Arthritis News and Research

Latest Arthritis News and Research

Symposium on genetics of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to be held

A symposium about “Pharmacogenomics In Dermatology And Cosmetics” will be presented on Thursday, October 8 to coincide with the 18th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress. It will be held at the Kempinski Hotel Bristol - Salon Charlottenburg-Cecilienhof, Kurfürstendamm 27, D-10719, Berlin, Germany.

24 Sep 2009

Phase 1 extension study results of Plexxikon's PLX4032 in metastatic melanoma patients encouraging

Plexxikon Inc. today announced encouraging clinical data from a Phase 1 extension study of PLX4032 (RG7204) in metastatic melanoma patients, which expand the results announced from the initial phase of the study. PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly selective drug that targets the BRAFV600E cancer-causing mutation that occurs in about 50 percent of melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors.

23 Sep 2009

Preclinical data on Protalix Biotherapeutics' antiTNF released

Protalix Biotherapeutics, Inc., reported today preclinical data on pr-antiTNF, a biosimilar version of etanercept (Enbrel). Produced using the Company’s proprietary ProCellEx technology, pr-antiTNF is a plant cell expressed recombinant fusion protein made from the soluble form of the human TNF receptor (TNFR), fused to the Fc component of a human antibody IgG1 domain. Pr-antiTNF has an identical amino acid sequence to Enbrel.

23 Sep 2009

Decision Points helps patients with important medical decisions

Healthwise has released a new, interactive generation of its Decision Points to help people make better decisions with their doctors.

23 Sep 2009

Amgen announces results of Phase 3 head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from a Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of bone metastases in 2,046 patients with advanced breast cancer that met its primary and secondary endpoints and demonstrated superior efficacy compared to Zometa.

22 Sep 2009

Comprehensive and practical overview of psoriasis

Treatments for psoriasis often present a therapeutic challenge to physicians because, besides affecting the skin, psoriasis may be associated with various comorbidities (for instance, depression, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and, in severe psoriasis, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases).

22 Sep 2009

Event to address rheumatoid arthritis

26 men and women with RA from across europe honoured as they share their inspirational stories. Actress, artist and activist Jane Seymour will host the first My Day for RA European event in Barcelona, Spain this evening to recognise the daily challenges, hopes and achievements of people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

22 Sep 2009

Drug registration process for Nutra Pharma's pain reliever begins

Nutra Pharma Corp., a biotechnology company that is developing treatments for Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), HIV and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), has announced today that it plans to begin the drug registration process in Canada and Europe for its over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. The company is currently marketing a similar drug in the United States under the brand name Cobroxin for the treatment of moderate to severe (Stage 2) chronic pain.

22 Sep 2009

Amgen announces Phase 3 results evaluating Vectibix in combination with FOLFIRI chemotherapy

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from the Phase 3 '181' trial evaluating Vectibix((R)) (panitumumab) in combination with FOLFIRI (an irinotecan based chemotherapy), as a second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this trial, Vectibix significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC.

22 Sep 2009

FBC Acquisition commences tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Facet Biotech

Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) announced today that FBC Acquisition Corp., its wholly owned subsidiary, has commenced a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Facet Biotech Corporation (NASDAQ:FACT) for $14.50 per share in cash, in furtherance of its previously announced acquisition proposal. The tender offer is scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, ET, on October 19, 2009, unless extended or terminated.

22 Sep 2009

Signaling molecules have different effects on key inhibitory protein

Researchers have identified a mechanism that may keep a well known signaling molecule from eroding bone and inflaming joints, according to an early study published online today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

22 Sep 2009

Some religious groups seek health care for illegal immigrants

NPR reports: "In the Hispanic community, there are issues in the debate over health care that spill over into the debate over immigration policy."

21 Sep 2009

Amgen announces results of Phase 3 trial in the treatment of bone metastases

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from a Phase 3 trial evaluating denosumab administered subcutaneously versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) administered as an intravenous infusion in the treatment of bone metastases in 1,776 advanced cancer patients with solid tumors (not including breast and prostate cancer) or multiple myeloma. These results were presented today at the 2009 ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, Germany (Abstract Number: 20LBA).

21 Sep 2009

Center for Hip Pain and Preservation focuses on improved understanding of hip abnormalities

Recent improved understanding of hip abnormalities, combined with advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and minimally invasive surgical treatments are giving many patients new hope for relieving chronic, misdiagnosed hip pain.

21 Sep 2009

Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals receives U.S. patent for RX-10045

Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading Resolvin therapeutics company, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent (U.S. Patent 7,582,785) covering composition of matter for RX-10045, the first Resolvin therapeutic to enter clinical trials.

19 Sep 2009

Drug carrier that cuts off blood supply to tumors

To that end, Dr. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro of Tel Aviv University's Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, and her team of researchers have developed a new drug carrier to deliver compounds straight to the tumor.

18 Sep 2009

NIH to fund grants for epigenetic research

The National Institutes of Health announced today that it will fund 22 grants on genome-wide studies of how epigenetic changes -- chemical modifications to genes that result from diet, aging, stress, or environmental exposures -- define and contribute to specific human diseases and biological processes.

17 Sep 2009

SI-BONE's summit to develop clinical diagnostic process for SI Joint pathology identification

SI-BONE, Inc. a San Francisco Bay-area, medical device company, announced the first ever meeting of thought leading spine surgeons to review data and develop a clinical diagnostic process for identification of SI Joint pathology, a frequent cause of low back pain.

17 Sep 2009

Genentech releases Phase III PRIMA study findings

Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group and Biogen Idec, today announced that a Phase III study (PRIMA) showed that patients with follicular lymphoma who continued receiving Rituxan (rituximab) alone after responding to Rituxan and chemotherapy lived longer without their disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS) than those who did not continue to receive Rituxan.

17 Sep 2009

FDA Advisory Committee recommends marketing approval for Auxilium's XIAFLEX to treat Dupuytren's contracture

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUXL), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee appointed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended by a unanimous vote of 12 to 0 that XIAFLEX™ (collagenase clostridium histolyticum), a novel, first-in-class, orphan-designated, biologic, be granted marketing approval by the FDA for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.

17 Sep 2009