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Chemotherapy for breast cancer does more harm than good

A fundamental principle of medicine is: "first, do no harm." However, for doctors who treat breast cancer, this is easier said than done. Every year, almost 22,000 Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer - their treatment usually involves surgery to remove a tumour and then chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

9 Nov 2010

Study discovers role of Vav1 oncogene in several cancers

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that Vav1 - an oncogene (cancer-causing gene) found in recent years to be one of the factors in tumorous tissue growth -- plays a wider role in several types of cancer than had previously been thought. The discovery has implications for further concentration on targeting this gene in cancer research.

9 Nov 2010

Scientists develop nanobioconjugate drug to target brain tumor

Nine years ago, scientists at Cedars-Sinai's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute detected a subtle shift occurring in the molecular makeup of the most aggressive type of brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme. With further study, they found that a specific protein called laminin-411 plays a major role in a tumor's ability to build new blood vessels to support its growth and spread. But technology did not exist then to block this protein.

9 Nov 2010

Study confirms defect in sweat gland function as disease biomarker for XLHED

Edimer Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company focused on developing an innovative therapy for the rare genetic disorder, X-linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (XLHED), today announced key findings of a study exploring novel approaches to the assessment of sweat function in males with XLHED. Affected individuals lack a normal sweat response, placing them at life-long risk for clinically-significant hyperthermia.

9 Nov 2010

Dabigatran etexilate benefits AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack

Today, The Lancet Neurology published positive results from a sub-group analysis of the landmark Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy (RE-LY®) trial - the largest atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes trial ever completed (18,113 patients in 44 countries worldwide). The new findings fully support the convincing results from the RE-LY® trial and show that AF patients with previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may benefit substantially from treatment with dabigatran etexilate.

9 Nov 2010

EpiCept third quarter net loss decreases to $3.2 million

EpiCept Corporation today announced operating and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, and provided an update with respect to the Company's key business initiatives.

9 Nov 2010

Women prefer silicone implants after double mastectomy

A new study has found that women who receive silicone implants after a double mastectomy are more satisfied with their breasts than women who receive saline implants. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may help physicians and breast cancer survivors as they together make decisions related to postmastectomy reconstructive surgery.

9 Nov 2010

Anti-TNF therapy increases risk of varicella zoster virus infections

Anti tumor necrosis factor therapy increases the risk of developing varicella zoster virus infections, including shingles and chicken pox, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

9 Nov 2010

New COLD-PCR technology to detect EGFR gene mutation

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced completion of a development study of several new assays to detect genetic mutations using the Company's proprietary Co-amplification at Lower Denaturing Temperature PCR (COLD-PCR) technology in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene.

8 Nov 2010

Excess levels of TNF immune signaling protein key factor in AD

Three new studies provide converging evidence pointing to a new therapeutic target in Alzheimer's Disease(AD). These studies, from independent academic centers in the U.S., England, and China, point to excess levels of a protein called TNF as a key factor in AD. TNF is an immune signaling protein that regulates both inflammation and neuronal communication in the brain.

8 Nov 2010

Study finds anti-gout medication may reduce risk of colorectal cancer

Allopurinol, a relatively inexpensive anti-gout medication that has been on the market for more than 20 years, may have some activity against colorectal adenomas, according to data presented at the Ninth Annual AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held here Nov. 7-10, 2010.

8 Nov 2010

Soy-based drug could prevent prostate cancer metastasis

Northwestern Medicine researchers at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University have found that a new, nontoxic drug made from a chemical in soy could prevent the movement of cancer cells from the prostate to the rest of the body.

8 Nov 2010

Thirteen myths about arthritis and rheumatic disease

A diagnosis of arthritis or another rheumatic disease can cause someone to feel anxious and even a little overwhelmed. Being a knowledgeable and empowered patient can help alleviate some of those feelings, and being able to navigate through the many misconceptions about arthritis and rheumatic diseases is vitally important.

8 Nov 2010

Positive results from Ardea's RDEA594 combination study with febuxostat or allopurinol for gout

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. announced positive results from two clinical studies of RDEA594 in combination with currently marketed drugs for the treatment of gout patients, febuxostat (Uloric®) and allopurinol.

8 Nov 2010

Crescendo Bioscience launches multi-biomarker blood test for RA

Crescendo Bioscience announced today the commercial launch of Vectra DA, its first-in-class multi-biomarker blood test designed to aid physicians in managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vectra DA analyzes 12 key serum biomarkers to produce a single objective score that quantifies RA disease activity.

8 Nov 2010

FDA authorizes Athersys' MultiStem Phase II clinical trial for ulcerative colitis

Athersys, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized commencement of a Phase II clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of administration of MultiStem, Athersys' allogeneic investigational cell therapy product, for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis.

8 Nov 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from LEVADEX QT trial for migraine

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported successful results from a thorough QT trial of its investigational LEVADEX™ orally inhaled migraine therapy. The trial evaluated the potential of a supra-therapeutic dose to cause an increase in the QT interval. Results of the trial showed that a supra-therapeutic dose of LEVADEX does not increase QTc intervals. LEVADEX is a novel orally inhaled migraine therapy that has completed Phase 3 efficacy development for the acute treatment of migraine.

8 Nov 2010

XenoPort third quarter net loss decreases to $19.9 million

XenoPort, Inc. announced today financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010. Revenues for the third quarter were $0.4 million, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2009. Net loss for the third quarter was $19.9 million, compared to a net loss of $24.4 million for the same period in 2009.

8 Nov 2010

22nd Century awarded $244,000 QTDP program grant

22nd Century Limited, LLC, a company focused on smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction products, announced that it has been awarded $244,000 in grant funding as part of the U.S. Government's Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program.

8 Nov 2010

CMU receives $2.9 million DOD research grant to develop therapy for amputees

CMU's Jeffrey O. Hollinger, director of the center, and Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski have received a three-year, $2.9 million U.S. Department of Defense research grant to develop a therapy that would aid amputees, specifically wounded soldiers. The therapy aims to prevent bone nodules from forming in the muscle at the site of amputation, a painful condition that makes it difficult for amputees to wear limb prostheses.

8 Nov 2010