Pancreas News and Research

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The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine. These enzymes help in the further breakdown of the carbohydrates, protein, and fat in the chyme.

Health Canada approves ONGLYZA for type 2 diabetes treatment

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada and AstraZeneca Canada today announced that Health Canada has approved ONGLYZA(TM) (saxagliptin) which improves all three key measures of glycemic control - hemoglobin A1c (A1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and post-prandial glucose (PPG) - when taken in combination with other commonly used oral anti-diabetic agents (metformin or a sulfonylurea).

13 Nov 2009

Tips for preventing cancer

The risk of cancer can be dramatically reduced through everyday choices about diet, exercise and tobacco use, according to a Special Report on Cancer Prevention in the November issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.

12 Nov 2009

Gene within the pancreas affecting insulin secretion discovered

How a specific gene within the pancreas affects secretion of insulin has been discovered by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Japanese and American universities. Their work opens the way for a new understanding of possible paths to battle diabetes and diabetes-related health problems, which are on the rise all over the world.

12 Nov 2009

Lesser rates of kidney/pancreas transplants for African Americans: Is physician bias the reason?

Physician bias might be the reason why African Americans are not receiving kidney/pancreas transplants at the same rate as similar patients in other racial groups. Dr. Keith Melancon, director of kidney and pancreas transplantation at Georgetown University Hospital and associate professor of surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, and colleagues explore this phenomenon in the November issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.

10 Nov 2009

Scientific article supports AEterna Zentaris' development of perifosine inhibitor

AEterna Zentaris Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced publication of a scientific article in the renowned Journal of Urology, supporting the development of the Company's PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor oral compound, perifosine, for the treatment of cancer.

9 Nov 2009

Second-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by Repligen

Repligen Corporation today reported results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010, ended September 30, 2009. Total revenue for the quarter was $5,421,000 compared to total revenue of $5,090,000 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009 ended September 30, 2008.

5 Nov 2009

Tumor-penetrating microparticles may offer treatment hope for those suffering with pancreatic cancer

Tiny particles that can carry drugs and target cancer cells may offer treatment hope for those suffering with pancreatic cancer. New research to be presented in November at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles reveals that tumor-penetrating microparticles (TPM) have been specifically designed to break through hard-to-infiltrate barriers and deliver drugs more effectively and efficiently than the standard form of chemotherapy such as those injected through a vein.

3 Nov 2009

Accuray to focus on its CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System at the ASTRO meeting

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today that 28 CyberKnife-focused abstracts have been accepted as part of the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), taking place November 1 - 5 in Chicago, Illinois. This represents a 27 percent increase in CyberKnife abstracts over last year's Annual Meeting.

31 Oct 2009

La Jolla Institute dedicates new Elam Discovery Wall and Type 1 Diabetes Center

The La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, an international leader in immunology research and San Diego's only research institute focused solely on immune-mediated diseases, today will dedicate its new Elam Discovery Wall and Type 1 Diabetes Center, which will focus on research into novel immunological-focused approaches to type 1 diabetes.

30 Oct 2009

The Endocrine Society urges NIH to increase funding for stem cell research

Stem cell research holds great promise for the treatment of millions of Americans with debilitating and possibly fatal diseases. Current legislation and guidelines, however, continue to limit researchers' endeavors in unlocking the potential breakthroughs that stem cell research can provide. To address this concern, today The Endocrine Society issued a Position Statement (http://www.endo-society.org/advocacy/policy) calling for an increase in NIH funding for stem cell research as well as expanding the scope of funding to include promising yet neglected areas of stem cell research.

28 Oct 2009

Multidisciplinary center to be launched for treatment of advanced liver disease

Distinguished transplant and cancer surgeon, Alan Hemming, MD, has been recruited to the University of California, School of Medicine to launch a multidisciplinary center for the treatment of advanced liver disease at the UC San Diego Medical Center and Moores UCSD Cancer Center.

28 Oct 2009

Vegetable intake during pregnancy can protect unborn child against diabetes

New evidence is emerging for how important it is for pregnant women to eat good, nutritious food. Expecting mothers who eat vegetables every day seem to have children who are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes, is revealed in a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

28 Oct 2009

Protein crucial for insulin regulation may play a role in diabetes

A cellular protein from a family involved in several human diseases is crucial for the proper production and release of insulin, new research has found, suggesting that the protein might play a role in diabetes.

27 Oct 2009

Medtronic announces ONSET trial results of sensor-enhanced CSII in children

Medtronic, Inc. today announced study results from an oral presentation at the International Diabetes Federation’s World Diabetes Congress held in Montreal, Canada. This scientific convention highlights the latest developments in clinical research aimed at improving diabetes management and outcomes.

23 Oct 2009

The Sutter Heart Transplant Program gets recertified after an eight-month legal battle

Larry Clymer's heart was just plum wearing out. The 60-year-old Rocklin resident needed a heart transplant, and a temporary machine was implanted in his abdomen to keep his heart beating until the right heart was identified.

22 Oct 2009

Repligen completes patient treatment in its Phase 3 RG1068 clinical trial

Repligen Corporation reported today that it has completed patient treatment in its Phase 3 clinical trial of RG1068, synthetic human secretin, in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas. The study is designed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of RG1068 in conjunction with MRI for the detection of pancreatic duct abnormalities compared to MRI alone.

20 Oct 2009

Early detection of PGAP may reduce mortality rate

Gastrectomy is commonly performed for both benign and malignant lesions. Although the incidence of post-gastrectomy acute pancreatitis (PGAP) is low compared to other well-recognized post-operative complications, it has been reported to be associated with a high mortality rate.

19 Oct 2009

Prometheus Laboratories introduces three new cancer diagnostic products

Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced the nationwide commercial launch of three new cancer diagnostic products: ProOnc TumorSource Dx, ProOnc Squamous Dx and ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx. Each of these tests is based on recently developed, highly sensitive microRNA technology.

15 Oct 2009

Less expensive anti-rejection drug as effective as more expensive drug, says study

A newer, less expensive drug used to suppress the immune system and prevent organ rejection in kidney and pancreas transplant patients works just as well as its much more expensive counterpart, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

15 Oct 2009

Breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment

Epeius Biotechnologies (www.epeiusbiotech.com) confirms the first real breakthrough for pancreatic cancer seen in years; publishes a landmark report of tumor-targeted Rexin-G as stand-alone therapy in chemotherapy-resistant pancreatic cancer.

14 Oct 2009