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Tentative approval of co-packaged lamivudine/zidovudine fixed dose combination tablets and nevirapine tablets

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the tentative approval of a co-packaged antiretroviral drug regimen manufactured by Aspen Pharmacare of South Africa for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

26 Jan 2005

Why some men develop aggressive prostate cancer that becomes resistant to hormone-withdrawal therapy

Researchers found that certain mutations in a protein called the androgen receptor cause advanced and invasive prostate cancer when put into otherwise healthy mice. The androgen receptor's normal function is to control growth of the prostate gland in response to cues from male hormones called androgens, which have long been thought to stimulate prostate tumors.

26 Jan 2005

Genetic defect leads to electrical instability and mechanical pump failure

In genetic mapping of a large family with several members affected by a type of heart failure called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the Mayo Clinic team found a defect in a gene on chromosome 3 called SCN5A.

26 Jan 2005

New highly active agents against leishmaniasis

Parasitic diseases, especially leishmaniases and trypanosomiases, kill hundreds of thousands of people every year in the world, mainly in the countries of the South. The most severe form of leishmaniosis (kala-azar, the visceral form), induced by Leishmania donovani and L. infantum, affects about 500 000 people per year and proves fatal if no treatment is given.

25 Jan 2005

Monoclonal antibody therapeutics to fill vacuum left by ineffective conventional therapies

Currently, the limited efficacy of conventional therapies, especially in the case of several oncology and autoimmune and inflammatory disorders (AIID), is creating the need for safe and effective treatment alternatives.

25 Jan 2005

Plant protein mimics hormone that mitigates diabetes and obesity

A common protein that protects plants from fungal infection mimics the activity of a hormone in mammals that is linked to weight loss and is believed to play a role in mitigating heart disease, obesity and diabetes, according to a team of researchers at Purdue University and several collaborating institutions.

25 Jan 2005

Vioxx could have caused 140000 excess cases of coronary heart disease in the USA since 1999

The arthritis drug Vioxx could have caused an estimated 88 000–140 000 excess cases of serious coronary heart disease in the USA since its launch in 1999, concludes a study published online by The Lancet.

24 Jan 2005

Vioxx withdrawal raises many questions concerning drug policy

Daniel H. Solomon, M.D., M.P.H., from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and Jerry Avorn, M.D., of Harvard University School of Medicine, write in the January 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine that the withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the market in September 2004 by its manufacturer, Merck & Co., “raises many questions concerning drug policy, scientific evidence, and treatment alternatives.

24 Jan 2005

More studies on risks and benefits of COX-2 inhibitors

A group of studies published in the January 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine add to the growing body of medical literature about the cardiovascular risks that may be associated with the class of pain-relieving drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors.

24 Jan 2005

Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood may increase HIV risk

Living in a disadvantaged urban neighborhood can increase a male residents’ risk of contracting HIV, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Their study related disadvantaged neighborhoods to stress and stress to increased injection drug use in male study participants.

24 Jan 2005

Phenoxodiol increases the effectiveness of Docetaxel by at least 100 times

The investigational anti- cancer drug, phenoxodiol, considerably enhances the ability of the drug, docetaxel (Taxotere(R), Sanofi-Aventis), to kill human ovarian cancer cells in the laboratory. The findings are reported in the current issue of Oncology Research.

24 Jan 2005

Use of anti-inflammatory steroids for traumatic head injuries may actually increase the risk of death

The common use of anti-inflammatory steroids for traumatic head injuries like those from car crashes may actually increase the risk of death, according to a new review of studies about the treatment.

24 Jan 2005

Call for Anastrozole (Arimidex) to be the new preferred breast cancer treatment option

An international group of breast cancer experts called for the aromatase inhibitor (AI), anastrozole ('Arimidex'), to be considered as the new 'preferred treatment option' for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer.

24 Jan 2005

High blood pressure risk in African-Americans linked to genetics

National health records have shown that African-Americans are more prone to high blood pressure than Caucasians, but pinning down the roots of that difference has proven elusive. Now, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have narrowed down the search for genes that contribute to this difference in disease risk.

24 Jan 2005

Chinese medicines may be helpful in treating side effects of chemotherapy and symptoms of flu

New research reviews hint that traditional Chinese medicines may be helpful in treating side effects of chemotherapy and symptoms of flu. For now, however, the findings remain more tantalizing than conclusive.

24 Jan 2005

Are NSAIDS enough for cancer pain?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in managing cancer pain with few side effects, according to a new review of a number of studies.

24 Jan 2005

Antioxidants do not prolong the survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease

A review of recent studies suggests that antioxidant supplements, including vitamin E and selenium, do not prolong the survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

24 Jan 2005

New federal guidelines for the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced new federal guidelines for the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection after exposure to HIV through sexual intercourse, sexual assault, injection drug use, or accidents.

20 Jan 2005

Pharmacist review does not keep older people out of hospital

The NHS recommends regular medication reviews for older patients, yet a study published on bmj.com today finds that home based monitoring does not keep older people out of hospital.

20 Jan 2005

Australian Medical Association slams BUPA Australia

Australian Medical Association President, Dr Bill Glasson, today slammed claims by health insurer, BUPA Australia, that doctors are forcing up the cost of patient care in private hospitals by ordering the most expensive drugs and medical technology.

20 Jan 2005

Drugs News and Research

Tentative approval of co-packaged lamivudine/zidovudine fixed dose combination tablets and nevirapine tablets

Why some men develop aggressive prostate cancer that becomes resistant to hormone-withdrawal therapy

Genetic defect leads to electrical instability and mechanical pump failure

New highly active agents against leishmaniasis

Monoclonal antibody therapeutics to fill vacuum left by ineffective conventional therapies

Plant protein mimics hormone that mitigates diabetes and obesity

Vioxx could have caused 140000 excess cases of coronary heart disease in the USA since 1999

Vioxx withdrawal raises many questions concerning drug policy

More studies on risks and benefits of COX-2 inhibitors

Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood may increase HIV risk

Phenoxodiol increases the effectiveness of Docetaxel by at least 100 times

Use of anti-inflammatory steroids for traumatic head injuries may actually increase the risk of death

Call for Anastrozole (Arimidex) to be the new preferred breast cancer treatment option

High blood pressure risk in African-Americans linked to genetics

Chinese medicines may be helpful in treating side effects of chemotherapy and symptoms of flu

Are NSAIDS enough for cancer pain?

Antioxidants do not prolong the survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease

New federal guidelines for the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection

Pharmacist review does not keep older people out of hospital

Australian Medical Association slams BUPA Australia

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