Drugs News and Research

RSS

Rituxan in combination with chemo improves survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Genentech, Inc. and Biogen Idec have announced that two global Phase III studies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), CLL8 and REACH, showed Rituxan (rituximab) plus chemotherapy significantly increased the time patients lived without their disease advancing, as defined by the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), when compared to chemotherapy alone.

8 Dec 2008

RHEI Pharmaceuticals starts final trial of Tibozole in China

RHEI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that the final clinical trial for Tibozole, a locally active antifungal with low dose miconazole in a patented mucoadhesive system, has been initiated in China.

8 Dec 2008

Scientists find 12 new genes with potential as drug targets

Scientists have identified 12 new genes that are somewhat strange bedfellows: Some link gallstones and blood cholesterol levels, others link melatonin and sleep patterns to small increases in glucose levels and larger jumps in the risk of diabetes.

8 Dec 2008

Study finds it generally safe to withdraw anti-seizure medication in children with epilepsy

A new Mayo Clinic study found that it is generally safe to withdraw anti-seizure medications in children with epilepsy who have achieved seizure-freedom while on the medication.

8 Dec 2008

FDA advisory committee recommends approval of LATISSE as a treatment for hypotrichosis of eyelashes

Allergan, Inc. has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee (DODAC) voted unanimously (9-0) to recommend that the FDA approve LATISSE (bimatoprost solution 0.03%) as a treatment for hypotrichosis (or reduced amount of hair) of the eyelashes.

8 Dec 2008

FDA advisory committee to dscuss PMA for Genzyme's Synvisc-One

Genzyme Corporation has announced that its Premarket Approval (PMA) application supplement for Synvisc-One (hylan G-F 20) will be discussed this Tuesday, December 9th, at a public meeting of the FDA's Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Advisory Committee in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

8 Dec 2008

FDA advisory committee recommends approval for Bausch & Lomb's besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee today voted unanimously to recommend approval of Bausch & Lomb's besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension, 0.6%, for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

8 Dec 2008

Biomarkers in blood could aid diagnosis of two severe and debilitating forms of malaria

Canadian researchers have identified protein biomarkers that shed new light on the development of two severe and debilitating forms of malaria.

8 Dec 2008

New data demonstrates efficacy and tolerability of Carisbamate as an adjunctive therapy for partial onset seizures

Phase III data on carisbamate, an investigational compound recently filed with the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures (POS) in patients 16 years of age and older, was presented during the poster sessions of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society.

7 Dec 2008

Migraines linked to lower risk of breast cancer

Women who suffer from migraines may take at least some comfort in a recent, first-of-its-kind study that suggests a history of such headaches is associated with a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Christopher I. Li, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center report these findings in the November issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

7 Dec 2008

Hep C treatment peginterferon reduces the virus but liver damage continues

Treating patients who have chronic hepatitis C and advanced liver disease with long-term pegylated interferon significantly decreased their liver enzymes, viral levels and liver inflammation, but the treatment did not slow or prevent the progression of serious liver disease, a study finds.

5 Dec 2008

To heal our ailing health care system, we need to stop thinking like Americans

That's the message of two articles by UCLA's Dr. Marc Nuwer, a leading expert on national health care reform, published this week in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

5 Dec 2008

Treatment fails to improve common form of heart failure

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

5 Dec 2008

Study finds medication fails to improve common form of heart failure

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

5 Dec 2008

New insights into cell division

Biologists have discovered a mechanism that is critical to cytokinesis -- nature's completion of mitosis, where a cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

5 Dec 2008

Taiji, qigon and support groups help those with dementia

Those diagnosed with early stage dementia can slow their physical, mental and psychological decline by taking part in therapeutic programs that combine counseling, support groups, Taiji and qigong, researchers report.

5 Dec 2008

Intervention in infants with cystic fibrosis key to slowing progression

Early detection of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF), combined with aggressive treatment in infants, may be the key to controlling the progression of the disease, according to a recent study.

5 Dec 2008

Interferon as long-term treatment for hepatitis C not effective

Use of the drug interferon as a long-term maintenance strategy to slow the progression of liver disease associated with the hepatitis C virus is ineffective, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers and their colleagues from nine other institutions have found in a multicenter study.

5 Dec 2008

Chromatin packaging helps decipher how cancer develops

To decipher how cancer develops, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center investigators say researchers must take a closer look at the packaging.

5 Dec 2008

Treatment with irbesartan fails to improve common form of heart failure

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

4 Dec 2008