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Breast cancer cell surface protein blows cover of potent tumor-generating cells

Breast cancer stem cells wear a cell surface protein that is part nametag and part bull's eye, identifying them as potent tumor-generating cells and flagging their vulnerability to a drug, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report online in Journal of Clinical Investigation.

17 May 2012

Gene therapy restores movement in children bedridden with AADC

Using gene transfer techniques pioneered by University of Florida faculty, Taiwanese doctors have restored some movement in four children bedridden with a rare, life-threatening neurological disease.

17 May 2012

ACE2 molecule now protects major organs in diabetic patients

ACE2, a molecule that has been shown to prevent damage in the heart, is now proving to be protective of the major organs that are often damaged in diabetic patients.

17 May 2012

Dako, VARI partner to license, manufacture and distribute cancer diagnostics

Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and Dako, the Danish-based, worldwide supplier of cancer diagnostic tools today announce an agreement to license, manufacture and distribute cancer diagnostics utilizing the MET4 Antibody.

17 May 2012

May issue of NeuroPerspective assesses field of stroke therapeutics

NeuroPerspective, the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area, has released its May issue, which assesses the field of therapeutics for stroke.

17 May 2012

Hitting the target: IntelliCap provides reliable and accurate regional drug delivery

Medimetrics, recently certified to ISO 13485, has successfully developed the IntelliCap system, specifically designed to target delivery of small molecule drugs and biologics to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The technology is capable of achieving controlled release of drugs to specific GI sites in a fast, cost-effective and convenient manner (Shimizu et al., 2008).

16 May 2012

Human memory: how to improve yours

Many of us wish we had better memories: be it so that we can pass our exams; remember what to buy from the supermarket; or even remember what we went upstairs for!

16 May 2012

Ultrasensitive biosensor may open up new opportunities for early detection of cancer

Researchers have created an ultrasensitive biosensor that could open up new opportunities for early detection of cancer and "personalized medicine" tailored to the specific biochemistry of individual patients.

16 May 2012

First patient included in the phase II study of Amphinex® in head and neck cancer patients

PCI Biotech (PCIB) the Norwegian biopharmaceutical company, reported today that the first patient has been included in the phase II study of Amphinex in combination with the cytotoxic agent bleomycin in head and neck cancer patients, called the ENHANCE study. The first patient was included at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany. NCT is a joint project of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital, Thoraxklinik Heidelberg and Deutsche Krebshilfe (German Cancer Aid).

16 May 2012

Novelos completes I-131-CLR1404 Phase 1b trial on advanced solid tumors

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, today announced that it has successfully completed the first cohort in a U.S. multi-center Phase 1b dose-escalation trial of its cancer-targeted molecular radiotherapeutic compound I-131-CLR1404 (HOT) in cancer patients with advanced solid tumors.

16 May 2012

Lab21’s HCV drug resistance genotyping receives new patents in the U.S., Europe

Lab21 Limited, the Cambridge, UK-based specialist in personalised medicine has secured new patents in Europe and the USA relating to Hepatitis C (HCV) drug resistance as it continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio in infectious disease testing.

15 May 2012

Researchers find protein that controls neurotransmission: findings may lead to new drugs to treat neurological disorders

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered that the single protein -- alpha 2 delta -- exerts a spigot-like function, controlling the volume of neurotransmitters and other chemicals that flow between the synapses of brain neurons. The study, published online in Nature, shows how brain cells talk to each other through these signals, relaying thoughts, feelings and action, and this powerful molecule plays a crucial role in regulating effective communication.

15 May 2012

Ono, Scil Proteins partner to discover and develop new Affilin therapeutics

Scil Proteins GmbH, a private biotech company specializing in the research, development and production of recombinant proteins, today announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for the joint discovery and development of new Affilin therapeutics to treat various diseases.

15 May 2012

Researchers identify new biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center have identified a new biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, an often-fatal disease for which there is currently no reliable method for early detection or therapeutic intervention. The paper will be published May 15 in Cancer Research.

15 May 2012

Study identifies how skeletal muscle stem cells respond to muscle injury

A study conducted by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland scientists identifies how skeletal muscle stem cells respond to muscle injury and may be stimulated to improve muscle repair in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severe inherited disease of muscle that causes weakness, disability and, ultimately, heart and respiratory failure.

15 May 2012

Event addresses FDA's recent draft guidelines for development of biosimilar products

Dr. Richard Dolinar, chairman of the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (Alliance) outlined five areas of concern that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should resolve before they allow biosimilar medications on the U.S. drug market in prepared testimony for the FDA's May 11th public hearing. The event addressed the FDA's recent draft guidelines for the development of biosimilar products.

14 May 2012

Naked mole rat's proteasome assemblies differ in composition from other short-lived rodents

The naked mole rat, a curiously strange, hairless rodent, lives many years longer than any other mouse or rat. Scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio's Barshop Institute of Longevity and Aging Studies continue to explore this mystery.

14 May 2012

Study describes new compounds that inhibit PRMT1 enzyme

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have found the first chemical compounds that act to block an enzyme that has been linked to inflammatory conditions such as asthma and arthritis, as well as some inflammation-promoted cancers.

11 May 2012

DYNC1H1 genetic mutation contributes to SMA-LED

Scientists have confirmed that mutations of a gene are responsible for some cases of a rare, inherited disease that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness: spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance, also known as SMA-LED.

11 May 2012

Caffeine consumption: How much is too much?

Chocolate, coffee and cola are perhaps three of your favourite consumables; however, they are also three caffeine-rich substances which all contribute to your daily caffeine consumption. According to the BBC, people should not exceed 400mg caffeine a day, and this limit halves for pregnant women, for which only 200mg/day is recommended.

10 May 2012