Apoptosis News and Research

RSS

Apoptosis is programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

New study to boost immune cells for pathogen resistance and vaccine efficacy in elderly

A new study from the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake, New York, demonstrates that immune system cells important for both pathogen resistance and vaccine efficacy live longer in older animals but because of this longevity acquire functional defects. The work may provide new targets for boosting immune system function in older individuals.

6 Oct 2009

Antibiotic minocycline may be used for treatment of strokes: Study

The antibiotic minocycline may revolutionize the treatment of strokes. A new study, published in the open access journal BMC Neuroscience, describes the safety and therapeutic efficacy of the drug in animal models.

6 Oct 2009

Molecular mechanisms of BN108 and timosaponin AIII described in a journal

Bionovo, Inc. today announced the publication in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal Public Library of Science One (PLoS ONE) of a paper describing the molecular mechanisms underlying the selective cytotoxic activity of its drug candidate BN108 and its active compound, timosaponin AIII.

2 Oct 2009

Provectus Pharmaceuticals commences Phase 1 study of PV-10 for liver cancer

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has initiated a Phase 1 study of PV-10 for liver cancer. The study will enroll up to six subjects with cancer metastatic to the liver or with recurrent liver cancer. PV-10 is the company’s lead oncology drug candidate that is also currently undergoing Phase 2 study for metastatic melanoma.

1 Oct 2009

Membrane-bound Fas ligand is essential for cell death: Researchers

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have put an end to a 10-year debate over which form of a molecular messenger called Fas ligand is responsible for killing cells during programmed cell death (also called apoptosis).

1 Oct 2009

Misregulation of SPAK protein may contribute to B-cell lymphoma development

A group led by Dr. Michael Teitell at UCLA has demonstrated that misregulation of the protein SPAK may contribute to B-cell lymphoma development. Their report can be found in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Pathology.

28 Sep 2009

Preclinical data on Protalix Biotherapeutics' antiTNF released

Protalix Biotherapeutics, Inc., reported today preclinical data on pr-antiTNF, a biosimilar version of etanercept (Enbrel). Produced using the Company’s proprietary ProCellEx technology, pr-antiTNF is a plant cell expressed recombinant fusion protein made from the soluble form of the human TNF receptor (TNFR), fused to the Fc component of a human antibody IgG1 domain. Pr-antiTNF has an identical amino acid sequence to Enbrel.

23 Sep 2009

Bayer's regorafenib showed 50% stabilization rate in RCC patients

Bayer today announced results from a Phase II trial of regorafenib (BAY 73-4506), a potent oral multi-kinase inhibitor, which demonstrated that treatment with regorafenib resulted in a 31 percent partial response rate and 50 percent stabilization rate in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

22 Sep 2009

Investigative drug hampers the survival of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells

An investigative drug deprived non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells of their ability to survive too long and multiply too fast, according to an early study published recently in the journal Experimental Hematology.

22 Sep 2009

Update from Cannabis Science regarding its phytocannabinoid pharmaceutical products

Cannabis Science Inc. (NASD OTCBB: CBIS) an emerging pharmaceutical cannabis company, is pleased to report progress for its phytocannabinoid pharmaceutical products to help reduce ARDS-associated deaths from both the Avian and Swine Influenza infections.

22 Sep 2009

Novel cleavage sites for enzyme caspase-3 identified

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have identified novel cleavage sites for the enzyme caspase-3 (an enzyme that proteolytically cleaves target proteins). Using an advanced proteomic technique called N-terminomics, Guy Salvesen, Ph.D., professor and director of the Apoptosis and Cell Death Research program of Burnham's NCI-designated Cancer Center, and colleagues determined the cleavage sites on target proteins and found, contrary to previous understanding, that caspase-3 targets α-helices as well as unstructured loops.

22 Sep 2009

Provectus' Phase 2 clinical trial of PV-10 for metastatic melanoma complete

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: PVCT), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has completed the treatment portion, including all protocol-allowed retreatments of all patients, of its Phase 2 clinical trial of PV-10 for metastatic melanoma. The study involved treatment of 80 subjects with Stage III or Stage IV metastatic melanoma.

21 Sep 2009

Study to determine the expression of S100A2 and p63 genes

As a member of the S100 family, S100A2 is considered a candidate tumor-suppressor gene. Recently, p63 gene, a new member of the p53 gene family, has been studied in the fields of tumorigenesis, cell apoptosis and tissue growth. At present, few studies have been carried out on the expression and relationship of S100A2 and p63 in EC.

18 Sep 2009

Study reveals that YAP can be used for the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma

A research team led by Professor Yan Xin, from The Fourth Laboratory of Cancer Institute in China measured the expression of YAP and survivin in normal gastric mucosa, precancerous lesions and gastric carcinoma using an immunohistochemical method to analyze the significance and correlations of the 2 factors with gastric carcinogenesis.

17 Sep 2009

Bayer HealthCare to present its clinical trial data at a joint Multidisciplinary Congress

Bayer HealthCare today announced that data from more than 30 clinical trials evaluating three products in the company's oncology portfolio - Nexavar(R) (sorafenib) tablets, regorafenib (BAY 73-4506) and Alpharadin(TM) - will be presented at the joint 15th European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) and 34th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Multidisciplinary Congress, September 20-24, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

17 Sep 2009

Cryosurgery: Primary treatment option for prostate cancer

After years of innovation and intensive research, a team of Binghamton University (BU) researchers working with Cell Preservation Services, Inc., Owego, NY has broken extraordinary new ground in the recognition of cryosurgery as a primary treatment option for prostate cancer.

16 Sep 2009

Calcium stones and cell death is linked to prolonged stressful conditions

Study shows prolonged stress sparks ER to release calcium stores and induce cell death in aging-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and neurodegeneration

15 Sep 2009

EGCG in green tea helps prolong preservation of stored blood platelets

In two separate studies, a major component in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), has been found to help prolong the preservation of both stored blood platelets and cryopreserved skin tissues.

15 Sep 2009

Laquinimod study data reveals its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech today presented data further illuminating the novel, dual mechanism of action (MOA) of investigational oral, once-daily, laquinimod for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), conferring neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

14 Sep 2009

Roche scientists use their xCELLigence System to analyze nutlin-induced apoptosis

The p53 tumor suppressor, a transcription factor that activates or inhibits hundreds of genes, either directly or indirectly, triggers a variety of cellular effects and plays a central role in the cellular defense against cancer. One of the main approaches for pharmacological intervention is to activate wild-type p53 in cancer cells by blocking MDM2 from binding to p53.

11 Sep 2009