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No evidence that antioxidant supplements interfere with therapeutic effects of chemotherapy agents

There is no evidence that antioxidant supplements interfere with the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy agents, according to a recent systematic review of the use of antioxidants during chemotherapy, available in the May, 2007 issue of the journal Cancer Treatment Reviews.

25 Apr 2007

Ranolazine safe but not effective in reducing major cardiac events in ACS patients

The anti-anginal medication ranolazine was shown to be safe in regard to certain outcomes but did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack or recurrent ischemia following acute coronary syndromes, according to a study in the April 25 issue of JAMA.

25 Apr 2007

Abbott submits NDA for combination Niaspan/Simvastatin tablet

Abbott has submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for a fixed-dose combination (Simcor) of Niaspan (extended-release niacin) and simvastatin.

24 Apr 2007

Virtual colonoscopy most cost-effective colon cancer screening test

A new study says targeting smaller (5 mm) lesions does little to significantly reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and, in fact, results in extremely high financial costs and a large proportion of adverse events.

24 Apr 2007

Pharmacyclics announces NDA for Xcytrin injection

Pharmacyclics, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed the company's New Drug Application (NDA) for Xcytrin (motexafin gadolinium) Injection.

24 Apr 2007

Lawmakers urged to provide much needed oversight of bioidentical hormones

Testifying before the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging, Dr. Leonard Wartofsky, president of The Endocrine Society strongly urged lawmakers to increase regulatory oversight of so-called "bioidentical hormones," which have been inaccurately promoted as a safer and more effective alternative to traditional hormone therapies for women.

20 Apr 2007

Schering-Plough plans phase III trials for novel selective antiplatelet therapy

Schering-Plough Corporation has announced plans to initiate two global Phase III large-scale clinical outcomes trials for its novel selective oral antiplatelet therapy, the thrombin receptor antagonist (TRA) SCH 530348.

20 Apr 2007

Novel targeted therapy effectively treats acute leukemia

Researchers from the Children's Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that a novel targeted therapy effectively treats acute leukemia in animal models by preventing cancer cells from being purged of damaged proteins.

20 Apr 2007

New anti-rejection medication 6-month results for heart transplant recipients to be released

New clinical trial results for heart transplant patients will be released at the upcoming International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) 27th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions at the Hilton San Francisco, April 25-28, 2007.

20 Apr 2007

Antibiotics before dental procedures may do more harm than good

Taking a precautionary antibiotic before a trip to the dentist isn't necessary for most people, and in fact, might create more harm than good, according to updated recommendations from the American Heart Association.

20 Apr 2007

Should government negotiate drug prices?

The following is written by Dr. Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Minority Quality Forum, on the topic of drug prices and the emerging majority:

20 Apr 2007

Researcher looks at health benefits of plant-based phytochemicals

Nutrition: It's not just the four basic food groups any more. Researcher Dr. Susanne Mertens-Talcott of Texas A&M University is looking into how plant-based phytochemicals, including antioxidants and herbal supplements, can be useful in the promotion of health and prevention of chronic diseases.

19 Apr 2007

LASIK for patients 40-69 years old

A new University of Illinois at Chicago study appearing in the online edition of the journal Ophthalmology reports on the safety, efficacy and predictability of laser eye surgery (laser in situ keratomileusis or LASIK) in patients 40-69 years old.

19 Apr 2007

Genta Incorporated announces phase 3 trial of Genasense in patients with advanced melanoma

Genta Incorporated has announced that the Company will conduct a new randomized controlled Phase 3 trial of its lead anticancer product, Genasense (oblimersen sodium) Injection, in patients with advanced melanoma.

19 Apr 2007

FDA approves new Actonel dose

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new dose for Actonel (risedronate sodium tablets) that will give patients the option of taking one Actonel 75 mg tablet on two consecutive days, for a total of two tablets monthly, to treat and prevent their postmenopausal osteoporosis.

18 Apr 2007

Vaccine halts progression of pancreatic cancer in some patients

A dendritic cell-based therapeutic vaccine for pancreatic cancer developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has successfully stalled the disease from progressing in a handful of patients three years post-vaccination.

18 Apr 2007

Immunomedics presents results on novel immunotoxin for prostate and lung cancers

Immunomedics has presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research results on the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel immunotoxin, Rap-hRS7, for the potential treatment of prostate and lung cancers.

18 Apr 2007

More effective therapies for individual cancers - personalized medicine

Genetic and epigenetic variations ensure that no two people are exactly alike, and the same holds true for any two cancers.

18 Apr 2007

Taking a jab at cancer by stimulating the immune system

As the first FDA-approved cancer vaccine, designed to protect against human papillomavirus, has moved from scientific discussion to social debate, other vaccine studies are continuing to make progress.

18 Apr 2007

Benefits of antidepressants for children and teens with depression or anxiety disorders may outweigh risks

A review of previous studies indicates that the benefits of antidepressants for children and teens with depression or anxiety disorders may outweigh their risks, and that the increased risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts from using these medications is not statistically significant, according to an article in the April 18 issue of JAMA.

18 Apr 2007