born with sickle cell disease. A medicine in development for sickle cell disease is an essential enzyme cofactor that is involved in the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that has been shown to play a role in the regulation of endothelial function (a layer of flat cells lining the closed spaces of the body such as the inside of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, the heart, and body cavities). Studies of sickle cell disease patients suggest that endothelial dysfunction may play a role in sickle cell disease and the vascular problems associated with it.