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Hydroxyurea safe and effective for infants, toddlers with sickle-cell disease

In what is being hailed as a significant advance in the treatment of children with sickle cell anemia, a drug commonly used to treat adults has been shown to be safe and effective in children.

13 May 2011

New study finds nitric oxide gas appears to affect source of sickle cell pain crises

Nitric oxide gas appears to directly impact the source of the classic, disabling pain crises of sickle cell disease, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report.

10 May 2011

Study provides information about hematuria in microscopic urinalysis and urinary tract cancer

Hematuria or blood in the urine may trigger a battery of tests for urinary tract cancer that are invasive and can unnecessarily expose patients to radiation, yet the procedures contribute little to the diagnosis, according to a study by Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research & Evaluation published in the May issue of the Journal of Urology.

7 May 2011

FibroGen announces proof-of-principle for FG-4592 Phase 2 study in hemodialysis patients

FibroGen, Inc., today announced proof-of-principle for oral anemia therapy FG-4592, a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, in end-stage renal disease patients receiving hemodialysis.

4 May 2011

RBC transfusion linked to improved survival after intracerebral hemorrhage

In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage —a type of stroke caused by bleeding inside the brain—transfusion with red blood cells may improve the chances of survival, reports a study in the May issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

3 May 2011

Low vitamin D levels linked to anemia in children

Pediatricians from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and elsewhere have discovered a link between low levels of vitamin D and anemia in children.

2 May 2011

New guide to help cancer patients manage symptoms, side effects

Cancer patients can be hit with a nasty array of symptoms and side effects, from anemia and anxiety to hair loss and hot flashes. Some of these problems can be so overwhelming that they cause patients to abandon life-saving treatments.

30 Apr 2011

Researchers unravel mechanism behind sickle hemoglobin protection against malaria

The latest issue of the journal Cell carries an article that is likely to help solve one of the long-standing mysteries of biomedicine. In a study that challenges currently held views, researchers at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci-ncia, in Portugal, unravel the molecular mechanism whereby sickle cell hemoglobin confers a survival advantage against malaria, the disease caused by Plasmodium infection.

29 Apr 2011

Takeda, Affymax announce additional peginesatide Phase 3 study results in dialysis patients

Affymax, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, today announced results of additional analyses from two Phase 3 studies of the investigational agent, peginesatide in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis with anemia.

29 Apr 2011

Cerus first quarter total revenue is $6.6 million for 2011

Cerus Corporation today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

28 Apr 2011

EPO doping drug can reduce cerebral malaria related deaths

Almost 3.3 billion people, half of the world's population, risk being infected with malaria. Despite having effective means against malaria, the WHO reports 250 million cases of malaria each year and more than 700,000 related deaths. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have now discovered that EPO, the doping drug known from professional cycling, can significantly reduce cerebral malaria related deaths.

22 Apr 2011

Discovery of cancer drugs to kill malaria parasite could open up new strategies for treatment

Ahead of World Malaria Day (25 April), EU-funded researchers have discovered that drugs originally designed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells can also kill the parasite that causes malaria. They believe this discovery could open up a new strategy for combating this deadly disease, which, according to World Health Organisation statistics, infected around 225 million and killed nearly 800 000 people worldwide in 2009.

21 Apr 2011

Blood journal to publish Soliris study results in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria

The Canadian Association of PNH Patients welcomes the upcoming publication of a study that resoundingly proves the efficacy of Soliris, the first and only life-saving treatment for the ultra-rare blood disease known as Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria.

11 Apr 2011

Louisville Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine earns APS' Walter B. Cannon Award

Heart failure affects roughly six million Americans, yet treatment consists of either a heart transplant or the insertion of mechanical devices that assist the heart. This is unacceptable to Roberto Bolli, MD, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky., which is why he is on a mission to make cardiac stem cell treatment an option for all who must cope with the limitations of a failing heart.

11 Apr 2011

New ‘nanotech’ weapon against drug-resistant superbugs

Scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) and IBM Research – Almaden have developed the first biodegradable polymer nanoparticles to combat drug-resistant superbugs, such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These nanoparticles can selectively kill the bacteria without destroying healthy red blood cells, and being biodegradable, have great potential to treat infectious diseases in the body. This was reported today in the leading scientific journal, Nature Chemistry [(2011) DOI: 10.1038/nchem.1012].

3 Apr 2011

Lilly's Axiron testosterone replacement therapy now available in US pharmacies

Eli Lilly and Company announced today that Axiron® (testosterone) topical solution is available in pharmacies throughout the United States. Axiron is a prescription medicine used to treat adult males that have low or no testosterone. Safety and efficacy of Axiron in males younger than 18 years of age have not been established.

1 Apr 2011

Cellectis 2010 total operating revenues increase 55% to EUR 15.8M

Cellectis, the genome engineering specialist, has announced its consolidated financial results for the financial year ended December 31, 2010.

31 Mar 2011

Study: Y-90 radioembolization is a safe treatment for patients with liver cancer

Interventional radiologists have been the leaders in the use of intra-arterial yttrium-90 radioembolization, since its introduction in 2000, to treat liver cancer.

29 Mar 2011

Diabetic smokers beware - Nicotine raises blood sugar: Study

U.S. researchers have found that nicotine in cigarettes may be responsible for serious complications in smokers with diabetes. They have shown that nicotine is strongly linked to persistently raised blood sugar levels among diabetics and scientists say they should make every effort to quit. There may also be implications for diabetics attempting to give up the habit who use nicotine-replacement therapy for extended periods.

27 Mar 2011

China PharmaHub, University of California enter license agreement for stem cell universal donor blood product

China PharmaHub Corp., a biopharmaceutical acquisition and development company, today announced that it has signed a exclusive worldwide license agreement with the University of California, for worldwide rights to develop, commercialize and market a universal donor blood product derived from embryonic stem cells developed by UCSD Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics Dr. Ewa Carrier.

21 Mar 2011