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.

Presence of virus linked with malignant human prostate cancer cells

In a finding with potentially major implications for identifying a viral cause of prostate cancer, researchers at the University of Utah and Columbia University medical schools have reported that a type of virus known to cause leukemia and sarcomas in animals has been found for the first time in malignant human prostate cancer cells.

7 Sep 2009

Identifying a specific molecular signature can help customize cancer treatment

A molecular signature that helps account for the aggressive behavior of a variety of cancers such as pancreatic, breast and melanoma may also predict the likelihood of successful treatment with a particular anti-cancer drug. The finding, which could lead to a personalized approach to treatment for a variety of solid tumors that are currently resistant to therapies, will be published September 6 in the advance online edition of Nature Medicine.

7 Sep 2009

FDA notifies PDUFA action date for Cell Therapeutics' NDA for pixantrone

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. ("CTI") (Nasdaq and MTA: CTIC) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified CTI that a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of April 23, 2010 under standard review has been established regarding CTI's NDA for pixantrone as potential treatment for relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

5 Sep 2009

New approach for understanding how drug resistance occurs in leukemia

UCSF researchers have developed a new approach to identify specific genes that influence how cancer cells respond to drugs and how they become resistant. This strategy, which involves producing diverse genetic mutations that result in leukemia and associating specific mutations with treatment outcomes, will enable researchers to better understand how drug resistance occurs in leukemia and other cancers, and has important long-term implications for the development of more effective therapies.

5 Sep 2009

New role discovered for sphingosine-1-phosphate

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have discovered a new role for the bioactive lipid messenger, sphingosine-1-phosphate, or S1P, that is abundant in our blood - a finding that could lead to a new generation of drugs to fight cancer and inflammatory disease.

5 Sep 2009

American mayapple contains anticancer compounds: Study

A common weed called American mayapple may soon offer an alternative to an Asian cousin that's been harvested almost to extinction because of its anti-cancer properties.

5 Sep 2009

Researchers identify new molecular switch that produces cancer cells

A team of Syracuse University researchers discovered a second molecular switch within the Mixed Lineage Leukemia protein complex that they believe could be exploited to prevent the overproduction of abnormal cells that are found in several types of cancer, including leukemia.

4 Sep 2009

Two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of CPX-351 to be showcased

Celator Pharmaceuticals today announced that Scott Jackson, chief executive officer, is scheduled to present at the Thomas Weisel Partners 2009 Healthcare Conference in Boston.

4 Sep 2009

ROS in cells contributes to aging

With all the hype about beneficial antioxidants in everything from face cream to cereal bars, you'd think their targets---oxygen radicals---must be up to no good. It's true, the buildup of oxygen radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells contributes to aging and possibly to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.

3 Sep 2009

Biosante and Cell Genesys to merge after stockholders' approval

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPAX) and Cell Genesys, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEGE), today announced that each will hold a special stockholders meeting on September 30, 2009 at which time stockholders will be asked to approve the previously announced merger between the companies. On June 29, 2009, BioSante and Cell Genesys entered into a definitive merger agreement by which the companies will merge in an all-stock transaction, with BioSante as the surviving company.

3 Sep 2009

Biosante Pharmaceuticals and Cell Genesys to hold stockholders meeting for merger approval

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cell Genesys, Inc. (NASDAQ:CEGE), today announced that each will hold a special stockholders meeting on September 30, 2009 at which time stockholders will be asked to approve the previously announced merger between the companies.

3 Sep 2009

Two 2008 drug approval reports highlight Ceplene benefits

EpiCept Corporation today announced that Ceplene (histamine dihydrochloride) has been highlighted in two separate reports issued recently reviewing 2008 drug approvals in the European Union.

3 Sep 2009

ODAC calls for randomized study of Vion's Onrigin injection for treatment of the elderly AML patients

VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: VION) today announced the results of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) Meeting at which data for its lead oncology therapeutic Onrigin(TM)(laromustine) Injection were presented for the indication of remission induction treatment for patients sixty years of age or older with de novo poor-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

3 Sep 2009

Volvo Cars and ALSF support families affected by pediatric cancer

Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) is teaming up with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to help families gain easier access to care and clinical trials at hospitals outside of their hometown.

3 Sep 2009

Study identifies key compound that quickens recovery from life-threatening blood cell shortages

A key compound resupplies bone marrow with fast-acting stem cells that can more quickly rekindle blood cell production, according to a study published online today in the journal Blood. While the study was in mice, in the study authors say it has the potential to increase survival among patients with life-threatening blood cell shortages.

3 Sep 2009

NCI to announce the results of follow-up study of PharmaGap's lead drug GAP-107B8

PharmaGap Inc. (TSX-V: GAP; OTC.BB: PHRGF) ("PharmaGap" or "the Company") today announced that results are expected during September from the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) follow-up study of the company's lead drug GAP-107B8.

2 Sep 2009

FDA: Randomized clinical trial necessary to better interpret Clolar’s efficacy and safety in adult AML

Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced today that the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9 to 3 that a randomized, controlled trial is needed to support the currently proposed label expansion for Clolar® (clofarabine) in adult myeloid leukemia (AML). The committee found that the single-arm clinical study results submitted to support the label expansion showed Clolar was an active agent in acute AML patients, but concluded that a randomized clinical trial should be necessary to better interpret Clolar’s efficacy and safety in the proposed patient population.

2 Sep 2009

New study on behaviour of telomeres during cell division in cancerous human cells

A process that limits the number of times a cell divides works much differently than had been thought, opening the door to potential new anticancer therapies, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report in the Aug. 7 issue of the journal Cell.

2 Sep 2009

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute have shown that a large non-coding RNA in mammals and yeast plays a central role in helping maintain telomeres, the tips of chromosomes that contain important genetic information and help regulate cell division. Since this RNA also facilitates the formation of DNA at telomeres-a process that can protect aging cells and destabilize tumor cells-manipulating its expression may be useful in treating cancer and other diseases.

1 Sep 2009

Genzyme’s supplemental NDA for treating adult AML with Clolar to be discussed by the FDA

Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced today that its supplemental New Drug Application for Clolar® (clofarabine) will be discussed Tuesday, September 1 at a public meeting of the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee in Silver Spring, Maryland. The panel is expected to consider the clinical trial results Genzyme submitted to support the approval and labeling of Clolar to treat older adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.

29 Aug 2009

Leukemia News and Research

Further Reading

Presence of virus linked with malignant human prostate cancer cells

Identifying a specific molecular signature can help customize cancer treatment

FDA notifies PDUFA action date for Cell Therapeutics' NDA for pixantrone

New approach for understanding how drug resistance occurs in leukemia

New role discovered for sphingosine-1-phosphate

American mayapple contains anticancer compounds: Study

Researchers identify new molecular switch that produces cancer cells

Two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of CPX-351 to be showcased

ROS in cells contributes to aging

Biosante and Cell Genesys to merge after stockholders' approval

Biosante Pharmaceuticals and Cell Genesys to hold stockholders meeting for merger approval

Two 2008 drug approval reports highlight Ceplene benefits

ODAC calls for randomized study of Vion's Onrigin injection for treatment of the elderly AML patients

Volvo Cars and ALSF support families affected by pediatric cancer

Study identifies key compound that quickens recovery from life-threatening blood cell shortages

NCI to announce the results of follow-up study of PharmaGap's lead drug GAP-107B8

FDA: Randomized clinical trial necessary to better interpret Clolar’s efficacy and safety in adult AML

New study on behaviour of telomeres during cell division in cancerous human cells

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

Genzyme’s supplemental NDA for treating adult AML with Clolar to be discussed by the FDA

Industry Focus eBook - Cell biology (5th edition) eBook

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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