ATRA

Where can one find a Center that uses or Doctor or  which is familiar with All-Trans-Retinoic Acid Thearpy .I have COPD.
E_OWL

[National Jewish]

The All-trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA) Emphysema Trial has been changed to the Forte Study, which uses two retinoids together.  This study is being done at the following centers:
1. Boston University [phone]
2. Columbia in New York City [phone]
3. University of Pittsburgh [phone]
4. University of California at Los Angeles [phone]
5. University of California at San Diego [phone]

[starion]

ATRA is still in clinical investigation and has not been approved for use or sale for treatment of COPD anywhere in the world (except to people participating in clinical trials), to my knowledge.  You can find out where trials are being conducted by searching the web with a search engine like www.google.com for ATRA clinical trials.  I believe UCLA is one of the places conducting clinical trials--they may be able to refer you the other study centers.  They are still trying to figure out what the appropriate therapeutic dose is, side effects, risks & benefits, etc.
Aloha,
Starion