Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

FDA grants QLT's QLT091001 orphan drug designation for treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

QLT Inc. today announced that QLT091001, the Company's oral synthetic retinoid, has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This follows the FDA grant of orphan drug designation for QLT091001 for the treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) also on December 7, 2010.

8 Dec 2010

Data from comparative REVLIMID study in multiple myeloma presented at 52nd ASH

Celgene International Sàrl today announced that data from a randomised clinical study conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) were presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology comparing REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) plus low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) to lenalidomide plus high-dose dexamethasone (RD) in both younger and older newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma patients (NDMM).

7 Dec 2010

Studies highlight need for new antiviral treatment options and strategies

Two new studies raise public health concerns about increasing antiviral resistance among certain influenza viruses, their ability to spread, and a lack of alternative antiviral treatment options.

7 Dec 2010

Protein alpha-2-beta-1 integrin suppresses metastasis

Mary Zutter and colleagues, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, have generated data that lead them to suggest that decreased expression of the protein alpha-2 integrin is predictive of tumor dissemination to distant sites and decreased survival in individuals with either breast or prostate cancer.

7 Dec 2010

Cellectis bioresearch licenses fluorescent proteins from Evrogen

Cellectis bioresearch, the specialist in genome customization and subsidiary of Cellectis, today announced that it has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Evrogen (Moscow, Russia) for access to its fluorescent proteins. This license allows Cellectis bioresearch to incorporate these proteins into its own products and will expand the company's offering of genome engineering tools.

7 Dec 2010

New analysis shows that common diseases are not lined to genetic factors

The case for a substantial role of genes in susceptibility to the major human diseases is now scientifically refuted argues a groundbreaking new analysis published by the public interest science organization, The Bioscience Resource Project.

7 Dec 2010

No overall cancer risk in people who donate stem cells

American Society of Hematology reveals that there is no increase in overall cancer risk in people who donate stem cells and that the utilization of a double cord blood stem cell transplant is associated with better overall outcomes when used early in the treatment of acute leukemias.

7 Dec 2010

Clinical trial results of ACY-1215 in multiple myeloma published in scientific journal of ASH

Acetylon Pharmaceuticals today announced the publication of favorable results of preclinical safety and efficacy testing of its oral selective HDAC6 inhibitor drug candidate, ACY-1215, in multiple myeloma.

7 Dec 2010

NanoString secures exclusive worldwide license to develop products for breast cancer intrinsic subtyping

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a complete solution for detecting and counting large sets of target molecules in biological samples, today announced it has secured an exclusive worldwide license from Bioclassifier, LLC to develop in vitro diagnostic and research products for breast cancer intrinsic subtyping.

From NanoString Technologies 7 Dec 2010

New drug appears to help patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

A new drug appears to help chronic myeloid leukemia patients who are out of treatment options after first- and second-line drugs have failed them or because their cancer cells have a mutation that makes them resistant from the start, researchers reported at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

7 Dec 2010

Roche introduces X-tremeGENE 9, X-tremeGENE HP reagents

Roche announced today the introduction of two new high-performance DNA transfection reagents for its innovative cellular analysis portfolio for life science research.

7 Dec 2010

MU researcher hopes to protect cardiac muscles for children with DMD

Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy face a future of rapidly weakening muscles, which usually leads to death by respiratory or cardiac failure before their 30th birthday. While researchers are hopeful that gene therapy could eventually evolve into an effective treatment, few have targeted the heart of the problem as much as Dongsheng Duan, PhD.

7 Dec 2010

HDAC inhibitors may be used to fight against skin cancers

In a study published in the journal Developmental Cell, Sarah Millar PhD, professor of Dermatology and Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and colleagues demonstrate that a pair of enzymes called HDACs are critical to the proper formation of mammalian skin.

7 Dec 2010

Studies shows that social stress accelerates atherosclerosis development

Studies on genetically engineered mice show that social stress activates the immune system and accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Commonly used drugs to reduce blood pressure, however, may stop this process. This is the conclusion of a thesis presented at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

7 Dec 2010

No evidence of toxicity in hemophilia B patients enrolled in gene therapy trial

Investigators report no evidence of toxicity in the four hemophilia B patients enrolled to date in a gene therapy trial using a vector under development at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and UCL (University College London) to correct the inherited bleeding disorder.

7 Dec 2010

Screening for CCDC40 gene mutations may help determine risk for congenital heart defects

A gene that can cause congenital heart defects has been identified by a team of scientists, including a group from Princeton University. The discovery could lead to new treatments for those affected by the conditions brought on by the birth defect.

7 Dec 2010

Exiqon announces launch of 6th generation of miRCURY LNA microRNA Arrays

Exiqon A/S, a leading supplier of high-value gene expression analysis products, today announced the launch of the 6th generation of miRCURY LNA microRNA Arrays for expression profiling of microRNA from human, mouse and rat.

6 Dec 2010

Asuragen, Novartis to develop ARQ BCR-ABL1 RNA IS Calibrators, laboratory software reporting tools

Asuragen, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Novartis to develop worldwide Armored RNA Quant BCR-ABL1 RNA International Scale Calibrators and laboratory software reporting tools, intended to aid laboratories with standardization of BCR-ABL1 RT-qPCR testing to the International Scale. As part of this agreement, Asuragen will develop and, if successful, distribute the ARQ BCR-ABL1 IS RNA Calibrators and software reporting tools to laboratories globally directly or through its distributors.

6 Dec 2010

Elsevier announces title change for Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics journal

Elsevier, the world's leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information, announced today that its highly respected Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics journal is changing its title to Cancer Genetics and has named Dr. Jaclyn A. Biegel as editor-in-chief.

6 Dec 2010

Genentech announces Phase II study results of RG1678 for treatment of schizophrenia

Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, today announced eight-week results from a Phase II study of RG1678, its investigational first-in-class glycine reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of schizophrenia.

6 Dec 2010