Leukemia News and Research

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Leukemia (Leukaemia) is a cancer of the blood cells. It is the most common type of blood cancer and affects 10 times as many adults as children. Most people diagnosed with leukemia are over 50 years old. No one knows why some people develop leukemia and others do not. However, scientists have identified some risk factors for the disease. Most people who have known risk factors do not get leukemia, while many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors. During the early stages of leukemia, there may be no symptoms. Many of the symptoms of leukemia don't become apparent until a large number of normal blood cells are crowded out by leukemia cells.

Novartis applauds declaration of CML Awareness Day in Canada

Today is a meaningful milestone for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients and their families.

23 Sep 2010

Masonic Cancer Center receives five-year program project research grants from NCI

Two of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center's leading physician-scientists on research and treatment of cancers of the blood and bone marrow Philip McGlave, M.D., and Jeffrey Miller, M.D., have received renewed five-year program project research grants totaling almost $26 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

23 Sep 2010

FDA grants orphan drug designation for MultiStem stem cell therapy

Athersys, Inc. announced today that MultiStem, Athersys' multipotent adult progenitor stem cell therapy, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of graft vs. host disease (GvHD).

21 Sep 2010

Pollution increases risk for sudden cardiac arrest

The fine particles of pollution that hang in the air can increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest, according to a new study conducted by a team from Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.

21 Sep 2010

Researchers identify protein essential for dendritic cell development

A protein called PU.1 is essential for the development of dendritic cells, the sentinels of the immune system, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers in Melbourne, Australia, have shown.

20 Sep 2010

Micromet initiates MT103 phase 2 trial in adult ALL patients

Micromet, Inc. today announced the initiation of a phase 2 trial of the Company's lead product candidate blinatumomab (MT103) in adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Blinatumomab is the first of a new class of agents called BiTE antibodies, designed to harness the body's T cells to kill cancer cells.

20 Sep 2010

Cord Blood America acquires controlling interest of Biocordcell Argentina

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, today announced that it has purchased controlling interest, 50.1 percent, of Biocordcell Argentina S.A. (BioCells, Inc.).

20 Sep 2010

Immunotherapy accepted for coverage in MEDLINE®

Future Medicine Ltd announced today that its journal Immunotherapy (ISSN 1750-743X) has been selected for coverage in MEDLINE®. Maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE® (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) is a premier bibliographic database containing approximately 13 million references to journal articles in life sciences.

19 Sep 2010

Scientists discover protein to regulate blood stem cells’ activity for leukemia treatment

A discovery made by Dr. Tarik Möröy, President and Scientific Director and Director of the IRCM, and his team was recently published in Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology. The researchers found that a protein can regulate certain characteristics of blood stem cells, which could lead to a better treatment for leukemia patients.

17 Sep 2010

Incyte Corporation publishes clinical trial data of INCB18424 drug for myelofibrosis treatment

Incyte Corporation, Results from a Phase I/II study of Incyte's janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor with the investigational name INCB18424 (also known as INCB018424 and INC424) were published today in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrating marked and durable clinical benefits in patients with myelofibrosis.

16 Sep 2010

JAK oral medication produces lasting relief for patients with myelofibrosis: Researchers

An oral medication produces significant and lasting relief for patients with myelofibrosis, a debilitating and lethal bone marrow disorder, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report in the Sept. 16 New England Journal of Medicine.

16 Sep 2010

Spirogen, Celtic Therapeutics announces initiation of Phase II ovarian cancer trial with SG2000

Spirogen Limited and Celtic Therapeutics Holdings LP announced today the commencement of a Phase II clinical trial of SG2000 in ovarian cancer. The trial is being sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of the USA, and is now actively recruiting patients for treatment.

16 Sep 2010

BioCryst reports results from forodesine studies for CTCL and CLL

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced preliminary top-line results from its multinational, open-label, single-arm trial evaluating 200 mg once-daily oral forodesine in the treatment of relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), as well as interim results from the Company's exploratory Phase 2 study to investigate the efficacy and safety of 200 mg twice-daily oral forodesine as monotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

15 Sep 2010

COTI selected for Canadian life sciences partnering mission

Critical Outcome Technologies Inc. announced today that the Company was selected by the Consulate General of Canada and BIOTECanada to attend a life sciences partnering mission in Boston, MA. This initiative is being held in conjunction with the BioPharm America conference taking place September 15-17, 2010.

15 Sep 2010

Study to assess impact of radiation exposure on multiple cancer risk

It is well known that exposure to radiation has multiple harmful effects - including causing cancer - but until now, it has been unclear to what extent such exposure increases a person's risk of developing more than one cancer. The first large-scale study of the relationship between radiation dose and risk of multiple cancers among atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan reveals a similar risk in the development of first and second subsequent cancers.

15 Sep 2010

Canadian Cancer Society, POGO collaborate to improve quality of life in childhood cancer survivors

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) today announced that they have joined forces to improve the quality of outcomes for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer and their families.

15 Sep 2010

Apricus Biosciences announces reformulation of Rituxan enables rectal delivery of biologics

Apricus Biosciences, backed by a revenue generating CRO business and seeking to leverage its multi-route NexACT drug delivery technology and internal pipeline through out-licensing arrangements and partnerships, today announced results from a pre-clinical pharmacokinetic study showing the ability of NexACT to enable rectal delivery of biologics, such as human antibodies.

15 Sep 2010

Stars join Bupa 30th Great North Run for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

Soap stars warm up for Bupa 30th Great North Run for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research

14 Sep 2010

Notch1 protein impacts childhood leukemia progression: Study

A protein crucial for the immune response appears to be a key player in the progression of a devastating form of childhood leukemia called T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Suppressing the activity of the protein kills the leukemic cells, the study shows, opening a potential avenue to new drugs that could prevent progression of the disease.

14 Sep 2010

New approach reduces JAK2 activity by pharmacologically targeting HSP90 protein

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) comprise a family of blood cancers characterized by clonal expansion of a single blood cell type. Untreated, these cancers can progress to bone marrow failure and acute myeloid leukemia. Several groups have identified activating mutations in the JAK2 gene as associated with MPN; JAK2 inhibition has therefore emerged as approach to MPN therapy.

14 Sep 2010