Anemia News and Research

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Anemia is a decrease in normal number of red blood cells (RBCs) or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin deficiency. The three main classes of anemia include excessive blood loss (acutely such as a hemorrhage or chronically through low-volume loss), excessive blood cell destruction (hemolysis) or deficient red blood cell production (ineffective hematopoiesis). Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anemia, produced by a variety of underlying causes. Anemia can be classified in a variety of ways, based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, to mention a few.

Pre-existing malaria prevents secondary infection by another Plasmodium strain

A team of researchers have found that pre-existing malaria prevents secondary infection by another Plasmodium strain, the parasite responsible for malaria, by restricting iron availability in the liver of the host.

16 May 2011

Merck receives FDA approval for Victrelis to treat chronic hepatitis C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Victrelis (boceprevir) to treat certain adults with chronic hepatitis C. Victrelis is used for patients who still have some liver function, and who either have not been previously treated with drug therapy for their hepatitis C or who have failed such treatment.

16 May 2011

IVF causing multiple birth rates fall

Birth rates for IVF twins and triplets have begun to fall in line with government targets aimed at reducing health risks caused by multiple pregnancies. This fall shows the efficacy of the guidelines brought in by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) that urged UK fertility clinics to limit multiple births to no more than 24% in 2009/10. Among naturally-conceived babies, only around one in 70 is a twin.

15 May 2011

Patients with sickle cell disease may require higher, frequent doses of morphine

Frequent episodes of severe pain occur in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and require treatment with potent opioid medications. A new study published in The Journal of Pain reports that SCD patients clear morphine from their blood stream quickly and, therefore, require high doses to achieve optimal analgesia.

13 May 2011

Hydroxyurea safe and effective for infants, toddlers with sickle-cell disease

In what is being hailed as a significant advance in the treatment of children with sickle cell anemia, a drug commonly used to treat adults has been shown to be safe and effective in children.

13 May 2011

ImmunID, Centre Léon Bérard and Cytheris commence CYT107-XELODA Phase IIa trial in metastatic breast cancer

Cytheris SA, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of new therapies for immune modulation, the Centre Léon Bérard, the major cancer research and treatment center for the Rhône-Alpes region of France, and ImmunID Technologies SAS, a diagnostic company specialized in innovative immunomonitoring tests and services, today announced initiation of a Phase IIa clinical trial that will evaluate multiple combinations of recombinant human interleukin-7, the investigational multifunctional cytokine under development by Cytheris, and a chemotherapeutic agent, XELODA, in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

11 May 2011

Journal of Rheumatology publishes positive results from Cimzia Phase III trial in RA

UCB announced today results from a post hoc analysis of the RAPID 1 study published in the Journal of Rheumatology. The results suggest moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with Cimzia, the only approved PEGylated anti-TNF, together with methotrexate, achieved a rapid response associated with improved long-term outcomes one year after treatment began.

11 May 2011

Allos, Mundipharma enter strategic collaboration to co-develop FOLOTYN

Allos Therapeutics, Inc. and Mundipharma International Corporation Limited today jointly announced that the companies have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to co-develop FOLOTYN (pralatrexate injection).

11 May 2011

UH chemist receives prestigious Sloan award for next-generation computer memory

Investigating the building blocks for next-generation computer memory has earned a University of Houston chemist his third Tier One research award.

10 May 2011

Aethlon seeks FDA meeting for re-initiation of Hemopurifier IDE study

Aethlon Medical, Inc. announces that it has submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a face-to-face meeting to discuss re-initiation of an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study of the Aethlon Hemopurifier in the United States.

10 May 2011

Socioeconomic status may contribute to celiac diagnostic disparity

Income is a pivotal factor in whether a patient without common symptoms of celiac disease is accurately diagnosed with the digestive condition, according to a new study from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA.

9 May 2011

ESC Heart Failure meeting offers strong scientific programme

This year the Heart Failure Congress 2011, organised by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, offers a strong scientific programme featuring 11 late breaking trials and clinical updates, over 1000 original abstracts, 14 industry sponsored satellites and mini satellites and over 70 separate sessions.

7 May 2011

Millennium presents VELCADE Phase III trial data in multiple myeloma at IMW meeting

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today reported the presentation of results of a randomized Phase III trial that investigated the effect of consolidation with single-agent VELCADE for Injection in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients after autologous stem cell transplant.

7 May 2011

AGA's cutting-edge research on GI disorders to be presented at DDW 2011

Clinicians, researchers and scientists from around the world will gather for Digestive Disease Week- 2011, the largest and most prestigious gastroenterology meeting, from May 7-10, 2011, at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.

7 May 2011

Millennium presents three studies in relapsed multiple myeloma at IMW meeting

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today reported results from three studies in relapsed multiple myeloma. Two of the studies examined the use of VELCADE for Injection; the third study presents clinical data on MLN9708, the first investigational oral proteasome inhibitor.

6 May 2011

Synthetic blood saves life

In a medical first, a revolutionary synthetic blood has saved the life of a Victorian woman. Doctors at The Alfred brought Tamara Coakley, 33, back from the brink of death after a horrific car crash left her with severe blood loss and dangerously close to heart failure.

5 May 2011

FibroGen announces proof-of-principle for FG-4592 Phase 2 study in hemodialysis patients

FibroGen, Inc., today announced proof-of-principle for oral anemia therapy FG-4592, a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, in end-stage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis.

4 May 2011

RBC transfusion linked to improved survival after intracerebral hemorrhage

In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage —a type of stroke caused by bleeding inside the brain—transfusion with red blood cells may improve the chances of survival, reports a study in the May issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

3 May 2011

Low vitamin D levels linked to anemia in children

Pediatricians from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and elsewhere have discovered a link between low levels of vitamin D and anemia in children.

2 May 2011

Babies born to obese mothers may face risk of iron deficiency

Babies born to obese mothers are at risk for iron deficiency, which could affect infant brain development, according to a study to be presented Saturday, April 30, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

30 Apr 2011