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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

Scientists identify key protein behind drug-resistant leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, is the most common form of childhood cancer. While most children treated for this disease survive, in a subgroup of patients the disease does not respond to treatment.

19 May 2011

Two genes linked to worst cases of esophageal cancer

University of Rochester Medical Center researchers have pinpointed two genes that are amplified in the worst cases of esophageal cancer, providing data to support a new investigational treatment that targets those same genes.

19 May 2011

MDC researchers comprehensively quantify gene expression for the first time

How do genes control us? This fundamental question of life still remains elusive despite decades of research. Genes are blueprints for proteins, but it is the proteins that actually carry out vital functions in the body for maintaining life. Diseases such as cancer are not only characterized by altered genes, but also by disturbed protein production.

19 May 2011

New breast cancer biomarker may help identify women's response to tamoxifen

Cancer researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and an international team of collaborators have discovered a biomarker in breast cancer that may help identify which women will respond to anti-estrogen therapy.

19 May 2011

Pfizer's axitinib Phase 3 trial in advanced renal cell carcinoma meets primary endpoints

Pfizer Inc. today announced data from the pivotal Phase 3 AXIS 1032 trial, showing that in patients with previously treated advanced renal cell carcinoma, axitinib significantly extended progression-free survival at the 47th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago from June 3-7, 2011.

19 May 2011

Estradiol may exacerbate tumor growth in breast cancer

A recently discovered enzyme drives the production of a potent form of estrogen in human breast cancer tissue, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found.

19 May 2011

'Gatekeeper' protein plays a key role in skin-cancer prevention

New research from North Carolina State University shows that a "gatekeeper" protein plays an important role in skin-cancer prevention in humans and lab mice.

19 May 2011

Fragile X syndrome may be treatable

Advancements over the last 10 years in understanding intellectual disability (ID, formerly mental retardation), have led to the once-unimaginable possibility that ID may be treatable, a review of more than 100 studies on the topic has concluded. It appears in ACS Chemical Neuroscience.

18 May 2011

Serpin-2 molecule may be a perfect target for preventing mosquito's immunity

Mosquitoes are becoming more resistant to current pesticides. That's troubling to Kansas State University biologist Kristin Michel, as it means malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases will continue spreading. A recent grant from the National Institutes of Health may change all that.

18 May 2011

New data on personalized approaches for skin, ovarian and lung cancer to be presented at ASCO meeting

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that data showing new personalized approaches for people with skin and lung cancer, plus new data with Avastin in ovarian cancer, will be presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

18 May 2011

Aeterna Zentaris first quarter revenues increase to $7.4 million

Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today reported financial and operating results as at and for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

18 May 2011

New denosumab Phase III trial data in high-risk prostate cancer presented at AUA conference

Data on the use of denosumab (Xgeva) to improve bone metastases-free survival in men with high-risk prostate cancer was presented at the American Urological Association conference today for the first time.

18 May 2011

JCO publishes Micromet's blinatumomab Phase 2 trial data in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Micromet, Inc. today announced that data from a Phase 2 clinical trial of the Company's lead product candidate blinatumomab in patients with minimal residual disease positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia were published in the May 16th on-line edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

18 May 2011

Novel gene associated with heart development and aging process

Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) have identified a novel gene in the nucleus of muscle and brain cells that affects heart development and the aging process. Their investigation brings the promise of new treatments for an old, failing heart.

18 May 2011

Amgen announces primary results from XGEVA Phase 3 trial in castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Amgen today announced primary results of a pivotal Phase 3 trial demonstrating that XGEVA significantly increased bone metastasis-free survival for more than four months in men with castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer that has not yet spread to bone.

18 May 2011

Leucine deprivation triggers apoptosis in melanoma cells

Whitehead Institute researchers have found that depriving human melanoma cells of the essential amino acid leucine can be lethal to the cells, suggesting a possible strategy for therapeutic intervention.

18 May 2011

Study offers new understanding of cell signaling networks tied to diabetes and cancer

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine have published a study that offers a new understanding of a protein critical to physiological processes involved in major diseases such as diabetes and cancer. This work could help scientists design drugs to battle these disorders.

18 May 2011

Cytonet receives FDA orphan drug designation for liver cell infusion to treat urea cycle disorders

International biotechnology firm Cytonet, which is investigating a liver cell infusion of donated human liver cells for the treatment of urea cycle disorders in young children, announced it has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

18 May 2011

Anavex comments on new Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic guidelines

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (“Anavex”) (OTCBB: AVXL) today commented on new diagnostic criteria and guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease published recently by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Alzheimer’s Association, which have been updated for the first time in more than 25 years. The new guidelines discuss the importance of new technologies, including brain imaging and biomarker analysis, in research and clinical diagnosis. They describe Alzheimer’s disease at a preclinical stage, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia due to Alzheimer’s pathology.

18 May 2011

Cellular 'mechanic' keeps DNA damage in check in cells

CANCER RESEARCH UK scientists have discovered how a protein in immune cells plays an essential role in their development by repairing DNA damage - and if this protein is missing lymphomas can form.

17 May 2011