Allergies News and Research

Latest Allergies News and Research

Investigators develop new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data

Investigators have developed a new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data derived from complex mixtures of immune cells. This approach, when combined with well-established techniques, readily identifies changes in small samples of human whole blood, and has the potential to distinguish between health and disease states.

11 Mar 2010

QLT announces results from Phase II clinical trials and device study for PPDS

QLT Inc. today announced results from Phase II clinical trials and a device study for the punctal plug delivery system (PPDS). These studies are part of a development program that is being conducted by QLT's wholly-owned subsidiary, QLT Plug Delivery, Inc. QLT also announced its plans to expand the program to evaluate a second drug for a new target indication.

11 Mar 2010

New study shows e-prescriptions reduce medication errors

Is it time for all community-based doctors to turn to e-prescribing to cut down on the number of medication errors? According to Rainu Kaushal and colleagues from the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, electronic prescriptions can dramatically reduce prescribing errors - up to seven-fold.

11 Mar 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals announces net income of $3.9M for fourth-quarter 2009

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

10 Mar 2010

Spring weather determines severity of allergy symptoms

With record-setting snowfall and wet weather in the region this winter, one question comes to mind for many as spring approaches: how bad will my allergies be?

10 Mar 2010

New study suggests rising childhood obesity is linked to food allergies

First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign tells us that about 32 percent of children and teens (or 25 million) are obese or overweight. It revealed those extra pounds put them at greater risk of developing debilitating and costly diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and may also cause them to lead a two to five year shorter life than their parents

10 Mar 2010

National Jewish Health receives $450,000 grant to study how different families adapt to life with food allergies

Families with food-allergic children face a life of constant vigilance and the looming fear of life-threatening allergic reactions. This fear can have a huge impact on an entire family's life, from heightened anxiety to severe limits on their daily activities. Some families cope well with this situation, while others find it extremely stressful and difficult to manage.

10 Mar 2010

FDA's Advisory Committee votes 9-3 to recommend approval of Esbriet for treatment of patients with IPF

InterMune, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9-3 to recommend approval of Esbriet® (pirfenidone) for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to reduce decline in lung function.

9 Mar 2010

NASDAQ halts trading of InterMune's common stock, FDA PADAC to discuss pirfenidone NDA

InterMune, Inc. announced that NASDAQ has today halted trading of InterMune's common stock. The Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration meets today to review and discuss the company's New Drug Application for pirfenidone for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

9 Mar 2010

New program specifically tailored to teens could help them manage and avoid asthma

An asthma program specifically tailored to teens could help those in rural areas manage their disease and avoid potentially fatal complications, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.

9 Mar 2010

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Scientists have identified a region of a human chromosome that is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a recently recognized allergic disease. People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating disorder.

8 Mar 2010

Pediatrics researchers identify major gene location responsible for EoE

Pediatrics researchers have identified the first major gene location responsible for a severe, often painful type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). In this disease, which may cause weight loss, vomiting, heartburn and swallowing difficulties, a patient may be unable to eat a wide variety of foods.

7 Mar 2010

FDA's PADAC meeting to review pirfenidone NDA: InterMune posts briefing documents

InterMune, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted briefing documents for the March 9 Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee (PADAC) meeting to review the New Drug Application (NDA) for pirfenidone, InterMune's investigational drug candidate for the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to reduce decline in lung function. The proposed trade name for pirfenidone is Esbriet®.

5 Mar 2010

Common allergens that may cause contact dermatitis

Itchy irritated skin can leave some people scratching their heads trying to determine the cause of this bothersome condition. What did they touch? Is it just dry skin gone awry? Are they allergic to something in their home or workplace? The answers to these questions could require not only a little detective work, but the help of a dermatologist who can diagnose and treat the most likely culprit - contact dermatitis.

5 Mar 2010

Chikungunya: Experimental vaccine successfully tested in monkeys

Imagine a mosquito-borne virus that has already infected millions of people in recent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, Africa and northern Italy. Although seldom fatal, it causes highly painful arthritis-like symptoms that can linger for months or even years. It's capable of adapting to spread through a mosquito species common in much of North America. And no vaccine or treatment exists to protect humans from its effects.

5 Mar 2010

FDA approves CSL Behring's Hizentra for PI

CSL Behring announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for HizentraTM, Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), 20% Liquid, for treating patients diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency (PI). A once weekly immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy, Hizentra provides effective protection against infection by maintaining a steady and normal level of immunoglobulin in the body.

4 Mar 2010

FDA's recommendations over LABAs: AANMA advises patients to make informed decisions

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) encourages patients to make informed decisions about recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations affecting patients using asthma medications known as long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) or 12-hour bronchodilators: Advair, Foradil, Serevent and Symbicort.

3 Mar 2010

Majority of PI patients can be switched to IgPro20 without dose adjustment

Data from a European multicenter (non-IND study) showing that patients with PI who switched to IgPro20 from previously available SCIg formulations achieved comparable IgG trough levels without dosage adjustment, resulting in significantly less administration volume. The data were presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, US.

3 Mar 2010

Step-up treatments may benefit children with asthma on low-dose inhaled corticosteroids

Children with asthma who continue to have symptoms while using low-dose inhaled corticosteroids could benefit from increasing the dosage or adding one of two asthma drugs, a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and other institutions finds.

3 Mar 2010

Merck’s MF/F Phase III study data presented at AAAAI annual meeting

Data from two Phase III studies of Merck’s investigational fixed-dose combinations of mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate (MF/F) were presented by researchers today in two poster presentations at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting.

3 Mar 2010