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12/05/2003
Condition of Belfast CJD victim 'stabilised'
The condition of a Belfast teenager suffering from variant CJD has reportedly stabilised according to his father.
Don Simms said the condition of his son Jonathon had stopped deteriorating after the start of controversial treatment.
The 18-year-old was given repeated infusions of the drug pentosan polysulphate directly into his brain despite the drug having not yet been fully tested on humans.
The testing of the drug on the teenager was finally allowed after his family took an NHS trust to court earlier this year to get the treatment approved.
Mr Simms confirmed that his son's condition was stabilising and that it had in fact improved slightly. He added: "We are not hailing it as a total success but from what we have seen so far we are much encouraged."
Last January, a tube was inserted into Jonathan's brain to allow a total of 12 infusions to be given.
However, fears remain that the treatment may cause harm because it has only received limited testing in animals.
(MB)
Don Simms said the condition of his son Jonathon had stopped deteriorating after the start of controversial treatment.
The 18-year-old was given repeated infusions of the drug pentosan polysulphate directly into his brain despite the drug having not yet been fully tested on humans.
The testing of the drug on the teenager was finally allowed after his family took an NHS trust to court earlier this year to get the treatment approved.
Mr Simms confirmed that his son's condition was stabilising and that it had in fact improved slightly. He added: "We are not hailing it as a total success but from what we have seen so far we are much encouraged."
Last January, a tube was inserted into Jonathan's brain to allow a total of 12 infusions to be given.
However, fears remain that the treatment may cause harm because it has only received limited testing in animals.
(MB)
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