Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Teva, Active Biotech report positive initial results from laquinimod Phase III study in multiple sclerosis

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech announced today initial results from the two-year Phase III ALLEGRO study, which demonstrated that relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with 0.6 mg daily oral laquinimod experienced a statistically significant reduction in annualized relapse rate compared to placebo. Additional clinical endpoints, including significant reduction in disability progression, as measured by Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS), were also achieved.

9 Dec 2010

ChipDX validates genetic signature for early-stage colon cancer

ChipDX LLC, a New York-based online molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine company, discovered and validated a genetic signature for early-stage colon cancer and is developing an online screening application to enable clinicians to more accurately identify risk of recurrence. In the study, published in the December issue of the British Journal of Cancer, ChipDX demonstrates how the 163-gene signature stratifies colon cancer patients into high- and low-risk groups for recurrence with greater accuracy than current methods.

8 Dec 2010

Study shows testing between colonoscopies helps detect CRC, advanced tumors

Among patients with a family or past history of colorectal cancer, testing between colonoscopies helps detect CRC and advanced tumors that are either missed or develop rapidly, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute.

8 Dec 2010

First standard-of-care guidelines for children with congenital muscular dystrophy

In 2008, Eunice and Andrew Kim were facing a situation that would bewilder any parents: Two expert pediatric surgeons were giving opposing advice about treatment for their daughter.

8 Dec 2010

FDA Advisory Committee votes in favor of Orexigen's Contrave for treatment of obesity

Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 13 to 7 that the available data adequately demonstrate that the potential benefits of Contrave® (naltrexone sustained release (SR)/bupropion SR) outweigh the potential risks when used long-term in a population of overweight and obese individuals and support approval.

8 Dec 2010

Early group daycare exposure protects kids from infections later: Study

A new study reassures parents that although young kids might get sick more often when they first start group childcare, these same kids get fewer infections later in their childhood. About one in three U.S. kids receives organized childcare before reaching kindergarten age, whether at a daycare center or a school.

7 Dec 2010

Positive interim results from elotuzumab Phase 1b/2 study in relapsed multiple myeloma

Abbott and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced interim results from the Phase 2 portion of a Phase 1b/2 open-label study which showed a high objective response rate (ORR) among patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who received elotuzumab plus lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone.

7 Dec 2010

New endoscope aids in early detection and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

An international team of researchers led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) have developed a new kind of endoscope to aid the early detection and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

7 Dec 2010

New tool for predicting disease course in children with Crohn's disease

A new study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases develops a computer based visual tool that can be used in “real time” to show pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) patients’ predicted disease course and how this might be influenced by different treatment options.

6 Dec 2010

FDA Advisory Committee votes in favor of expanded use of LAP-BAND gastric band

Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee has recommended with an 8-2 vote that the FDA extend the currently approved use of the LAP-BAND® System, Allergan's gastric band, on the basis of a favorable benefit-risk profile for weight reduction in obese adults who have failed more conservative weight reduction alternatives and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 or a BMI ≥30 and at least one comorbid condition.

4 Dec 2010

FDA Advisory Panel recommends approval of Solesta for bowel incontinence

Oceana Therapeutics, a global company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing best-in-class specialty therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel recommended approval of Solesta™ as a treatment for fecal (bowel) incontinence, a condition afflicting many Americans, primarily women.

3 Dec 2010

Loyola nurses honored

Loyola University Health System revenue specialist Judy Williams, RN, CEN, TNS, recently took on a nontraditional nursing role, which resulted in a significant cost savings for the organization. Williams oversees fiscal responsibility for the Emergency Department. In this position, she has identified opportunities to overcome billing obstacles through intradepartmental collaboration and nurse education on proper documentation for reimbursement.

3 Dec 2010

Arthritis drug reduces incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers

A widely-used arthritis drug reduces the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers - the most common cancers in humans - according to a study published this week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (brand name Celebrex), which is currently approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute pain in adults led to a 62 percent reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers, which includes basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

3 Dec 2010

Patients with chronic constipation prefer Kristalose oral solution

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced the publication of a patient preference study evaluating Kristalose (lactulose) for Oral Solution, a prescription laxative packaged as a crystalline powder, compared to liquid lactulose products.

2 Dec 2010

Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory for 2010 December focusses on tackling norovirus outbreaks

In early 2010, Pennsylvania nursing homes and hospitals reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal illness which are consistent with recurring outbreaks of the highly contagious norovirus and norovirus-like illnesses nationwide. With a new norovirus season approaching, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority issues its 2010 December Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory with data analysis, guidance and success stories provided by Pennsylvania nursing homes for preventing and controlling the illness.

2 Dec 2010

IBD patients with hospital-acquired infections experience increased risk of inpatient mortality

Death and length of stay are increased among hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who develop hospital-acquired infections, according to a study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

1 Dec 2010

New findings offer insights into novel treatment avenue for Crohn's Disease, sarcoidosis

A new finding out in the December 1st issue of Genes & Development offers insight into a new treatment avenue for two painful inflammatory diseases: Crohn's Disease and sarcoidosis.

30 Nov 2010

Kenneth Rainin announces 2011 Innovator Awards Program for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The Kenneth Rainin Foundation announced today its 2011 Innovator Awards Program for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The Program, now in its second year, is designed to accelerate the pace of discovery in IBD research.

30 Nov 2010

Genetic screening for Lynch syndrome as cost-effective as other cancer screening procedures

Myriad Genetics, Inc. today said results from a major health economics study in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), found that screening for inherited gene mutations in the genes that cause a major colorectal cancer syndrome called Lynch Syndrome, is both medically and cost effective.

30 Nov 2010

RCSI researchers discover potential new target for diarrhoea associated intestinal diseases

A study by researchers in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has uncovered a potential new target for the treatment of a range of intestinal diseases that are associated with diarrhoea. Current medications are often ineffective and can have serious side effects so this discovery gives hope for the development of new treatments for sufferers of intestinal disease.

30 Nov 2010

Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Teva, Active Biotech report positive initial results from laquinimod Phase III study in multiple sclerosis

ChipDX validates genetic signature for early-stage colon cancer

Study shows testing between colonoscopies helps detect CRC, advanced tumors

First standard-of-care guidelines for children with congenital muscular dystrophy

FDA Advisory Committee votes in favor of Orexigen's Contrave for treatment of obesity

Early group daycare exposure protects kids from infections later: Study

Positive interim results from elotuzumab Phase 1b/2 study in relapsed multiple myeloma

New endoscope aids in early detection and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

New tool for predicting disease course in children with Crohn's disease

FDA Advisory Committee votes in favor of expanded use of LAP-BAND gastric band

FDA Advisory Panel recommends approval of Solesta for bowel incontinence

Loyola nurses honored

Arthritis drug reduces incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers

Patients with chronic constipation prefer Kristalose oral solution

Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory for 2010 December focusses on tackling norovirus outbreaks

IBD patients with hospital-acquired infections experience increased risk of inpatient mortality

New findings offer insights into novel treatment avenue for Crohn's Disease, sarcoidosis

Kenneth Rainin announces 2011 Innovator Awards Program for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Genetic screening for Lynch syndrome as cost-effective as other cancer screening procedures

RCSI researchers discover potential new target for diarrhoea associated intestinal diseases

Microbiology eBook

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Microbiology eBook

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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