Liver News and Research

RSS

Tekmira begins patient dosing in TKM-PLK1 phase 1 trail for cancer

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a leading developer of RNA interference therapeutics, announced today it has initiated patient dosing in a Phase 1 human clinical trial for its lead oncology product, TKM-PLK1. TKM-PLK1 targets polo-like kinase 1, or PLK1, a cell cycle protein involved in tumor cell proliferation and a validated oncology target.

22 Dec 2010

Study finds specially designed probiotic can prevent obesity

Specially designed probiotics can modulate the physiology of host fat cells say scientists writing in Microbiology. The findings could lead to specialised probiotics that have a role in the prevention or treatment of conditions such as obesity.

22 Dec 2010

Delcath completes NDA submission for chemosaturation system

Delcath Systems, Inc. today announced that the Company has submitted the remaining modules of its 505(b)(2) New Drug Application (NDA) for its proprietary chemosaturation system to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The Company had previously submitted Module 4, consisting of literature based non-clinical data, to the FDA in late April 2010. The Company is seeking an indication for the percutaneous intra-arterial administration of melphalan hydrochloride for use in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma in the liver.

22 Dec 2010

FDA issues CRL to Cumberland's Acetadote sNDA for non-acetaminophen acute liver failure

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that it has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Acetadote® (acetylcysteine) Injection to treat patients with non-acetaminophen induced acute liver failure.

22 Dec 2010

People with type 1 diabetes could grow their own insulin-producing cells, say researchers

At the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology last week in Philadelphia, researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., announced that it may be possible for people with type 1 diabetes to grow their own insulin-producing cells, a breakthrough that could lead to a cure for the disease.

22 Dec 2010

Isis commences ISIS-APOCIIIRx Phase 1 trial in hypertriglyceridemia

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 1 study of ISIS-APOCIIIRx, an antisense drug designed to lower triglycerides to treat a variety of diseases associated with elevated triglycerides. Hypertriglyceridemia, a condition characterized by elevated levels of triglycerides, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is a component of numerous cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including metabolic syndrome.

21 Dec 2010

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Mount Sinai collaborate to evaluate anti-fibrotic effects of Galectin-targeting compounds

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading developer of Galectin therapeutics to treat cancer and fibrosis, today announced it has entered into a new research collaboration with Mount Sinai School of Medicine to evaluate in pre-clinical models, the anti-fibrotic effects of several of the Company's novel, Galectin-targeting compounds.

21 Dec 2010

Researchers present definitive explanation of how fibrotic cells destroy human liver

In the latest of a series of related papers, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues in Austria and elsewhere, present a new and more definitive explanation of how fibrotic cells form, multiply and eventually destroy the human liver, resulting in cirrhosis. In doing so, the findings upend the standing of a long-presumed marker for multiple fibrotic diseases and reveal the existence of a previously unknown kind of inflammatory white blood cell.

21 Dec 2010

Amylin submits metreleptin rolling submission BLA for treatment of rare forms of lipodystrophy

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has submitted the initial sections of a rolling submission for a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of metreleptin to treat diabetes and/or hypertriglyceridemia (high levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream) in patients with rare forms of lipodystrophy.

21 Dec 2010

New study finds racial, ethnic disparities in cancer treatment

Black people with early stage liver cancer were more likely than white patients to die from their disease, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

21 Dec 2010

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

Exciting advances were made in 2010 in virtually every field of MS research. Progress toward finding new therapies for MS is illustrated by the availability of the first oral disease-modifying therapy for MS. Progress was also made toward finding ways to restore function and improving quality of life and specific MS symptoms through exercise, meditation, rehabilitation and medications, including the first therapy specifically approved to treat a symptom of MS (Ampyra).

20 Dec 2010

Tips to keep alcohol intake in check for a healthier, safer holiday season

There seems to be a little bit more of everything during the holidays: more travel, more parties, more food, and certainly more alcoholic drinks.

20 Dec 2010

RXi's dermal anti-scarring candidate selected to advance into development

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a recognized leader in RNAi-based therapeutic discovery and development, today announced the selection of its first RNAi therapeutic product candidate to advance into development.

20 Dec 2010

Possible stem cell cure for AIDS

An explosion of stem cell breakthroughs, including a possible cure for AIDS, is reshaping the possibilities for curing deadly and debilitating diseases around the globe, says Emerging Healthcare Solutions President and CEO Cindy Morrissey.

17 Dec 2010

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals progress in delivery and translation of RNAi therapeutics

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leading RNAi therapeutics company, presented new data at the 2010 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, being held in Honolulu, Hawaii, December 15-20.

17 Dec 2010

Repros prepares for dosing 3 mg cohort in low dose Proellex study in uterine fibroids and endometriosis

Repros Therapeutics Inc. today announced it has commenced preparation for dosing the 3 mg cohort in the Company's low dose study of Proellex® following a safety review of data from women that have completed 8 weeks of treatment at a 1 mg dose. No signals of liver toxicity were detected to date in the 1 mg group. Unexpectedly, low levels of drug activity were detected in this first cohort. The Company plans to commence dosing of the second group, 3 mg Proellex, next week.

17 Dec 2010

Bayer's SAFYRAL oral contraceptive receives FDA approval

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new oral contraceptive (OC), SAFYRAL™ (drospirenone 3 mg/ ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg/ levomefolate calcium 451 mcg tablets and levomefolate calcium 451 mcg tablets). In women who choose an OC for birth control, SAFYRAL raises folate levels for the purpose of reducing the risk of rare neural tube defects (NTDs) in a pregnancy conceived while taking SAFYRAL or shortly after discontinuing it.

17 Dec 2010

Gene variant linked to liver cirrhosis in Caucasians

A new study by German researchers found that a variation in the PNPLA3 (adiponutrin) gene was associated with cirrhosis of the liver and elevated transaminase (liver enzyme) levels in alcoholic Caucasians. The risk of cirrhosis in alcoholics in the genetic high risk group might be as high as 25 to 50%. Full findings are published in the January 2011 issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

16 Dec 2010

Liver cancer in cirrhotic patients effectively treated with radiofrequency ablation

Researchers from Italy determined that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective therapy for managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients. The high repeatability of RFA is advantageous in controlling recurrences of cancerous tumors in the liver. Results of this 10-year retrospective study are available in the January 2011 issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

16 Dec 2010

RFA highly valuable therapy for controlling cancerous nodules

16 Dec 2010

Liver News and Research

Tekmira begins patient dosing in TKM-PLK1 phase 1 trail for cancer

Study finds specially designed probiotic can prevent obesity

Delcath completes NDA submission for chemosaturation system

FDA issues CRL to Cumberland's Acetadote sNDA for non-acetaminophen acute liver failure

People with type 1 diabetes could grow their own insulin-producing cells, say researchers

Isis commences ISIS-APOCIIIRx Phase 1 trial in hypertriglyceridemia

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Mount Sinai collaborate to evaluate anti-fibrotic effects of Galectin-targeting compounds

Researchers present definitive explanation of how fibrotic cells destroy human liver

Amylin submits metreleptin rolling submission BLA for treatment of rare forms of lipodystrophy

New study finds racial, ethnic disparities in cancer treatment

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

Tips to keep alcohol intake in check for a healthier, safer holiday season

RXi's dermal anti-scarring candidate selected to advance into development

Possible stem cell cure for AIDS

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals progress in delivery and translation of RNAi therapeutics

Repros prepares for dosing 3 mg cohort in low dose Proellex study in uterine fibroids and endometriosis

Bayer's SAFYRAL oral contraceptive receives FDA approval

Gene variant linked to liver cirrhosis in Caucasians

Liver cancer in cirrhotic patients effectively treated with radiofrequency ablation

RFA highly valuable therapy for controlling cancerous nodules

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Latest News