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.

StemCells commences patient recruitment for a Phase I clinical trial of HuCNS-SC in PMD

StemCells, Inc. announced today that it has commenced patient recruitment for a Phase I clinical trial designed to test the safety and preliminary efficacy of its HuCNS-SC® purified human neural stem cells in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a neurological disorder that primarily afflicts children. The study is being conducted at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Children’s Hospital, one of the leading medical centers in the United States for neonatology, pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.

24 Nov 2009

Recent developments at Burnham Institute for Medical Research

New antibiotics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other pesky bacteria. Andrei Osterman and collaborators have used comparisons of bacterial genomes to identify new targets for antibiotics and produced first-generation chemical inhibitors of a class of bacterial enzymes, called NadDs (nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferases).

17 Nov 2009

Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients results in sustained viral clearance

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

2 Nov 2009

Race of kidney donors may affect the survival rates of transplant recipients

The race of kidney donors may affect the survival rates of transplant recipients according to a study by Henry Ford Hospital.

31 Oct 2009

Isotechnika Pharma develops portfolio of NICAMs with potent cyclophilin inhibition

Isotechnika Pharma Inc. today announced that it has developed a portfolio of non-immunosuppressive cyclosporine analogue molecules (NICAMs) with potent cyclophilin inhibition. Cyclophilin inhibition has garnered considerable attention as a novel therapy in the treatment of a wide range of diseases including hepatitis C, stroke, and chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Lou Gehrig's, and Alzheimer's.

30 Oct 2009

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be at risk for developing non-melanoma skin cancer

Findings from a new retrospective cohort study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific meeting in San Diego indicate that patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), especially those receiving the thiopurine class of medications to treat IBD, may be at risk for developing non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

27 Oct 2009

ISHLT Infectious Disease Council issues new H1N1 advisory for cardiothoracic transplantation programs

Each year 3-5 million people have severe cases and 250-500,000 die from complications of seasonal influenza world-wide. This year, the novel 2009 H1N1 (nH1N1) influenza, previously called swine flu, has reached pandemic status.

23 Oct 2009

Practical guidance for cardiothoracic transplant programs in view of H1N1 flu pandemic

23 Oct 2009

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from Phase II trial of bavituximab

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported positive results from its Phase II trial evaluating bavituximab in combination with docetaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer.

22 Oct 2009

Novartis' Tasigna capsules meets primary endpoint in comparison trial with Gleevec

Novartis announced today that Tasigna (nilotinib) 200 mg capsules met its primary endpoint in the first head-to-head comparison with the company's groundbreaking drug Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) tablets*. Tasigna produced faster and deeper responses than Gleevec when given as first-line therapy for adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase. Tasigna was well tolerated in the study.

20 Oct 2009

Less expensive anti-rejection drug as effective as more expensive drug, says study

A newer, less expensive drug used to suppress the immune system and prevent organ rejection in kidney and pancreas transplant patients works just as well as its much more expensive counterpart, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

15 Oct 2009

Results from Phase 2 clinical study of LCP-Tacro tablets in stable liver transplant patients announced

LifeCycle Pharma A/S today announced positive results from a completed 12 month extension phase of the Phase 2 clinical study of LCP-Tacro tablets in stable liver transplant patients.

30 Sep 2009

Enzo Biochem and NEI join to conduct a human clinical trial of Enzo’s chronic autoimmune uveitis therapeutic

Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE: ENZ), announced today that it had entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institute of Health, to conduct a human clinical trial of Optiquel™, Enzo’s oral, proprietary therapeutic for chronic autoimmune uveitis.

21 Sep 2009

80-unit patient housing facility for cancer patients and families

The SCCA House, an 80-unit patient housing facility for cancer patients and their families and caregivers, was dedicated today during ceremonies at its South Lake Union location. The facility is the second such "home away from home" building that is operated by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Rooms are scheduled to be available to SCCA patients by the end of the month.

18 Sep 2009

Toll-like receptors that activate immune cells being developed as alternative cure to cancer

A Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, called imiquimod, which activates dendritic cells, is in clinical use as a topical application for basal cell carcinoma. In addition, a number of TLR agonists have been evaluated in clinical trials as an adjuvant for cancer vaccines.

16 Sep 2009

AST meeting to review most recent developments in the field of organ transplantation

The American Society of Transplantation (AST) presents Transplantation: The Year in Review, Oct. 24-25, 2009 in Houston, Texas. The meeting features a review of the most recent developments in the field of organ transplantation from May 2008 up to and including the 2009 American Transplant Congress (ATC) that was held in May in Boston.

15 Sep 2009

Phase 2 MS clinical trial data continues to show durable reductions in relapse rate

Genzyme Corporation reported today that four-year follow-up data from its completed Phase 2 multiple sclerosis (MS) trial continued to show durable reductions in relapse rate and sustained accumulation of disability three years after the majority of patients received their last course of the investigational compound alemtuzumab.

14 Sep 2009

Human neural stem cells to treat Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease

StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ:STEM) announced today that it will soon initiate with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Children’s Hospital a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic potential of StemCells’ proprietary HuCNS-SC® product candidate (purified human neural stem cells) to treat Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a myelination disorder that primarily affects infants and young children.

10 Sep 2009

AST scientific conference to emphasize on immunosuppression and tolerance

The American Society of Transplantation (AST) will present a scientific conference this winter that offers an in-depth, up-to-date look at immunosuppression and tolerance -- but with a brand new vibe. Called the Annual Scientific Exchange (ASE), slated for December 2-6, 2009, at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida, it will differ from the typical conference in its format, which is specifically designed to be relaxed yet focused.

9 Sep 2009

Rite Aid pharmacies to offer regular seasonal flu shots throughout the flu season

Many Rite Aid pharmacists have already been giving regular seasonal flu shots following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advice that anyone who wishes to reduce the risk of getting the regular seasonal flu get a flu shot as soon as they are available.

31 Aug 2009