Biomarker News and Research

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A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule.

Researchers use two new methods to detect levels of ALK protein expression in NSCLC

The implementation of personalized health care in cancer relies on the identification and characterization of cancer biomarkers and the availability of accurate detection systems and therapies for those biomarkers.

2 Jul 2013

HDAC10 gene plays a key role in autophagy and resistance to chemotherapy in high-risk neuroblastomas

Neuroblastomas are pediatric tumors that originate from cells of the embryonic nervous system. The disease can take widely varying clinical courses that range from spontaneous regression to fatal outcomes.

2 Jul 2013

Genentech's Perjeta regimen gets FDA Priority Review for HER2-positive early stage breast cancer

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the company's supplemental Biologics License Application for the use of a Perjeta (pertuzumab) regimen before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment) in people with HER2-positive early stage breast cancer.

2 Jul 2013

Biomarker indicates which women are at risk for breast cancer recurrence after tamoxifen

A biomarker reflecting expression levels of two genes in tumor tissue may be able to predict which women treated for estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer should receive a second estrogen-blocking medication after completing tamoxifen treatment.

30 Jun 2013

New procedure to treat acid reflux can prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients

A Loyola University Medical Center study suggests that a procedure to treat acid reflux could help prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients.

30 Jun 2013

Study suggests amylin deposits are a new biomarker for age-related dementia and Alzheimer's

A second amyloid may play a role in Alzheimer's disease, UC Davis researchers find. A protein secreted with insulin travels through the bloodstream and accumulates in the brains of individuals with type 2 diabetes and dementia, in the same manner as the amyloid beta (Αβ) plaques that are associated with Alzheimer's disease, a study by researchers with the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center has found.

28 Jun 2013

Researchers say genetics and life experience independently protect against cognitive decline in MS

U.S. and Italian researchers have determined that brain reserve, as well as cognitive reserve, independently protects against cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis (MS). Their article, "Brain reserve and cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis: What you've got and how you use it", was published in Neurology on June 11, 2013.

26 Jun 2013

Verastem announces initiation of VS-4718 Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced cancer

Verastem, Inc., focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat cancer by the targeted killing of cancer stem cells, announced the initiation of a Phase 1 trial of VS-4718, a novel, small molecule inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase, in patients with advanced cancer.

26 Jun 2013

Study shows absence of gene leads to early onset of more serious disease in MS animal model

Scientists led by a UCSF neurology researcher are reporting that they have identified the likely genetic mechanism that causes some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to quickly progress to a debilitating stage of the disease while other patients progress much more slowly.

25 Jun 2013

Thermo Fisher Scientific and Newman-Lakka Institute collaborate to develop new diagnostic approaches for personalized cancer treatment

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, and the Newman-Lakka Institute for Personalized Cancer Care at Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, announced an intended collaboration for research and development of new methods to detect and track circulating biomarkers in blood.

25 Jun 2013

Joslin Diabetes Center, Sanofi US present results from multicultural outreach program

Sanofi US collaborated with Joslin Diabetes Center on a successful, multicultural outreach pilot that was overseen and funded by Sanofi US with Joslin as its partner in providing clinical and behavioral educational materials and training based on their award-winning On the Road diabetes program.

24 Jun 2013

Alnylam presents new pre-clinical data of ALN-CC5 for treatment of complement-mediated diseases

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has presented new pre-clinical data with ALN-CC5, an RNAi therapeutic targeting complement component C5.

21 Jun 2013

Researcher receives NINDS grant to develop DTI for pediatric spinal cord injury diagnosis

Most of the 11,000 new cases of spinal cord injury that are diagnosed each year in the United States occur in people under age 30, and often the sufferer is a child. But smaller spinal cords in children and a lack of adequate imaging technology has created major problems in precisely locating the site of injury. New technological developments in imaging could help clinical specialists design more effective treatment and rehabilitation strategies for pediatric patients.

21 Jun 2013

BerGenBio AS starts Phase 1 Clinical Trial for BGB324 oral AXL inhibitor

BerGenBio AS today announced the start of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial for BGB324, a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of AXL tyrosine kinase. BGB324 is a highly selective, oral AXL inhibitor that blocks the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a key driver of metastasis (cancer spread) and drug-resistance. The Phase 1 clinical trial of BGB324 is a single ascending dose study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BGB324.

20 Jun 2013

Banyan Biomarkers completes $6 million series A funding for further biomarker research

Banyan Biomarkers, Inc. today announced that it has completed a $6 million series A funding from private investors for further biomarker research and continued development of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnostic test. Currently, the company is enrolling subjects in a 2,000 patient pivotal clinical trial funded by a $26.3 million contract with the United States Department of Defense.

20 Jun 2013

New device that measures movement of immune cells may reduce risk of septic complications

Advances in emergency medicine and trauma surgery have had a significant impact on survival of patients in the days immediately after major injuries, including burns. Patients who survive the immediate aftermath of their injuries now are at greatest risk from infections - particularly the overwhelming, life-threatening immune reaction known as sepsis - or from inflammation-induced multiorgan failure.

20 Jun 2013

Gene switch off may increase risk of heart and blood vessel disease: Research

Risk of heart and blood vessel disease may increase when a particular gene is switched off, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Emerging Science Series Webinar.

20 Jun 2013

LDL cholesterol blood levels: an interview with Dr. Harvey Kaufman

What is LDL cholesterol? What blood level of LDL cholesterol is considered optimal and why are high levels of LDL cholesterol a key marker of death risk from heart disease? Dr. Harvey Kaufman, senior medical director of Quest Diagnostics gives us some answers.

From Quest Diagnostics 19 Jun 2013

New blood test finds cancer-related microRNA in blood before tumor development

A new blood test developed in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Lab at Baylor Research Institute is showing very promising results for finding cancer-related microRNA in the blood before a tumor develops in the colon.

19 Jun 2013

Scientists find new biomarker to accurately measure long-term sugar intake from blood or hair sample

FAIRBANKS, Alaska-Scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks identified a new tool that can dramatically improve the notoriously inaccurate surveys of what and how much an individual eats and drinks. Their research is published in the June 2013 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

19 Jun 2013

Biomarker News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers use two new methods to detect levels of ALK protein expression in NSCLC

HDAC10 gene plays a key role in autophagy and resistance to chemotherapy in high-risk neuroblastomas

Genentech's Perjeta regimen gets FDA Priority Review for HER2-positive early stage breast cancer

Biomarker indicates which women are at risk for breast cancer recurrence after tamoxifen

New procedure to treat acid reflux can prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients

Study suggests amylin deposits are a new biomarker for age-related dementia and Alzheimer's

Researchers say genetics and life experience independently protect against cognitive decline in MS

Verastem announces initiation of VS-4718 Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced cancer

Study shows absence of gene leads to early onset of more serious disease in MS animal model

Thermo Fisher Scientific and Newman-Lakka Institute collaborate to develop new diagnostic approaches for personalized cancer treatment

Joslin Diabetes Center, Sanofi US present results from multicultural outreach program

Alnylam presents new pre-clinical data of ALN-CC5 for treatment of complement-mediated diseases

Researcher receives NINDS grant to develop DTI for pediatric spinal cord injury diagnosis

BerGenBio AS starts Phase 1 Clinical Trial for BGB324 oral AXL inhibitor

Banyan Biomarkers completes $6 million series A funding for further biomarker research

New device that measures movement of immune cells may reduce risk of septic complications

Gene switch off may increase risk of heart and blood vessel disease: Research

LDL cholesterol blood levels: an interview with Dr. Harvey Kaufman

New blood test finds cancer-related microRNA in blood before tumor development

Scientists find new biomarker to accurately measure long-term sugar intake from blood or hair sample

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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