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Targeting mutant BRAF can kill cancer cells, but cannot finish off melanoma

This past summer saw a revolution in melanoma therapy. Patients whose melanoma lesions contain a mutation in the BRAF gene were successfully treated with a BRAF-specific inhibitor, PLX4032. Reports of the drug trial described shrinking tumors and improved health. Yet seven months after therapy began the tumors returned and resumed growing. Now, scientists at The Wistar Institute explain why: the tumor learns to signal around the blocked gene by adjusting its molecular wiring.

15 Dec 2010

SBUMC to rename and dedicate ALS clinic as Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence

For Chris Pendergast, every Christmas he has been alive to celebrate with his family for the past 17 years has been a gift unto itself. Indeed, in 1993 the then 44-year-old elementary school teacher from Miller Place on Long Island was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - ALS - the always fatal degenerative neuromuscular disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was told that he had, at best, three to five years to live.

15 Dec 2010

Charité begins implementation of MGN1601 clinical phase I/II study in renal cancer

The Charité - Medical University of Berlin has today begun the implementation of the clinical study phase I/II with the renal cancer medication MGN1601 (ASET Study). With this MOLOGEN AG product, an innovative cell-based gene therapy for the treatment of advanced renal cancer is entering the first important test phase.

15 Dec 2010

Lung protective strategy after brain death doubles lungs eligible for donation

Use of certain measures for lung preservation after brain death in potential organ donors resulted in a nearly doubling of lungs eligible for donation, compared to a conventional strategy that is used, according to preliminary research published in the December 15 issue of JAMA.

15 Dec 2010

Develogen enters license, collaboration agreement with MedImmune on insulin beta cell regeneration

Evotec AG today announced that via its subsidiary Develogen AG it has entered into a license and collaboration agreement with MedImmune (the global biologics unit of AstraZeneca), in the diabetes therapeutic area, with a particular focus on the regeneration of insulin producing beta cells. The license gives MedImmune exclusive access to a portfolio of research programs and represents the first deal executed by Evotec on beta cell regeneration assets and capabilities.

15 Dec 2010

MDMA produces friendliness, playfulness, and loving feelings in laboratory setting

MDMA or 'ecstasy' increases feelings of empathy and social connection. These 'empathogenic' effects suggest that MDMA might be useful to enhance the psychotherapy of people who struggle to feel connected to others, as may occur in association with autism, schizophrenia, or antisocial personality disorder.

15 Dec 2010

RPCI forms Photolitec to develop photosensitizing compounds used in photodynamic therapy

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) on December 13, 2010, announced the formation of Photolitec, LLC, a new life-sciences company at RPCI that will develop photosensitizing compounds used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is an innovative cancer treatment pioneered at RPCI by scientist Thomas J. Dougherty, Chief Emeritus of the Institute's Photodynamic Therapy Center.

15 Dec 2010

New online tools allow parents with autistic children to enjoy holiday season

Rethink Autism, an educational technology company that produces online research-based treatment tools for parents and professionals, offers some suggestions and a free online set of video tips to help families address some of these challenges and enjoy the holidays.

15 Dec 2010

Yorkshire Cancer Research to grant over GBP1.26 million for research at universities of Leeds and Sheffield

Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR) is set to give more than GBP1.26 million of funding to researchers at the universities of Leeds and Sheffield next year.

15 Dec 2010

CTT, Bayer sign Research and License Option Agreement

Cancer Targeted Technology (CTT), a Seattle-based biotechnology firm focusing on small molecule cancer enzyme inhibitors for the generation of novel diagnostics and therapeutics, today announced that it has signed a Research and License Option Agreement with Bayer Pharma AG, Germany. Under the agreement, CTT will work with Bayer to optimize a novel PET imaging agent based on its unique inhibitor scaffold that recognizes a validated cancer enzyme biomarker.

15 Dec 2010

Research reveals pattern of declining health among Mexican-American immigrants

Mexican-Americans who are most integrated into the culture including those born in the United States, and not recent immigrants appear less healthy and more likely to require resources to manage their health conditions than more recent, less-integrated migrants, according to a new study from Rice University, Duke University and the University of Colorado Denver.

15 Dec 2010

Anoles key to medically applicable regeneration?

Anolis lizards first entered Arizona State University biologist Kenro Kusumi's life in 1980 when, as a member of a junior curator program, he recorded in his field notebook that he had found an Anolis egg on a field trip. Kusumi still has those notes, along with other memorabilia that document the influence that both his early life and more recent experiences have had on his current pursuits in developmental biology.

15 Dec 2010

Researchers examine expression of toxic mRNA in patients with Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome

Expression of a toxic RNA that leads to Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome is modifiable by genetic or pharmacologic means, according to new research from U-M Medical School scientists.

15 Dec 2010

Naltrexone may help treat alcoholism

A little-used medication can help treat alcoholism, an updated review of studies confirms.

15 Dec 2010

Survey reveals 40% of consumers prefer to purchase vision care services during weekends, evenings

An independent, national survey reveals 40 percent of consumers prefer to shop for and purchase vision correction services during evenings or weekends.

15 Dec 2010

Echo acoustic liquid handler improves discovery of potential therapeutics

When the revolutionary Echo® acoustic liquid handler is used in the process of discovering potential therapeutics, important drug candidates are identified that are missed using traditional liquid handlers. In a recently issued patent, the global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca describes the discovery of a novel set of potential cancer therapeutics that was found only when the Echo system was used. Other major pharmaceutical companies have also reported that the Echo liquid handler was a critical platform in discovering drug candidates.

15 Dec 2010

Positive results from Creabilis CT327 Phase IIa study in atopic dermatitis

Creabilis SA, a clinical stage European biotechnology company addressing unmet medical needs in dermatology, announced positive results in the Phase IIa study of its lead product CT327 in atopic dermatitis.

15 Dec 2010

CMS increases reimbursement rate for Cylex's immune cell function assay by 267%

Cylex Incorporated® today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) nearly tripled the reimbursement for ImmuKnow®, the immune cell function assay FDA-cleared for the detection of cell-mediated immune response in populations undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplant. This significant increase was granted in a time when the overall CMS clinical fee schedule experienced a comprehensive decrease in laboratory reimbursement rates.

15 Dec 2010

Positive results from large, multi-center Canadian trial with On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve

On-X® Life Technologies, Inc., today announced the publication of results of a large, prospective multi-center Canadian trial with the On-X® Prosthetic Heart Valve in the November issue of The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.1 According to the results of the report, "The On-X mechanical prosthesis provides favorable intermediate-term results with regard to major thromboembolism, hemorrhage and composites of valve-related complications."

15 Dec 2010

Ipsen discontinues development of chimeric compound BIM 23A760 for acromegaly

Ipsen announced today that the preliminary data from the ongoing phase IIb study in patients with acromegaly for its chimeric compound BIM 23A760 does not meet the expected inhibition of growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 levels after repeat dosing. Preliminary phase IIb data showed a strong dopaminergic activity but only weak evidence of somatostatinergic activity.

15 Dec 2010

Medical Condition News

Targeting mutant BRAF can kill cancer cells, but cannot finish off melanoma

SBUMC to rename and dedicate ALS clinic as Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence

Charité begins implementation of MGN1601 clinical phase I/II study in renal cancer

Lung protective strategy after brain death doubles lungs eligible for donation

Develogen enters license, collaboration agreement with MedImmune on insulin beta cell regeneration

MDMA produces friendliness, playfulness, and loving feelings in laboratory setting

RPCI forms Photolitec to develop photosensitizing compounds used in photodynamic therapy

New online tools allow parents with autistic children to enjoy holiday season

Yorkshire Cancer Research to grant over GBP1.26 million for research at universities of Leeds and Sheffield

CTT, Bayer sign Research and License Option Agreement

Research reveals pattern of declining health among Mexican-American immigrants

Anoles key to medically applicable regeneration?

Researchers examine expression of toxic mRNA in patients with Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome

Naltrexone may help treat alcoholism

Survey reveals 40% of consumers prefer to purchase vision care services during weekends, evenings

Echo acoustic liquid handler improves discovery of potential therapeutics

Positive results from Creabilis CT327 Phase IIa study in atopic dermatitis

CMS increases reimbursement rate for Cylex's immune cell function assay by 267%

Positive results from large, multi-center Canadian trial with On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve

Ipsen discontinues development of chimeric compound BIM 23A760 for acromegaly

Innovating for impact: Jordi Labs on aligning methodologies with FDA expectation

Exploring the role of confocal-based high-content imaging in advancing core facilities

Transforming Cardiovascular Care: Insights from Mina Makar at AstraZeneca

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