Anemia News and Research

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Anemia is a decrease in normal number of red blood cells (RBCs) or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin deficiency. The three main classes of anemia include excessive blood loss (acutely such as a hemorrhage or chronically through low-volume loss), excessive blood cell destruction (hemolysis) or deficient red blood cell production (ineffective hematopoiesis). Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anemia, produced by a variety of underlying causes. Anemia can be classified in a variety of ways, based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, to mention a few.

Researchers develop novel blood analyzer to improve anemia detection

About one quarter of the world's population suffers from anemia, a disease caused by a concentration deficiency of hemoglobin in red blood cells. To reduce the burden of anemia, health officials need a better picture of the disease's global impact, an understanding made viable by a portable and affordable way to analyze blood.

3 Oct 2017

FDA approves Verzenio for advanced metastatic breast cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug Verzenio (abemaciclib) for the treatment of advanced or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.

2 Oct 2017

Iron supplements for low birth weight babies can prevent behavioral problems at school age

Babies classified as low birth weight (under 2.500 grams) are at risk of iron deficiency, which is linked to impaired neurological development.

27 Sep 2017

First-ever treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma receives approval in Japan

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) has approved BAVENCIO (avelumab, genetically recombinant Injection 200mg/mL for intravenous use) as the first and only treatment indicated for curatively unresectable Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive cancer, in Japan.

27 Sep 2017

Metabolism can impact host's susceptibility to develop malaria

Researchers from Instituto de Medicina Molecular Lisboa have found that the host's susceptibility to develop malaria depends on his or her metabolic state, which can be easily manipulated through external stimuli such as dietary patterns.

25 Sep 2017

“Super malaria” resistant to standard medications in South East Asia

The spread of a single multidrug resistant malaria parasite strain in Vietnam is cause for alarm say researchers.

25 Sep 2017

New syndrome caused by biallelic mutations predisposes the body to tumors

A new syndrome caused by biallelic mutations - those produced in both gene copies inherited from the mother and father - in the FANCM gene predisposes the body to the appearance of tumours and causes rejection to chemotherapy treatments.

22 Sep 2017

CWRU professor wins $3.9 million NIH grant to identify countermeasures against chemical hazards

Kurt Lu, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has received a five year, $3.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand countermeasures against chemical threats, including mustard gas and mustard-related compounds.

7 Sep 2017

Researchers investigate link between thyroid hormone and red blood cell production

For more than a century, physicians have anecdotally noted that patients with an underactive thyroid - often caused by iodine deficiency - tended to also have anemia. But the link between thyroid hormone and red blood cell production has remained elusive.

6 Sep 2017

Bacterial infections may trigger dysregulation of blood formation

It has been thought that only immune cells would act as the line of defense during bacterial infection. However, recent research has revealed that hematopoietic stem cells, cells that create all other blood cells throughout an individual's lifetime, are also able to respond to the infection.

24 Aug 2017

Living near newly built roads in Ethiopia linked to higher rates of infant mortality

Researchers have shown that living near newly built roads in Ethiopia is associated with higher rates of infant mortality. Proximity to new roads has negative health effects because of toxic waste dumped illegally during the construction phase, according to early research by economists at Queen Mary University of London and Trinity College Dublin.

24 Aug 2017

Self-powered, paper-based electrochemical devices detect biomarkers and identify diseases

A new medical-diagnostic device made out of paper detects biomarkers and identifies diseases by performing electrochemical analyses - powered only by the user's touch - and reads out the color-coded test results, making it easy for non-experts to understand.

22 Aug 2017

Study provides insight into development of red blood cells

Every cell in the body, whether skin or muscle or brain, starts out as a generic cell that acquires its unique characteristics after undergoing a process of specialization. Nowhere is this process more dramatic than it is in red blood cells.

18 Aug 2017

Medical experts explore different ways to enhance situation of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

More than 70 leading medical specialists, nurses, patient advocates, researchers, regulatory / Health Technology Assessment experts and industry representatives gathered on 3 May 2017 in Valencia, Spain to discuss existing challenges and what is needed to improve the situation of patients affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

18 Aug 2017

$FDA approval provides new, targeted treatment option for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL$

FDA approval provides new, targeted treatment option for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell ALL

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Besponsa (inotuzumab ozogamicin) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

17 Aug 2017

UBC researchers develop method to quickly and sensitively assess malaria progression

Left untreated, malaria can progress from being mild to severe -- and potentially fatal -- in 24 hours. So researchers at the University of British Columbia developed a method to quickly and sensitively assess the progression of the mosquito-borne infectious disease, which remains a leading killer in low-income countries.

11 Aug 2017

FDA gives its nod to new drug Imbruvica (Ibrutinib) for chronic Graft versus Host Disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday in a press release informed about the approval of Imbruvica (ibrutinib) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) who have previously failed with one or more treatment. This is the first drug that the FDA has given its approval to in this disease condition.

2 Aug 2017

$New drug Idhifa for patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) gets FDA nod$

New drug Idhifa for patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) gets FDA nod

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a statement yesterday reported its approval for a new drug, Idhifa (enasidenib) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults that has either relapsed or is refractory to standard chemotherapy.

2 Aug 2017

Expert highlights CRISPR’s applications, limitations, and ethical concerns

"Good morning, doctor, I am here for my gene editing appointment." In the future, could this be a greeting heard in physician offices around the world? With the introduction of CRISPR technology, genetic material can now be more easily and precisely edited, even creating changes that can subsequently be inherited by offspring.

1 Aug 2017

U.S. FDA approves updated labeling for pan-genotypic single tablet regimen for HCV/HIV co-infected patients

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved updated labeling for Epclusa (sofosbuvir 400mg/velpatasvir 100mg), the first all-oral, pan-genotypic, once-daily single tablet regimen (STR) for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, to include use in patients co-infected with HIV.