Drug Week back issues from November 2004:
Study documents adverse events of pneumococcal vaccine in children.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Examination of reports from the first 2 years after licensure of a new vaccine against pneumococcal infections indicates that the majority of adverse effects are minor, but that continued surveillance is warranted, according to a new study. ...
Statistically significant positive phase II data reported on Cetrorelix.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AEterna Zentaris, Inc., (AEZ; AEZS) announced statistically significant positive results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial designed to evaluate different dosage regimens of a depot formulation of cetrorelix, a ...
Positive phase II data reported for Alequel.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Enzo Biochem, Inc., (ENZ) announced that the phase II, randomized, double-blind study of Alequel, the company's investigational therapeutic modality for the management of Crohn disease, successfully met its clinical endpoints and is moving forward ...
Study: Fuzeon plus active boosted PI doubles long-term response.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Twice as many treatment-experienced patients who used Fuzeon (enfuvirtide) with an active boosted protease inhibitor (PI) regimen experienced a significant virologic response when compared to patients on an active boosted PI regimen alone, ...
SERM+ teriparatide offers improved bone therapy for postmenopausal patients.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The combination of teriparatide (Forteo; Eli Lilly & Co.), an injectable parathryoid hormone medication, when administered with the selective estrogen receptor modulator, raloxifene (Evista; Eli Lilly & Co.), improves bone density formation, ...
HIV-1 superinfections assessed by autologous heteroduplex mobility.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists have assessed HIV-1 superinfections in a cohort of commercial sex workers in Burkina Faso by an autologous heteroduplex mobility procedure. In a recently published article, scientists in France and Burkina Faso conducted a ...
Current state of HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa reviewed.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers review the current state of AIDS and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa in a recent issue of the Croatian Medical Journal. According to a study from Malawi and the United States, "Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most severely ...
HIV-1 immunogen vaccine plus antiretrovirals promotes virologic control.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Therapeutic immunization with an inactivated HIV-1 immunogen plus antiretrovirals promotes virologic control in asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects. According to a study from Spain, "To determine whether the addition of an ...
Estrogen protects male rats from aneurysm.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- When it comes to abdominal aortic aneurysms - life-threatening bulges or weak areas in the main artery feeding blood to the lower half of the body - it is definitely better to be female. During 2000, about 11,000 people in the United ...
Multiresistant Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak occurred in surgical room.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak occurred in a surgical room in Germany. "Outbreaks of Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrating multiple antibiotic resistance, including meropenem resistance, have been described as severe ...
Phase II study of zileuton for moderate-to-severe acne begins.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Critical Therapeutics, Inc., (CRTX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of products for respiratory, inflammatory, and critical care diseases, announced that it will begin enrolling patients in ...
Loss of clone with FLT3 gene mutation at relapse does not improve AML prognosis.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The loss of a clone with an FLT3 gene mutation at relapse does not improve the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia. According to recent research from Germany, "Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of the juxtamembrane region of the FLT3 ...
Genetic profiling links key genes to alcohol-related expectancies.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Genetic profiling links key genes to alcohol-related expectancies. According to recent research from the United States, "molecular genetic research has identified promising markers of alcohol dependence, including alleles of the D-2 ...
Membrane Cofactor Protein identified as adenovirus receptor.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Membrane Cofactor Protein is identified as the adenovirus receptor. "A tandem mass spectrometry-based approach is demonstrated for detecting a receptor for Ad37, one of the causative agents for epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Partial ...
Growth hormone treatment stimulates adiponectin gene expression in adipocytes.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Chronic treatment with growth hormone stimulates adiponectin gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. "Growth hormone (GH) is an important regulator of adiposity and systemic energy metabolism. Here, we have investigated the effects of GH ...
Carbohydrate response element-binding protein gene expression studied.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists have studied the modulation of carbohydrate response element-binding protein gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and rat adipose tissue. "Carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) is a rat homolog of human ...
Increased insulin not needed for increases in mouse brain tryptophan.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Increased insulin is not required for beta[subscript]2-adrenoceptor-induced increases in mouse brain tryptophan. "The current study tested the hypothesis that beta[subscript]2-adrenoceptor-mediated increases in brain tryptophan are ...
Combination therapy for liver cancer is linked to interstitial pneumonia.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Combination therapy for liver cancer is linked to interstitial pneumonia. According to recent research published in the Journal of Gastroenterology, "previously we reported combined chemo-immunotherapy using interferon (IFN)-alpha and ...
Genes involved in valproic acid teratogenicity identified.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Genes involved in teratogenicity induced by the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) have been identified. "Embryonic development is a highly coordinated set of processes that depend on hierarchies of signaling and gene regulatory ...
Slightly increased risk of ischemic stroke found with tamoxifen.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found a slightly elevated risk of ischemic stroke due to a blood clot in the brain in patients treated with tamoxifen, a drug commonly prescribed both for preventing breast cancer and treating ...
Study suggests caution against using certain drugs to unclog heart arteries.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Dartmouth Medical School cardiology researchers have discovered a new mechanism for what drives the growth of muscle tissue in the lining of injured heart vessels that can eventually lead to blockage. Their study, reported in the October ...
Ethanol effects on uncoupling protein-1 mRNA alter thermogenesis set point.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The effects of ethanol on uncoupling protein-1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue alter the thermogenesis set point. According to recent research from Japan, "Expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) is increased by cold acclimation and ...
Study: Anti-dust mite covers effective in reducing allergens.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new study provides evidence that people who have allergic asthma and use dust mite-impermeable bed covers have improved peak flow measurements. These findings are featured in the October 2004 Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology ...
Allergen immunotherapy reviewed.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers review allergen immunotherapy in a recent issue of American Family Physician. According to recent research from the United States, "Allergen immunotherapy (also called allergy vaccine therapy) involves the administration of ...
NFAT1 protein assists mast cells with interleukin-13 gene transcription.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- NFAT1 protein assists mast cells with interleukin-13 gene transcription. "Th2 and mast cells are participants in the asthmatic response to allergens, and both cell types produce the cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. IL-13 in ...
Patient knowledge of allergy immunotherapy better than expected.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Patient knowledge of allergy immunotherapy was better than expected. "Immunotherapy is an invaluable therapy for allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and hymenoptera hypersensitivity. It is, however, not without risks. To examine patient ...
Biotechcompany scientist presented with award from Alzheimer Association.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Prana Biotechnology Limited (NASDAQ:PRAN)(NASDAQ:ASX:)(NASDAQ:PBT) announced that Dr. Ashley Ian Bush, cofounding scientist and senior scientific consultant to Prana Biotechnology, was named a 2004 Zenith Fellow Award winner by the Alzheimer's ...
Blood pressure drugs may slow deterioration of Alzheimer.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Certain blood pressure drugs may slow the deterioration of Alzheimer disease, according to a new study. Called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors, the drugs are used to treat high blood pressure. Only ACE ...
Forecast: Considerable research to be devoted to pathomechanism of Alzheimer.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Management of Alzheimer disease remains a challenge, with nearly 8 million sufferers from this condition in the 7 major world markets and anticipated increases in the future. Considerable research is in progress to understand the ...
NSAID prodrugs show promise for CNS delivery.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A series of prodrugs of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show promise for CNS delivery of these agents. NSAIDs "have been proposed to prevent or to cure Alzheimer disease," according to scientists in Italy. With ...
Partnership between government, industry will streamline clinical trials.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA) is launching a landmark study to find neuroimaging and other methods for monitoring the progression of Alzheimer disease (AD) aimed at significantly reducing the time and cost of clinical trials. ...
Pharma company announces progress with Alzheimer strategy.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Nymox Pharmaceutical Corporation (NASDAQ: NYMX) has made steady progress pursuing a multipronged strategy against Alzheimer disease (AD) that targets the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of AD, according to Dr. Michael Munzar, the company's ...
Pharma company's long-term study of Celebrex expected to continue.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pfizer Inc. said that three large long-term Celebrex (celecoxib capsules) studies involving more than 6,000 patients have not shown any significant safety issues and are expected to continue to completion. The ongoing studies, which are ...
CytRx adds three drug candidates with acquisition of Biorex assets.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- CytRx Corp. (CYTR) has acquired all the clinical and pharmaceutical assets and related intellectual property of Hungary-based Biorex Research & Development, RT, (Biorex), a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of novel ...
Phase I trial of Hematide initiated.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Affymax, Inc., announced that it has initiated a placebo controlled, phase I dose-finding clinical trial with its lead product candidate, Hematide, a peptide-based erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) that has been designed to stimulate ...
JCAHO Sentinel Event Alert issued targeted at preventing anesthesia awareness.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aspect Medical Systems (ASPM) announced that the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has issued a new Sentinel Event Alert (issue no. 32) aimed at preventing and managing the impact of anesthesia awareness. ...
Microvascular dysfunction encourages the progression of steatohepatitis in mice.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Microvascular dysfunction encourages the progression of steatohepatitis in mice. According to recent research from the United States, "in alcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatic microvascular changes have pathogenic significance for ...
Vitamin E can increase carotid artery compliance and baroreflex gain.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A recent report described the effect of vitamin E on carotid artery elasticity and baroreflex gain in young, healthy adults. According to published research from Hungary, "In [our] study we tested the hypothesis that dietary vitamin E ...
Prescriptions for antibiotics to prevent anthrax now uncommon.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Prescriptions for antibiotics that could be taken in advance to prevent against anthrax were uncommon among concerned patients after September 11, 2001 and the 2001 U.S. anthrax attacks, according to a new study. Nationwide, more than ...
Biotech company working to address problem of antibiotic resistance.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- New biotechnology company, RiboNovix, Inc., is addressing the worsening problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by developing new anti-infectives that are less susceptible to drug resistance. Over the last few months, RiboNovix has ...
Oral fluconazole safe/effective empiric treatment for neutropenic fever.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Oral fluconazole is a safe and effective empiric treatment for persistent neutropenic fever. According to a study from Israel, "Neutropenic patients who continue to be febrile despite adequate broad-spectrum antibacterial treatment ...
Antisense inhibitors of TRADD could modulate TNF-related pathologies.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antisense inhibitors of TRADD could modulate TNF-related pathologies. "Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1-associated death domain protein (TRADD) is an adaptor protein known to be involved in the TNF signaling pathway as well as ...
The antisense mRNA sONE offers endothelial-cell specific gene expression.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The antisense mRNA sONE offers endothelial-cell specific gene expression. According to a study from Canada, "endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA levels are abnormal in diseases of the cardiovascular system, but changes in gene ...
Antiestrogenic drug combinations may be used for glioblastoma malignancies.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antiestrogenic drug combinations may be used for glioblastoma malignancies. According to researchers in Turkey, "The antitumor activity of nonsteroidal antiestrogens on C6 and low passage of human glioma cells was investigated. ...
RANTES haplotypes influence the response to chronic hepatitis C therapy.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- RANTES haplotypes influence the response to chronic hepatitis C therapy. "The response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is complex and is determined by both environmental and genetic factors. Recently, interacting ...
CD45 plays significant role in nuclear apoptosis by chloride channel regulation.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- CD45 plays a significant role in nuclear apoptosis by chloride channel regulation. According to published research from Canada, "Mitochondrial-perturbating agents such as toxic compounds induce apoptosis. We note that the loss of CD45 ...
Humic acid induces apoptosis in premyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Humic acid induces apoptosis in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. According to a study from Taiwan, "It has been shown that humic acid (HA), a phenolic polymer, exhibits pro-oxidant and cytotoxic effects. In this study, HA induction of ...
Pharmaceutical company offers its alternative to recalled arthritis medication.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- With the recent recall of the arthritis medication rofecoxib, Boehringer Ingelheim announced that it is supporting patients while they look for new alternatives. The company offered up its own anti-inflammatory drug, MOBIC (melioxicam) as an ...
Topical medication effective in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Symptoms of primary osteoarthritis of the knee, including pain and stiffness, were significantly improved in patients who used a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), according to new research. Nonsteroidal ...
Glucuronoxylomannan exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Glucuronoxylomannan exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in collagen-induced arthritis. "This investigation was planned to assess the therapeutic efficacy of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). GXM was isolated ...
Bioassay detects soluble MAdCAM-1 in body fluids.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers have developed a bioassay to detect soluble MAdCAM-1 in body fluids. According to recent research from New Zealand, "Mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (MAdCAM-1) is a key player in mediating the infiltration of ...
Data collection complete for phase III Aridol study.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Final patient recruitment for Pharmaxis' phase III trial of Aridol, its asthma management product, was 654 compared with a target of 600, and 616 patients completed the study. Data collection from the 12 clinical trial centers is ...
Suite of asthma control and asthma impact surveys launched.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- QualityMetric Incorporated announced launch of a full suite of asthma control and asthma impact surveys for adults and children that measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the patient perspective. Used by leading health care ...
Drug for rheumatism possible boon to heart patients.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Atherosclerosis, which lies behind heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular problems, has a major impact on public health. So does chronic rheumatoid arthritis. These two diseases are completely different from each other, but they do have one ...
Results presented on antibody-based treatment of atherosclerosis.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new report describes the research performed by a research team lead by professor Jan Nilsson at the University Hospital MAS in Malmo in collaboration with BioInvent International AB (BINV) in Lund. Jan Nilsson and his team have studied ...
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein induces long-lasting antibodies.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Subcutaneous and mucosal administration of a 26-amino acid cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) epitope carried by heat shock protein 65 kDa in the absence of adjuvants induced long-lasting specific antibodies against CETP. "The ...
Beta-radiation can create linear lesions that are contiguous and nonthrombogenic.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A recent report described the use of beta-radiation for the creation of linear lesions in the canine atrium. Creating linear lesions is important for the treatment of arrhythmias such as atrial flutter and fibrillation. Making these ...
Antinuclear antibody absorption by hepatitis B vaccine warrants evaluation.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antinuclear antibody absorption by hepatitis B vaccine warrants evaluation. According to published research from France, "the aim of this work is to propose a method to search for a possible antigenic community between hepatitis B ...
T cell genes expressed in human and murine autoimmune disease compared.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists have compared differentially expressed genes in T lymphocytes between human autoimmune disease and murine models of autoimmune disease. According to recent research published in the journal Clinical Immunology, "A general view ...
Thyroid peroxidase DNA immunization replicates thyroid autoimmunity.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Thyroid peroxidase DNA is superior to protein immunization in replicating human thyroid autoimmunity in HLA-DRB1*0301 (DR3) transgenic mice. "Murine experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), characterized by thyroid destruction after ...
Reassortant influenza vaccines control avian influenza.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists have generated reassortant influenza vaccines by reverse genetics that allows utilization of a Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) strategy for the control of avian influenza. "Vaccination of poultry with ...
Biotech firm lauds Nobel winner, announces olfactory-based government contract.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Joseph K. Pagano, chairman of the board of Sentigen Holding Corp. (SGHL), a biotechnology company, extended congratulations to Dr. Richard Axel, Sentigen's long term good friend and consultant, on being co-awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for ...
Oligonucleotide array technology rapidly detects foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Oligonucleotide array technology rapidly detects foodborne pathogenic bacteria. According to a study from China, "A rapid and accurate method for detection for common pathogenic bacteria in foodborne infections was established by using ...
Biosynthesis study results of 55 bacterial strains reported.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers in Brazil screened "55 bacterial strains isolated from soil ... for efficient poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) biosynthesis from xylose. Three strains were also evaluated for the utilization of bagasse hydrolysate after different ...
Pharma company completes phase 1 clinical trial for complicated skin infections.
Nov 05, 2004 ... 2004 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Peninsula Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that is has completed a phase 1 clinical trial for PPI-0903, one of its product candidates. Peninsula is investigating PPI-0903 as a potential treatment for complicated skin and skin-structure ...