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Study shows link between fructose and pancreatic cancer proliferation

Pancreatic cancers use the sugar fructose, very common in the Western diet, to activate a key cellular pathway that drives cell division, helping the cancer to grow more quickly, a study by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has found.

4 Aug 2010

Proton therapy to treat patient’s tumor without compromising quality of life

The radiation oncologist's mantra is to deliver the maximum dose of radiation to the malignant tumor, while limiting damage to healthy surrounding tissue. In proton therapy, this balance is achieved by using proton particles, accelerated to nearly the speed of light, to mimic the shape of a tumor and effectively deposit their energy within the confines of it with sub-millimeter precision.

4 Aug 2010

Scientists identify IRP proteins to ensure iron balance for cell survival

Most organisms need iron to survive, but too much iron is toxic, and can cause fatal organ failure. The same is true inside cells, where iron balance must also be maintained. In a study published today in Cell Metabolism, scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, have discovered that a group of proteins named IRPs ensure that this iron balance is kept and as such are essential for cell survival. More specifically, they found that IRPs are required for the functioning of mitochondria, the cell's energy factories.

4 Aug 2010

BCM collaborates with Roche NimbleGen for high throughput exome capture technology

The Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center has standardized its target enrichment human disease research studies on Roche NimbleGen Sequence Capture Exome technology. The Baylor HGSC will sequence over 5,000 exomes in the next two years to identify genetic variants underlying multiple human diseases and will employ NimbleGen SeqCap EZ Exome and customized NimbleGen exome designs as the exome capture technology of choice. More than 15 different diseases will be investigated by Baylor HGSC, including brain, liver, pancreatic, colon, ovarian and bladder cancers, heart disease, diabetes, autism, and other inherited diseases with the goal of better understanding causative mutations and their impact on these diseases.

4 Aug 2010

Accuray receives Shonin approval to market CyberKnife G4 Robotic Radiosurgery System

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today it received Shonin approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to market the CyberKnife G4 Robotic Radiosurgery System to treat tumors non-invasively anywhere in the body, inclusive of head and neck. The System will be marketed in Japan as the "CyberKnife Radiosurgery System."

3 Aug 2010

Curis reports net loss of $2.1 million for second-quarter 2010

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

3 Aug 2010

First patient treated in Phase Ib expansion study of CUDC-101

Curis, Inc., a drug development company seeking to develop next generation targeted small molecule drug candidates for cancer treatment, today announced that the first patient has been treated in a Phase Ib expansion study for CUDC-101 in patients with advanced head and neck, gastric, breast and liver cancers.

3 Aug 2010

Recommendations available for managing ascites, SBP and hepatorenal syndrome

The peer reviewed guidelines will be available in the September 2010 issue, (Volume 53, No.3) of the Journal of Hepatology and online in advance of publication at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20633946 . They also provide recommendations for the management of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome, which often affect patients with cirrhosis.

3 Aug 2010

New trend in management of post-liver transplantation biliary strictures

Endoscopic intervention has emerged to become the first line treatment for benign biliary strictures following liver transplantation. The current endoscopic approach involves repetitive dilatation of the stricture and placement of multiple large-diameter parallel plastic stents with frequent stent exchange to prevent biliary infection.

3 Aug 2010

Alphavirus vaccine blocks tumor growth in advanced cancer: Research

An experimental vaccine based on a virus that causes encephalitis in the wild appears to block tumor growth in some cases of advanced cancer, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. Scientists say the vaccine is able to stimulate an immune response, even in the face of profound immune system suppression, a condition most patients with advanced cancer experience.

3 Aug 2010

Taligen Therapeutics to highlight three pipeline candidates at XXIII ICW

Taligen Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing therapies that regulate the complement system to treat inflammatory and immune diseases, today announced that preclinical data on three of its pipeline candidates will be highlighted at the XXIII International Complement Workshop taking place August 1-5, 2010, in New York City.

2 Aug 2010

Body’s natural cell suicide program may trigger tumor development: Study

Cancer research springs a surprise. Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne have found that programmed cell death (apoptosis) or cell suicide plays a role in tumor development. This process is an important phenomenon in our body as it helps remove damaged cells. Now apoptosis has been found to be protective against cancer formation and autoimmune diseases.

1 Aug 2010

Painkiller combinations cost more but are less effective: Report

In a new article in the journal Australian Prescriber, there is a warning that combination painkillers cause more side effects and may not provide the relief promised. This comes from the National Prescribing Service (NPS), Australia's medicine review body.

1 Aug 2010

VBDS secondary to nevirapine use in HIV-positive, pregnant female: Report

Vanishing bile duct syndrome refers to a group of disorders characterized by destruction and disappearance of intrahepatic (inside the liver) bile ducts. Multiple causes have been identified including infections, malignancies, autoimmune conditions and adverse effects of medications. The usual course of this condition is variable and many patients with VBDS respond to treatment of the underlying condition and/ or removal of the offending agent. However, others progress to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation.

31 Jul 2010

Exposure of mBM-MSCs to VPA increases hepatic differentiation

Recent studies suggest that MSCs possess a greater differentiation potential than once thought and several hepatic differentiation protocols from bone marrow cells have been established. However, the incidence of bone marrow-derived hepatocytes was low. Moreover, a long culture period is needed in most cases.

31 Jul 2010

Conatus acquires Idun Pharmaceuticals

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that Conatus acquired the Idun Pharmaceuticals subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed. Conatus Pharmaceuticals is a privately-held drug development company focused on liver disease and oncology.

31 Jul 2010

Microsulis launches Acculis percutaneous microwave tissue ablation system at ECIO

Microsulis Medical Ltd (MML), the leading company in microwave technology for medical devices, has successfully launched the Acculis percutaneous microwave tissue ablation system, Accu2i pMTA, at the second European Conference on Interventional Oncology (ECIO) in Florence, Italy. A revolutionary new device for destroying tumours, the system is a 1.8mm diameter closed water-cooled needle, with performance matching the existing Acculis open surgery MTA system.

31 Jul 2010

Functional MRI can be used to assess tumor viability

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (the disease commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer) carries the worst prognosis of any cancer. As current treatments offer minimal benefit, entirely new approaches are needed. Given the success of local therapies, as opposed to intravenous systemic therapies, for liver diseases (such as hepatocellular carcinoma), it is thought that similar local therapies may benefit patients with pancreatic cancer. To develop such therapies, it would be useful to devise targets that are easy to obtain and can indicate the efficacy of these new therapies in models of pancreatic cancer.

31 Jul 2010

Endo Pharmaceuticals total revenues for second-quarter 2010 increase 6% to $396.5 million

Endo Pharmaceuticals today reported financial results for the second quarter 2010. Total revenues during the second quarter of 2010 increased 6 percent to $396.5 million, compared with $373.1 million in the same quarter of 2009. Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was $51.5 million, compared with $30.0 million in the comparable 2009 period.

30 Jul 2010

Intercept signs CRADA with NIDDK for study of obeticholic acid in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for chronic fibrotic and metabolic diseases, today announced the signing of a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health to conduct a double blind, multi-center, study to evaluate the effects of obeticholic acid in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

28 Jul 2010