Liver News and Research

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RFA reduces pain in bone metastases patients

Image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a minimally invasive cancer treatment which can be performed in the outpatient setting, significantly reduced the level of pain experienced by cancer patients with bone (osseous) metastases, limiting the need for strong narcotic pain management, and supporting improved patient frame of mind, according to results of an American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) study published online in the journal Cancer.

5 Jan 2010

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin effective in limiting aflatoxin absorption in humans

A new study has found that chlorophyll and its derivative chlorophyllin are effective in limiting the absorption of aflatoxin in humans. Aflatoxin is produced by a fungus that is a contaminant of grains including corn, peanuts and soybeans; it is known to cause liver cancer - and can work in concert with other health concerns, such as hepatitis.

30 Dec 2009

Advances in development of “lipidoid” formulations for systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, and collaborators from the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) today announced the publication of new data in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) describing further advancements in discovery and development of novel “lipidoid” formulations for the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics.

30 Dec 2009

Successful RNA interference to turn off multiple genes raises hope for new liver disease treatments

Researchers at MIT and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals report this week that they have successfully used RNA interference to turn off multiple genes in the livers of mice, an advance that could lead to new treatments for diseases of the liver and other organs.

29 Dec 2009

Motility mechanism of malaria pathogens explained

How do one-celled parasites move from the salivary gland of a mosquito through a person's skin into red blood cells? What molecular mechanisms form the basis for this very important movement of the protozoa?

23 Dec 2009

New CIHI study highlights that Canada needs to retrieve more organs for transplants

The availability of donated organs in Canada rose by more than one-quarter (28%) over the past decade, but this increase is not keeping pace with demand. More than 1,000 Canadians donated organs in 2008, up from 812 in 1999, according to a new study released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

23 Dec 2009

Pancreas 3-D imaging useful in preoperative assessment of pancreatic carcinoma patients

In the field of hepatic imaging in the context of living liver donors and before complex partial liver resections, three-dimensional imaging of the liver, hepatic vessels and bile ducts has managed to become established in some centers. In this case, in addition to visualization, the volumetry of various liver sections is of interest. Moreover, the three-dimensional reconstruction can be used preoperatively to consider various resection options and to evaluate their technical feasibility with regard to vascular and bile duct anatomy and to the expected liver volume after surgery.

23 Dec 2009

High prevalence of type 2 diabetes may be linked to excess niacin intake

Facing the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes worldwide in the past few decades, one may ask what is wrong with humans. Geneticists tell us that the human genome has not changed markedly in such a short time.

23 Dec 2009

A properly managed metabolic detoxification program can benefit

“Detox” programs have been in the spotlight recently, with a bevy of Hollywood celebrities citing their “detox” programs as the secret to looking great on the red carpet. But, what exactly is detoxification? Is it merely the latest health and beauty fad, or is it a true health therapy? And can anyone besides the Hollywood elite benefit from it?

22 Dec 2009

First robot-assisted lung-tumor surgery performed at UT Southwestern Medical Center

When Craig Harrison found out he would be the first patient in North Texas to have robot-assisted lung-tumor surgery, an operation performed at UT Southwestern Medical Center, he wasn't nervous at all.

22 Dec 2009

BUSM researchers discover new gene therapy for treating emphysema patients

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have discovered a new gene therapy that may prevent the progression of emphysema. The study, which appears on-line in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, describes a method to express therapeutic genes in lung tissue for a lifetime after only a single treatment.

22 Dec 2009

CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System brings new hope to patients with inoperable tumors

The CyberKnife Institute at Mercy Hospital, Miami’s first hospital-based CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System, will bring new hope to patients with inoperable or surgically complex tumors when it opens its doors January of 2010.

22 Dec 2009

Probiotic hangover cure

The holiday season can be a real headache for employers as absenteeism increases as the party season approaches. Everyone looks forward to the parties, social gatherings and family meals as opportunities to abandon self-discipline and enjoy all that the festive season has to offer. Even the most disciplined can end up feeling “under the weather” the morning after and this often leads to a sick day.

21 Dec 2009

AlphaRx, Venturepharm sign supply agreement for ARX1088's API

AlphaRx Inc. announced today that it has signed an agreement that provides long-term supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for ARX1088, an orally active interferon inducer intended for the adjunctive treatment of Hepatitis in China and other emerging markets. Under the agreement, Venturepharm will be the primary supplier of AlphaRx's worldwide requirements for the compound.

17 Dec 2009

Patient who received Total Artificial Heart and dual transplant celebrates Christmas

Last December, there were only two things 46-year-old Chuck Besen wanted for Christmas… a matching donor heart and kidney. This year, thanks to the SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart and the dual transplant he received at University Medical Center (UMC) in March, Besen will celebrate his first Christmas at home with his 2-year-old son Dylan and his fiancée Jennifer Hokanson.

16 Dec 2009

Pancreas removal, and successful isolation and transplantation of insulin producing cells

A 21-year old Airman severely wounded in Afghanistan is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after several surgeries and an unprecedented transplant.

16 Dec 2009

Scientists rediscover Cyclin G1 gene as prime target for anti-cancer therapies

Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation, an emerging leader in the field of targeted genetic medicine, gained international validation of the cutting-edge science behind its lead oncology product, Rexin-G, when scientists around the world rediscovered the Cyclin G1 gene to be a major locus of cancer pathogenesis and disease progression, and thus a prime target for anti-cancer therapies.

16 Dec 2009

U.S. patent for new bioadhesive drug delivery system awarded to SRI International

SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, announced today the award of U.S. patent 7,592,021 for a new bioadhesive drug delivery system that enables enhanced release of drugs through the human body's mucous membranes.

16 Dec 2009

Retrospective study demonstrates new survival data for patients with myelofibrosis

A recent study, published in the December issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, demonstrates new survival data for the blood disorder myelofibrosis. This retrospective study is the largest ever conducted in young patients with primary myelofibrosis.

15 Dec 2009

Scientists identify protein switch that helps prevent liver cancer

A team of scientists from the UC San Diego School of Medicine and Osaka University in Japan have identified a protein switch that helps prevent liver damage, including inflammation, fibrosis and cancer. The findings suggest that a better understanding of how the protein, TAK1, works could lead to new insights into the development of liver disease and cancer.

15 Dec 2009

Liver News and Research

RFA reduces pain in bone metastases patients

Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin effective in limiting aflatoxin absorption in humans

Advances in development of “lipidoid” formulations for systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics

Successful RNA interference to turn off multiple genes raises hope for new liver disease treatments

Motility mechanism of malaria pathogens explained

New CIHI study highlights that Canada needs to retrieve more organs for transplants

Pancreas 3-D imaging useful in preoperative assessment of pancreatic carcinoma patients

High prevalence of type 2 diabetes may be linked to excess niacin intake

A properly managed metabolic detoxification program can benefit

First robot-assisted lung-tumor surgery performed at UT Southwestern Medical Center

BUSM researchers discover new gene therapy for treating emphysema patients

CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System brings new hope to patients with inoperable tumors

Probiotic hangover cure

AlphaRx, Venturepharm sign supply agreement for ARX1088's API

Patient who received Total Artificial Heart and dual transplant celebrates Christmas

Pancreas removal, and successful isolation and transplantation of insulin producing cells

Scientists rediscover Cyclin G1 gene as prime target for anti-cancer therapies

U.S. patent for new bioadhesive drug delivery system awarded to SRI International

Retrospective study demonstrates new survival data for patients with myelofibrosis

Scientists identify protein switch that helps prevent liver cancer

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 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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