Retinoid News and Research

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Combination immunotherapy more effective for patients with Sezary Syndrome

A three-pronged immunotherapy approach nearly doubles five-year survival among patients with rare leukemic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, reports a new study by dermatologists from the Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

16 Aug 2011

Dermatologist discusses common skin conditions that affect people of color at AAD 2011 meeting

The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that by the year 2050, more than half the U.S. population will have skin of color. Recognizing this trend, dermatologists are educating the public about the different ways that common skin conditions appear in various skin tones.

5 Aug 2011

When psoriasis strikes the famously beautiful

It appears that psoriasis spares none. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has been reportedly diagnosed with the skin condition. Her condition was revealed on a recent episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” on E!.

25 Jul 2011

Non-steroidal, oral contraceptive for men

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are honing in on the development of what may be the first non-steroidal, oral contraceptive for men. Tests of low doses of a compound that interferes with retinoic acid receptors (RARs), whose ligands are metabolites of dietary vitamin A, showed that it caused sterility in male mice.

7 Jun 2011

Leukemia, psoriasis drugs may treat vascular diseases

A drug that has been on the market for decades to treat leukemia and skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis may be a possible therapy for vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

27 May 2011

Scientific evidence supports benefits of sunscreen usage to prevent skin cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology today reiterated the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens to protect against the damaging effects from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As one component of a daily sun-protection strategy, sunscreen is an important tool in the fight against skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

24 May 2011

New research reveals potential treatment for HO in children, soldiers

Promising new research reveals a potentially highly effective treatment for heterotopic ossification, a painful and often debilitating abnormal buildup of bone tissue. HO comes in two main forms—one that appears in children and is congenital, another that strikes wounded military personnel and surgery patients and is triggered by severe injuries and wounds.

4 Apr 2011

Vitamin A may play key role in sperm cell formation and development of central nervous system

In a recently-published study mapping the structure and function of the so-called "orphan" nuclear receptor TR4, Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) investigators suggest that Vitamin A may play a more direct role than was previously known in certain physiological functions including sperm cell formation and the development of the central nervous system.

18 Mar 2011

Study sheds light on how vitamin A contributes to immune responses in gastrointestinal tract

Although it has been known for some time that vitamin A deficiency is linked with an impaired ability to resist infections, exactly how vitamin A and its metabolites contribute to the immune response is not well understood.

18 Mar 2011

QLT fourth quarter revenues decrease 7.3% to $10.0 million

QLT Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 and full year 2010 as well as issued its guidance for 2011. Unless specified otherwise, all amounts are in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

1 Mar 2011

EMA grants QLT positive opinions for Orphan Drug Designation of QLT091001 to treat inherited blindness

QLT Inc. today announced that QLT091001, an oral synthetic retinoid, has received positive opinions for two distinct Orphan Drug Designations by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) for the treatment of the inherited retinal degenerative diseases, Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

10 Feb 2011

QLT's oral synthetic retinoid granted orphan drug designation for treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis

QLT Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation for QLT091001, its oral synthetic retinoid, for the treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). LCA is an inherited progressive retinal degenerative disease that leads to retinal dysfunction and visual impairment beginning at birth. QLT091001 is an orally administered synthetic retinoid replacement for 11-cis-retinal, which is a key biochemical component of the visual retinoid cycle.

8 Dec 2010

FDA grants QLT's QLT091001 orphan drug designation for treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

QLT Inc. today announced that QLT091001, the Company's oral synthetic retinoid, has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This follows the FDA grant of orphan drug designation for QLT091001 for the treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) also on December 7, 2010.

8 Dec 2010

CytRx commences tamibarotene Phase 2b clinical trial in NSCLC

CytRx Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in oncology, today announced that it is initiating a multicenter Phase 2b clinical trial with its oncology drug candidate tamibarotene in combination with chemotherapeutical agents for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

2 Dec 2010

Research could lead to new drug treatment for metabolic diseases

A team of Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) scientists report finding a molecular "switch" that can "turn off" some cellular processes that are protective against aging and metabolic diseases. While more research is needed, the findings may open doors for new drug treatments to halt or slow development of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes or heart disease. The research findings appear in the December 1, 2010 issue of Cell Metabolism.

1 Dec 2010

AADA releases updated position statement on isotretinoin usage

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) recently updated its position statement on the use of isotretinoin. The position continues to state that patient safety is dermatologists' primary concern and that the AADA is committed to the safe and responsible use of isotretinoin, which is the most effective treatment for severe acne.

23 Nov 2010

Discovery could provide new approaches to treat metabolic disorders

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified a novel synthetic activator of a pair of proteins that belong to a protein family playing key roles in human metabolism and immune function. The discovery could provide new and potentially more effective therapeutic approaches to diseases ranging from diabetes to osteoporosis.

20 Nov 2010

QLT third quarter sales decreases 12.9% to $20.5 million

QLT Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010. Unless specified otherwise, all amounts are in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

3 Nov 2010

QLT expands QLT091001 Phase 1b LCA study to include patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

QLT Inc. today announced expansion of the Phase 1b clinical proof-of-concept study of QLT091001 in the treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) to include patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a set of hereditary retinal diseases demonstrating clinical features similar to LCA.

28 Oct 2010

Beta carotene improves vision in people with Incurable Retinal Disease Retinitis pigmentosa: Report

Today's Scientific Program of the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) - Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting includes a report on beta carotene's ability to improve vision in people with certain incurable retinal diseases. The AAO-MEACO meeting-the world's largest, most comprehensive ophthalmic education conference-is in session October 16 through 19 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

18 Oct 2010