Biomarker News and Research

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A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule.

Study identifies genetic variation linked with increased risk of major depression

Numerous studies have shown that the brain molecule neuropeptide Y (NPY) helps to restore calm after stressful events. A team of University of Michigan-led researchers has now found that people whose genes predispose them to produce lower levels of NPY are more responsive to negative stimuli in key brain circuits related to emotion - and are therefore less resilient in the face of stress and may be at higher risk for developing a major depressive disorder.

8 Feb 2011

CMD co-founder receives Prize4Life award for discovery of new ALS biomarker

Convergence Medical Devices (CMD) today announced that its co-founder, Dr. Seward Rutkove, Chief of the Division of Neuromuscular Disease at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, received Prize4Life's prestigious award for the discovery of a new biomarker for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

7 Feb 2011

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

DermTech International, a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing genomic medicine to dermatologists, today announced that the discovery data on its new genomic assay for melanoma have been published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

7 Feb 2011

Cholesterol efflux capacity may protect against heart disease: Study

The discovery that high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease has fostered intensive research to modify HDL levels for therapeutic gain. However, recent findings have called into question the notion that pharmacologic increases in HDL cholesterol levels are necessarily beneficial to patients.

4 Feb 2011

Study: Pistachios may help reduce risk of heart disease

It's no coincidence that National Pistachio Day – February 26, 2011 – occurs during American Heart Month. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America, and promising nutrition research shows that pistachios are a heart healthy snack choice. In honor of American Heart Month, TheGreenNut.org is offering simple tips encouraging all Americans to go green for a healthy heart this February.

4 Feb 2011

Blood clotting protein could be used as 'biomarker' for mucopolysaccharide diseases

University of Manchester scientists have shown that a protein involved in blood clotting can be used to diagnose and subsequently monitor the treatment of a group of childhood genetic diseases.

3 Feb 2011

Study reveals how MMSET gene enables disease-causing mutations to occur

For several decades, researchers have been linking genetic mutations to diseases ranging from cancer to developmental abnormalities. What hasn't been clear, however, is how the body's genome sustains such destructive glitches in the first place.

3 Feb 2011

USPTO issues notice of allowance to Vermillion's breast cancer biomarkers

Vermillion, a molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice of allowance for a patent entitled "Biomarkers for breast cancer" to the Company.

2 Feb 2011

AVEO commences enrollment in tivozanib Phase 2 study in renal cell carcinoma

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has initiated patient enrollment in a multi-center Phase 2 exploratory biomarker study of tivozanib, its lead product candidate designed to optimally block the VEGF pathway by inhibiting all three VEGF receptors, in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

1 Feb 2011

Avantra Biosciences selects TGen Drug Development for new biomarker quantitation platform

Avantra Biosciences today announced the selection of TGen Drug Development as a key test site for Avantra's new biomarker quantitation platform.

1 Feb 2011

News briefs from February issue of journal Chest

New research shows that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), with the largest prevalence seen in patients with concurrent connective tissue disease (CTD).

1 Feb 2011

Scientists create 'reporter mouse' to close gap between kidney injury and diagnosis

The current check for kidney disease is a simple blood test for serum creatinine, but it can take longer than two days for this metabolite to accumulate to levels that are significant enough to indicate kidney damage - and by then it may be too late to intervene.

1 Feb 2011

CIHR announces $8.6 million for new research on Alzheimer's disease

the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State for Seniors, today announced $8.6 million for new research on Alzheimer's disease.

29 Jan 2011

Cetero Research completes 20,000th early-phase clinical study

Cetero Research, the leading early-stage contract research organization, today announced that it has reached another industry milestone with the completion of its 20,000th early-phase clinical study.

28 Jan 2011

H3 Biomedicine introduces cancer research and development operations in Cambridge

H3 Biomedicine today announced that it has launched research and development operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts. H3 Biomedicine will undertake a comprehensive approach to breakthrough oncology treatments based on two primary principles: 1) the genetics of patients' cancers can reveal drug targets tailored to their cancers and 2) the advances in modern chemistry enable the discovery of new classes of safe and effective drugs against these targets.

27 Jan 2011

Avantra begins shipment of new Q400 Biomarker Workstation and Angio Qx BioChip Immunoassay

Avantra® Biosciences, a leading innovator in protein diagnostics, announced today their first shipments of the new Q400 Biomarker Workstation and the innovative Angio Qx™ BioChip Immunoassay.

27 Jan 2011

NanoString Technologies launches nCounter Mouse miRNA Expression Assay Kit

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a complete solution for detecting and counting large sets of target molecules in biological samples, today announced the expansion of its microRNA (miRNA) product line with a multiplexed assay for profiling the mouse miRNA transcriptome.

From NanoString Technologies 25 Jan 2011

New study shows biomarker test can aid in early, precise diagnosis of melanoma

A new study shows that a test of biomarkers for DNA methylation is technically feasible and could aid in earlier, more precise diagnosis of melanoma.

24 Jan 2011

FibroGen announces FG-3019 interim results from phase 1/2 trial against pancreatic cancer

FibroGen, today announced interim results of a phase 1/2 trial of FG-3019, a therapeutic antibody against connective tissue growth factor, in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib in individuals with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

23 Jan 2011

Immunomedics reports encouraging results from Y-90-labeled clivatuzumab tetraxetan study in pancreatic cancer

Immunomedics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of monoclonal antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases, today announced that repeated therapy cycles of its proprietary antibody, clivatuzumab tetraxetan, labeled with yttrium-90 plus low-dose gemcitabine, extended median overall survival.

21 Jan 2011

Biomarker News and Research

Further Reading

Study identifies genetic variation linked with increased risk of major depression

CMD co-founder receives Prize4Life award for discovery of new ALS biomarker

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

Cholesterol efflux capacity may protect against heart disease: Study

Study: Pistachios may help reduce risk of heart disease

Blood clotting protein could be used as 'biomarker' for mucopolysaccharide diseases

Study reveals how MMSET gene enables disease-causing mutations to occur

USPTO issues notice of allowance to Vermillion's breast cancer biomarkers

AVEO commences enrollment in tivozanib Phase 2 study in renal cell carcinoma

Avantra Biosciences selects TGen Drug Development for new biomarker quantitation platform

News briefs from February issue of journal Chest

Scientists create 'reporter mouse' to close gap between kidney injury and diagnosis

CIHR announces $8.6 million for new research on Alzheimer's disease

Cetero Research completes 20,000th early-phase clinical study

H3 Biomedicine introduces cancer research and development operations in Cambridge

Avantra begins shipment of new Q400 Biomarker Workstation and Angio Qx BioChip Immunoassay

NanoString Technologies launches nCounter Mouse miRNA Expression Assay Kit

New study shows biomarker test can aid in early, precise diagnosis of melanoma

FibroGen announces FG-3019 interim results from phase 1/2 trial against pancreatic cancer

Immunomedics reports encouraging results from Y-90-labeled clivatuzumab tetraxetan study in pancreatic cancer

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