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GWAS identifies 15 gene variants responsible for diversity of white blood cell counts

A trio of large-scale genome-wide association studies, or GWAS, have identified more than 15 gene variants responsible for the diversity of white blood cell counts among whites, African-Americans, and Japanese.

1 Jul 2011

Avastin for breast cancer still covered by Medicare despite FDA indecision

The Medicare will continue to cover Avastin for breast cancer treatment even if U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Peggy Hamburg decides to withdraw Avastin for such use, according to Don McLeod, a spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. McLeod said, in his statement, “The FDA decision, when it comes, does not affect CMS.”

1 Jul 2011

Panel advises FDA to reject Avastin as breast cancer drug

The unanimous recommendation by this committee of cancer experts increases the likelihood that the drug will no longer be widely available for the treatment of breast cancer. Avastin, however, will continue to have the Food and Drug Adminstration's approval for use in treating certain other cancers.

1 Jul 2011

Study confirms benefits of low-dose spiral CT scans for lung cancer detection

The New England Journal of Medicine's (NEJM) headline today read, "Reduced Lung Cancer Mortality with Low-Dose Computed Tomographic CT Screening," ending a long controversy over the use of an existing but underutilized early detection tool for those at risk for Lung Cancer. Preliminary results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) were first released on November 4, 2010 and confirmed today.

30 Jun 2011

New medical contrast agent could play important role in diagnosing colon cancer

Colon cancer could become easier to detect, thanks to a newly developed medical contrast agent and advanced optics that illuminate dangerous, invisible polyps.

30 Jun 2011

Lung cancer screenings reduce risk of dying by 20%: Study

A lnew study shows some smokers' lives could be saved by screening with lung scans and the chances improve further if there is a false alarm.

30 Jun 2011

NLST: CT screening reduces lung cancer specific mortality by 20%

Current and former heavy smokers can now be screened more effectively for lung cancer. Results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) revealed that detecting small lung cancers with computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer specific mortality by 20 percent.

30 Jun 2011

Novartis reports NVA237 Phase III trial results against COPD

Sosei Group Corporation, announces that results reported today by Novartis from the pivotal Phase III GLOW2 clinical trial show that once-daily NVA237 50 mcg significantly improved lung function in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) relative to placebo, with similar efficacy to open-label tiotropium.

30 Jun 2011

Diagnostic delay in women with tuberous sclerosis complex increases mortality risk

Women with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are often misdiagnosed because the condition, commonly recognized in early childhood when it presents with seizures, manifests differently later in life, typically with renal angiomyolipomas - a benign tumor of the kidney - and pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) - a rare lung disease that affects almost exclusively women.

30 Jun 2011

STSI joins JAX consortium to develop targeted cancer therapies

The Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) of San Diego, Calif., has joined a national consortium of research institutions headed by The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) that is building a library of primary human tumors with the goal of developing highly targeted cancer therapies.

30 Jun 2011

Boston University, University of Utah Foundation and Allegro enter license agreement for molecular testing platform

Allegro Diagnostics today announced that the company has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Boston University and the University of Utah Foundation for intellectual property related to the company's molecular testing platform. This platform utilizes gene expression of normal epithelial cells in the respiratory tract to detect early signs of lung cancer.

30 Jun 2011

NLST: CT scans more effective in reducing lung cancer death rates

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) is the first scientific study that provides clear evidence that CT screening significantly reduces the death rate due to lung cancer.

30 Jun 2011

Botox for asthma

Botox, or botulinum toxin type A, which is best-known for smoothing away facial wrinkles is to be tested as an asthma treatment at Melbourne's Monash University. A recent survey by the university found that about half of severe asthmatics suffer problems with their voice box as well as their lungs. The problems were similar to vocal cord dysphonia – or loss of voice through overuse – a condition which Botox is frequently used to fix.

29 Jun 2011

DiagnoCure, Signal Genetics enter commercialization collaboration for Previstage GCC Colorectal Cancer Staging Test

Signal Genetics, a privately held predictive genetic testing company focusing on oncology, and DiagnoCure, Inc., a life sciences company that develops and commercializes high-value cancer diagnostic tests, today announced a collaboration arrangement valued at US$13.3M over the first five years.

29 Jun 2011

USPTO awards patent for key therapeutic ingredient in CNVN202 targeted molecular cancer therapy

Convergen LifeSciences, Inc. announced today that a United States Patent has been awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office jointly to The University of Texas System Board of Regents and The Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

29 Jun 2011

Bio-Nucleonics' generic Metastron, an option for metastatic cancer bone pain therapy

Bio-Nucleonics' lead product Strontium Chloride Sr-89 Injection USP (Strontium-89), which is the generic version of Metastron®, is an option to consider for metastatic cancer bone pain therapy, typically caused by advanced stage breast, prostate or lung cancer.

28 Jun 2011

Pfizer to present PF-299 and crizotinib clinical trial data on ALK at WCLC 2011

Pfizer Inc. will present early and mid-stage data from its lung cancer portfolio, including PF-00299804 an investigational, oral, pan-HER inhibitor; and crizotinib, an investigational, oral, first-in-class compound that inhibits the anaplastic lymphoma kinase, or ALK, at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, July 3-7 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

28 Jun 2011

Researchers identify new lung stem cell that helps repair large airways

Researchers at UCLA have identified a new stem cell that participates in the repair of the large airways of the lungs, which play a vital role in protecting the body from infectious agents and toxins in the environment.

28 Jun 2011

Researchers identify new component of plague causing bacterium that can be used as a vaccine

Researchers from the Smiley lab at the Trudeau Institute have now identified a single component of the plague causing bacterium that can be used as a vaccine. This single "subunit" could potentially be used to create a safer form of a T cell-stimulating plague vaccine. The new data is featured in the July issue of The Journal of Immunology.

27 Jun 2011

Rogue super-activated neutrophils may cause organ damage in parts unconnected to injury

A study from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London, sheds new light on why people who experience serious trauma or go through major surgery, can suffer organ damage in parts of the body which are seemingly unconnected to the injury.

27 Jun 2011

Lungs News and Research

GWAS identifies 15 gene variants responsible for diversity of white blood cell counts

Avastin for breast cancer still covered by Medicare despite FDA indecision

Panel advises FDA to reject Avastin as breast cancer drug

Study confirms benefits of low-dose spiral CT scans for lung cancer detection

New medical contrast agent could play important role in diagnosing colon cancer

Lung cancer screenings reduce risk of dying by 20%: Study

NLST: CT screening reduces lung cancer specific mortality by 20%

Novartis reports NVA237 Phase III trial results against COPD

Diagnostic delay in women with tuberous sclerosis complex increases mortality risk

STSI joins JAX consortium to develop targeted cancer therapies

Boston University, University of Utah Foundation and Allegro enter license agreement for molecular testing platform

NLST: CT scans more effective in reducing lung cancer death rates

Botox for asthma

DiagnoCure, Signal Genetics enter commercialization collaboration for Previstage GCC Colorectal Cancer Staging Test

USPTO awards patent for key therapeutic ingredient in CNVN202 targeted molecular cancer therapy

Bio-Nucleonics' generic Metastron, an option for metastatic cancer bone pain therapy

Pfizer to present PF-299 and crizotinib clinical trial data on ALK at WCLC 2011

Researchers identify new lung stem cell that helps repair large airways

Researchers identify new component of plague causing bacterium that can be used as a vaccine

Rogue super-activated neutrophils may cause organ damage in parts unconnected to injury

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

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