Mayo Clinic yesterday received broad patent coverage for a new treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), commonly called “sinus infection,” a disease that annually affects 32 million adults in the United States and currently has no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment. Studies at Mayo Clinic have found the cause of CRS — a reaction to certain fungi — and demonstrated that the delivery of antifungal drugs directly into the nose and sinuses is safe and significantly reduces patients? symptoms. Improvements in asthma symptoms were noted in the same patient group. Past medical treatments for chronic sinus infections have been unsuccessful or produced severe side effects.
From Mayo Clinic:
Mayo Clinic Receives Patent for New Treatment of Chronic Sinus Infection
More than 32 million adults affected annually by disease
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic yesterday received broad patent coverage for a new treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), commonly called “sinus infection,” a disease that annually affects 32 million adults in the United States and currently has no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment.
Studies at Mayo Clinic have found the cause of CRS — a reaction to certain fungi — and demonstrated that the delivery of antifungal drugs directly into the nose and sinuses is safe and significantly reduces patients? symptoms. Improvements in asthma symptoms were noted in the same patient group. Past medical treatments for chronic sinus infections have been unsuccessful or produced severe side effects.
“We?ve seen significant improvement in the quality of life for the large majority of patients with chronic sinus infection who were treated with antifungal drugs,” says David Sherris, M.D., a Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialist and one of the project researchers. “Many of them had been miserable for years and were severely hampered at work and in social situations by their illness. Many are pain-free and able to breathe effectively through their noses for the first time in years.”
CRS is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. CRS produces nose and sinus problems characterized by nasal airway obstruction, loss of the sense of smell, postnasal drip, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and head and face pain lasting three months or longer. It notably decreases the quality of patients? lives, impairing physical and social functioning, vitality and general health.
CRS has a significant impact on health care in the United States.
- The prevalence of CRS has increased by more than 50 percent in the past 10 years.
- CRS results in 18.3 million physician visits per year.
- Overall health-care expenditures attributable to CRS in the United States were estimated to be over $5.8 billion in 1996.
- In 2001, 27.9 million prescriptions were issued to treat CRS in the United States.
- Approximately $2 billion is spent annually to treat nasal and sinus disorders.
The road to the patents began with research at Mayo Clinic into the cause of the disease. Jens Ponikau, M.D., Eugene Kern, M.D., and Dr. Sherris, who are Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialists, and Hirohito Kita, M.D., a Mayo Clinic allergic diseases researcher, led a group of investigators who demonstrated the presence of fungi in everyone?s nasal mucus. However, patients diagnosed with CRS have an immunologic response to the fungi causing activated white blood cells (eosinophils) to enter their mucus. The activated eosinophils release a major basic protein — a toxic protein — into the mucus, which attacks and kills the fungi but damages the nose and sinus membranes. The major basic protein also injures the epithelium, which allows bacteria to infect the tissues.
Mayo Clinic?s pioneering medical treatment for CRS is designed to stop antigen release by administering antifungal drugs. Without fungal antigens, the immune reaction does not occur, eosinophils do not enter the nasal mucus, major basic protein is not released and damage to the nasal and sinus linings is eliminated.
Clinical studies first conducted by Mayo Clinic found that this treatment provided greater improvement of symptoms than other treatments that have been used. Past treatments used by physicians include antibiotics and systemic or inhaled steroids, as well as endoscopic sinus surgery.
Mayo Clinic conducted a prospective open-label trial using amphotericin B, an antifungal drug, in 51 randomly selected CRS patients. Treatment with amphotericin B resulted in an improvement of CRS symptoms in 38 of 51, or 75 percent, of the patients. Endoscopically, 18 of 51, or 35 percent, of the patients became disease free; an additional 20 patients, or 39 percent, improved mildly; no effect was seen in 13, or 25 percent, of the patients. Researchers in Switzerland conducted a similar open trial and confirmed Mayo Clinic?s results.
The National Institutes of Health has committed itself to further investigation of the fungal link to chronic sinus infection and the role of antifungal medications in treatment of the disease, as cited on http://www.niaid.nih.gov/director/congress/2002/cj/sigitems.htm.
So far, Mayo Clinic has received broad patent coverage that protects the delivery of antifungal drugs to mucus in the nose and sinuses. The patents are:
- 6,207,703 – Antifungal treatment of asthma – 6,291,500 – Antifungal treatment of colitis – 6,416,955 – Eosinophil degranulating conditions – 6,555,566 – Antifungal treatment of CRS
The issuance of the CRS treatment patent completes Mayo Clinic?s portfolio on antifungal treatment of inflammatory conditions such as CRS, asthma and colitis and may offer pharmaceutical companies an incentive to invest in this technology to make it widely available to patients. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also has allowed claims for treatment of asthma and CRS combined; the patent is expected to be forthcoming.
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Lee Aase
Lisa Copeland
John Murphy
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email:newsbureau@mayo.edu
Well worth a shot.
Alcohol Rehab
Dr.Oz said Brain infection can be caused by sinis infection
My wife is always giving me one scent or another for for whatever ails me, and oregano seems to help a considerable amount. Just the heated oil in a burner in the room helps with my sinus infections.
I have had polyps for 15 years. I have tried everything and only prednisone does the job, but at what cost? I have recently had a swab done for fungal infection. I will report back.
To everyone, Sinus disease has eroded my life and my will for the past seven years. Serious chronic sinus disease is utterly devastating in a way that cannot be understood theoretically; it can be comprehended only firsthand. I am curious and hopeful regarding this new work by the Mayo Clinic; however, my hope is tempered with skepticism. My real reason for posting here is to connect with someone else who has truly experienced sinus disease.
I just came across the site while having another restless night dealing with severe chronic sinusitis. Did you try the fungi treatment? I have tried everything including sugery with no relief. I’m 33 and have have this now for 13 long years.
Paul,
saw your post today and while it is from time ago..I thought I would reply. I have CRS and have been battling for about 2 years. After surgery, repeated rounds of steroid sprays, prednisone, anti-biotics…with no lasting results…I booked myself an appt at the Mayo. Like others on this site…i’d been dealing with extreme fatigue and had impacted my day to day life.
I am fortunate to only live 2 hours away. The level of care I received was Off The Charts and like nothing I’ve experienced before. All of the docs work together and no worry about referrals or protecting thier own turf. Quite amazing and different. it is ashame that more clinics don’t use this type of collaberative/outcome based model.
Getting to the point, I tested positive for a very high level of major basic protein in the mucus that is produced in my sinus cavities. I am now using a 2x daily anti-fungal rinse….feel like a new woman! It is working for me. It has been explained to me that this is an ongoing disease that they don’t have a cure for (at least at this time)…but have given me the tools and knowledge to manage and live with it.
If you can’t make it to the Mayo, I would encourage you to talk about this patent and study with your local ENT. If he/she is not open to discussing…get a new ENT. Don’t keep doing the same over and over without improvement…YOU need to take charge of your health. Your doc is NOT in charge.
Kristen,
thank you for sharing your experience. For the past four years I have been dealing with a constant swelling of my turbinates and nothing has helped. I have always suggested that what I was experiences was directly related to yeast or fungus of some sort but my general physician thought it was impossible, unless my immune system was compromised, ie. AIDS! I assured him that I most certainly did not have HIV or AIDS and backed it up with testing. After that he could only suggest surgery! WOW
Now that the renowned Mayo Clinic has published its finding and started treating fungal related chronic nasal congestion and infection, I feel like there is some hope. I have made an appointment to see the head ENT within my health plan. Thank you for arming me with this information!
Bless you!!!!
I have had a sinus pain for 15 years with no relief. How do I found out if Fungus is the problem?
allthesciences.blogspot.com
GREAT SCIENE BLOG!
Where do you purchase the patented product for sinus relief.
Thankyou
glstimm@aol.com
I’d like to know how to get the medications also.
How is the medication administered and how can I get it???
WJM
Sterilize a nose spray bottle w/peroxide, let it dry
and fill 1/3 full of Listerine. Don’t use more that
twice a week. Burns at first but it works.
Note from Science Blog editors: While we’re posting this comment, be warned: No one should use Science Blog, or the medical advice contained in such comments, as anything other than interesting reading. All such advice is likely to cause spontaneous stigmata, uncontrolled belching, and hysterical blindness. Really. If you have a health concern GO TO YOUR DOCTOR.
It’s not a new drug or technology. It’s probably stopped us all getting effective treatment immediately.
The comment about the patent is interesting, but I think the Mayo Clinic has a legit claim. If you read the patent, it covers the use of different formulations of anti-fungal, vehicle, and other things like anti-inflammatories. The combinations can be unique and adjustable for different severities and cases.
I don’t think it will keep you from getting treated. I do think we’ll be seeing sinusitis spray bottles in your local pharmacy very soon.
The other way to look at this is what would happen if they didn’t patent the mixture. All kinds of people would be mixing in fungicide with saline and passing it off as a cure. I’d rather have exclusive manufacturing in the hands of the people who have done the research and know what they’re doing.
How can i get the medicine. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to heal my sinus …..every antibiotic you would think of. Please help…oecathy@gmail.com
It makes me sad to think of how long I have lived with these issues. In pain and no one seems to understand. After a while I just stop talking about it. I feel that the people around me get sick of hearing about it, and they certainly can’t understand. I had surgery 8&1/2 years ago. I would do it again if it will help. But having it done and now being in this position again, I would like to know what other options I have. The doctor I am currently seeing seems to be going about it that same old way. I have taken and am taking antibiotics. The last few months of my life I have lived on antibiotics.
I am tired of my quality of life being so deeply impaired. I am tired of feeling like a P.I.T.A. just because I want to feel better… feel normal.
-JRT
I’ve been sick with this crap for years i would like to feel good for a least one day it makes you tired makes your face and ears throat and your whole body ache i need help will this help
It’s June 2009, still no update on what this medication is? I saw a Ear Nose & Throat doctor 5 months ago, he wants to do surgery, no mention of anti-fungal medication.
How long does it take for the Mayo’s research to tickle-down to the main-stream doctors?
I thought i was alone. I am tried of being miserable! I have been dealing with the worst sinus infections for the last 5 years. Everyone thinks i’m crazy. I have had two sinus surgeries and am constantly on antibiotics. As i type this my checks closer to my nose are hot and feel like they are on fire also around the bottom of my lips. I also have pain going down my back. On the second day of antibiotics this usually goes away but comes back within a week after i finish the prescription. I am going to the Dr. today for more antibiotics. Does anyone have the same symtoms that i have? Morgan bonetrader@yahoo.com
I stumbled on to my cure accidentally, but cured none the less! I recently went to my doctor and was having a talk about the natural things I am doing for my health. When I mentioned what I was doing and how I USED to come to him each year for antibiotic treatment that lasted several months for chronic sinus infections, and how I didn’t have to do that for years now. He amazed me by picking up my chart and, in my presence, looked at it slowly from front to back and when he realized that what I was saying was true he wanted to know what I started taking that had stopped me from coming in annually for my antibiotics. He not only listened, but took notes! I love that man! (Dr. Anthony Remson in Louisville, KY) So I proceeded to tell him that the year I stopped coming in was the first fall after I received my first box of Dr. Ohirra’s probiotics for Christmas! I started taking them every day that year and have never stopped. I have not had a sinus infection since and that was eight years ago! The other thing I did was started taking Oil of Oregano a powerful….ANTI-FUNGAL!!! This works for me… there are other anti-fungals that I alternate with….Apple Cider Vinegar, baking soda mixed with water. Recently I bought a Neti Pot and low and behold the mixture contained Sodium Bicarbonate…non other than….Baking Soda a powerful anti-fungal. I still have allergy symptoms so I continue my preventative measures and remain SINUS INFECTION FREE!!!!!
Oil of oregano drops by mouth with a good refrigerated probiotic, get from your pharmacy
netti pot with top grade colloidal silver drop and saline solution daily
get off all dairy and gluten, very low sugar for several weeks
gargle with water and baking soda
take vitamin c
I liked a book called I believe.. The sinus solution
these steps really helped
And not to be gross but after netti pot and nose blowing try to suck mucus down to the throat to spit out rather than blowing. It helps to pull thick mucus out rather than more inflammation by blowing. You’ll start to feel ears unclog
Could you tell me how much of the oil of oregano you take. I have had sinus problems for years.
how much sodium bicarbonate , or apple vinegar
for 8 onces of water ?
thank you
Michel Doucet