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UAB researchers pinpoint protein that causes nephrotic syndrome

University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have pinpointed a protein that compromises the kidney's filtering ability, causing nephrotic syndrome, and demonstrated that a naturally occurring precursor of an acid in the body offers potential for treating some forms of the condition.

13 Dec 2010

Research identifies two genetic variants that increase risk of endometriosis

Research published today identifies two genetic variants that increase the risk of developing endometriosis, a common gynaecological disease. The study provides clues to the origin of this often very painful condition, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers.

13 Dec 2010

EU, India leaders meet to discuss trade deal, some concerned deal will jeopardize drug access in developing countries

On Friday, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht met to "present a status report on the ongoing free trade talks" that some health advocates fear could limit the supply of generic medications in developing countries, according to Business Standard. "An EU source said the report would signal that talks had made excellent progress and should be wrapped up by early next year," according to the news service (Aiyar, 12/10).

13 Dec 2010

Denosumab delays skeletal-related side effects in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases

For patients with breast cancer and bone metastases, denosumab delayed skeletal-related side effects five months longer compared to those on zoledronic acid, according to results presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8-12.

13 Dec 2010

Depression drug appears effective in reducing pain associated with breast cancer treatment

A drug commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorder was effective at reducing joint and muscle pain associated with a breast cancer treatment, according to a study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

12 Dec 2010

e-cigarettes – Debate rages around globe

Following misleading advice that ‘e-cigarettes’ are a “healthy way” to quit smoking, thousands of smokers are switching to these electronic cigarettes. According to the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and anti-smoking groups these smokeless, battery-powered e-cigarettes packed with nicotine have not been tested for safety and could pose a serious health risk. Electronic cigarettes contain an inhaler, an atomiser and nicotine suspended in propylene glycol and water. At present they are banned in NSW and Victoria but overseas suppliers sell them online.

12 Dec 2010

Stroke falls from third to fourth leading cause of death

A new report, "Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2008," released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says that for the first time in 50 years, stroke has fallen from the third to the fourth leading cause of death.

10 Dec 2010

Pfizer withdraws Thelin for treatment of PAH, discontinues global clinical studies

Pfizer Inc. announced today that, in the interest of patient safety, it is voluntarily withdrawing Thelin® (sitaxentan) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in regions where it is approved (the European Union, Canada and Australia). In addition, Pfizer is discontinuing clinical studies of Thelin worldwide.

10 Dec 2010

31-year-old mother with Gorham-Stout syndrome goes home with virtually rebuilt spine

Laurie Harms, Los Angeles, feared she'd never hold her infant daughter, Sky, again. A devastating and extremely rare bone-eroding disease - Gorham-Stout syndrome - had left the 31-year-old crumpled in a hospital bed - her neck broken, arms limp and useless, and voice muted by tubes.

10 Dec 2010

Ipilimumab in combination with paclitaxel/carboplatin for stage IIIb/IV NSCLC shows superior results

Ipilimumab used in combination with paclitaxel/carboplatin for stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer showed superior results in progression free survival when compared to paclitaxel/carboplatin alone, according to research presented at the 2010 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. This symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (ISLAC) and the University of Chicago.

10 Dec 2010

PLD/carboplatin to replace paclitaxel/carboplatin as gold-standard treatment for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that although platinum-based treatment will continue to be the standard of care for first- and second-line treatment of platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)/carboplatin will replace paclitaxel/carboplatin as the standard second-line treatment for patients who remain platinum sensitive.

10 Dec 2010

Pisgah's technology imparts abuse deterrence to commonly abused prescription drugs

Pisgah Labs announced today the findings from a proof of concept study confirming Pisgah's technology imparts abuse deterrence to commonly abused prescription drugs, particularly narcotics. The controlled study, conducted in dogs, was performed with the un-formulated active ingredient, hydrocodone, as modified according to a host of patent applications filed by Pisgah Labs with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (http://www.uspto.gov).

10 Dec 2010

Spherix Phase 2 diabetes clinical trial determines minimum D-tagatose dose capable of reducing HbA1c

Spherix Incorporated, an innovator in biotechnology for therapy in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis; and providers of technical and regulatory consulting services to food, supplement, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced that its Phase 2 diabetes clinical trial, designed to determine the minimum dose of D-tagatose capable of reducing HbA1c, found that the minimum dose capable of affecting HbA1c (7.5 g three-times daily, or TID) was within the range of doses tested

10 Dec 2010

Access problems for psychiatric patients to Medicaid medication leads to increased hospital, emergency care

Too often, mental health patients have problems accessing or paying for their prescription drugs under Medicaid. The results — longer hospital stays and more emergency room visits — are hard on patients and costly for the entire health care system, a new study finds.

10 Dec 2010

Prometheus, UCLA collaborate to identify biological markers of mucosal healing in IBD

Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, and The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles campus, today announced the execution of an exclusive research agreement that will focus on the identification of biological markers of mucosal healing in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The research will be led by Dr. Jonathan Braun, Chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and a professor of molecular and medical pharmacology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

10 Dec 2010

Simple molecular sensor color test to determine safe fluoride levels

Used in the proper amounts, it can make teeth stronger and aid in the treatment of osteoporosis. When excessive amounts are consumed, however, it can be a killer - a carcinogen that causes bone, lung and bladder cancers. The "it" is fluoride, a common additive in most American communities' drinking water and an ingredient in the vast majority of commercially produced adult toothpastes.

10 Dec 2010

WFP, UNAIDS work to improve nutritional support available for people living with HIV/AIDS

The World Program Program (WFP), with the support of UNAIDS, is planning to launch "a new policy to make food and nutritional support more available to people living with HIV," VOA News reports. The agency "says the aim of [the] program is to help patients stick to their treatment, while protecting their households from further vulnerability," the news service adds.

10 Dec 2010

Blocking growth of blood vessels with antibodies could improve treatment of cancerous tumors

A novel strategy of blocking the growth of blood vessels with antibodies should result in improved treatment of cancerous tumors.

10 Dec 2010

Using buprenorphine to treat opioid-dependent pregnant women may result in healthier babies

Using buprenorphine instead of methadone — the current standard of care — to treat opioid-dependent pregnant women may result in healthier babies, suggests new findings from an international team led by Johns Hopkins researchers and published in the Dec. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

10 Dec 2010

PharmaDirections congratulates Orexigen on FDA Advisory approval for Contrave

PharmaDirections congratulates Orexigen Therapeutics on achieving FDA Advisory Board approval for their anti-obesity drug Contrave™. PharmaDirections is proud to have been Orexigen's pharmaceutical development partner and to have developed and produced the first Contrave™ product to undergo full clinical development.

10 Dec 2010

Drugs News and Research

UAB researchers pinpoint protein that causes nephrotic syndrome

Research identifies two genetic variants that increase risk of endometriosis

EU, India leaders meet to discuss trade deal, some concerned deal will jeopardize drug access in developing countries

Denosumab delays skeletal-related side effects in patients with breast cancer and bone metastases

Depression drug appears effective in reducing pain associated with breast cancer treatment

e-cigarettes – Debate rages around globe

Stroke falls from third to fourth leading cause of death

Pfizer withdraws Thelin for treatment of PAH, discontinues global clinical studies

31-year-old mother with Gorham-Stout syndrome goes home with virtually rebuilt spine

Ipilimumab in combination with paclitaxel/carboplatin for stage IIIb/IV NSCLC shows superior results

PLD/carboplatin to replace paclitaxel/carboplatin as gold-standard treatment for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

Pisgah's technology imparts abuse deterrence to commonly abused prescription drugs

Spherix Phase 2 diabetes clinical trial determines minimum D-tagatose dose capable of reducing HbA1c

Access problems for psychiatric patients to Medicaid medication leads to increased hospital, emergency care

Prometheus, UCLA collaborate to identify biological markers of mucosal healing in IBD

Simple molecular sensor color test to determine safe fluoride levels

WFP, UNAIDS work to improve nutritional support available for people living with HIV/AIDS

Blocking growth of blood vessels with antibodies could improve treatment of cancerous tumors

Using buprenorphine to treat opioid-dependent pregnant women may result in healthier babies

PharmaDirections congratulates Orexigen on FDA Advisory approval for Contrave

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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