Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Laurent reports positive topline results from LAU-7b Phase 1b trial in adult CF patients

Laurent Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today positive topline results from a Phase 1b clinical trial with LAU-7b in adult CF patients. LAU-7b is a novel oral formulation of fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid investigated for its lipid modulating properties and potential to address the aberrant inflammatory response in CF.

15 Jun 2015

VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay receives FDA approval

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, today announced approval of the VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay by the US Food and Drug Administration as a companion diagnostic to aid in the identification of patients for Pfizer's FDA approved targeted therapy, XALKORI (crizotinib).

15 Jun 2015

Study explores role of ALK1 protein in breast cancer metastasis

Pietras said that although prognosis for breast cancer is relatively good when detected in its early stages, metastatic disease is the cause of 90 percent of all cancer-related deaths. Therefore, learning more about the metastatic process and finding new cures to inhibit disease spread is at the center of clinical attention.

15 Jun 2015

Researchers identify gene variant that makes breast cancer cells more aggressive

A particular human gene variant makes breast cancer cells more aggressive. Not only are these more resistant to chemotherapy but also leave the primary tumour and establish themselves in other parts of the body in the form of metastases. An international group of researchers led by Lukas Kenner of MedUni Vienna has now identified a gene, AF1q, as being substantially responsible for this and recognized it as a possible starting point for more accurate diagnosis and potential targeted therapeutic approaches.

15 Jun 2015

Combination of tosedostat and LDAC results in overall response rate of 54% in elderly patients with AML

CTI BioPharma Corp. today announced findings from an investigator-sponsored Phase 2 trial in patients with either primary (de novo) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or AML that has evolved from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Results showed the combination of tosedostat with low dose cytarabine/Ara-C (LDAC) resulted in an overall response rate (ORR) of 54 percent in elderly patients with AML – with 45 percent of patients achieving durable complete responses (CR).

15 Jun 2015

Molecular classifications of low-grade gliomas proposed

Two research teams have independently proposed molecular classification systems for grade II and III glioma based on three tumour markers, with each category displaying distinct clinical features and outcomes.

12 Jun 2015

Scientists identify gene mutation linked to anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Scientists have identified a gene mutation linked to the development of an aggressive form of brain cancer. Researchers found that errors in a gene known as TCF12 - which plays a key role in the formation of the embryonic brain are associated with more aggressive forms of a disease called anaplastic oligodendroglioma.

12 Jun 2015

Researchers discover new aspect of gene regulation

Researchers at the Max F. Perutz Laboratories of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna as well as at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna have discovered an entirely new aspect of gene regulation they call exitron splicing.

12 Jun 2015

Researchers show how a new drug speeds tissue regeneration in animal models

The concept sounds like the stuff of science fiction: take a pill, and suddenly new tissues grow to replace damaged ones. Researchers at Case Western Reserve and UT Southwestern Medical Center this week announced that they have taken significant steps toward turning this once-improbable idea into a vivid reality.

12 Jun 2015

Study seeks to determine environmental factors that protect against asthma, allergies

Researchers in the University of Arizona's BIO5 Institute have entered into a collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Consumer & Personal Products and Janssen Biotech Inc. to leverage foundational discovery research aimed at determining environmental factors that underlie asthma and allergies.

12 Jun 2015

Weill Cornell scientists reveal how XBP1 gene can trigger immune responses against ovarian tumors

Ovarian cancer shuts down immune system cells that would otherwise act as a first line of defense against the deadly tumor, Weill Cornell Medical College scientists report today. But a therapy that restores the cells' disease-fighting abilities could provide a powerful new strategy to attack the cancer, which kills more than 14,000 women each year.

12 Jun 2015

Certain ARID1a mutations sensitize some tumors to PARP inhibitor drugs

Mutations in ARID1a, which are common in many cancer types, disrupt DNA damage repair in cancer cells, allowing the cancer to progress. This gene may also be an Achilles' heel when treating certain tumors, according to a team of researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

12 Jun 2015

New gene mutations in ADAMTS family may contribute to outcomes in ovarian cancer

There is the Addams Family. And then there is the ADAMTS family. While one is mindless entertainment, the latter may prove to be a new genetic avenue for designing ovarian cancer treatment.

11 Jun 2015

Synthetic Genomics, Gen9 sign strategic licensing agreement for Febit intellectual property estate

Synthetic Genomics, Inc., a synthetic biology company advancing and innovating genomic science and technologies for transformative products and solutions, and Gen9 Inc., a pioneer in synthetic biology and leader in the development of scalable technologies for synthesizing and assembling DNA, today announced a strategic licensing agreement to leverage their respective strengths in synthetic biology technology development and commercialization.

11 Jun 2015

NeoGenomics announces launch of new NeoLAB assays to diagnose hematologic diseases

NeoGenomics, Inc., a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services, announced today the launch of its first twelve tests in a new line of "liquid biopsy" or NeoLAB assays using next generation sequencing and other advanced molecular technologies.

11 Jun 2015

Isis Pharmaceuticals provides update on ISIS-SMN Rx Phase 2 clinical study in infants with Type I SMA

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today provided an update on its ongoing open-label Phase 2 clinical study of ISIS-SMN Rx in infants with Type I spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

11 Jun 2015

SQUIRE phase III study shows necitumumab improves median overall survival in squamous NSCLC patients

This week, Lancet Oncology reports results of a 1,093-person phase III clinical trial of the drug necitumumab (IMC-11F8) combined with chemotherapies gemcitabine and cisplatin against stage IV squamous non-small cell lung cancer. With addition of necitumumab, median overall survival was 11.5 months compared with median survival of 9.9 months with the two chemotherapies alone.

11 Jun 2015

Protein-signaling process accelerates work of gene mutation linked to common form of adult leukemia

In preliminary experiments with mice and lab-grown cells, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center scientists have found that a protein-signaling process accelerates the work of the gene most frequently mutated in a common form of adult leukemia and is likely necessary to bring about the full-blown disease.

11 Jun 2015

Scientists find new way of classifying brain cancers

Not all brain cancers are the same but together they represent a deadly disease that has been difficult to identify and treat. Scientists at multiple institutions have found a new way of classifying brain cancers that could very well change how the illness is diagnosed and treated.

11 Jun 2015

New approach to classifying brain tumors could lead to significant improvements in diagnosis, treatment

A Case Comprehensive Cancer Center brain surgeon and neurosurgery professor is among the primary authors of a new approach to classifying tumors that could lead to significant improvements in their diagnosis and treatment. The research and recommendations appear online June 10 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

11 Jun 2015

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Laurent reports positive topline results from LAU-7b Phase 1b trial in adult CF patients

VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay receives FDA approval

Study explores role of ALK1 protein in breast cancer metastasis

Researchers identify gene variant that makes breast cancer cells more aggressive

Combination of tosedostat and LDAC results in overall response rate of 54% in elderly patients with AML

Molecular classifications of low-grade gliomas proposed

Scientists identify gene mutation linked to anaplastic oligodendroglioma

Researchers discover new aspect of gene regulation

Researchers show how a new drug speeds tissue regeneration in animal models

Study seeks to determine environmental factors that protect against asthma, allergies

Weill Cornell scientists reveal how XBP1 gene can trigger immune responses against ovarian tumors

Certain ARID1a mutations sensitize some tumors to PARP inhibitor drugs

New gene mutations in ADAMTS family may contribute to outcomes in ovarian cancer

Synthetic Genomics, Gen9 sign strategic licensing agreement for Febit intellectual property estate

NeoGenomics announces launch of new NeoLAB assays to diagnose hematologic diseases

Isis Pharmaceuticals provides update on ISIS-SMN Rx Phase 2 clinical study in infants with Type I SMA

SQUIRE phase III study shows necitumumab improves median overall survival in squamous NSCLC patients

Protein-signaling process accelerates work of gene mutation linked to common form of adult leukemia

Scientists find new way of classifying brain cancers

New approach to classifying brain tumors could lead to significant improvements in diagnosis, treatment

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