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Fifteen-year hunt uncovers gene behind pseudothalidomide syndrome

A team of scientists from Colombia, the United States and elsewhere has successfully completed a 15-year-plus search for the genetic problems behind the very rare Roberts syndrome, whose physical manifestations often include cleft lip and palate and shortened limbs that resemble those of babies whose mothers took thalidomide during pregnancy.

11 Apr 2005

The liver may produce most of the body's good cholesterol

Research in mice suggests that the liver may produce most of the body's "good" cholesterol, an unexpected finding that might one day help scientists develop new treatments to raise levels of this heart-protecting molecule in humans.

10 Apr 2005

First UK cases of previously rare disease reported in gay men

A previously rare disease has been reported for the first time in the UK, Lymphograunuloma venereum (LGV) is a genital/anogenital bacterial infection caused by a particularly invasive strain of Chlamydia trachomatis.

3 Apr 2005

Onconase granted orphan drug status for malignant mesothelioma in Australia

Alfacell Corporation has announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia has granted Onconase (ranpirnase) Orphan Drug status for the indication of malignant mesothelioma (MM). Onconase is also designated as an Orphan Drug for MM in Europe.

28 Mar 2005

Three different leukemias are all caused by mutations that alter a specific enzyme controlling blood cell proliferation

Identifying the genetic malfunction that causes these disorders raises the hope that researchers may be able to devise a targeted therapy, just as they have done for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), which is presently treated with Gleevec. The three leukemias that share a common genetic cause are polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis (MMM).

28 Mar 2005

Marburg Virus responsible for disease outbreak in Angola

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced yesterday that laboratory tests have shown that the cause of a hemorrhagic fever outbreak in northern Angola is the Marburg virus.

23 Mar 2005

New center focuses on rare Batten disease

For children with Batten disease and their families, the cruelty of the disease, which robs children of their sight, their cognitive faculties and finally their lives, is made worse by the hunt for a doctor experienced at recognizing and treating patients.

16 Mar 2005

Common clinical problem, Rosacea

A number of clinical symptoms and signs are included under the broad group Rosacea. Facial flushing, the appearance of broken blood vessels and persistent redness of the face, eruption of inflamed spots & pimples, on the face and thickening of the sebaceous glands of the nose, with swelling & congestion in that area.

24 Feb 2005

FDA approval of Vaccinia Immune Globulin to treat adverse reactions to smallpox vaccination

Computer Sciences Corporation today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIGIV), an intravenous immune globulin, to treat rare adverse reactions to smallpox vaccination.

22 Feb 2005

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in the new EU countries presents considerable potential

In contrast to subdued growth in the pharmaceutical markets of the former 15-state European Union (EU), pharmaceutical markets in the 'new' EU accession markets are expanding vibrantly.

22 Feb 2005

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia occurring at higher than normal rate among U.S. troops in Iraq

Two deaths have been attributed to a rare type of pneumonia that is occurring among U.S. troops in Iraq at a higher than normal rate, according to a study in the December 22/29 issue of JAMA.

22 Dec 2004

Vitamin E supplements may reduce the risk for death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the American Cancer Society have found that regular use of vitamin E supplements may reduce the risk for death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

21 Dec 2004

Cancer vaccine based on listeria bacteria shows promise

An experimental cancer vaccine using defanged listeria bacteria is showing great promise in animal studies, successfully treating new cancers that have spread into the lungs of mice.

29 Sep 2004

Researchers reveal potential new role for Glivec/Imatinib

Imatinib – or Glivec as it also known – looks as if it may become an effective treatment for yet another type of cancer.

28 Sep 2004

Titanium rib becomes 1st new FDA-approved spine deformity treatment in 40 years

The Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR), a device that has saved the lives of 300 infants and young children who otherwise would have died from lack of breath, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

16 Sep 2004

Genmab's HuMax-CD4 receives U.S. orphan drug designation

Genmab has announced that HuMax-CD4 for the treatment of Mycosis Fungoides (MF), which constitutes 75% of all Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas (CTCL), has been designated an orphan drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The US prevalence of MF is estimated at 16,000 to 20,000.

23 Aug 2004