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Genetic switch that causes excessive mucus in the lungs identified

Scientists have identified the main genetic switch that causes excessive mucus in the lungs, a discovery that one day could ease suffering for people with chronic lung diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis, or just those fighting the common cold.

15 Sep 2009

Positive results from Merck's Phase IIB clinical study of odanacatib for treating osteoporosis

New data from a Phase IIB clinical study of odanacatib, Merck & Co., Inc.'s oral, once-weekly investigational treatment for osteoporosis, showed that when stopping treatment after two years, the increases in lower back (lumbar spine) bone mineral density (BMD) were reversed over the next year, while BMD at the hip (femoral neck) remained above levels observed at the start of the study.

15 Sep 2009

Breast and ovarian cancer awareness campaign launched by Myriad Genetics

Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MYGN) announced today that it has launched a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer Public Awareness Campaign in five Midwest states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. The initiative is a comprehensive effort designed to reach women with a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancers and the healthcare providers that treat them.

15 Sep 2009

HFSA's 13th Annual Scientific Meeting focuses on causes and treatment of heart failure

The Heart Failure Society of America's (HFSA) 13th Annual Scientific Meeting convened Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. This three-day meeting -- a forum for heart failure specialists to present research findings and advances in treatment -- will address emerging trends in research and new developments in the approach to treating patients with this condition.

15 Sep 2009

Excessive physical strain in dementia care linked to communication problems

Excessive physical strain in dementia care is not so much related to equipment or the resident's body weight as it is due to communication problems and misunderstandings. This is shown in a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

15 Sep 2009

Hispanic/Latino Americans have a unique cancer risk profile, says report

The latest edition of Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos reports that Hispanic/Latino Americans -the largest, fastest-growing, and youngest minority in the United States-have a unique cancer risk profile that requires a targeted approach to cancer prevention.

15 Sep 2009

FDA provides a complete response letter for Digestive Care's PANCRECARB

Digestive Care, Inc. (DCI) announced today that the company has received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has moved closer to obtaining approval of its New Drug Application (NDA) for PANCRECARB((R) )(pancrelipase) used for the treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.

15 Sep 2009

Actor Patrick Swayze dies of pancreatic cancer

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org), the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure is mourning the loss of legendary actor Patrick Swayze. His diagnosis shocked fans around the world in early 2008 and his subsequent battle put a spotlight on pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

15 Sep 2009

Mild cognitive impairment is a risk factor for dementia

Among individuals with mild cognitive impairment, often considered a transitional state between normal cognitive function and Alzheimer's dementia, those who have more difficulties performing routine activities appear more likely to progress quickly to dementia, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

15 Sep 2009

Common pain cream could serve as cardiac-protectant during heart attack: Study

New research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) shows that a common, over-the-counter pain salve rubbed on the skin during a heart attack could serve as a cardiac-protectant, preventing or reducing damage to the heart while interventions are administered.

15 Sep 2009

Report on the epidemiology, cause and risk factors of asthma

An article on the epidemiology, cause and risk factors of asthma is the first in a special report on asthma in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) designed for clinical practitioners. This review looks at risk factors for persistent asthma at different ages, including prenatal, infancy, childhood and adulthood.

15 Sep 2009

New protein substance could be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

Gothenburg researchers have discovered a previously unknown substance in spinal fluid that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The findings, described in a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, will also be useful in research on new medications.

15 Sep 2009

Dietary ingredient derived from melon relieves stress

A dietary ingredient derived from a melon rich in antioxidant superoxide dismutase enzymes has been shown to relieve stress. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, published in BioMed Central's open access Nutrition Journal, researchers found that the supplement decreased the signs and symptoms of perceived stress and fatigue in healthy volunteers.

15 Sep 2009

Fair conducted for free skin cancer screening in Louisville

More than 11,000 Americans die each year from skin cancer. Yet when detected early, skin cancer has a cure rate of 99 percent. That's why dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology's National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Program conducted free skin cancer screenings at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, held Aug. 20-30, 2009.

14 Sep 2009

Prenatal testing helps to bring down the birth rate of babies with Down syndrome

With new prenatal tests for Down syndrome on the horizon promising to be safer, more accurate, and available to women earlier in pregnancy, the medical community must come together and engage in dialogue about the impact of existing and expected tests, argues a new leading article published Online First by Archives of Disease in Childhood.

14 Sep 2009

IntegraMed’s Attain IVF Program now offered at Dallas IVF

IntegraMed America, Inc. (NASDAQ: INMD), the nation’s leading provider of specialty healthcare services in emerging, technology-focused niches, today announced that Dallas IVF has begun offering IntegraMed’s Attain™ IVF Program, a course-of-treatment financing program that improves patient success rates with in vitro fertilization (IVF) fertility treatments.

14 Sep 2009

Phase 2b clinical trial results of Dextofisopam to treat irritable bowel syndrome announced

Pharmos Corporation (Pink Sheets: PARS) announced today the results of its Phase 2b Dextofisopam clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of the compound in irritable bowel syndrome.

14 Sep 2009

Results from Keryx' KRX-0401 Phase 2 study to be presented at the International Kidney Cancer Symposium

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX) today announced that Phase 2 data of KRX-0401 (perifosine), the Company's PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor for cancer, as a single agent in the treatment of advanced metastatic renal cell cancer, has been selected for oral presentation at the Eighth International Kidney Cancer Symposium, to be held in Chicago from September 25-26, 2009.

14 Sep 2009

New data confirm link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis

Over the last 40 years, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been repeatedly associated with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. During the 2nd European Congress of Immunology ECI 2009 held in Berlin, Francesca Aloisi, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, will present new data that further support the link. In the brain lesions of patients with multiple sclerosis her team found abnormal accumulation of EBV infected B lymphocytes.

14 Sep 2009

Cytrx initiates tamibarotene and TRISENOX combination dose escalation study

CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ:CYTR), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of human therapeutics, today announced the initiation of a dose escalation study with its oncology drug candidate tamibarotene combined with TRISENOX® (arsenic trioxide) injection (marketed by Cephalon, Inc.) in patients with relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

14 Sep 2009