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RBC boosting drugs may undermine breast cancer treatment with Herceptin

Red-blood-cell-boosting drugs used to treat anemia may undermine breast cancer treatment with Herceptin, a targeted therapy that blocks the cancer-promoting HER2 protein, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report in the Nov. 16 edition of Cancer Cell.

16 Nov 2010

Plant-based respiratory allergies on the rise due to climate change

Bad news for 35 million allergy sufferers - ragweed, fungal spores and poison ivy are thriving due to rising carbon dioxide levels. At the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Phoenix, Nov. 11-16, allergists and scientists discussed the effects of rising CO2 levels and a changing climate on plant biology and public health.

12 Nov 2010

Hygeia completes HYG-102 preclinical studies for vulvar and vaginal atrophy, and age-related skin fragility

Hygeia Therapeutics, Inc. announced today the successful completion of a series of preclinical studies for HYG-102, their lead product for the treatment of vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) and age-related skin fragility. HYG-102 is the lead biodegradable estrogenic candidate in a portfolio of 23 similar compounds licensed from the laboratory of Dr. Richard Hochberg of Yale University.

11 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

TRPM7 protein plays a key role in maintenance of magnesium homeostasis

An international team led by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School has published new findings that demonstrate how a specific protein controls the body's ability to balance magnesium levels. Magnesium is an essential element for good health and is critical to more than 300 biochemical reactions that occur in the body.

8 Nov 2010

Bortezomib reduces inflammation and promotes bone healing in arthritis models

A new study by Greek researchers suggests that the biologic drug bortezomib (Velcade), a proteasome inhibitor used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), may represent a promising treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, bortezomib displayed favorable effects in an animal model of inflammatory arthritis that mimics RA, in reducing disease severity and inflammation, and promoting bone healing. Full findings of this study are published in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

3 Nov 2010

Type of contrast agent influences changes in stem cell proliferation

When researchers tested three different labeling agents on three different stem cell populations to determine what effect the labeling agents had on stem cell phenotype, biological behavior and migration abilities, they found changes in stem cell proliferation depending on the type of contrast agent used.

2 Nov 2010

Effective treatment for brain cancer in daffodils

When looking for new ways to treat aggressive brain cancers, an international team of scientists turned a new leaf and "discovered" the lowly daffodil. A new research study published in the November 2010 print issue of The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) offers hope that a natural compound found in daffodil bulbs, called narciclasine, may be a powerful therapeutic against biologically aggressive forms of human brain cancers.

2 Nov 2010

FDA grants Clinical Data's PRX-8066 Orphan Drug Designation for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Clinical Data, Inc. today announced that the Office of Orphan Products Development of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to PRX-8066, the Company's selective serotonin 2B (5-HT2B) receptor antagonist.

1 Nov 2010

Researchers generate bioengineered human liver organoid using bioscaffold

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center's Institute for Regenerative Medicine demonstrated the generation of a bioengineered human liver organoid using a liver bioscaffold made from an intact liver extracellular matrix, and filled (seeded) with primary human liver progenitor and endothelial cells.

1 Nov 2010

EcoNugenics introduces new nutraceutical compound for breast health

EcoNugenics® is proud to introduce BreastDefend™, a new nutraceutical compound formulated specifically to promote and maintain breast health. Physician-formulated BreastDefend is crafted from eight exclusive, clinically tested compounds, including scientifically supported nutrients, herbs, and medicinal mushrooms.

30 Oct 2010

Elevated amounts of SP2 protein turn stem cells into cancerous tumors: Research

Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that the overproduction of a key protein in stem cells causes those stem cells to form cancerous tumors. Their work may lead to new treatments for a variety of cancers.

28 Oct 2010

Lead exposure may reverse blindness: Research

Some unexpected effects of lead exposure that may one day help prevent and reverse blindness have been uncovered by a University of Houston (UH) professor and his team.

26 Oct 2010

Daily dose of whole body vibration reduces bone density loss

A daily dose of whole body vibration may help reduce the usual bone density loss that occurs with age, Medical College of Georgia researchers report.

25 Oct 2010

Study finds metabolic syndrome may indicate breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women

Metabolic syndrome, associated with the sedentary lifestyle and energy dense diet of Western industrialized societies, may be an indicator of breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women, according to a new study to be released at the National Italian American Foundation event, "Let's Talk About It: A Spotlight on Women's Health" on October 22nd at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

25 Oct 2010

BAFF protein can promote aggressive leukemia and lymphomas

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells survive and thrive not just by their own innate wiles, but by also acquiring aid and support from host cells in their surrounding environment.

25 Oct 2010

Targeting c-Met protein may be effective for patients with metastatic liver cancer

A more personalized treatment for people with a type of metastatic liver cancer hepatocellular carcinoma may be possible by targeting the protein c-Met, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

25 Oct 2010

Intestinal microbiota can increase broccoli’s cancer-preventive power: Research

A University of Illinois study has shown for the first time that sulforaphane, the powerful cancer-fighting agent in broccoli, can be released from its parent compound by bacteria in the lower gut and absorbed into the body.

22 Oct 2010

Union Springs, BIOSAFE enter agreement to commercialize HM4100 products

Kentucky-based Union Springs Pharmaceuticals announced today an agreement with BIOSAFE® of Pittsburgh to market products containing the patented and novel antimicrobial polymer, HM4100. Similar to its flagship product, MyClyns (antimicrobial germ spray), Union Springs Pharmaceuticals will identify the products as MyClyns Antimicrobial Surface Treatments and will be the first company to bring these unique products to the market.

22 Oct 2010

Study demonstrates anti-prostate cancer properties of Modified Citrus Pectin

Researchers at Columbia University recently analyzed the positive effects of Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) on human and mouse prostate cancer cell lines. The results, as reported by lead researcher Dr. Aaron Katz in the publication of Integrative Cancer Therapies, show that MCP inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cancer cells in a time and dose-dependent manner.

21 Oct 2010