Leukemia News and Research

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Leukemia (Leukaemia) is a cancer of the blood cells. It is the most common type of blood cancer and affects 10 times as many adults as children. Most people diagnosed with leukemia are over 50 years old. No one knows why some people develop leukemia and others do not. However, scientists have identified some risk factors for the disease. Most people who have known risk factors do not get leukemia, while many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors. During the early stages of leukemia, there may be no symptoms. Many of the symptoms of leukemia don't become apparent until a large number of normal blood cells are crowded out by leukemia cells.

Legislation grants improve research and employment initiatives in Indiana University medical campus

Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have received more than $12 million in grants funded by the federal economic stimulus legislation, funding that has bolstered both research initiatives and research employment on the medical center campus.

16 Sep 2009

Phase III EXTEND trial results of pixantrone announced

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) today released updated 18-month follow-up clinical data for its phase III EXTEND (PIX 301) trial of pixantrone (BBR2778) for patients with advanced, relapsed or refractory, aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Responses were evaluated by an Independent Assessment Panel that was blinded to patient assignment.

16 Sep 2009

New peptide-based cancer vaccine tested in genital cancer patients

Preventive vaccination against infectious diseases has been a major milestone for the health of modern society. The development of therapeutic vaccination against established diseases is much more difficult. For more than 100 years researchers have already tried to develop cancer vaccines and now first promising clinical results raise hopes. A summary of the most attractive new approaches gave Professor Carmen Scheibenbogen, Institut für Medizinische Immunologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, at a press conference in Berlin.

16 Sep 2009

LLS to invest in research to reduce toxic side-effects of cancer treatment

The cure rates for many cancers have improved dramatically over the past decades, but the harsh reality is that too many cancer survivors suffer serious side-effects of their curative treatments. Toxic side-effects can occur months or years after the treatments are finished, sometimes as chronic conditions, sometimes life-threatening, but always unacceptably reducing a patient's quality of life.

15 Sep 2009

Stem cell therapy holds great promise for regenerative medicine

The recipients of The 2009 Lasker Awards, announced today, represent the dramatic advances achieved in biotechnology research that have led to a revolutionary cancer treatment and the tremendous promise of stem cell therapy for regenerative medicine. Such advances portend a potential $700 million global market for new therapies within less than five years, according to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN, www.genengnews.com).

15 Sep 2009

Cell Therapeutics submits Pediatric Investigation Plan to EMEA for pixantrone

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) (Nasdaq and MTA: CTIC) announced today that it has submitted a Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) as part of the required filing process for approval of pixantrone for treating relapsed or refractory, aggressive non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) in Europe. The PIP outlines how the company proposes to study the drug in children in order to benefit child health.

15 Sep 2009

Loyola University receives funds to renovate bone marrow transplant unit

Loyola University Medical Center has received a $2 million matching grant from The Coleman Foundation to renovate the hospital's nationally known bone marrow transplant unit. Intended to encourage private donations for the project, the grant will match gifts up to $2 million on a dollar for dollar basis, through August 2010.

15 Sep 2009

Hispanic/Latino Americans have a unique cancer risk profile, says report

The latest edition of Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos reports that Hispanic/Latino Americans -the largest, fastest-growing, and youngest minority in the United States-have a unique cancer risk profile that requires a targeted approach to cancer prevention.

15 Sep 2009

Cytrx initiates tamibarotene and TRISENOX combination dose escalation study

CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ:CYTR), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of human therapeutics, today announced the initiation of a dose escalation study with its oncology drug candidate tamibarotene combined with TRISENOX® (arsenic trioxide) injection (marketed by Cephalon, Inc.) in patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

14 Sep 2009

Genoptix to present an overview of its specialized diagnostic laboratory services business

Genoptix, Inc., a specialized laboratory services provider, today announced the Company's participation at the following upcoming investor conferences.

14 Sep 2009

Master gene could lead to new ways of cancer treatments

The master gene that causes blood stem cells to turn into disease-fighting 'Natural Killer' (NK) immune cells has been identified by scientists, in a study published in Nature Immunology today. The discovery could one day help scientists boost the body's production of these frontline tumour-killing cells, creating new ways to treat cancer.

14 Sep 2009

New method for detecting oxidative stress in tumor cells

The growth of cancerous tumors is fueled, at least in part, by the buildup of free radicals---highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules.

14 Sep 2009

Phase 2 MS clinical trial data continues to show durable reductions in relapse rate

Genzyme Corporation reported today that four-year follow-up data from its completed Phase 2 multiple sclerosis (MS) trial continued to show durable reductions in relapse rate and sustained accumulation of disability three years after the majority of patients received their last course of the investigational compound alemtuzumab.

14 Sep 2009

Ascent Therapeutics demonstrates Pepducin efficacy

Ascent Therapeutics announced today that the Company has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models in two Pepducin projects. One of the projects targets CXCR4, a key regulator of stem cell and inflammatory cell homeostasis. A second project has yielded the first potent Pepducin agonists for an undisclosed cardiovascular target.

11 Sep 2009

CytRx granted patent for molecular chaperone amplifier drug candidate

CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical research and development company engaged in the development of high-value human therapeutics, today announced that it has been granted a key patent by the European Patent Office that covers through 2024 the use of its orally available molecular chaperone amplifier drug candidate arimoclomol for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).

10 Sep 2009

Cord Blood America to complete its new Las Vegas laboratory on schedule

Cord Blood America, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CBAI), the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company (http://www.cordblood-america.com ) focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy for families nationwide and internationally, said today that it is on schedule to complete the construction of its new Las Vegas laboratory by the first week of October.

10 Sep 2009

Cancer Research UK launches a new Cancer Centre at Cardiff

Cardiff today (Thursday) joins a unique chain of Cancer Research UK Centres that are being launched across the UK.

10 Sep 2009

Merck's GARDASIL receives approval from FDA Advisory Committee

Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee agreed that efficacy, immunogenicity and safety data from clinical trials in males support the use of GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] in boys and men 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11.

10 Sep 2009

Chemgenex completes NDA submission for its omacetaxine mepesuccinate to the FDA

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX:CXS) announced today the completion of its New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for OMAPRO™ (omacetaxine mepesuccinate). OMAPRO™ is being developed for the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who have failed treatment with imatinib and who have developed the Bcr-Abl T315I mutation.

9 Sep 2009

Cytrx to submit revised protocol for arimoclomol Phase IIb clinical trial

CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company engaged in the development of high-value human therapeutics, today announced its intention during the 2009 fourth quarter to submit a revised protocol for its planned Phase IIb clinical trial for arimoclomol as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). The decision follows receipt of an anticipated written letter from the U.S.

8 Sep 2009