Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Positive interim data from XBiotech monoclonal antibody Phase II study for type 2 diabetes

XBiotech, a privately held biotechnology company, announced positive interim analysis results today from a Phase II study using a True Human monoclonal antibody (MABp1) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results from this study continue to reinforce the role of IL-1α as a master regulator of chronic inflammation in multiple disease states, and the therapeutic benefits of neutralizing antibodies produced from the XBiotech platform.

29 Oct 2012

Scientists decode epigenetic programming of three virulent forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A team of national and international researchers, led by Weill Cornell Medical College scientists, have decoded the key "software" instructions that drive three of the most virulent forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They discovered ALL's "software" is encoded with epigenetic marks, chemical modifications of DNA and surrounding proteins, allowing the research team to identify new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

29 Oct 2012

Botanical treatment holds hope for triple-negative breast cancer

A unique formula made from medicinal mushrooms, traditional Chinese herbs and other natural ingredients inhibits aggressive, human triple-negative breast cancer and breast-to-lung metastasis in mice. This is the third peer-reviewed study to demonstrate the botanical formula's anticancer effects.

29 Oct 2012

Cellectis announces successful programming of immune system cells to kill cancer cells

Cellectis, the genome engineering specialist, has announced successfully programming cells from the immune system (T cells) to kill cancer cells. This technological breakthrough was revealed for the first time ever on Saturday, October 27th at the congress of the ESGCT (European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy) in Versailles, outside Paris.

29 Oct 2012

Living examples of hope and determination against cancer

Their battle with cancer is not the only thing that unites the Labrada sisters of Houston who are now cancer-free and strong advocates for women taking charge of their bodies.

29 Oct 2012

Maternal bariatric surgery affects cardiovascular risk profile of offsprings

Kids born to moms who have lost a substantial amount of weight after undergoing bariatric surgery have fewer cardiovascular risk factors than their siblings who were born before the weight loss surgery.

29 Oct 2012

Precision receives U.S. patent allowance for DNE technology

Precision BioSciences, Inc., a leader in the field of genome engineering, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application 13/457,041.

29 Oct 2012

New therapy to treat rare form of cystic fibrosis works in unconventional way, scientists say

Scientists at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto have established that a drug recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a rare form of cystic fibrosis works in an unconventional way.

29 Oct 2012

Researchers identify genes linked to serous endometrial cancer

Researchers have identified several genes that are linked to one of the most lethal forms of uterine cancer, serous endometrial cancer.

29 Oct 2012

Idea of nuclear reprogramming holds promise for repairing damaged tissue

The idea of taking a mature cell and removing its identity (nuclear reprogramming) so that it can then become any kind of cell, holds great promise for repairing damaged tissue or replacing bone marrow after chemotherapy.

29 Oct 2012

Scientists identify mechanism via Top2b enzyme that drives doxorubicin-induced heart damage

Doxorubicin, a 50-year-old chemotherapy drug still in widespread use against a variety of cancers, has long been known to destroy heart tissue, as well as tumors, in some patients.

29 Oct 2012

Study identifies genetic variations as predictors of prostate cancer-related fatigue

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida have found that men with prostate cancer who receive androgen deprivation therapy may predictably suffer from fatigue if they have single nucleotide polymorphisms in three pro-inflammatory genes. The discovery highlights the importance of personalized medicine, in which therapies are tailored to a patient's genetic profile.

29 Oct 2012

Mouse model may provide clues on mechanism that links diabetes and aging to Alzheimer's

Growing evidence suggests that there may be a link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, but the physiological mechanisms by which diabetes impacts brain function and cognition are not fully understood. In a new study published in Aging Cell, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies show, for the first time, that diabetes enhances the development of aging features that may underlie early pathological events in Alzheimer's.

29 Oct 2012

Study describes how Dbr1 gene halts toxic buildup of TDP-43-a protein

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes and the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered how modifying a gene halts the toxic buildup of a protein found in nerve cells. These findings point to a potential new tactic for treating a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease)-a fatal disease for which there is no cure.

29 Oct 2012

ApoE4 gene becomes less important to quality of life once people hit their 90s

A gene linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer's, heart disease and diabetes becomes less important to quality of life once people hit their 90s, a Mayo Clinic study shows. At that point, good friends and a positive attitude have a bigger impact, the researchers say.

26 Oct 2012

Ancestry could simplify searches for harmful mutations

Explosive advancement in human genome sequencing opens new possibilities for identifying the genetic roots of certain diseases and finding cures. However, so many variations among individual genomes exist that identifying mutations responsible for a specific disease has in many cases proven an insurmountable challenge.

26 Oct 2012

Targeted deletion of major VEGF gene in mice induces vision loss

Millions of people with "wet" macular degeneration are prescribed a class of medication known as anti-VEGF drugs. But now scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have found that a drastic reduction of VEGF activity may do more harm than good.

26 Oct 2012

NHCS researchers develop human heart cell model of ARVC

Researchers at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) have successfully created a human heart cell model of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), an inherited heart muscle disorder which puts one at high risk of developing life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

26 Oct 2012

Human Gene Therapy articles describe two novel anti-tumor therapies

Targeted T-cells can seek out and destroy tumor cells that carry specific antigen markers. Two novel anti-tumor therapies that take advantage of this T-cell response are described in articles published in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

26 Oct 2012

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia participates in Symplicity system trial for hypertension

Patients with hypertension whose blood pressure cannot be brought down to safe levels despite taking three or more medications may have some relief coming their way. An innovative, first-of-its-kind clinical trial for a device representing a dramatic shift in treatment approaches for the toughest-to-treat patients is currently being conducted at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

From Medtronic 26 Oct 2012

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Positive interim data from XBiotech monoclonal antibody Phase II study for type 2 diabetes

Scientists decode epigenetic programming of three virulent forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Botanical treatment holds hope for triple-negative breast cancer

Cellectis announces successful programming of immune system cells to kill cancer cells

Living examples of hope and determination against cancer

Maternal bariatric surgery affects cardiovascular risk profile of offsprings

Precision receives U.S. patent allowance for DNE technology

New therapy to treat rare form of cystic fibrosis works in unconventional way, scientists say

Researchers identify genes linked to serous endometrial cancer

Idea of nuclear reprogramming holds promise for repairing damaged tissue

Scientists identify mechanism via Top2b enzyme that drives doxorubicin-induced heart damage

Study identifies genetic variations as predictors of prostate cancer-related fatigue

Mouse model may provide clues on mechanism that links diabetes and aging to Alzheimer's

Study describes how Dbr1 gene halts toxic buildup of TDP-43-a protein

ApoE4 gene becomes less important to quality of life once people hit their 90s

Ancestry could simplify searches for harmful mutations

Targeted deletion of major VEGF gene in mice induces vision loss

NHCS researchers develop human heart cell model of ARVC

Human Gene Therapy articles describe two novel anti-tumor therapies

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia participates in Symplicity system trial for hypertension

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