Liver Disease News and Research

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The liver is one of the largest solid organs of the body. It is located in the upper right part of the abdomen. Most of the organ lies under cover of the rib cage.

New laboratory-engineered livers could provide solution to donor shortage

Researchers at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have reached an early, but important, milestone in the quest to grow replacement livers in the lab. They are the first to use human liver cells to successfully engineer miniature livers that function - at least in a laboratory setting like human livers. The next step is to see if the livers will continue to function after transplantation in an animal model.

1 Nov 2010

Salix to discuss XIFAXAN therapy for hepatic encephalopathy at AASLD 2010 Annual Meeting

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD 2010) will be an important venue for ongoing discussion of hepatic encephalopathy, or HE.

1 Nov 2010

Gilead to present data of two Phase III trials evaluating Viread efficacy for HBV infection at The Liver Meeting 2010

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced new data from the open-label phase of two pivotal Phase III clinical trials (Studies 102 and 103) evaluating the four-year efficacy of Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

1 Nov 2010

Researchers generate bioengineered human liver organoid using bioscaffold

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center's Institute for Regenerative Medicine demonstrated the generation of a bioengineered human liver organoid using a liver bioscaffold made from an intact liver extracellular matrix, and filled (seeded) with primary human liver progenitor and endothelial cells.

1 Nov 2010

Gilead presents Phase IIa data for HCV therapy at The Liver Meeting 2010

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced data from a Phase IIa study showing that its investigational compounds GS 9190 and GS 9256, used in conjunction with current standard of care therapies, produced substantial suppression of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) within 28 days of treatment.

1 Nov 2010

Anadys presents data of ANA598 for hepatitis C treatment at AASLD Annual Meeting

Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the ANA598 data to be presented at the 61st Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) in Boston, MA.

1 Nov 2010

‘Off the shelf’ new livers from stem cells, glimmer of hope

A researcher team has successfully produced a small-scale version of a human liver in the laboratory using stem cells. This could be a boon for patients waiting for liver transplants although it will take years to perfect the procedure say researchers.

31 Oct 2010

Study suggests curcumin may be an effective therapy for liver fibrosis

Curcumin, a chemical that gives curry its zing, holds promise in preventing or treating liver damage from an advanced form of a condition known as fatty liver disease, new Saint Louis University research suggests.

30 Oct 2010

Merck reports $342 million net income for 2010 third quarter

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter of $0.85, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring costs, merger-related expenses and a $950 million legal reserve.

29 Oct 2010

Bristol-Myers Squibb 2010 third quarter U.S. net sales increases 4% to $3.1 billion

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today reported results for the third quarter of 2010. Highlights in the quarter included: the presentation of new data on investigational compounds in the diabetes and cardiovascular disease franchises at major medical meetings; the completion of important regulatory milestones in the oncology, diabetes and immunoscience franchises; the acquisition of ZymoGenetics; and double-digit EPS growth. The company also confirmed guidance for 2010.

26 Oct 2010

Daily dose of whole body vibration reduces bone density loss

A daily dose of whole body vibration may help reduce the usual bone density loss that occurs with age, Medical College of Georgia researchers report.

25 Oct 2010

Immune Network enters letter of intent to acquire Immunitor oral vaccine technology

Immune Network Ltd. advises that a clinical trial of V5 Immunitor oral vaccine was published earlier this month demonstrating an unexpected powerful effect against tuberculosis, including multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and tuberculosis that is complicated by co-infection with HIV and hepatitis C (HCV).

25 Oct 2010

UCSF scientists receive grants to refine embryonic stem cell-based strategies for neurological diseases

UCSF scientists have received two grants from the California Institutefor Regenerative Medicine to refine their human embryonic stem cell-based strategies for treating neurological diseases and liver failure. The goal of the grants is for researchers to make significant strides toward the development of potential therapies within the next three years.

25 Oct 2010

Study finds adipose dysfunction linked to steatosis, necroinflammation in G1 CHC patients

Researchers at the University of Palermo in Italy provide the evidence that a higher visceral adiposity index score-a new index of adipose dysfunction-has a direct correlation with viral load and is independently associated with both steatosis and necroinflammatory activity in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (G1 CHC).

20 Oct 2010

ACG 75th Scientific Meeting to review advances in gastrointestinal research, treatment of digestive diseases

Many of the world's preeminent gastroenterologists will gather for the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 75th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas starting Monday October 18, 2010, to review the latest scientific advances in gastrointestinal research, treatment of digestive diseases and clinical practice management.

19 Oct 2010

An overview on American College of Gastroenterology's Annual Scientific meeting

The association between obesity and gastrointestinal-related cancers and coronary artery disease; the link between an overweight or obese body mass index and the severity of Crohn's disease; and whether inflammatory bowel disease is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, were among the highlights of new research that was presented this week at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 75th Annual Scientific meeting in San Antonio.

19 Oct 2010

Study investigates effectiveness of potential treatment for Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Estimates of the prevalence of liver disease suggest that one‐third of the United States population has non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is now the most common cause for elevated liver function tests in the United States, a trend related to the obesity epidemic in this country. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of NAFLD, can lead to cirrhosis and all its complications.

19 Oct 2010

BARACLUDE sNDA receives FDA approval for treatment of CHB patients with decompensated liver disease

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) of BARACLUDE for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in adult patients with decompensated liver disease.

18 Oct 2010

FibroGen announces initiation of FG-3019 phase 2 study for reversing liver fibrosis

FibroGen, Inc. today announced initiation of a phase 2 study to compare the efficacy of FG-3019, a human monoclonal antibody against connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), with placebo in reversing liver fibrosis (scarring of the liver) due to chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

15 Oct 2010

Research reveals new details about health benefits of fish-oil

Some of America's most popular fish salmon and albacore tuna, for example are rich in healthful natural compounds known as omega-3 fatty acids. Ongoing studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) chemist Darshan S. Kelley and co-investigators are helping uncover new details about how these fish-oil components help protect us from chronic diseases.

12 Oct 2010

Liver Disease News and Research

Further Reading

New laboratory-engineered livers could provide solution to donor shortage

Salix to discuss XIFAXAN therapy for hepatic encephalopathy at AASLD 2010 Annual Meeting

Gilead to present data of two Phase III trials evaluating Viread efficacy for HBV infection at The Liver Meeting 2010

Researchers generate bioengineered human liver organoid using bioscaffold

Gilead presents Phase IIa data for HCV therapy at The Liver Meeting 2010

Anadys presents data of ANA598 for hepatitis C treatment at AASLD Annual Meeting

‘Off the shelf’ new livers from stem cells, glimmer of hope

Study suggests curcumin may be an effective therapy for liver fibrosis

Merck reports $342 million net income for 2010 third quarter

Bristol-Myers Squibb 2010 third quarter U.S. net sales increases 4% to $3.1 billion

Daily dose of whole body vibration reduces bone density loss

Immune Network enters letter of intent to acquire Immunitor oral vaccine technology

UCSF scientists receive grants to refine embryonic stem cell-based strategies for neurological diseases

Study finds adipose dysfunction linked to steatosis, necroinflammation in G1 CHC patients

ACG 75th Scientific Meeting to review advances in gastrointestinal research, treatment of digestive diseases

An overview on American College of Gastroenterology's Annual Scientific meeting

Study investigates effectiveness of potential treatment for Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

BARACLUDE sNDA receives FDA approval for treatment of CHB patients with decompensated liver disease

FibroGen announces initiation of FG-3019 phase 2 study for reversing liver fibrosis

Research reveals new details about health benefits of fish-oil

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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