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Findings suggest that a prosaposin-based drug could block metastasis spread

Findings suggest that a prosaposin-based drug could block metastasis spread

By studying the roles two proteins, thrombospondin-1 and prosaposin, play in discouraging cancer metastasis, a trans-Atlantic research team has identified a five-amino acid fragment of prosaposin that significantly reduces metastatic spread in mouse models of prostate, breast and lung cancer. [More]
Kidneys discarded for transplant can be used for manufacturing replacement organs, say researchers

Kidneys discarded for transplant can be used for manufacturing replacement organs, say researchers

Nearly 20 percent of kidneys that are recovered from deceased donors in the U.S. are refused for transplant due to factors ranging from scarring in small blood vessels of the kidney's filtering units to the organ going too long without blood or oxygen. But, what if instead of being discarded, these organs could be "recycled" to help solve the critical shortage of donor organs? [More]
AbbVie starts Phase 3 clinical study of atrasentan in patients with diabetic nephropathy

AbbVie starts Phase 3 clinical study of atrasentan in patients with diabetic nephropathy

AbbVie announced today the initiation of a Phase 3 clinical study called SONAR (Study Of Diabetic Nephropathy with Atrasentan) to assess the effects of the investigational compound atrasentan - when added to standard of care - on progression of kidney disease in patients with stage 2 to 4 chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. [More]
Cell Therapeutics announces issuance of final benefit assessment report for PIXUVRI

Cell Therapeutics announces issuance of final benefit assessment report for PIXUVRI

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today reported that Germany's Federal Joint Committee has issued its final benefit assessment report for PIXUVRI (pixantrone), which is indicated as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who have failed two or three prior lines of therapy. [More]
Researchers link coffee consumption with reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Researchers link coffee consumption with reduced risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Research presented today at Digestive Disease Week explores new discoveries in liver disease research, with findings about the impact of coffee on autoimmune disease and palliative care for cirrhotic patients. [More]
Diaverum to present results of latest research work at ERA/EDTA 2013

Diaverum to present results of latest research work at ERA/EDTA 2013

Diaverum, one of the world's leading renal care service providers, is presenting its service portfolio and the results of its latest research at the ERA/EDTA 2013. [More]
Viewpoints: When a doctor should keep quiet; 2 views of hospital pricing; Stem cell 'snake oil'

Viewpoints: When a doctor should keep quiet; 2 views of hospital pricing; Stem cell 'snake oil'

In medical school, we were taught not to withhold information from our patients or to be "paternal" in making decisions for them. We internalized the idea that fully informed patients are better equipped to make treatment decisions. [More]
Robotic transplantation may reduce health disparities for obese patients with chronic kidney failure

Robotic transplantation may reduce health disparities for obese patients with chronic kidney failure

Obese patients who received robotic kidney transplants had fewer wound complications than patients who received traditional "open" transplant surgery, according to surgeons at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. [More]

Study suggests need for better anti-rejection therapies

Transplant researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine challenge a long-held assumption about how biologic pathways trigger immune system rejection of donor organs in a report published online today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. [More]
Research breakthrough: Human skin cells becomes embryonic stem cells

Research breakthrough: Human skin cells becomes embryonic stem cells

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center have successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells capable of transforming into any other cell type in the body. [More]
Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals recognized as a rare disease pioneer

Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals recognized as a rare disease pioneer

Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the Company was recognized last evening as a rare disease pioneer at the 30th anniversary celebration of The National Organization for Rare Disorders. [More]

Sterling Insurance increases availability of Sterling Critical Condition to 31 states

Sterling Insurance is proud to announce the expansion of Sterling Critical Condition in 18 additional states, increasing the availability to 31 states. [More]
Tel Aviv University researchers invent a method for repairing damaged peripheral nerves

Tel Aviv University researchers invent a method for repairing damaged peripheral nerves

Some parts of the body, like the liver, can regenerate themselves after damage. But others, such as our nervous system, are considered either irreparable or slow to recover, leaving thousands with a lifetime of pain, limited mobility, or even paralysis. [More]
Cancer Institute of New Jersey honors nurses with Oncology Nursing Excellence Awards

Cancer Institute of New Jersey honors nurses with Oncology Nursing Excellence Awards

From treatment, to research, to education, the expertise of oncology nurses in managing cancer runs the gamut. To celebrate the dedication of these professionals, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey this week honored members of its nursing team with its annual Oncology Nursing Excellence Awards during the Elizabeth Gibby Osborne Lecture. [More]
Children on dialysis for severe kidney disease have reduce risk of death

Children on dialysis for severe kidney disease have reduce risk of death

Children on dialysis for severe kidney disease have a dramatically reduced risk of death compared to 20 years ago, a new study shows. The findings, from a study led by Dr. Bethany Foster from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), are very encouraging for children with end-stage kidney disease. [More]
New data help explain hospital pricing, but experts caution that Medicare and insurers get much lower rates

New data help explain hospital pricing, but experts caution that Medicare and insurers get much lower rates

Although the government releases a list of what hospitals across the country charge for common procedures in an effort to make health costs more transparent, few patients or their insurers pay that. [More]
Study finds disparity in live-donor kidney transplants in African Americans

Study finds disparity in live-donor kidney transplants in African Americans

While the percentage of kidney transplants involving live donors has remained stable for other minority populations, African Americans have seen a decline in live donors even as more of them receive kidney transplants, according to a study by Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. [More]

Ochsner Medical Center performs Gulf South Region's first implant of SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

When Alfred Williams was admitted to Ochsner Medical Center in December, the 41-year-old father of five had exhausted all treatment options for his enlarged heart. His condition, known as dilated cardiomyopathy, had progressed to end-stage heart failure affecting both sides of his heart. Unable to walk, he had been confined to a bed for months. Hospice care seemed like the only option Mr. Williams had left… until doctors approached him about becoming Ochsner's first patient to receive the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart. [More]

First Edition: May 9, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the politics surrounding the health law, both in terms of the latest GOP push for repeal and the Obama administration's implementation efforts. [More]
Loyola opens 20-bed unit for patients undergoing stem cell transplants for cancers

Loyola opens 20-bed unit for patients undergoing stem cell transplants for cancers

Loyola University Medical Center has opened a new 20-bed unit for patients undergoing stem cell transplants for cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. [More]