Programmed Cell Death News and Research

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New biophotonic imaging method monitors transformations of cellular macromolecules during apoptosis in real-time

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is essential to normal development, healthy immune system function, and cancer prevention. The process dramatically transforms cellular structures but the limitations of conventional microscopy methods have kept much about this structural reorganization a mystery.

23 Jul 2010

Researchers identify a mechanism that explains different phases of CML progression

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a mechanism that could explain how patients move into the worst phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

20 Jul 2010

BioInvent reports net revenues of SEK 63.1M for January - June 2010 period

BioInvent reached an important milestone when the results of a phase II trial of TB-402 following orthopaedic surgery, were reported in May. The data showed that TB-402 is statistically better at preventing thrombosis than enoxaparin, the current standard treatment. Supported by these good results, BioInvent and the company's partner, ThromboGenics, will now prioritise securing a development partner for the programme to ensure that the necessary resources is in place to take the product candidate to the market.

14 Jul 2010

Musashi 2 protein predicts progression of AML and CML, identify researchers

Researchers at Whitehead Institute and Children's Hospital Boston have identified a protein, called Musashi 2, that is predictive of prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

9 Jul 2010

Modified Citrus Pectin holds promise against prostate cancer

Researchers at Columbia University recently analyzed the positive effects of Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) on human and mouse prostate cancer cell lines. The results, as reported by lead researcher Dr. Aaron Katz in the most recent publication of Integrative Cancer Therapies, show that MCP inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cancer cells in a time and dose-dependent manner.

2 Jul 2010

Sanofi-aventis' Phase I clinical trial with SAR650984 triggers $1M milestone payment to ImmunoGen

ImmunoGen, Inc., a biotechnology company that develops targeted antibody-based anticancer products, today announced that sanofi-aventis has initiated a Phase I clinical trial with SAR650984, an investigational antibody that targets cancer cells expressing the CD38 protein antigen. This event triggers a $1 million milestone payment to ImmunoGen.

25 Jun 2010

Prototype drug blocks MCL-1 protein that helps tumors survive treatment: Scientists

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found a way to disable a common protein that often thwarts chemotherapy treatment of several major forms of cancer.

21 Jun 2010

Researchers assess effect of MDs on cardiac and endothelial cell proliferation, survival

A research team from McGill University (Canada) report a beneficial effect on cardiac function in mouse models when implanted monocytes - a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system - helped preserve cardiac function following a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

17 Jun 2010

Study demonstrates p53 protein becomes activated during gamete formation

Protein p53 is known as the guardian of the genome since it is basic for the genome's integrity by preventing the accumulation of mutations originating either by the cell's own mechanisms or by the action of external agents.

11 Jun 2010

Form of epigenetics may play role in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Researchers

A rare but fatal disease of blood vessels in the lung may be caused in part by aberrant silencing of genes rather than genetic mutation, new research reports. Pulmonary arterial hypertension, a syndrome characterized by gradual blockage of blood vessels in the lungs, has been linked to genetic causes in a small percentage of patients. But University of Chicago researchers have now found that a form of epigenetics - the modification of gene expression - causes the disease in an animal model and could contribute to the disease in humans.

8 Jun 2010

Protein p53 becomes activated to control creation of ova and spermatozoids: Study

Protein 53 is very important in protecting against cancer given that it prevents cancer-causing mutations from accumulating and its inactivation is closely linked to the proliferation of tumour cells. UAB lecturer Ignasi Roig participated in the study. Formed by an international research team, the study served to discover that this protein played an unexpected physiological role: it also becomes activated during the formation process of ova and spermatozoids.

8 Jun 2010

Amgen to present Phase 2 study data of AMG 479 in metastatic pancreatic cancer at 2010 ASCO

Amgen today announced results from a small, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study indicating that adding AMG 479 to gemcitabine improved overall survival at six months (primary endpoint) and progression-free survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The study, which also included a separate arm of conatumumab plus gemcitabine, is being presented in a Poster Discussion at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

5 Jun 2010

Ascenta Therapeutics, sanofi-aventis sign global licensing agreement for cancer drug candidates

Ascenta Therapeutics announced today the signing of a global collaboration and licensing agreement with sanofi-aventis covering several early-stage agents being investigated for their potential to restore tumor cell apoptosis (programmed cell death). These orally-active, small-molecule drug candidates inhibit the interaction between HDM2 (Human Double Minute 2) and p53, removing a block to normal p53 tumor suppressor function and potentially enhancing cancer control and treatment.

4 Jun 2010

Functional profiling using EVA/PCD for prescribing treatment regimens for Stage IV NSCLC improve survival

A team of investigators at Rational Therapeutics, Inc. and the Malcolm Todd Cancer Institute (Long Beach, Calif.) has reported that functional profiling using ex-vivo analysis of programmed cell death (EVA/PCD) can be used to prescribe treatment regimens that double the response rate and survival in patients with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings of their phase II clinical trial will be presented on Sunday, June 6th at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

4 Jun 2010

Light therapy may be alternative treatment for prostate cancer

Cliff Berkman is working on a better way—one that specifically targets prostate cancer cells and causes a type of natural death that spares surrounding tissues from damage.

3 Jun 2010

Amorfix, Aragen Bioscience collaborate to develop high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against targets for cancer

Amorfix Life Sciences and Aragen Bioscience, Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement to develop high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against a number of targets for cancer. Using its proprietary ProMIS(TM) computational platform discovery technology, Amorfix has identified several disease specific epitopes ("DSEs") on misfolded Fas receptor. Aragen will use those DSEs to generate highly specific monoclonal antibodies ("mAbs").

28 May 2010

Scientists study interaction between Notch signaling pathway and BCL6 gene to understand how cancer forms

A Florida State University College of Medicine researcher has discovered a new interaction between a cell signaling system and a specific gene that may be the cause of B-cell lymphoma. The finding suggests a similar interaction could be occurring during the development of other types of cancer, leading to further understanding of how cancer works — and how it might be stopped.

28 May 2010

Researchers report key cellular pathway in deadly brain cancer malignant glioma

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School report in the journal Nature Medicine on a cellular pathway in the deadly brain cancer malignant glioma, a pathway essential to the cancer's ability to grow - and a potential target for therapy that would stop the cancer's ability to thrive.

26 May 2010

Study: Th1 cells play a vital role in pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases

Current research suggests that T helper-type 1 (Th1) cells, previously thought to mediate autoimmunity, may actual inhibit the development of experimental immune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), by suppressing Th17 cells.

24 May 2010

Study demonstrates anti-prostate cancer properties of Modified Citrus Pectin

Researchers at Columbia University recently analyzed the positive effects of Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) on human and mouse prostate cancer cell lines. The results, as reported by lead researcher Dr. Aaron Katz in the online-first publication of Integrative Cancer Therapies, show that MCP inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent cancer cells in a time and dose-dependent manner.

20 May 2010