Proliferation News and Research

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Indefinite expansion of adult cells without recourse to stem cell intermediates possible

Is the indefinite expansion of adult cells possible without recourse to stem cell intermediates? The team led by Michael Sieweke at the Centre d'immunologie de Marseille Luminy (Université Aix-Marseille 2 / CNRS / INSERM) has proved that this is the case by achieving the ex vivo regeneration for several months of macrophages, specialized cells in the immune system.

16 Nov 2009

Cequent Pharmaceuticals proposes the first test of an orally administered RNA interference drug in humans

Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based treatments to prevent and treat human disease, has announced that it has filed its first IND (investigational new drug) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

12 Nov 2009

Stapled Peptides directly inhibit the Notch transcription factor complex

Aileron Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company leading the development of a new class of drugs called Stapled Peptides, announced today that its collaborators, James E. Bradner, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and Gregory L. Verdine, PhD, Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University, published research in Nature entitled, “Direct Inhibition of the Notch Transcription Factor Complex.”

12 Nov 2009

Stapled Peptides can inhibit key intracellular biological targets, says new research

Aileron Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company leading the development of a new class of drugs called Stapled Peptides, announced today that its collaborators, James E. Bradner, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and Gregory L. Verdine, PhD, Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University, published research in Nature entitled, "Direct Inhibition of the Notch Transcription Factor Complex." Results presented in the paper showed that Stapled Peptides can potently and directly inhibit the transcription factor Notch, an oncogene implicated in cancer cell proliferation and survival.

12 Nov 2009

Potential new drug for lung cancer eliminates tumors in mice

A potential new drug for lung cancer has eliminated tumours in 50% of mice in a new study published today in the journal Cancer Research. In the animals, the drug also stopped lung cancer tumours from growing and becoming resistant to treatment. The authors of the research, from Imperial College London, are now planning to take the drug into clinical trials, to establish whether it could offer hope to patients with an inoperable form of lung cancer.

11 Nov 2009

New technique to identify patients more likely to survive advanced melanoma

Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs. Now it may be possible to identify which patients are more likely to survive by analyzing the activity of hundreds of genes involved in the immune response and gene proliferation, according to researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center.

10 Nov 2009

Graceway Pharmaceuticals acquires global rights to Gilead Sciences' GS 9191 anti-proliferative agent

Graceway Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a portfolio company of GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC, today announced that the company has acquired from Gilead Sciences, Inc. the worldwide license, including related regulatory filings and intellectual properties, to Gilead’s investigational molecule, GS 9191, for topical use. GS 9191 is an anti-proliferative agent that works by inhibiting cellular DNA synthesis, leading to the induction of apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

7 Nov 2009

Research reveals new biological function of polycystins in regulating pressure sensing

What is the role of proteins called polycystins in patients with polycystic kidney disease? A team of researchers from CNRS and INSERM, led by Eric Honoré from the Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC, Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis/CNRS) has elucidated the molecular and cellular mechanisms linked to polycystin malfunctions that cause this common hereditary disease.

6 Nov 2009

New therapeutic approach targets cancer cells, not normal cells

The ultimate goal in cancer research, a treatment that kills cancer cells whilst leaving healthy cells untouched, is brought nearer by the success of a new therapeutic approach. The potential therapy, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research, targets proliferation of cancer, but not normal, cells.

5 Nov 2009

Health Canada approves the marketing of BioMimetic Therapeutics' Augment Bone Graft

BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has received approval from Health Canada to begin the marketing of its lead orthopedic product, Augment™ Bone Graft, as an alternative to the use of autograft in midfoot, hindfoot and ankle fusion indications in Canada.

3 Nov 2009

Scientists discover two genes that can lead to aggressive leukaemia

Two genes, each one of which is known to cause cancer on its own, together can lead to aggressive leukaemia. This is the conclusion from new research carried out on gene-modified mice at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The discovery has surprised scientists, and may lead to new treatments.

3 Nov 2009

Two cancer-causing genes together can lead to aggressive leukaemia

3 Nov 2009

Absence of male hormones extends transplanted cell survival, says new study

Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), cells found in the layer of peripheral embryonic stem cells from which the placenta is formed, are thought to exhibit "immune privilege" that aids cell survivability and is potentially beneficial for cell and gene therapies. Further, the survivability of TSCs has been thought to require the presence of ovarian hormones. However, none of these assumptions has ever been verified.

30 Oct 2009

Researchers use BEZ235 drug to eliminate NSCL cancer

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have eliminated non-small cell lung (NSCL) cancer in mice by using an investigative drug called BEZ235 in combination with low-dose radiation.

30 Oct 2009

AAHP updates about the sale of homeopathic medicines to prevent the flu

Recent news articles regarding the scarcity of the "flu shot" (or influenza inoculations) have been widespread. The shortage of the material, due to manufacturing and regulatory issues, has led to increased interest in homeopathic Influenzinum.

29 Oct 2009

Recipients of the second round of funding under CLL/SLL Research Initiative announced by LRF

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is pleased to announce that David Frank, MD, PhD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Thomas Kipps, MD, PhD, Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego are the recipients of the second round of funding under the Foundation's Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) Research Initiative.

29 Oct 2009

Modern techniques can reduce current shortage of H1N1 vaccine in the U.S.

President Barack Obama declared H1N1 a national emergency this weekend, a status that will give the federal government greater flexibility and authority to contain the pandemic. But the current shortage of H1N1 vaccine underscores the severe lack of U.S. preparedness in responding to pandemics, whether through natural disease transmission or manmade bioterrorist attacks, according to a new video from the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.

29 Oct 2009

Nevada case raises question of pharmacies' liability in drug abuse accidents

A Nevada case causes concern for pharmacies about possible liability for actions taken by customers who may abuse drugs. The Wall Street Journal reports on the case of Patricia Copening, who pleaded guilty to reckless driving after her car swerved off a highway and struck and killed a 21-year-old and injured a 33-year-old.

28 Oct 2009

Potential link exists between histone mRNA formation and apoptosis

A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has identified a key player in a molecular process essential for DNA replication within cells.

26 Oct 2009

Professor Suzanne Cory receives award for her work in cancer and immunogenetics

Professor Suzanne Cory, the former director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia, has been named the recipient of the 2009 Pearl Meister Greengard Prize.

24 Oct 2009