Platelets News and Research

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ASH to award 2013 William Dameshek Prize to Andrew S. Weyrich

The American Society of Hematology will present the 2013 William Dameshek Prize to Andrew S. Weyrich, PhD, of The University of Utah for his seminal research on the cellular and molecular causes of blood clots.

2 Aug 2013

Combination of tPA with infusion of antiplatelet drug dissolves blood clots safely

The combination of the clot-busting drug tPA with an infusion of the antiplatelet drug eptifibatide dissolves blood clots safely and more quickly than tPA alone, a study led by University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers has found.

31 Jul 2013

Interferon-free treatment for genotype-1b hepatitis C patients: an interview with Professor Wulf Boecher, Boehringer Ingelheim

Genotype 1 is, worldwide, the most prevalent genotype of the hepatitis C virus. It accounts for around seventy percent of all hepatitis C infections.

30 Jul 2013

Platelet activation inhibits host cell entry of HIV, shows research

Scientists of the DPZ have shown that platelet activation inhibits the host cell entry of HIV. Infection biologists of the German Primate Center (DPZ) under the direction of Stefan Pöhlmann have found evidence that platelets (thrombocytes) might constitute an innate defense against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

24 Jul 2013

Fixed-ratio transfusion protocol in trauma patients is feasible, but wastes blood plasma

The use of a 1:1:1 blood transfusion protocol in patients with severe trauma is feasible in hospitals, although it is associated with higher waste of plasma, according to a randomized trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

16 Jul 2013

International team explores genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax in the Americas

Human migrations - from the prehistoric epoch to the present day - have extended cultures across the globe. With these travelers have come unwanted stowaways: mosquito-borne parasites belonging to the Plasmodium species - a group responsible for malaria, worldwide.

12 Jul 2013

Duke researchers solve some mysteries related to the use of aspirin

Aspirin has been widely used for more than 50 years as a common, inexpensive blood thinner for patients with heart disease and stroke, but doctors have little understanding of how it works and why some people benefit and others don't.

4 Jul 2013

Study shows activated blood platelets enable cancer cells to penetrate blood vessels

Malignant tumours often spread to remote areas of the body. In the majority of cases, metastases formation develops via the blood vascular system. The blood platelets thereby provide invaluable help to the tumour cells in penetrating new organs.

4 Jul 2013

Genentech's Perjeta regimen gets FDA Priority Review for HER2-positive early stage breast cancer

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the company's supplemental Biologics License Application for the use of a Perjeta (pertuzumab) regimen before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment) in people with HER2-positive early stage breast cancer.

2 Jul 2013

New study provides guidelines for stem cell transplantation in older MDS patients

A new study by an international team led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists provides the first statistically-based guidelines for determining whether a stem cell transplant is appropriate for older patients with myelodysplastic syndromes - the most common blood disorders in people over 60 years of age, and frequently a precursor for leukemia.

25 Jun 2013

Scientists discover new mechanism to protect body from harmful bacteria

Scientists at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine have discovered a mechanism that is used to protect the body from harmful bacteria. Platelets, a component of blood typically associated with clotting, were discovered to actively search for specific bacteria, and upon detection, seal it off from the rest of the body. The findings, which were published in Nature Immunology this week, provide the science community with a greater understanding of immunity.

19 Jun 2013

European Commission amends marketing authorisation for Celgene's REVLIMID

Celgene International Sàrl was today notified that the European Commission has amended the marketing authorisation for REVLIMID. This decision means that REVLIMID is now approved to treat patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality when other therapeutic options are insufficient or inadequate.

17 Jun 2013

Cerus enrolls patient in two European clinical trials for INTERCEPT System for RBCs

Cerus Corporation announced today that it has initiated patient enrollment in two European Phase III clinical trials for the INTERCEPT System for red blood cells.

11 Jun 2013

Study: New genetic marker predicts warfarin dose in African-Americans

A newfound genetic marker promises to better predict warfarin dose in African-Americans, according to a study published online today in The Lancet. If confirmed in further studies, the finding may help to avert more of the bleeds and blood clots that come when a patient's starting dose misses the drug's narrow safety window.

5 Jun 2013

RBC transfusion during cardiac surgery can increase risk of postoperative infection

The risk of postoperative infection appears to increase when patients receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during or after cardiac surgery, and greater attention to practices that limit red blood cell use could potentially reduce the occurrence of major postoperative infections, according to a study published in the June 2013 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

1 Jun 2013

Novel approach to create unlimited number of human red blood cells, platelets in vitro

A study led by Boston University School of Medicine has identified a novel approach to create an unlimited number of human red blood cells and platelets in vitro. In collaboration with Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center, the researchers differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells into these cell types, which are typically obtained through blood donations.

31 May 2013

TSRI scientists devise new technique to find therapeutic antibodies

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have devised a powerful new technique for finding antibodies that have a desired biological effect. Antibodies, which can bind to billions of distinct targets, are already used in many of the world's best-selling medicines, diagnostics and laboratory reagents.

24 May 2013

FDA gives Priority Review to Celgene's ABRAXANE sNDA for advanced pancreatic cancer

Celgene International Sàrl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has assigned a Priority Review designation to the supplemental New Drug Application for the use of ABRAXANE (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in combination with gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

23 May 2013

Prostate cancer drug Xofigo gets FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) to treat men with symptomatic late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to bones but not to other organs.

16 May 2013

UIC's Center for Clinical and Translational Science selects six research projects for new pilot grants

The University of Illinois at Chicago's Center for Clinical and Translational Science has selected six research projects to receive pilot grants in 2013.

15 May 2013