Immune System News and Research

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USPTO issues Notice of Allowances to Lakewood's three patent applications for treatment of HUS

Lakewood-Amedex, a leading developer of novel anti-infective pharmaceuticals, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Notice of Allowances on three patent applications relating to the use of novel monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by shiga toxin II secreting E.coli O157: H7 strain.

28 Jan 2011

Study suggests newborn diagnosis can improve survival in SCID patients

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency occurs in just one out of every 50,000 to 100,000 births in the United States, yet it is the most serious primary immunodeficiency disorder. A study published today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology, demonstrates that babies with SCID who are diagnosed at birth and receive a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, which is the transplantation of blood-forming stem cells, have significantly improved survival.

28 Jan 2011

HIV causes specific subset of CD4+ T-cells to age rapidly: Study

In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, being infected with the virus that causes the disease was considered a virtual death sentence. But with the development of antiretroviral therapy, many with HIV are now living much longer. In fact, it is estimated that by 2015, about half of all HIV-positive individuals will be older than 50.

28 Jan 2011

Magnetic nanoparticles for ovarian cancer treatment

A paper published in the January issue of the journal Nanomedicine could provide the foundation for a new ovarian cancer treatment option - one that would use an outside-the-body filtration device to remove a large portion of the free-floating cancer cells that often create secondary tumors.

28 Jan 2011

Scientist identifies polymorphism that raises risk of poor outcomes in preterm infants

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified biomarkers of poor outcomes in preterm infants that may help identify new approaches to prevention.

28 Jan 2011

Receptos begins RPC1063 Phase 1 clinical study in patients with multiple sclerosis

Receptos, announced today that their highly selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 agonist, RPC1063, has been administered to the first subject in a single-ascending and multiple-ascending dose design Phase 1 clinical safety study.

28 Jan 2011

Interferon-alpha associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis in patients with SLE

Researchers in China have demonstrated interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For the first time, IFN-α priming was shown to promote lipid uptake and foam cell formation—a crucial step in plaque build-up. This activation of the IFN signaling pathway may be linked to the premature atherosclerosis risk in SLE.

27 Jan 2011

Baxter fourth quarter net income declines 26% to $423 million

Baxter International Inc. today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010, and provided its financial outlook for the first quarter and full-year 2011.

From Baxter International Inc. 27 Jan 2011

Fibroblasts help 'recruit' immune cells for tumor growth

The most common connective tissue cell in animals is the fibroblast, which plays an important role in healing wounds. But Dr. Neta Erez of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine has now demonstrated that fibroblasts can also do a body great harm, helping to "recruit" immune cells for tumor growth.

27 Jan 2011

'Phenotype switching' helps bacteria lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections

A new study into Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium which is responsible for severe chronic infections worldwide, reveals how the bacteria have developed a strategy of hiding within host cells to escape the immune system as well as many antibacterial treatments. The research, published by EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrates how 'phenotype switching' enables bacteria to adapt to their environmental conditions, lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections.

27 Jan 2011

Antibiotic use in first six months of life may result in childhood asthma

When babies are given antibiotics, their risk of developing asthma by age 6 may increase by 50 percent. This relationship between antibiotic use in babies less than six months old and risk of developing asthma was documented in a study conducted by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researcher Kari Risnes.

27 Jan 2011

Study: Removal of B lymphocytes can reverse aging process

Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have discovered a way to reverse the aging process by removing old B lymphocytes from old mice, and forcing the production of young, potent cells to replace them.

27 Jan 2011

Triggering CD45 molecule blocks early development of AD

A new target for the prevention of adverse immune responses identified as factors in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been discovered by researchers at the University of South Florida's Department of Psychiatry and the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair.

27 Jan 2011

Research shows how pathogenic bacteria hide inside host cells

A new study into Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium which is responsible for severe chronic infections worldwide, reveals how bacteria have developed a strategy of hiding within host cells to escape the immune system as well as many antibacterial treatments. The research, published by EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrates how ‘phenotype switching’ enables bacteria to adapt to their environmental conditions, lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections.

26 Jan 2011

Traffic noise and stroke risk: Study

A new study shows that traffic noise may increase the risk of stroke, particularly for older individuals. The study looked at the association between road traffic noise and stroke in more than 51,000 Danish people and found that for every 10-decibel increase in noise level, the risk of stroke increased by 14 percent. In those over 65, the risk of stroke increased 27 percent.

26 Jan 2011

Measles warnings for Australia and New Zealand

In a flight from Brisbane that arrived in Auckland two weeks ago, a child was confirmed to have measles and has been taken to hospital. Five other cases of the virus have been confirmed. At present a further 100 cases are being investigated by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

26 Jan 2011

Spine surgeon successfully treated with RNL Bio's stem cell therapy for Autoimmune Arthritis

RNL BIO CO., LTD, a leading biopharmaceutical company specialized in adult stem cell therapeutics, announced on January 21, 2011 another successful patient report utilizing stem cell therapy on a leading US orthopedic spine surgeon who suffered from Autoimmune Arthritis.

26 Jan 2011

Johnson & Johnson fourth quarter sales decreases 5.5% to $15.6 billion

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $15.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of 5.5% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Operational sales declined 5.1% and the negative impact of currency was 0.4%. Domestic sales declined 8.1%, while international sales declined 3.1%, reflecting an operational decline of 2.3% and a negative currency impact of 0.8%.

25 Jan 2011

2011 Japan Prize laureates announced

The Japan Prize Foundation today announced the laureates of its 2011 Japan Prize, one of the world's most prestigious international awards in science and technology.

25 Jan 2011

Regulatory changes needed to protect public health from exposure to toxicants

Americans are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands, of suspected toxic substances every day, substances that affect the development and function of the brain, immune system, reproductive organs or hormones. Children are the most vulnerable. But no public health law requires product testing of most chemical compounds before they enter the marketplace.

25 Jan 2011