GBP Health / Biotech News 03-10-2010:
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EurekAlert - Biology:
Public Release: 10-Mar-2010
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Research points to way to improve heart treatment
Current drugs used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat have limited effectiveness and have side effects. New basic science findings from a University of Iowa and Vanderbilt University study suggest a way that treatments could potentially be refined so that they work better and target only key heart-related mechanisms.
National Institutes of Health, Fondation Leducq Award to the Alliance for Calmodulin Kinase Signaling in Heart Disease
Contact: Becky Soglin
becky-soglin@uiowa.edu
319-356-7127
University of Iowa
Public Release: 10-Mar-2010Cancer Biology & Therapy
Breast cancer drug fulvestrant appears more effective in the presence of CK8 and CK18
Women's responsiveness to the second-line breast cancer drug fulvestrant may depend on whether the cancer cells are expressing two key proteins, Indiana University Bloomington scientists report in this month's Cancer Biology & Therapy.NIH/National Cancer Institute
Contact: David Bricker
brickerd@indiana.edu
812-856-9035
Indiana University
Public Release: 10-Mar-2010Disease Models & Mechanisms
Exploiting the architecture of cancers may lead to their destruction
To grow larger, solid tumors require a network of blood vessels to nourish them. Chemotherapy exploits these vessels to deliver toxic drugs, but is inefficient if the drugs cannot pass quickly enough from the bloodstream into the tumor. A new study in Disease Models and Mechanisms describes a way of transiently making the tumor blood vessels leakier, allowing more efficient drug uptake. This work may ultimately enhance delivery of chemotherapies into tumor tissue.
Contact: Kristy Kain
kristy.kain@vanderbilt.edu
615-343-1298
The Company of Biologists
Public Release: 9-Mar-2010Small
Designer nano luggage to carry drugs to diseased cells
UK scientists have succeeded in growing empty particles derived from a plant virus and have made them carry useful chemicals. The external surface of these nano containers could be decorated with molecules that guide them to where they are needed in the body, before the chemical load is discharged to exert its effect on diseased cells. The containers are particles of the Cowpea mosaic virus, which is ideally suited for designing biomaterial at the nanoscale.Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, John Innes Foundation
Contact: Zoe Dunford
zoe.dunford@bbsrc.ac.uk
44-016-032-55111
Norwich BioScience Institutes
Public Release: 9-Mar-2010Cancer Research
Reovirus may be a novel approach to prostate cancer treatment
Researchers in Canada have detected a novel oncolytic viral therapy against prostate cancer with use of a virus called the reovirus, according to study results published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Contact: Tara Yates
tara.yates@aacr.org
267-646-0558
American Association for Cancer Research
Public Release: 8-Mar-2010Journal of Clinical Investigation
New method to grow arteries could lead to 'biological bypass' for heart disease
A new method of growing arteries could lead to a "biological bypass"-- or a noninvasive way to treat coronary artery disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report with their colleagues in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Contact: Karen N. Peart
karen.peart@yale.edu
203-432-1326
Yale University
Public Release: 8-Mar-2010Nanotechnology
Like little golden assassins, 'smart' nanoparticles identify, target and kill cancer cells
Another weapon in the arsenal against cancer: nanoparticles that identify, target and kill specific cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone.Sloan Foundation, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Contact: Blaine Friedlander
bpf2@cornell.edu
607-254-8093
Cornell University
Source - Science Daily:
Please note : Due to the format restrictions of Science Daily articles, you must click on the URL (web address) below the article summary , rather than the article title.
Papaya Extract Thwarts Growth of Cancer Cells in Lab Tests
Papaya extract seems to have a toxic effect on cancer cells in culture, suggesting a potential treatment. Scientists documented for the first time that papaya ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309182449.htm
Hormone Thought to Slow Aging Associated With Increased Risk of Cancer Death
March 10, 2010 — Older men with high levels of the hormone IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor 1) are at increased risk of cancer death, independent of age, lifestyle and cancer history, according to a new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301091417.htm
Computer System Helps Reduce Adverse Drug Side Effects and Interactions in ICU Patients
March 10, 2010 — To get life-threatening diseases under control, patients in the intensive care unit usually are administered many medications at the same time. Even for experts, it is difficult to keep track of the ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100310101720.htm
Cancer Mortality Has Declined Since Initiation of 'War on Cancer'
March 9, 2010 — A new American Cancer Society study finds progress in reducing cancer death rates is evident whether measured against baseline rates in 1970 or in 1990. The study finds a downturn in cancer death ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309151505.htm
Preventing or Reversing Inflammation After Heart Attack, Stroke May Require Two-Pronged Approach
March 9, 2010 — Researchers are releasing results of a study this week that they say will help refocus the search for new drug targets aimed at preventing or reversing the devastating tissue inflammation that ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301091425.htm
How to Fortify the Immunity of HIV Patients
March 9, 2010 — New findings may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308095828.htm
How to Fortify the Immunity of HIV Patients
March 9, 2010 — New findings may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308095828.htm
Deceptive Model: Stem Cells of Humans and Mice Differ More Strongly Than Suspected
March 9, 2010 — Mice are in many ways similar to Homo sapiens on a fundamental level. That is why the law in this part of the world only permits scientists to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells when they ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308095445.htm
Bone Marrow Can Harbor HIV-Infected Cells
March 9, 2010 — Antiviral drugs have reduced AIDS to more of chronic disease rather than a death sentence, but why is the disease so hard to cure? New research shows that bone marrow, previously thought to be ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308132045.htm
Like Little Golden Assassins, 'Smart' Nanoparticles Identify, Target and Kill Cancer Cells
March 9, 2010 — Another weapon in the arsenal against cancer: nanoparticles that identify, target and kill specific cancer cells while leaving healthy cells ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100308171219.htm
Starting Treatment Early Doubles Chance of Success for People With DiabetesMarch 9, 2010 — The sooner people with diabetes start taking metformin, the longer the drug remains effective, according to a new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100309102517.htm
Most Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients May Not Need Radiation After Mastectomy
March 8, 2010 — Breast cancer patients with early stage disease that has spread to only one lymph node may not benefit from radiation after mastectomy, because of the low present-day risk of recurrence following ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100306223837.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: March 10, 2010
- Tasmanian Devil Colony Immune to Deadly Cancer
- Cholesterol, Diabetes Drugs at Top of Medicare List
- Flavoring Company Knew About Salmonella Presence: FDA
- High Failure Rate for ASR Hip Implant
- Baby-Sling Warning Expected
- Preschoolers Recognize Brand Names: Study
- FDA Panel Gives Blessing to Drug for Rare Lung Disease
Scientists Find Key to Hormone-Resistant Prostate Tumors
Discovery in mouse study may someday extend men's lives.
Cell Transplant May Help Treat Vitiligo
Surgery improved appearance of white patches due to skin disease, doctors say
Clinical Trials Update: March 10, 2010
- Treatment-Resistant Depression
- Acne
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Most Drug Studies Don't Help Docs Pick Best Treatment
The problem? Available meds ignored in favor of drugs in the pipeline, review finds
Source - Google Health News:
FDA grants Cytokinetics treatment orphan status- AP - Wed 9:17 am ET
Biotechnology company Cytokinetics Inc. said Wednesday regulators have granted "orphan drug" status to its potential Lou Gehrig's disease treatment.
Start of Phase I/II Gene Therapy Clinical Trial for Hemophilia B
PR Newswire (press release)
The objective of the trial is to assess the safety and efficacy of different doses of hemophilia B gene therapy. Hemophilia B is an inherited condition in ...
Beyond the Abstract - Therapeutic potential of adult bone marrow-derived ...
UroToday
... has been shown to engraft within the tumor microenvironment in many cancers and thus represents an attractive vehicle for cell gene therapy strategies. ...
Fresh hope for HIV patients
Times of India
Tocagen, Developing Anti-Cancer Therapies, Close to Closing on $8M Round
Xconomy
San Diego's Tocagen, a biotech developing gene therapy treatments for terminal cancers, says it has raised nearly $7.8 million from 75 investors in a Series ...
But now researchers from Montreal University , McGill University , and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida (VGTI) have published a new study ...
Scientists Still Hopeful About Gene Therapy's Promise
NPR
by Joe Palca Twenty-five years ago, it seemed as if gene therapy was on the verge of revolutionizing medicine. But that revolution never occurred, ...
Blood Vessel Cells Promote Self-Renewal of Blood Stem Cells
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
... the potential of vascular cells for generating sufficient stem cells for therapeutic organ regeneration, tumor targeting, and gene therapy applications. ...
Source - Medical News Today :
What began as research into how diabetics could possibly preserve their eyesight has led to findings that could prolong the vision of children afflicted with retinoblastoma. Dolores Takemoto, a Kansas State University professor of biochemistry who was researching protein kinase C gamma in the lens of the human eye, found her work taking a fascinating turn when she discovered a correlation between the protein Coonexin46 and hypoxia -- a deficiency of oxygen which kills normal tissue cells.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181723.php
HIV Hides In Bone Marrow Say Researchers
Researchers in the US have discovered that a latent form of HIV hides in progenitor cells in bone marrow, avoids detection by the immune system and retains the ability to reproduce and spread when the coast is clear (eg when treated people stop taking anti-HIV drugs). The researchers hope their discovery will lead to new and more effective treatments that target these latent reservoirs and that eventually those infected won't have to take anti-HIV drugs all their lives. You can read about the research that led to the discovery in the 7 March online issue of Nature Medicine.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181583.php
Life Technologies, TGen And US Oncology Partner On Groundbreaking Breast Cancer Sequencing Research
Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) announced that it is collaborating with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and US Oncology to sequence the genomes of 14 patients afflicted with triple negative breast cancer whose tumors have progressed despite multiple other therapies. The goal of this first-of-its-kind research collaboration is to demonstrate whether genomic sequencing of cancer tissue can provide clues for treatment strategies for these individuals. While genomic sequencing has made great strides in helping researchers understand human disease, its clinical utility is not fully known. This research study brings together the accuracy of the Applied Biosystems SOLiD™ System, with US Oncology's expertise in cancer trials and TGen's Cancer Genome and Oncology programs, to provide additional information for oncologists and their patients. Triple negative tumors, which make up nearly 20 percent of breast cancers, do not respond to treatment with common targeted breast cancer therapies such as Herceptin .
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181548.php
Periodontal Pathogens Enhance HIV-1 Promoter Activation In T Cells
During the 39th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental Research, convening at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, lead researcher O.A. Gonzalez ( University of Kentucky, Lexington) presented a poster of a study titled "TLR2 and TLR9 Activation by Periodontal Pathogens induce HIV-1 Reactivation." Although oral co-infections (e.g. periodontal disease) are highly prevalent in HIV-1 patients and appear to positively correlate with viral load levels, the potential for oral bacteria to induce HIV-1 reactivation in latently infected cells has received little attention. The researchers involved in this study have proved that periodontal pathogens enhanced HIV-1 promoter activation in T-cells, monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells; however the mechanisms involved in this response remain undetermined. The objective of this study was to determine the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in HIV-1 reactivation induced by periodontal pathogens. The oral Gram-negative but not Gram-positive bacteria enhanced HIV-1LTR activation in BF24 cells. TLR9 activation by F. nucleatum and TLR2 by both Gram-negative bacteria were involved in this response, however TLR4 activation had no effect. Use of NFkB or Sp1 specific chemical inhibitors suggested that these transcription factors are positive and negative regulators of bacterially-induced HIV-1LTR activation, respectively. HIV-1LTR activation and viral replication were similarly induced in THP89GFP cells.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181405.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review:
Faster Healing for Severe Fractures
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24711/
A Vision for Personalized Medicine
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24703/
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