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Anti-cancer drug loaded microcarriers successfully guided to targeted area in the liver

Soon, drug delivery that precisely targets cancerous cells without exposing the healthy surrounding tissue to the medication's toxic effects will no longer be an oncologist's dream but a medical reality, thanks to the work of Professor Sylvain Martel, Director of the Nanorobotics Laboratory at Polytechnique Montr-al.

16 Mar 2011

Study underscores need for monitoring vitamin D levels in all cirrhosis patients

Vitamin D deficiency is a well reported complication in chronic cholestatic liver disease such as primary biliary cirrhosis. While the prevalence and treatment of this deficiency has been addressed in many articles over the last decades, little is known of the vitamin D status in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

16 Mar 2011

iTherX commences ITX-5061 Phase 1b study in patients with HCV

iTherX, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing a new class of therapies for hepatitis C, today announced that it has commenced patient recruitment in an open-label, proof-of-concept Phase 1b study of its lead compound ITX-5061 in liver transplant patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

16 Mar 2011

Heavy drinking related to pancreatic cancer: Study

According to the latest research, heavy drinkers have an increased risk of dying from pancreatic cancer. The study has shown that non-smokers who have three or more drinks of hard liquor a day face a 36 percent higher risk of dying from pancreatic cancer, compared with non-drinkers. Smoking is a definite risk for pancreatic cancer. The report is published in the March 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

15 Mar 2011

Cerenis commences CER-001 Phase 2 CHI-SQUARE study in patients with ACS

Cerenis Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel high-density lipoprotein therapies to treat cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced the start of the Phase 2 CHI-SQUARE study of CER-001 in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

15 Mar 2011

Bariatric surgery can lead to long-term weight loss, reduce cardiac risk factors in obese adults

Bariatric surgery can result in long-term weight loss and significant reductions in cardiac and other risk factors for some severely obese adults, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

15 Mar 2011

Heavy alcohol consumption linked to increased risk of death from pancreatic cancer

Heavy alcohol consumption, specifically three or more glasses of liquor a day, is associated with an increased risk of death from pancreatic cancer, according to a report in the March 14 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

15 Mar 2011

Cancer Research UK introduces new centre in Oxford

A new centre launched today will cement Oxford's place at the forefront of cancer research, and form one of the final links in a unique chain of Cancer Research UK Centres across the country.

15 Mar 2011

Scientists identify strategy for targeted molecular therapy in liver cancer

In a research study appearing in the journal Cancer Cell on March 14, scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and four other institutions have identified a strategy for targeted molecular therapy in liver cancer, which currently has limited treatment options and one of the worst one-year survival rates of any cancer type.

15 Mar 2011

EASL schedules press conference and news briefings during International Liver Congress 2011

The EASL International Liver Congress is an opportunity for over 6,000 clinicians and scientists from around the world to hear the latest research, perspectives and treatments for liver diseases from principal experts in the field. It features a high-calibre and multi-disciplinary scientific programme covering groundbreaking information and in-depth examination of the most essential topics.

14 Mar 2011

New study identifies 15 genetic regions underlying primary biliary cirrhosis

Researchers have provided new clues into the genetics underlying a chronic form of liver disease, called primary biliary cirrhosis, which can lead to transplant surgery for patients.

14 Mar 2011

New analytic method suggests tumors grow in punctuated, staccato-like bursts

A new method of analyzing cancerous tumors developed by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suggests that tumors may not evolve gradually, but rather in punctuated or staccato-like bursts.

14 Mar 2011

Novel biomarkers may aid in diagnosis and management of asthma, COPD

Four novel biomarkers have been identified which may aid in the diagnosis and management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia, who determined the biomarkers may be used in different combinations to successfully identify patients with either of the airway diseases.

14 Mar 2011

Test that measures destruction of lung air sacs, could help prevent progression of emphysema

During a regular annual physical exam, blood is usually drawn to check the health of a person's heart, kidneys and liver. Now, researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center say a blood test that detects the early development of emphysema -- well before symptoms occur -- may someday also be offered.

12 Mar 2011

Coffee reduces stroke risk: Study

A new study involving nearly 35,000 women published Thursday in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that drinking coffee may lower the risk of stroke.

12 Mar 2011

Ardea Biosciences fourth quarter net loss decreases to $0.6 million

Ardea Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases, reported recent accomplishments and announced fourth quarter and full-year 2010 financial results.

11 Mar 2011

Synta fourth-quarter total collaboration revenue decreases to $3.0 million

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to treat severe medical conditions, today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2010 financial results, provided an update on recent progress with its programs, and announced 2011 objectives.

11 Mar 2011

Texas Children's completes first phase of certification to implant SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart

Texas Children's Hospital and SynCardia Systems, Inc. announced today that Texas Children's has become the world's first pediatric hospital to complete the first phase of certification to implant the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart. The hospital intends to use the Total Artificial Heart as a bridge to transplant for their patients who received a heart transplant as children and now require mechanical support as a bridge to their second transplant.

11 Mar 2011

Scientists discover four new genetic variants in humans linked with NAFLD

Five genetic variants in humans - four new - associate with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, according to a study published March 10 in PLoS Genetics.

10 Mar 2011

Coffee consumption may reduce risk of stroke in women

Drinking more than a cup of coffee a day was associated with a 22 percent to 25 percent lower risk of stroke, compared with those who drank less, in a study reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

10 Mar 2011