Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Toll-like receptors that activate immune cells being developed as alternative cure to cancer

A Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist, called imiquimod, which activates dendritic cells, is in clinical use as a topical application for basal cell carcinoma. In addition, a number of TLR agonists have been evaluated in clinical trials as an adjuvant for cancer vaccines.

16 Sep 2009

Immune response at tumour site predicts cancer progression in colorectal cancer patients

The immune reaction at tumour site determines cancer evolution and clinical outcome in patients with colorectal cancer, regardless of the local extent and spread of the tumour, according to the findings of Jérôme Galon, INSERM Research Director, Paris, and co-workers.

16 Sep 2009

Stem cells - the answer to autoimmune diseases and cancer in the future

Stem cells are multipotent cells of the immune system. Scientists hope to use them for curing autoimmune diseases, cancer and innate genetic defects in the future.

16 Sep 2009

Roche's peg-EPO product Mircera infringes Amgen patents

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced that the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Massachusetts District Court's decision that Roche's peg-EPO product, Mircera, infringes four Amgen patents ('868, '698, '933 and '422) relating to recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) and processes for making it.

16 Sep 2009

New cancer therapy involves remodelling blood vessels and activating immune cells

Reversing or re-arranging the growth of these vessels in combination with specific immune strategies is a promising new strategy for cancer therapy, says Ruth Ganss, Professor at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research, Perth, at the 2nd European Congress of Immunology ECI 2009 held in Berlin.

16 Sep 2009

Urgent vaccine requirements for treating epidemic diseases voiced at ECI 2009

As a result of dominant media coverage of new epidemic threats such as swine influenza, other infection risks receive less public attention than they deserve. "We would like to bring to everybody's attention that the infectious diseases with the most severe consequences continue to be old acquaintances such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria and hepatitis C. About six million people worldwide die of these diseases every year," says Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, at the 2nd European Congress of Immunology ECI 2009.

16 Sep 2009

PsoriasisDX Genetic Test for Psoriatic arthritis launched

The first genetic test for Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is being launched today by PsoriasisDX, LLC, a subsidiary of molecular dermatology research and development innovator PharmaGenoma, Inc. PsA is a progressive irreversible joint disease associated with psoriasis. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of psoriasis patients will eventually develop PsA.

16 Sep 2009

New peptide-based cancer vaccine tested in genital cancer patients

Preventive vaccination against infectious diseases has been a major milestone for the health of modern society. The development of therapeutic vaccination against established diseases is much more difficult. For more than 100 years researchers have already tried to develop cancer vaccines and now first promising clinical results raise hopes. A summary of the most attractive new approaches gave Professor Carmen Scheibenbogen, Institut für Medizinische Immunologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, at a press conference in Berlin.

16 Sep 2009

Lexicon initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of LX4211 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering breakthrough treatments for human disease, obtained favorable results from recently completed Phase 1 studies of LX4211 and announced today that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of the drug candidate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

15 Sep 2009

Vivakor completes third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend nutraceutical product

Vivakor™, Inc. (OTCBB: VIVK) today announced the results of independent, third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend™ nutraceutical product. VivaBlend is a powerful extract developed by the scientists at Vivakor and is derived from over 18 highly bioactive fruits, vegetables and legumes. Through a proprietary formulation and extraction process, Vivakor scientists have maximized the health benefits of VivaBlend by creating an optimum blend of super-antioxidants and powerful plant phenolics and flavonoids.

14 Sep 2009

Biotie Therapies commences clinical trial with its phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor ELB353

Biotie has started a clinical trial with its phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor ELB353, having received the prerequisite regulatory and ethical clearances for the clinical trial application.

14 Sep 2009

Phase 2b clinical trial results of Dextofisopam to treat irritable bowel syndrome announced

Pharmos Corporation (Pink Sheets: PARS) announced today the results of its Phase 2b Dextofisopam clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of the compound in irritable bowel syndrome.

14 Sep 2009

New data confirm link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis

Over the last 40 years, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been repeatedly associated with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. During the 2nd European Congress of Immunology ECI 2009 held in Berlin, Francesca Aloisi, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, will present new data that further support the link. In the brain lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis her team found abnormal accumulation of EBV infected B lymphocytes.

14 Sep 2009

Malnutrition, poor sanitary conditions and HIV leads to defective immune system

The most common causes worldwide include malnutrition, poor sanitary conditions and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection. Other causes of temporary or permanent damage to the immune system include old age, medications (e.g. cortisone, cytostatic drugs), radiotherapy, stress after surgery and malignant tumors of the bone marrow and the lymph nodes.

14 Sep 2009

Zabecor Pharmaceuticals initiates Phase II clinical trial of its Excellair asthma drug

ZaBeCor Pharmaceuticals ("ZaBeCor" or the "Company") announced today the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial for its asthma drug candidate Excellair™, following the successful results of the Company's Phase I clinical trials. ZaBeCor is one of the first companies to deliver siRNA to the lung and one of the first to target asthma with siRNA.

14 Sep 2009

IVIS Lumina XR in vivo imaging system from Caliper Life Sciences

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc., a leading provider of tools and services for drug discovery and life sciences research, today introduced the IVIS Lumina XR in vivo imaging system, the latest addition to the IVIS product family.

14 Sep 2009

Data from Phase III clinical trial of TYSABRI presented at ECTRIMS

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced data presented at the 25th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) showing the potential of TYSABRI® (natalizumab) to redefine successful multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy.

14 Sep 2009

Laquinimod study data reveals its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech today presented data further illuminating the novel, dual mechanism of action (MOA) of investigational oral, once-daily, laquinimod for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), conferring neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

14 Sep 2009

Results further support the benefits of TYSABRI for multiple sclerosis patients

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced six-month results of an ongoing, one-year longitudinal, observational, patient-reported outcomes study showing multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking TYSABRI- (natalizumab) experienced an improvement in both their physical function and psychological well-being.

14 Sep 2009

Research data reveals why women discontinue treatment with current osteoporosis therapies

Amgen Inc. today announced the presentation of data highlighting the links between medication satisfaction, adherence to therapy and fracture risk reduction among women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The data were presented at the 31st annual meeting of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research (ASBMR).

14 Sep 2009

Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Toll-like receptors that activate immune cells being developed as alternative cure to cancer

Immune response at tumour site predicts cancer progression in colorectal cancer patients

Stem cells - the answer to autoimmune diseases and cancer in the future

Roche's peg-EPO product Mircera infringes Amgen patents

New cancer therapy involves remodelling blood vessels and activating immune cells

Urgent vaccine requirements for treating epidemic diseases voiced at ECI 2009

PsoriasisDX Genetic Test for Psoriatic arthritis launched

New peptide-based cancer vaccine tested in genital cancer patients

Lexicon initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of LX4211 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Vivakor completes third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend nutraceutical product

Biotie Therapies commences clinical trial with its phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor ELB353

Phase 2b clinical trial results of Dextofisopam to treat irritable bowel syndrome announced

New data confirm link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis

Malnutrition, poor sanitary conditions and HIV leads to defective immune system

Zabecor Pharmaceuticals initiates Phase II clinical trial of its Excellair asthma drug

IVIS Lumina XR in vivo imaging system from Caliper Life Sciences

Data from Phase III clinical trial of TYSABRI presented at ECTRIMS

Laquinimod study data reveals its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties

Results further support the benefits of TYSABRI for multiple sclerosis patients

Research data reveals why women discontinue treatment with current osteoporosis therapies

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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