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Researchers discover several key mutations in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Through a grant provided by the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered several key mutations in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

21 Jan 2011

Adopting pharmacy carve-in approach can help 13 states realize over $11 billion savings in Medicaid

A study sponsored by Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA) released today by The Lewin Group finds large-scale savings can be achieved if 13 states abandoned their current pharmacy carve-out model in favor of a carve-in approach -- including prescription drugs in health plans' capitation payments.

21 Jan 2011

WHO executive board meeting addresses agency's policy on counterfeit, substandard medications

According to the news service, WHO "members … raised strong concerns that a working group they mandated last May to address problems with WHO policy on counterfeit and substandard medicines has yet to be formed - with four months remaining before it must report back to members."

21 Jan 2011

MGH Bipolar CHOICE trial to evaluate effectiveness of new medications compared to lithium

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Bipolar Clinic and Research Program with the Bipolar Trials Network is launching Bipolar CHOICE, a 10-site nationwide trial evaluating the real-world advantages and disadvantages of quetiapine, a widely prescribed second generation antipsychotic mood stabilizing medication, compared to lithium, the gold standard mood stabilizer, for the treatment of outpatients with bipolar disorder.

21 Jan 2011

INF2 gene mutation is a major cause for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Mutations in a gene called INF2 are by far the most common cause of a dominantly inherited condition that leads to kidney failure, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The results may help with screening, prevention, and therapy.

21 Jan 2011

Supreme Court considers drug-pricing lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court questioned in oral arguments whether local governments and their hospitals can sue pharmaceutical companies over drug-pricing agreements with HHS.

21 Jan 2011

New study reveals illicit HGH use among young American male weightlifters

A new study published in The American Journal on Addictions reveals that illicit use of HGH has become common among young American male weightlifters.

21 Jan 2011

ACT Biotech releases telatinib Phase 2 trial data for metastatic stomach cancer

ACT Biotech, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of highly targeted, oral therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, today released data on additional analysis of the Phase 2 clinical trial of telatinib in patients with metastatic stomach cancer that further supports the highly-potent nature of the antiangiogenic agent.

21 Jan 2011

Scientists decipher genetic code for a pancreatic cancer type

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have deciphered the genetic code for a type of pancreatic cancer, called neuroendocrine or islet cell tumors. The work, described online in the Jan. 20 issue of Science Express, shows that patients whose tumors have certain coding "mistakes" live twice as long as those without them.

21 Jan 2011

Researchers discover nitroxoline can reduce human breast, bladder cancer cell growth

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that nitroxoline, an antibiotic commonly used around the world to treat urinary tract infections, can slow or stop the growth of human breast and bladder cancer cells by blocking the formation of new blood vessels.

20 Jan 2011

Alliqua completes transdermal pain patch initial study for treatment of PHN

Alliqua, an advanced biomedical products company focused on the development and manufacturing of proprietary drug delivery and liver health technologies, announced today the successful completion of its initial study for the transdermal pain patch project.

20 Jan 2011

Successful larynx transplant for Californian woman

In a breakthrough, a surgical team in California on Thursday announced that they had successfully replaced the larynx of a 52-year-old woman who hadn’t been able to speak or breathe on her own for more than a decade.

20 Jan 2011

Elizabeth Glaser foundation awarded $45M grant to address pediatric HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe

The Government of Zimbabwe's national program to eliminate pediatric HIV/AIDS has received a significant boost with an award by the London-based Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF).

20 Jan 2011

Archimedes, FDA collaborate to develop computer model of clinical trials evaluating weight loss medications

Archimedes Inc., a healthcare modeling company, announced today that it has entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop a computer model of clinical trials evaluating weight loss medications. The model will be used to obtain a better understanding of the benefits of weight loss against the long-term risks of cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with weight loss drugs.

20 Jan 2011

Cognition Therapeutics closes $2.5 million Series A1 financing

Cognition Therapeutics Inc., a drug discovery company developing novel, small molecule disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's, has closed on a $2.5 million Series A1 financing it will use to bring one or more of its compounds to Investigational New Drug (IND) candidate status. The round was led by Golden Seeds, one of the nation's largest angel investing groups, and was syndicated with Tech Coast Angels.

20 Jan 2011

UnitedHealth Group reports net earnings of $4.10 per share for 2010

UnitedHealth Group today reported fourth quarter and full year 2010 financial results, including strong revenue growth from both its Health Benefits and Health Services business platforms. Full year and fourth quarter 2010 net earnings were $4.10 per share and $0.94 per share, respectively.

20 Jan 2011

HIV-infected patients three times more likely to suffer strokes

While the overall hospitalization rate for stroke has declined in recent years, the numbers have jumped dramatically for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), suggesting they may be up to three times more likely to suffer a stroke than people uninfected by the virus that causes AIDS.

20 Jan 2011

Message of health benefits of moderate drinking are hazardous and extremely dangerous

A Letter to the Editor entitled "What should we advise about alcohol consumption?" was recently published by Maurizio Ponz de Leon in Intern Emerg Med.1 Dr. de Leon argues that the message of health benefits of moderate drinking "seems to me hazardous and extremely dangerous to diffuse in the general population."

20 Jan 2011

Ultrasound device shows promise in breaking up pulmonary embolisms: Research

A tiny ultrasound device that helps dissolve blood clots is showing promise in breaking up potentially deadly pulmonary embolisms, blockages of blood vessels in the lungs that can occur after long plane rides, surgery and extended bed rest.

20 Jan 2011

Reducing generic prices will not result in pharmacy shortages: Study

A University of British Columbia study shows that there are enough pharmacies situated throughout Ontario communities to absorb many closures without negatively affecting geographical accessibility for residents. The research suggests concerns that reducing generic pricing could result in pharmacy shortages are unfounded.

20 Jan 2011