A pill designed to zero in on abnormal genes that drive specific cancers has produced encouraging early results in children with an uncommon but aggressive type of lymphoma, as well as in children with a rare form of neuroblastoma.
A phase 1 clinical trial of the drug crizotinib achieved remissions, with minimal side effects, for 10 of the children participating in a clinical study carried out by the multicenter Children’s Oncology Group (COG). The results were “an exciting proof-of-principle” for the targeted treatment, said the study leader, Yaël P. Mossé, M.D., a pediatric oncologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“We are entering a new era of cancer therapy, in which we use knowledge of basic biology to design very specific drugs that target cancer cells with potentially less side effects on healthy tissue,” said Mossé. “In addition, as we concentrate on targets in molecular pathways, we move away from an exclusive focus on one form of cancer to customizing treatments according to biological activity. Abnormal ALK activity occurs in subtypes of neuroblastoma and subtypes of lymphoma, so identifying ALK activity in individual patients may enable us to provide the most effective care.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50776-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-lymphoma-neuroblastoma-oncology-gene-trial
Takeda today announced the launch of a new expert Report on COPD, introduced at a Takeda organised press conference on the occasion of the 2012 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress taking place from 1- 5 September in Vienna, Austria.
The Report, entitled ‘The Shifting Paradigm in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Management,’ was initiated and developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH and is a compilation of opinion articles from a panel of key international respiratory experts, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Association (EFA) and COPD patients, reflecting updated guidance and research. The new expert Report was developed in response to a recent shift in emphasis in COPD management which now places future risk at equal importance to treatment of current disability. Treatment objectives are now divided into two groups: reducing symptoms and reducing risk.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56582-expert-report-on-copd-launch
Adults over the age of 60 are at the greatest risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Yet, according to a recent survey conducted by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), more than 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 have never heard of AF. Today marks the kick-off of HRS’ second annual “A-Fib Feels Like” campaign to help educate Americans about the symptoms and warning signs associated with AF and encourage those who suffer from the disorder to talk to their doctors about their risks and potential treatment options.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57735-a-fib-feels-like-campaign-warning-signs-atrial-fibrillation
Shell and the City of Dawson Creek today celebrate the opening of the Dawson Creek Reclaimed Water Project. The facility, process and associated infrastructure, will virtually eliminate Shell’s need to draw on local fresh water sources for the operation of its Groundbirch natural gas venture in Northeast British Columbia. The multi-million dollar facility will provide a new source of revenue for the City of Dawson Creek as well as additional water for industrial and municipal uses.
The City of Dawson Creek, some 1,191 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, is the centre of British Columbia’s natural gas and oil producing fields. The new treatment facility will help meet the water needs of all users including the people and municipality of the City of Dawson Creek.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/shell-and-dawson-creek-partnership/56594/
When Kayla Dehnert tells friends and family in Northern California about life as a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient, she pulls out a string of beads taller than she is.
Kayla, 8, of Novato, Calif., is one of hundreds of St. Jude patients who have participated in the hospital’s Legacy Bead program since its launch in 2009. The program offers patients and their families a tangible way to illustrate their journeys using 55 glass beads as unique as the children who collect them. Patients receive vivid green cylindrical beads for blood transfusions; sapphire round beads for lumbar punctures; tear-drop beads in assorted colors for homesickness; and blue, triangle-shaped beads for clinic visits. Other beads mark triumphs such as the completion of radiation or chemotherapy or challenges ranging from cancer’s return to the death of a friend.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58137-st-jude-legacy-bead-program-treatment-milestones-for-children
Creme of Nature® launched Exotic Shine™ Color with Argan Oil from Morocco, a breakthrough product which includes enriching Argan Oil and strengthening Micro-Sphere technology. The technology features conditioning molecules which bind to hair strands during coloring to prevent breakage and damage. The system also comes with two conditioning treatments, the Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment and the Argan Oil Treatment.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57490-creme-of-nature-exotic-shine-color-with-argan-oil-from-morocco
Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, and recognized six times by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, is once again teaming with Macy’s to produce and sell the 2012 Aflac Holiday duck . This is the twelfth year that Aflac and Macy’s are selling the annual plush duck, with all net proceeds going to support research and treatment for childhood cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58454-aflac-macys-annual-holiday-duck-design-pediatric-cancer-patient-atlanta
Almirall, S.A. (ALM:MC) and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRWD) announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization to Constella® (linaclotide 290mcg) for the symptomatic treatment of moderate to severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) in adults . This approval follows the positive recommendation received from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in September.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58658-almirall
Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. (“Raptor” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: RPTP), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved PROCYSBI™ (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed release capsules for the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children 6 years and older. In a Phase 3 study, PROCYSBI showed consistent cystine depletion over the full 12-hour dosing period. Sustained levels of cysteamine have not historically been achieved in the majority of patients in this population. Studies have shown that sustained cystine depletion in patients may significantly delay disease progression, including kidney dysfunction, dialysis, kidney transplant, organ failure and premature death.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61338-raptor-pharmaceutical-procysbi-fda-approval-nephropathic-cystinosis
In a revolutionary treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS), a team of surgeons implanted adjustable growing rods in two children from California. The pioneering surgeries — the first ever in the United States — were performed on May 7th at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Compassionate Use approval to use the MAGEC™ (MAGnetic Expansion Control) System, developed by Ellipse Technologies, Inc., for these two patients.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61604-rady-children-s-hospital-san-diego-ellipse-magec-early-onset-scoliosis-eos
