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Australian researchers have identified the hormone DHEAS as a new marker of low libido in women under 45 years

Researchers at the Australian based Jean Hailes Foundation are addressing the complex role of hormones. Their aim is to understand what is normal and whether women may benefit from therapy. In one of the world’s most comprehensive studies into women’s health and hormones researchers looked at 1423 randomly selected women aged 18-75.

17 Jun 2004

Further evidence that a class of drugs that lower blood pressure are a treatment option for older people at high cardiovascular risk

Results of a study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET provide further evidence that a class of drugs that lower blood pressure are a treatment option for older people at high cardiovascular risk. The study also emphasises the importance of early blood-pressure lowering after the start of treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

17 Jun 2004

Research on the potential oral delivery of a current intravenous cancer drug using polymeric nano-delivery systems technology

Labopharm Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Debiopharm S.A. under which Debiopharm has engaged Labopharm to conduct research on the potential oral delivery of a current intravenous cancer drug using Labopharm’s proprietary polymeric nano-delivery systems technology (also referred to as micelles technology).

16 Jun 2004

Support for the medical use of marijuana

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau has announced his support for the medical use of marijuana. The District Attorney was joined by Montel Williams in announcing support for legislation introduced by New York State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried.

16 Jun 2004

Results from study of Rituxan in rheumatoid arthritis show promise

Genentech, Inc., Biogen Idec and Roche have announced that the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a Phase IIa study showing that two doses of Rituxan® (Rituximab), administered two weeks apart, improved symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 48 weeks when combined with methotrexate (MTX), compared to MTX alone.

16 Jun 2004

Heart attack patients are discharged without evidenced-based, guideline recommended, life-prolonging therapies

Heart attack care is more likely to match recommended guidelines when health care providers use standardized forms and other reminders, and institutional systems reinforce goals for treatment and patient lifestyles, according to a new study in the June 16, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

16 Jun 2004

New material, cellular perfluoroelastomers could revolutionise surgery and save lives

The proprietary material was originally developed by the Manchester based company to make artificial blood vessels, used to replace diseased arteries which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, and is capable of making significant improvements in surgery for vascular disease.

16 Jun 2004

More research needed to determine if laser therapy is an effective treatment for acne

Additional research is needed before laser therapy can be recommended as a treatment for acne, according to a study in the June 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

15 Jun 2004

Calcium supplements can decrease the risk of all types of colorectal polyps

While taking calcium supplements can decrease the risk of all types of colorectal polyps, research led by Dartmouth Medical School shows calcium had the greatest effect on advanced colorectal adenomas, considered to be most strongly associated with invasive colorectal cancer.

15 Jun 2004

SARS siRNA studied further to help many respiratory diseases including lung cancer

Intradigm Corporation, has announced achievement of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of siRNA (small interfering RNA) inhibitors of SARS-CoV in non-human primate cells. The results are published in the June 2004 issue of Antiviral Therapy (International Medical Press).

15 Jun 2004

Topiramate may protect newborns from brain injury and long-term neurologic problems caused by excitotoxicity

An existing drug already approved by the FDA may protect newborns from brain injury and long-term neurologic problems caused by excitotoxicity, or over-activation of neurons, report two NIH-funded studies from Children's Hospital Boston.

14 Jun 2004

New vaccine to stop cocaine addiction

Xenova Group plc has announced the presentation of results of two dose escalation Phase II studies of TA-CD, a vaccine being developed for the treatment of cocaine addiction, at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence 66th Annual Scientific Meeting in Puerto Rico, June 12-17.

14 Jun 2004

Cannabis extract drug may help patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The multi centre double blind, randomised, parallel group study in 58 patients assessed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Sativex®, a whole plant medicinal cannabis extract, compared with placebo for the treatment of pain caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis. Study medication was administered by means of a spray into the mouth as an evening dose only and measures were assessed the following day.

11 Jun 2004

Sirolimus-based therapy following early cyclosporine withdrawal improves transplanted kidney structure and function

Kidney histology and function three years after transplantation are better in kidney-transplant patients who remain on sirolimus-based therapy following early withdrawal of cyclosporine than in patients who continue on this calcineurin inhibitor, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation.

11 Jun 2004

65 percent of America’s adults are overweight and 31 percent of adults are obese and at risk for chronic diseases

Government and private sector health experts now estimate that 65 percent of America’s adults are overweight and 31 percent of adults are obese and at risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The link between obesity and hypertension is well known, but the exact nature of the association between the two disorders remains unclear.

11 Jun 2004

WHO welcomes G8 endorsement of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today welcomed the G8's endorsement of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, a virtual consortium proposed by an international group of scientists that is being established to accelerate HIV vaccine development.

11 Jun 2004

Enbrel therapy allowed more rheumatoid arthritis patients to achieve clinical remission

New results from TEMPO (Trial of Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes) demonstrated that Enbrel® (etanercept) therapy allowed significantly more rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients to achieve clinical remission at two years compared to patients treated with methotrexate alone.

11 Jun 2004

New York State accuses GlaxoSmithKline of fraudulent behaviour

This week's editorial calls on GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to make all its research on paroxetine (Seroxat/Paxil) publicly available. This follows the filing of last week's law suit by the state of New York against GSK: the state accuses the company of fraud

11 Jun 2004

Remicade shows improvement in both the arthritis and psoriasis associated with psoriatic arthritis

In this trial, REMICADE provided a 70 percent improvement (as measured by ACR 70) in symptoms of arthritis in nearly one-third of patients, compared with only 2 percent of patients on placebo at 24 weeks.

10 Jun 2004

Non-aspirin pain drugs may help men with recurrent prostate cancer

Early results from a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine study may determine if drugs called Cox-2 inhibitors, a newer type of non-aspirin pain medicine now widely prescribed for arthritis symptoms, may benefit men with recurrent prostate cancer.

10 Jun 2004

Efficacy News and Research

Australian researchers have identified the hormone DHEAS as a new marker of low libido in women under 45 years

Further evidence that a class of drugs that lower blood pressure are a treatment option for older people at high cardiovascular risk

Research on the potential oral delivery of a current intravenous cancer drug using polymeric nano-delivery systems technology

Support for the medical use of marijuana

Results from study of Rituxan in rheumatoid arthritis show promise

Heart attack patients are discharged without evidenced-based, guideline recommended, life-prolonging therapies

New material, cellular perfluoroelastomers could revolutionise surgery and save lives

More research needed to determine if laser therapy is an effective treatment for acne

Calcium supplements can decrease the risk of all types of colorectal polyps

SARS siRNA studied further to help many respiratory diseases including lung cancer

Topiramate may protect newborns from brain injury and long-term neurologic problems caused by excitotoxicity

New vaccine to stop cocaine addiction

Cannabis extract drug may help patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Sirolimus-based therapy following early cyclosporine withdrawal improves transplanted kidney structure and function

65 percent of America’s adults are overweight and 31 percent of adults are obese and at risk for chronic diseases

WHO welcomes G8 endorsement of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise

Enbrel therapy allowed more rheumatoid arthritis patients to achieve clinical remission

New York State accuses GlaxoSmithKline of fraudulent behaviour

Remicade shows improvement in both the arthritis and psoriasis associated with psoriatic arthritis

Non-aspirin pain drugs may help men with recurrent prostate cancer

Achieving and maintaining ISO 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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