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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

Polaris initiates ADI-PEG 20 Phase 3 trial in hepatocellular carcinoma

Polaris Group today announced that it has dosed the first patient in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating its lead cancer therapeutic, pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20), in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

29 Jul 2011

Routine dipstick urine test may identify individuals with silent kidney disease

A simple and inexpensive urine test routinely done in family doctors' offices may be the key to identifying individuals who are silently undergoing rapid kidney function decline, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology.

29 Jul 2011

New protein 3D model could inhibit cancer development

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have developed a new structural model of a protein, which makes it possible to develop more effective drugs to target diseases such as cancer, heart disease and influenza.

29 Jul 2011

Celgene reports second quarter total revenue of $1.18 billion

Celgene Corporation announced non-GAAP net income of $417 million, or non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.89, for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2010 was $323 million, or non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.69.

28 Jul 2011

Cigarette smoke exposure alters airway tissue in people with COPD

Cigarette smoke exposure fundamentally alters airway tissue from people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the cellular level, laying the groundwork for airway thickening and even precipitating precancerous changes in cell proliferation that may be self-perpetuating long after cigarette smoke exposure ends, according to Australian researchers.

28 Jul 2011

Mitochondrial genome undergoes random reorganisation during reprogramming

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are truly talented multi-taskers. They can reproduce almost all cell types and thus offer great hope in the fight against diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. However, it would appear that their use is not entirely without risk: during the reprogramming of body cells into iPS cells, disease-causing mutations can creep into the genetic material.

28 Jul 2011

Scientists show how RET gene in breast cancer cells responds to estrogen

Using human breast cancer cells and the protein that causes fireflies to glow, a Johns Hopkins team has shed light on why some breast cancer cells become resistant to the anticancer effects of the drug tamoxifen. The key is a discovery of two genetic "dimmer switches" that apparently control how a breast cancer gene responds to the female hormone estrogen.

28 Jul 2011

Researchers identify gene linked to Lesch-Nyhan disease

In humans, inherited mutations in a gene called HPRT1 lead to very specific self-destructive behavior. Boys with Lesch-Nyhan disease experience uncontrollable urges to bite their fingers, slam their arms into doorways and otherwise harm themselves.

28 Jul 2011

Inspiration presents OBI-1 pivotal study data on hemophilia at 23rd ISTH congress

Ipsen today announced that its partner Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. presented data from its clinical development program for OBI-1, an intravenous (IV) recombinant porcine factor VIII product (rpFVIII), intended for the treatment of bleeding in people with hemophilia A with inhibitors and in people with acquired hemophilia.

28 Jul 2011

Isis, Genzyme submit European MAA for mipomersen to treat familial hypercholesterolemia

Genzyme, a Sanofi company, and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that Genzyme has submitted a marketing authorization application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency seeking approval for the 200 mg weekly dose of mipomersen for the treatment of homozygous and severe heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

28 Jul 2011

University of Pittsburgh to honor Synthetic Genomics CEO with Dickson Prize

The scientist-entrepreneur who led efforts to map the first draft of the human genome as well as the complete diploid genome and to construct the first synthetic bacterium has been named this year's recipient of the University of Pittsburgh's Dickson Prize in Medicine.

28 Jul 2011

Repligen first quarter total revenue increases 9% to $7,654,000

Repligen Corporation today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, ended June 30, 2011.

27 Jul 2011

Scientists reveal complete three-dimensional atomic structure of an activated GPCR

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are popular drug targets, accounting for about one-third of approved drugs and many hundreds of drugs currently in development. They act as molecular switches that transduce extracellular signals by activating heterotrimeric G proteins located at the inside of the cell.

27 Jul 2011

Study reveals several compounds that block cancer cell invasion

Metastasis-the spread of cancer from the place where it first started to another place in the body-is the most common reason that cancer treatments fail. To metastasize, some types of cancer cells rely on invadopodia, cellular membrane projections that act like feet, helping them "walk" away from the primary tumor and invade surrounding tissues.

27 Jul 2011

Positive results from phase Ib/IIa trial of novel molecular technique for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A molecular technique originally developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has taken one step closer to becoming a treatment for the devastating genetic disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

27 Jul 2011

All football players do not get chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Preliminary results from the first four brains donated to the Canadian Sports Concussion Project at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, TorontoWesternHospital, reveal that two of the four former Canadian Football League (CFL) players suffered from a brain disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), while two did not show signs of CTE.

27 Jul 2011

New preclinical data from Baxter's BAX 499 hemophilia study presented at ISTH

Baxter International Inc. announced today that new data from a series of studies on BAX 499, an investigational compound for potential subcutaneous hemophilia therapy, were presented this week during the 23rd annual congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) in Kyoto, Japan.

From Baxter International Inc. 27 Jul 2011

Study suggests common process for both pleasurable and anxiety-reducing effects of nicotine

Removing a protein from cells located in the brain's reward center blocks the anxiety-reducing and rewarding effects of nicotine, according to a new animal study in the July 27 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. The findings may help researchers better understand how nicotine affects the brain.

27 Jul 2011

Lipid-based nanocarrier can improve cancer treatments

Scientists seeking to improve cancer treatments have created a tiny drug transporter that maximizes its ability to silence damaging genes by finding the equivalent of an expressway into a target cell.

27 Jul 2011

NSU, Immunotec collaborate to determine effects of Immunocal on children with ASD

Immunotec Inc. announces that Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Florida is conducting a study to determine the effects of Immunocal on the behaviours of children with autism spectrum disorder.

27 Jul 2011