Nephrology News and Research

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Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.

NCI-funded SPORE grant aims to improve kidney cancer treatment

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) an $11.5 million, five-year SPORE grant to focus on cancers of the kidney. Michael Atkins, MD, Deputy Director of BIDMC's Division of Hematology/Oncology, will oversee the grant, which involves collaborations with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital via the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center.

16 Sep 2009

FDA clears Olerup SSP’s Taq-polymerase-free HLA typing kit for sale in the U.S.

Olerup SSP, a wholly owned subsidiary of LinkMed (STO:LMED), has had its Taq-polymerase-free HLA typing kit registered and cleared by the FDA. This means that Olerup SSP’s entire product range for HLA typing, with or without Taq polymerase, can now be marketed and sold to a greater number of healthcare centers in North America.

15 Sep 2009

AST meeting to review most recent developments in the field of organ transplantation

The American Society of Transplantation (AST) presents Transplantation: The Year in Review, Oct. 24-25, 2009 in Houston, Texas. The meeting features a review of the most recent developments in the field of organ transplantation from May 2008 up to and including the 2009 American Transplant Congress (ATC) that was held in May in Boston.

15 Sep 2009

New critical illness plan from Colonial Life introduced

A new critical illness plan from Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company can help many working Americans who may be one serious medical issue away from financial problems. Even with good health insurance, a serious illness, such as a heart attack or stroke, could leave employees on the hook for huge expenses.

15 Sep 2009

Results from Keryx' KRX-0401 Phase 2 study to be presented at the International Kidney Cancer Symposium

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX) today announced that Phase 2 data of KRX-0401 (perifosine), the Company's PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor for cancer, as a single agent in the treatment of advanced metastatic renal cell cancer, has been selected for oral presentation at the Eighth International Kidney Cancer Symposium, to be held in Chicago from September 25-26, 2009.

14 Sep 2009

Comparative effectiveness research may save money, but remains controversial

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports: "Democrats' plans for health care reform would try to provide answers with more studies on which drugs, medical devices and procedures work best for different patients. But while the goal of more 'comparative effectiveness' research may sound simple, getting there may be a challenge."

14 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 14, 2009

Today's headlines indicate that the momentum behind including a public option in health reform may be losing steam.

14 Sep 2009

Phase III clinical trial results of DAR-31 published

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced the publication of data from DAR-311 (DORADO), a Phase III clinical trial evaluating the company’s once-daily oral endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) darusentan as an add-on treatment for resistant hypertension, defined as the failure to achieve blood pressure goal while adhering to full doses of an appropriate three (or more) drug antihypertensive regimen that includes a diuretic.

14 Sep 2009

DaVita Kidney Awareness Run/Walks increases CKD awareness

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), kicks off the DaVita Kidney Awareness Run/Walks(TM) - a 10-city series of 5K events raising funds and awareness of CKD across the nation -- on Sept. 13 at Stapleton Central Park in Denver.

14 Sep 2009

Scientists to get funding from The European Research Council

The European Research Council (ERC) expects to fund some 240 top researchers in its second prestigious ERC Starting Grant competition. This new wave of grantees follows the 299 researchers who received grants in the first Starting Grant competition in 2007.

11 Sep 2009

End stage renal disease can be delayed by early identification of CKD

Early identification of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can delay the onset of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and the need for chronic dialysis treatments. The incidence of CKD continues to grow, and early identification and intervention are critical to manage this costly disease.

11 Sep 2009

Genspera to commence G-202 Phase I trial following FDA approval

GenSpera, Inc. announced today that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to begin a Phase I study with its target activated pro-drug, G-202, for the treatment of cancer.

11 Sep 2009

Wisconsin researchers identify the genetic region responsible for cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia

Researchers at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have identified the genetic region in rats responsible for cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia. While it is well known that people have different cardiovascular sensitivity to anesthesia causing some to collapse even when low doses are administered, the mechanism responsible for this susceptibility is not clear.

11 Sep 2009

ERC funds DiaDrug project to study the link between insulin resistance and albuminuria

11 Sep 2009

KidneyTel system helps manage health issues faced by kidney patients

Kidney patients often have a number of serious chronic health issues in addition to their kidney disease. Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s leading renal therapies company, has developed the KidneyTel system to provide an integrated care solution to assist patients, their families and their providers in managing the full range of health issues that kidney patients face on a daily basis.

11 Sep 2009

Children's Hospital to determine optimal duration of antimicrobial treatment for UTIs

In the largest study of its kind, pediatric researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have received a federal contract for a project to determine the most beneficial method of using antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children.

11 Sep 2009

New Drug Application for trabectedin approved by the FDA

Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. today announced that it received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for trabectedin when administered in combination with DOXIL(R) (doxorubicin HCI liposome injection) for the treatment of women with relapsed ovarian cancer.

11 Sep 2009

Phase II human clinical trial of Exsulin commences

Exsulin Corporation today announced the start of a phase II human clinical trial of Exsulin, a peptide drug product aimed at restoring insulin production in people with diabetes mellitus. The randomized, controlled 12-week trial in patients with established Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) will be co-led by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada.

10 Sep 2009

FDA approves Supplemental New Drug Application for DOXIL

Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. today announced that it received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for DOXIL (doxorubicin HCI liposome injection) in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of women with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

10 Sep 2009

Endothelin research update to be presented at APS' 11th International Conference

Recent research to block the effects of endothelin, a powerful substance that constricts blood vessels and stimulates cell growth, has led to successful treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and provides hope for treating other chronic diseases.

10 Sep 2009