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FDA approves new therapy for adult patients with relapsing and primary progressive MS

On March 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) to treat adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS).

29 Mar 2017

FDA approves new maintenance therapy for recurrent cancers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Zejula (niraparib) for the maintenance treatment (intended to delay cancer growth) of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, whose tumors have completely or partially shrunk (complete or partial response, respectively) in response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

27 Mar 2017

FDA grants accelerated approval to new drug for treatment of rare form of skin cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to Bavencio (avelumab) for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), including those who have not received prior chemotherapy.

23 Mar 2017

Study identifies urinary biomarker that may help monitor progression of ALS

A study in Neurology suggests that analyzing levels of the protein p75ECD in urine samples from people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may help monitor disease progression as well as determine the effectiveness of therapies.

22 Mar 2017

Researchers estimate number of infants born in the U.S. with perinatal HIV infection

A new article published online by JAMA Pediatrics estimates there were 69 perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among infants born in the United States in 2013 (1.75 per 100,000 live births), down from an estimated 216 perinatal HIV infections among infants born in 2002 (5.37 per 100,000 live births).

20 Mar 2017

Pharmacists with expanded role in patient oversight reduce hospital readmission rates, study shows

Pharmacists given an expanded role in patient oversight can reduce the likelihood of high-risk patients returning to the hospital, according to a new study that underscores a potential cost-saving solution for a growing physician shortage.

16 Mar 2017

Study: Investigational Ebola vaccine regimen induced immune response that persisted for one year

A two-vaccine regimen intended to protect against Ebola virus disease induced an immune response that persisted for approximately one year in healthy adult volunteers, according to results from a Phase 1 clinical trial published in the March 14th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

15 Mar 2017

Study findings could lead to novel therapies for preventing vision loss from degenerative retinal diseases

Silencing a gene called Nrl in mice prevents the loss of cells from degenerative diseases of the retina, according to a new study.

15 Mar 2017

Natural immune molecule shows protective effect against Zika virus in mouse, monkey models

A molecule naturally produced by the immune system protects mice and monkeys against Zika virus infection, an international team of researchers has found.

14 Mar 2017

Researchers explore genomic underpinnings of obesity in continental Africans and African-Americans

An international team of researchers has conducted the first study of its kind to look at the genomic underpinnings of obesity in continental Africans and African-Americans.

13 Mar 2017

Investigational RSV vaccine protects cattle from respiratory diseases

A novel vaccine developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, protected cattle from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, according to research published online in npj Vaccines on March 8.

10 Mar 2017

Preoperative opioid use may lead to complications, readmissions and high costs post surgery

Surgery patients often go home from the hospital with a prescription for painkillers to take as they recover.

9 Mar 2017

Nearly half of all deaths caused by diabetes, stroke and heart disease linked to poor dietary habits

Nearly half of all deaths in the United States in 2012 that were caused by cardiometabolic diseases, including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, have been linked to substandard eating habits, according to a study published in the March 7 issue of JAMA and funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health.

8 Mar 2017

FDA approves new nasal spray for adults who overproduce urine at night

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Noctiva (desmopressin acetate) nasal spray for adults who awaken at least two times per night to urinate due to a condition known as nocturnal polyuria (overproduction of urine during the night).

3 Mar 2017

New study aims to better understand major factors affecting African American cancer survivors

The Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine will launch the nation's largest study of African American cancer survivors to better understand disproportionately high incidence and mortality from cancer and its impact on this specific patient population.

27 Feb 2017

NIH launches new study to test experimental vaccine that targets mosquito-transmitted diseases

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to test an investigational vaccine intended to provide broad protection against a range of mosquito-transmitted diseases, such as Zika, malaria, West Nile fever and dengue fever, and to hinder the ability of mosquitoes to transmit such infections.

22 Feb 2017

Investigational malaria vaccine protects against multiple strains, study shows

An investigational malaria vaccine has protected a small number of healthy U.S. adults from infection with a malaria strain different from that contained in the vaccine, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

22 Feb 2017

Legalization of same-sex marriage may reduce suicide attempts among high school students

The implementation of state laws legalizing same-sex marriage was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of suicide attempts among high school students - and an even greater reduction among gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents, new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research suggests.

21 Feb 2017

NIH workshop: Zika-affected infants may face complex health and developmental problems

Children exposed to Zika virus in the womb may face complex health and developmental problems as they grow older, according to discussions at a National Institutes of Health workshop.