Fibrosis News and Research

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Fibrosis is the growth of fibrous tissue.

Tenascin-C protein can help promote wound healing

We all know the adage: A little bit of a good thing can go a long way. Now researchers in London are reporting that might also be true for a large protein associated with wound healing.

24 Mar 2011

MicroRNAs may play a key role in future medicine

Since their discovery in the 1990s, microRNAs have proven to play a complex role in normal and abnormal functioning of many organ systems. In the April issue of Translational Research, entitled "MicroRNAs: A Potential New Frontier for Medicine," an international group of medical experts explores several themes related to our current understanding of microRNAs and the role they may play in the future of medicine.

24 Mar 2011

KaloBios commences KB004 Phase 1 trial in patients with leukemia

KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, today announced treatment of the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial of KB004, its first-in-class Humaneered™ monoclonal antibody, in EphA3-expressing hematologic malignancies.

24 Mar 2011

Study finds IL-13 stimulates airway fibroblast invasion in asthma patients

Changes that occur in the airways of asthma patients are in part caused by the naturally occurring protein interleukin-13 which stimulates invasion of airway cells called fibroblasts, according to a study conducted by researchers at Duke University.

23 Mar 2011

PRWP receives two new patents for Galectin-targeting compounds in the U.S., Australia

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading developer of therapeutics that target Galectin receptors to treat cancer and fibrosis, today announced that the Company has been granted two new patents, "Co-administration of a Polysaccharide with a Chemotherapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Cancer" in Australia and "Selectively Depolymerized Galactomannan Polysaccharide" in the United States.

23 Mar 2011

Enrollment complete in Aradigm's inhaled ciprofloxacin Phase 2b study in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Aradigm Corporation announced the last patient was enrolled in a Phase 2b study designed to evaluate the Company's inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin (CFI, ARD-3100) in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (BE), a severe progressive respiratory disease for which there is currently no approved treatment in the U.S.

23 Mar 2011

Rxi's new RNAi preclinical data to be presented at Keystone conference

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a recognized leader in RNA interference based therapeutic discovery and development, today announced that new preclinical data using proprietary self-delivering RNAi compounds, including RXI-109, will be presented at the Keystone Symposia's Mechanism and Biology of Silencing conference being held March 20-25, 2011 in Monterey, California.

22 Mar 2011

FDA clears Insmed IND for ARIKACE Phase 3 clinical trial in nontuberculous mycobacteria lung infections

Insmed Incorporated, a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the Company's Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to conduct a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of ARIKACE™ (liposomal amikacin for inhalation) in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung infections has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

21 Mar 2011

[UPDATE] Pediatric heart surgery unit of Royal Brompton faces closure

A London NHS trust would challenge proposals to end child heart surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital. The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust added that this would mean the loss of other services, which could call into question its viability.

18 Mar 2011

EMA CHMP adopts negative opinion for Amgen's Vectibix in treatment of wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer

Amgen has received notice that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a negative opinion for Amgen's application to extend the marketing authorization in Europe for Vectibix® (panitumumab) to include combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

18 Mar 2011

Quest Diagnostics enters definitive merger agreement to acquire Celera for $8 per share

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, and Celera Corporation, one of the world's pioneers in genetic diagnostics discovery and development, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Quest Diagnostics will acquire Celera for $8 per share, representing a transaction value of approximately $344 million, net of $327 million in acquired cash and short-term investments.

From Quest Diagnostics 18 Mar 2011

CPF applauds new guidelines for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) applauds the joint statement issued by the American Thoracic Society for the first evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The guidelines represent progress in understanding of the disease and a milestone for patients. The devastating and deadly disease also called simply "Pulmonary Fibrosis" or "PF" has no FDA approved treatment and no cure.

18 Mar 2011

FibroGen, Astellas advance FG-4592 to phase 2b development for treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease

FibroGen, Inc., today announced that FibroGen and partner Astellas Pharma Inc. advanced FG-4592 (Astellas designation ASP1517), an investigational anemia therapy, to phase 2b development for treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis and not on dialysis.

18 Mar 2011

Pig model reveals how cystic fibrosis gene mutation causes disease

It's been more than 20 years since scientists first discovered the gene that causes cystic fibrosis (CF), yet questions about how the mutated gene causes disease remain unanswered.

17 Mar 2011

Research: Underweight HCV-infected patients tend to be older at HCC onset

The incidence and mortality associated with hepatocellular carcinoma have been increasing worldwide, and hepatitis C virus infection plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC.

16 Mar 2011

Manchester research offers hope for congenital hyperinsulinism treatment

University of Manchester scientists have led an international team to discover new treatments for a rare and potentially lethal childhood disease that is the clinical opposite of diabetes mellitus.

16 Mar 2011

Gadavist approved by FDA for use in central nervous system MRI scans

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gadavist (gadobutrol), a gadolinium-based contrast agent, for use in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the central nervous system.

16 Mar 2011

Incyte’s ruxolitinib COMFORT-II Phase III trial in MF meets primary endpoint

COMFORT-II, the second pivotal Phase III trial of Incyte Corporation's investigational Janus kinase inhibitor, ruxolitinib, has met its primary endpoint of significantly reducing spleen size in patients with myelofibrosis, when compared to best available therapy.

15 Mar 2011

Home genetic tests need medical supervision: Expert panel

According to an advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, genetic tests sold directly to consumers that might help to predict health risks may need to be supplied through doctors. An official, Alberto Gutierrez, director of the FDA office that regulates diagnostic screening tools reported that the Molecular and Clinical Genetics Advisory Panel concluded two days of hearings on the increasingly popular tests and had come to this resolution.

14 Mar 2011

Scientists discover four new genetic variants in humans linked with NAFLD

Five genetic variants in humans - four new - associate with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, according to a study published March 10 in PLoS Genetics.

10 Mar 2011