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More people rely on alternative medicine

As consumers look to save money in a tough economy, many turn to alternative health care options. CBS 4 reports: "Health care costs are soaring. Thousands of people are without jobs and without the benefits afforded them. Now, those people are turning to preventative or alternative measures. ... The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) shows 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of kids are now using alternative therapies to treat pain. In fact, Americans are now reportedly spending $34 billion a year on alternative therapies" (Demos, 10/26).

27 Oct 2009

First Japanese patient treated in Celsion’s global Phase III ThermoDox HEAT trial

Celsion Corporation and Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. announced today that the first patient has been enrolled and treated in Japan as part of Celsion’s global Phase III ThermoDox HEAT trial for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer.

27 Oct 2009

CryoLife granted FDA approval for BioFoam human clinical trial

CryoLife, Inc., an implantable biological medical device and cardiovascular tissue processing company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for the company's Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to conduct a human clinical trial for its BioFoam® Surgical Matrix protein hydrogel technology.

27 Oct 2009

BioSphere submits an IDE to the FDA for its QuadraSphere Microsphere product

BioSphere Medical, Inc. – the leader in the use of bioengineered microspheres to treat uterine fibroids, hypervascularized tumors and vascular malformations by a minimally invasive, image-guided medical procedure called embolotherapy – today announced the submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application for a clinical trial for the use of BioSphere’s QuadraSphere® Microsphere product (QuadraSphere) to deliver the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin for the treatment of primary liver cancer.

27 Oct 2009

Positive results from Phase II clinical trial of INT-747 announced

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced positive results from a 165 patient, placebo controlled, double-blind Phase II clinical trial of INT-747 in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

27 Oct 2009

Study reveals that adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin aids in reducing cholesterol

Edmonton - Adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin significantly boosted the attainment of lipid targets as specified by both Canadian and European guidelines in elderly patients aged 65 and older and the combination produced superior results than simply increasing the dose of atorvastatin alone, Dr. Christian Constance told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

27 Oct 2009

Hutchinson Center receives USAID grant to build a cancer clinic and medical-training facility in Africa

Building on the strengths of two institutions separated by nearly 9,000 miles over two continents - both renowned in their work in the fight against cancer - the United States Agency for International Development has awarded a $500,000 grant to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to aid in the construction of the first American cancer clinic and medical-training facility in Africa.

27 Oct 2009

Comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers

Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

27 Oct 2009

Football linemen at higher risk of future health problems

For today's athletes, size and strength can mean the difference between championships, scholarships and million-dollar paydays. But new research comparing the signs of metabolic syndrome in professional baseball and football players, presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 74th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, reveals that the larger professional athletes - specifically football linemen - may encounter future health problems despite their rigorous exercise routines.

27 Oct 2009

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center receives a $500,000 grant to construct cancer clinic in Africa

27 Oct 2009

Athletes may face future health problems despite their rigorous exercise routines, says study

26 Oct 2009

Probiotic therapy can be effective for treating intestinal disorders

The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis, a new study has found. Mice treated with B. polyfermenticus during the non-inflammatory period of the disease had reduced rectal bleeding, their tissues were less inflamed and they gained more weight than mice that did not receive the treatment.

26 Oct 2009

Orexigen Therapeutics announces new data from COR-I, COR-II and COR-Diabetes trials for Contrave

Orexigen® ( )Therapeutics, Inc today announced new data from the COR-I, COR-II and COR-Diabetes trials for Contrave® (bupropion SR/ naltrexone SR) to expand on top-line results announced in July. Contrave is the first of the Company's two late stage candidates for the treatment of obesity.

26 Oct 2009

Millions of children in the US suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D

Millions of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 11 may suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a large nationally representative study published in the November 2009 issue of Pediatrics, accompanied by an editorial.

26 Oct 2009

African Americans face higher risk of colorectal cancer

African Americans are at significantly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, and being diagnosed with the disease at a later stage, than other ethnic groups. That's the finding of a paper being presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in San Diego.

26 Oct 2009

Doctoral candidate sheds new light on the biology of Leishmania parasites

Professor Albert Descoteaux's team at Centre INRS - Institut Armand-Frappier has gained a better understanding of how the Leishmania donovani parasite manages to outsmart the human immune system and proliferate with impunity, causing visceral leishmaniasis, a chronic infection that is potentially fatal if left untreated.

24 Oct 2009

Emodin raises hope for treatment of fibrotic liver diseases

In the last decade, advances in the understanding of genes promoting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation are impressive. However, there are few breakthroughs in therapeutic intervention of hepatic fibrogenesis. Efficient and well-tolerated antifibrotic drugs are lacking and current treatment of hepatic fibrosis is limited to withdrawal of the noxious agent. Research identifying innocuous antifibrotic agents is of high priority and urgently needed.

24 Oct 2009

Researchers find link between hepatic steatosis and carotid lesions

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often caused by abdominal obesity, which is also one of the main causes of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The latter, in turn, is an important cardiovascular risk factor, and has been found to be associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerotic lesions.

24 Oct 2009

Physicians' recognize benefits of genetic testing; say formal education required to put it into practice

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.(NYSE: MHS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) today announced the findings of a national benchmark survey on physicians' acceptance, use and education regarding pharmacogenomic testing.

23 Oct 2009

Modified NAGA: New enzyme for enzyme replacement therapy

A new study uses a creative structure-based remodeling strategy to design a therapeutic protein that exhibits significant advantages over currently available treatments for a rare disease that often leads to cardiac and renal failure. The research, published by Cell Press on October 22nd in the American Journal of Human Genetics, describes a new and highly promising candidate for enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for Fabry disease.

23 Oct 2009

Liver News and Research

More people rely on alternative medicine

First Japanese patient treated in Celsion’s global Phase III ThermoDox HEAT trial

CryoLife granted FDA approval for BioFoam human clinical trial

BioSphere submits an IDE to the FDA for its QuadraSphere Microsphere product

Positive results from Phase II clinical trial of INT-747 announced

Study reveals that adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin aids in reducing cholesterol

Hutchinson Center receives USAID grant to build a cancer clinic and medical-training facility in Africa

Comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers

Football linemen at higher risk of future health problems

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center receives a $500,000 grant to construct cancer clinic in Africa

Athletes may face future health problems despite their rigorous exercise routines, says study

Probiotic therapy can be effective for treating intestinal disorders

Orexigen Therapeutics announces new data from COR-I, COR-II and COR-Diabetes trials for Contrave

Millions of children in the US suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D

African Americans face higher risk of colorectal cancer

Doctoral candidate sheds new light on the biology of Leishmania parasites

Emodin raises hope for treatment of fibrotic liver diseases

Researchers find link between hepatic steatosis and carotid lesions

Physicians' recognize benefits of genetic testing; say formal education required to put it into practice

Modified NAGA: New enzyme for enzyme replacement therapy

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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