Reverse Transcriptase News and Research

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Inovio plans to advance synthetic hTERT cancer vaccine into clinical trials in 2014

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that in a preclinical study with two animal models, Inovio's hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) DNA cancer vaccine administered with Inovio's CELLECTRA adaptive electroporation delivery technology generated robust and broad immune responses, broke the immune system's tolerance to its self-antigens, induced T-cells with a tumor-killing function, and increased the rate of survival.

24 Jul 2013

Theoretical mathematical models offer insights into therapeutic, prevention strategies for HIV

The first few hours to days following exposure to human immunodeficiency virus can be of critical importance in determining if infection occurs in a patient. But the low numbers of viruses and infected cells at this stage makes it very difficult to study these events in humans or animal models.

1 Jun 2013

FDA approves sNDA for SUSTIVA for treatment of HIV-1 infected pediatric patients

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a supplemental new drug application for SUSTIVA (efavirenz), including dosing recommendations for HIV-1 infected pediatric patients three months to three years old and weighing at least 3.5 kg.

4 May 2013

Synthetic anti-inflammatory substances related to marijuana may help fight HIV infection

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is notorious for hiding within certain types of cells, where it reproduces at a slowed rate and eventually gives rise to chronic inflammation, despite drug therapy.

2 May 2013

Patients with drug-resistant HIV can safely achieve viral suppression without NRTIs

A new multi-site study reveals patients with drug-resistant HIV can safely achieve viral suppression - the primary goal of HIV therapy - without incorporating the traditional class of HIV medications into their treatment regimen.

8 Mar 2013

Gilead Sciences fourth quarter total revenues increase 18% to $2.59 billion

Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced today its results of operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2012.

5 Feb 2013

Cells lose ability to defend against transposons as they age

Even in our DNA there is no refuge from rogues that prey on the elderly. Parasitic strands of genetic material called transposable elements - transposons - lurk in our chromosomes, poised to wreak genomic havoc. Cells have evolved ways to defend themselves, but in a new study, Brown University researchers describe how cells lose this ability as they age, possibly resulting in a decline in their function and health.

4 Feb 2013

Researchers identify cancer-associated mutations

Two new mutations that collectively occur in 71 percent of malignant melanoma tumors have been discovered in what scientists call the "dark matter" of the cancer genome, where cancer-related mutations haven't been previously found.

25 Jan 2013

Gilead Sciences receives EC approval for Viread to treat HIV-1 infected children

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for two new indications for once-daily Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate).

28 Nov 2012

Study: 172K polymorphism makes certain forms of HIV less resistant to drugs

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can contain dozens of different mutations, called polymorphisms. In a recent study an international team of researchers, including MU scientists, found that one of those mutations, called 172K, made certain forms of the virus more susceptible to treatment. Soon, doctors will be able to use this knowledge to improve the drug regiment they prescribe to HIV-infected individuals.

14 Sep 2012

Novel integrase inhibitor dolutegravir shows promise for HIV-1 treatment

The once-daily integrase inhibitor dolutegravir has shown promise in a phase III noninferiority study comparing it with twice-daily raltegravir for treatment of HIV-1, indicate study results presented at the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, USA.

3 Aug 2012

ART resistance increasing in sub-Saharan Africa

The prevalence of antiretroviral drug resistance is on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, an increase driven by resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in east and southern Africa, research shows.

1 Aug 2012

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals commences ponatinib Phase 3 trial in newly diagnosed CML

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of the randomized Phase 3 trial of ponatinib, its investigational pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor, in adult patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

28 Jul 2012

Merck signs two licensing agreements for investigational HIV drug candidates

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the company has signed two licensing agreements for investigational HIV drug candidates.

25 Jul 2012

Merck, Chimerix sign license agreement for CMX157 to treat HIV infection

Chimerix, Inc. today announced the execution of a license agreement granting Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, exclusive worldwide rights to CMX157, Chimerix's novel lipid acyclic nucleoside phosphonate currently being evaluated to treat HIV infection.

24 Jul 2012

HIV drug resistance rates rising in some parts of Africa

New research published Online First in The Lancet suggests that drug-resistant HIV has been increasing in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa since the roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART) nearly a decade ago.

23 Jul 2012

All adult patients with HIV should be offered ART: International Antiviral Society-USA panel

Included in the 2012 International Antiviral Society-USA panel recommendations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient care is that all adult patients, regardless of CD4 cell count, should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART), according to an article in the July 25 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on HIV/AIDS.

23 Jul 2012

HIV therapy affects bone mass within 2 years

Young men receiving antiretroviral therapy for recently diagnosed HIV are more likely to have low bone mineral density than are other men of a similar age, US researchers report.

25 Jun 2012

Biochemists map structure of key protein-RNA complex required for assembly of telomerase

UCLA biochemists have mapped the structure of a key protein-RNA complex that is required for the assembly of telomerase, an enzyme important in both cancer and aging.

20 Jun 2012

Breckenridge finalizes agreement with Huahai to market Nevirapine Tablets

Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. announced today that it has finalized its agreement with Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Huahai) to market Nevirapine Tablets. Nevirapine 200mg Tablets are AB rated to Viramune a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) used to treat HIV-1 infection and AIDS, which is marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim.

5 May 2012