Autoimmune Disease News and Research

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Autoimmune Disease is a condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.

T1D and IBD may respond to 2-way genetic switch: Study

Pediatric researchers analyzing DNA variations in type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease have found a complex interplay of genes. Some genes have opposing effects, raising the risk of one disease while protecting against the other. In other cases, a gene variant may act in the same direction, raising the risk for both diseases.

23 Mar 2010

You and your baby may need vitamin D supplementation says research

This report appeared in the respected Journal Pediatrics this week. There has been growing awareness regarding deficiency of Vitamin D in children and adults. This vitamin is important for healthy bones, immunity and other bodily processes. In children inadequacy of this vitamin in diet may lead to bone damage, rickets, repeated infections and heart disease in later life.

23 Mar 2010

Nodality raises $15.5M to support launch of acute myelogenous leukemia test

Nodality, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of next generation personalized medicine tests in cancer and autoimmune disease, today announced it completed financing in which the company raised $15.5 million.

23 Mar 2010

AARDA launches campaign on family AQ

In honor of the designation of March as National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month by the U.S. Senate on March 4, 2010, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) wants to help you learn your family's AQ. AQ is a play on IQ that stands for Autoimmune Quotient. It's about knowing how likely you or a loved one is to develop an autoimmune disease, based on the prevalence of these diseases and your family history. The campaign features AARDA National Spokesperson and Actress Kellie Martin, best known for her memorable roles on "E.R." and "Life Goes On."

22 Mar 2010

JDRF hosts Diabetes Research Symposium to focus on type 1 diabetes

For the second consecutive year in Montreal, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Diabetes Research Symposium will be opening its doors at Fairmont Queen Elizabeth this Sunday, March 21st, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free and open to all, this event will focus on type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, and aims to inform the general public about JDRF's groundbreaking research progress.

19 Mar 2010

PhRMA President honors Ron and Raychel Bartek for driving awareness of Friedreich's ataxia

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America President and CEO Billy Tauzin today honored Ron and Raychel Bartek for their dedicated work driving awareness of Friedreich's ataxia, a debilitating, life-threatening, rare disease.

19 Mar 2010

Low vitamin D levels in African American children connected with high asthma rates

Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have discovered that African American children with asthma in metropolitan Washington, DC, are significantly more likely to have low levels of vitamin D than healthy African American children.

18 Mar 2010

Pathway Genomics' personal Genetic Health Report now available

Pathway Genomics Inc., a U.S. based genetic testing company, announced the immediate availability of its personal Genetic Health Report. This customized and innovative personal genetic health report contains information on more than 70 health conditions, including pharmacogenetics (prescription medication response), propensity for complex disease, and carrier status (pre-pregnancy health).

17 Mar 2010

Genentech submits ACTEMRA sBLA to FDA

Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group, today announced that the company submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) for the prevention of structural joint damage (as assessed by radiograph) and improvement in physical function in adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

17 Mar 2010

XOMA initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of XOMA 052 in Type 1 diabetes patients

XOMA Ltd., a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of XOMA 052, its antibody to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), in Type 1 diabetes patients. Funding for the trial is being provided by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the largest patient advocacy organization of Type 1 diabetes research worldwide.

12 Mar 2010

Antibiotics lower risk of developing gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium found in about 50% of humans worldwide, can cause stomach ulcers and, in extreme cases, gastric cancer. In an article for F1000 Medicine Reports, Seiji Shiota and Yoshio Yamaoka discuss the possible eradication of H. pylori infections

12 Mar 2010

Discovery of novel cellular mechanism may help develop new treatments for cancer

A research team led by the University of Colorado at Boulder has discovered a previously unknown cellular "switch" that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer.

12 Mar 2010

USPTO issues patent related to Seattle Genetics' ADC technology

Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent related to its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. U.S. Patent No. 7,659,241 covers cleavable linkers and potent auristatin drug payloads used in certain of Seattle Genetics’ ADC programs, most notably brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), as well as many ADC programs in development by its collaborators.

11 Mar 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals announces net income of $3.9M for fourth-quarter 2009

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

10 Mar 2010

Cellzome, GSK form second major alliance to develop new anti-inflammatory drugs

Cellzome today announced that it has formed a second strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). This new collaboration gives GSK exclusive access to Cellzome's proprietary Episphere(TM) technology in the emerging field of epigenetics as applied to immunoinflammatory disease. Epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in controlling immune cell differentiation and inflammatory gene expression during an excessive inflammatory response.

10 Mar 2010

Papaya's anticancer effect against broad range of lab-grown tumors documented

The humble papaya is gaining credibility in Western medicine for anticancer powers that folk cultures have recognized for generations.

10 Mar 2010

March designated as 'National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month'

On the evening of March 4, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating March as "National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and increase funding for autoimmune disease research. The Senate resolution (S.RES.372) was introduced by Michigan Senator Carl Levin on December 8, 2009.

9 Mar 2010

Gaps in lupus research and understanding have profound effect on people living with disease

On March 16, 2010, an anticipated 1,000 advocates will band together for lupus in person and virtually by phone, email, and through social media networks, to share their personal stories with Members of Congress during the Lupus Foundation of America’s Twelfth Annual Advocacy Day.

9 Mar 2010

ITCH gene causes multisystem autoimmune disorder

The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and the clinical skills and persistence of Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children physicians in collaboration with physicians and researchers at the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster County, Penn., which specializes in disorders of the Amish.

9 Mar 2010

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals proposes $95 million underwritten public offering of common stock

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it is offering to sell, subject to market and other conditions, $95,000,000 of its common stock pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement in an underwritten public offering. Lexicon also intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $14,250,000 of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

8 Mar 2010