Immunosuppression News and Research

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Immunosuppression involves an act that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system itself have immuno-suppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reaction to treatment of other conditions.

FDA grants Fast Track status for Genzyme's alemtuzumab development program for MS

Genzyme Corporation announced today that its alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis development program has been granted Fast Track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This designation covers patients with relapsing-remitting forms of the disease.

15 Jun 2010

Phase 3 clinical study: Ipilimumab boosts, sustains immune system responses against melanoma tumors

The Cancer Research Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of immune system-based treatments for cancer, announced today its celebration of a significant new breakthrough in the treatment of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The new treatment, a cancer immunotherapy created by Cancer Research Institute Scientific Advisory Council Associate Director James P. Allison, Ph.D., is designed to "take the brakes off the immune system," and is the first treatment ever proven to extend life for patients whose melanomas are unresponsive to existing cancer therapies.

9 Jun 2010

The Iacocca Family Foundation and Kineta partner to develop Type 1 diabetes mellitus drug

Kineta, Inc. joined with The Iacocca Family Foundation today to announce a new investment partnership to speed development of Kineta's preclinical autoimmune drug candidate - ShK-186 - and its multiple applications to treat Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

7 Jun 2010

New clinical research findings on oncology to be highlighted at ASCO 2010

Researchers from University Hospitals Case Medical Center's Ireland Cancer Center will present new clinical research findings at the 46th Annual Meeting of The American Society of Clinical Oncology June 4-8 in Chicago.

5 Jun 2010

Mannitol improves effectiveness of HUCBs in neonatal rat models of cerebral palsy

The sugar-alcohol compound mannitol improved the therapeutic effectiveness of human umbilical cord blood cells injected into neonatal rat models of cerebral palsy, reports a new international study led by the University of South Florida. The mannitol opened the blood-brain barrier by temporarily shrinking the tight endothelial cells that make up the barrier.

2 Jun 2010

Researchers identify pattern of gene expression in kidney transplant recipients who don't need anti-rejection drugs

Researchers have identified a distinct pattern of gene expression in the largest reported group of kidney transplant recipients who have not rejected the transplant kidneys even though they stopped taking anti-rejection drugs. This finding may help identify other transplant recipients who could safely reduce or end use of immunosuppressive therapy. In 2008, more than 80,000 people in the United States were living with a kidney transplant.

31 May 2010

New data highlighting Pfizer's approach to cancer drug development to be presented at ASCO meeting

Pfizer Oncology will present new data highlighting the company's focused approach to cancer drug development through the identification and validation of molecular targets. These results will be presented at the 46th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago from June 4-8.

21 May 2010

Live malaria parasites in the skin shut down immune responses and block vaccine function: Study

Why one after another new malaria vaccine tests well in the laboratory but fails in field trials has frustrated legions of malaria researchers, and has been the main stumbling block to malaria eradication. Now, a research team from Germany has unraveled that puzzle and shown that the problem is all about the skin and how it controls the immune system. The implications are profound.

20 May 2010

Athersys presents data supporting MultiStem programs

Athersys, Inc. today presented data supporting its MultiStem® programs in cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and immune system modulation, and highlighted advancements in other areas, including progress in its drug development program in the area of obesity.

15 May 2010

Steroids can raise cardiovascular risks in post-transplant patients

Post-transplant patients who have been removed from a corticosteroid regimen have fewer cardiovascular events than those patients on steroids, increasing their graft survival rates and reducing early mortality, according to study results being presented this week by University of Cincinnati (UC) transplantation researchers.

10 May 2010

Novel combined immunotherapy promising for treatment of malignant brain tumors

A new Phase I clinical trial conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute in Los Angeles shows that two innovative treatment approaches may safely be combined to treat patients with highly aggressive, malignant brain tumors called gliomas. The results suggest that combining the two therapies might boost their effectiveness and supports the pursuit of additional studies on this approach to treating these tumors.

4 May 2010

Neural stem cell transplantation promising for Batten disease

Neuronal Ceroid Liposfuscinosis (NCL), often referred to as Batten disease, is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that afflicts infants and young children. NCL is caused by a deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme, and is a relatively rare disease, affecting an estimated 2 to 4 of every 100,000 babies born in the U.S. Although NCLs are classified as rare diseases, they often affect more than one child in families that carry the defective gene, and tragically, are always fatal.

4 May 2010

Belatacept preserves kidney function in transplant recipients better than cyclosporine, says study

Two-year results from phase III clinical trials show the experimental immunosuppressive drug belatacept can better preserve kidney function in kidney transplant recipients while preventing graft rejection when compared with the standard immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine.

3 May 2010

Extended hepatitis C treatment increases sustained virological response after liver transplant

Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current standards results in high clearance rates of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, and a low relapse rate, according to a study by Henry Ford Hospital.

3 May 2010

No single immunosuppressive medication increases cancer risk in kidney transplant recipients

Drugs taken by kidney transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection carry similar risks of cancer, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results suggest that no single medication is to blame for the higher incidence of cancer seen among patients who have undergone transplantation.

30 Apr 2010

New data on Cimzia for Crohn’s Disease treatment to be demonstrated at DDW 2010

Studies and analyses of the Crohn’s Disease (CD) treatment Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) demonstrating new data will be exhibited at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2010, taking place in New Orleans from May 1-5, 2010.

30 Apr 2010

Lycera to advance discovery, development efforts with second tranche of $11 million Series A financing

Lycera Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pioneering an innovative approach to developing novel oral medicines to treat autoimmune diseases, today announced that the company has made important progress, triggering a second tranche of $11 million in its Series A financing. Proceeds from the second tranche will be used to continue to advance Lycera's discovery and development efforts and further support the growth of the company.

29 Apr 2010

International Day for Fighting Infection focuses on hospital infection control

Hospital acquired infections are the focus for the 3rd International Day for Fighting Infection, being marked on St. George’s Day, as experts meet to look at the evolution of infection control in hospitals.

22 Apr 2010

ISHLT announces new guidelines for heart transplant recipients

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) today announces new guidelines to standardize care for heart transplant patients worldwide. The guidelines demonstrate a united effort to decrease complications, improve outcomes and increase patient survival rates among heart transplant recipients. The guidelines will be presented during today's symposium The ISHLT Guidelines for Heart Transplant Recipients: Towards an International Consensus at the ISHLT 30th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions at the Hilton Chicago.

22 Apr 2010

StemCells to initiate second clinical trial of HuCNS-SC human neural stem cells in NCL

StemCells, Inc. announced today that it has submitted a protocol to the FDA for initiation of a second clinical trial of its proprietary HuCNS-SC human neural stem cells in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, which is also often referred to as Batten disease.

22 Apr 2010

Immunosuppression News and Research

Further Reading

FDA grants Fast Track status for Genzyme's alemtuzumab development program for MS

Phase 3 clinical study: Ipilimumab boosts, sustains immune system responses against melanoma tumors

The Iacocca Family Foundation and Kineta partner to develop Type 1 diabetes mellitus drug

New clinical research findings on oncology to be highlighted at ASCO 2010

Mannitol improves effectiveness of HUCBs in neonatal rat models of cerebral palsy

Researchers identify pattern of gene expression in kidney transplant recipients who don't need anti-rejection drugs

New data highlighting Pfizer's approach to cancer drug development to be presented at ASCO meeting

Live malaria parasites in the skin shut down immune responses and block vaccine function: Study

Athersys presents data supporting MultiStem programs

Steroids can raise cardiovascular risks in post-transplant patients

Novel combined immunotherapy promising for treatment of malignant brain tumors

Neural stem cell transplantation promising for Batten disease

Belatacept preserves kidney function in transplant recipients better than cyclosporine, says study

Extended hepatitis C treatment increases sustained virological response after liver transplant

No single immunosuppressive medication increases cancer risk in kidney transplant recipients

New data on Cimzia for Crohn’s Disease treatment to be demonstrated at DDW 2010

Lycera to advance discovery, development efforts with second tranche of $11 million Series A financing

International Day for Fighting Infection focuses on hospital infection control

ISHLT announces new guidelines for heart transplant recipients

StemCells to initiate second clinical trial of HuCNS-SC human neural stem cells in NCL

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Understanding Consumer-Consented Data to Optimize Digital Health Programs

The Future is Wearable: Advancing Human Health Through Portable Spectroscopy

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