Researchers presenting at ASTRO 2015, the premier radiation oncology scientific event in the world, unveiled new data this week that could fundamentally change the way that early stage breast cancer is treated.
Results from a landmark prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III study conducted in Europe demonstrated that APBI brachytherapy leads to equivalent overall survival and local cancer control rates as compared to WBI after breast conserving surgery for selected patients with early stage breast cancers. These data were presented during the ASTRO official press conference and published in The Lancet, a leading high-impact global peer-reviewed medical journal.
“We have been confidently offering APBI brachytherapy to selected women for years based on numerous phase II, single site and large registry studies that have confirmed the clinical utility of site-specific radiation delivered in a condensed timeframe,” said Frank A. Vicini, M.D., radiation oncologist, 21st Century Oncology, Royal Oak, Mich. and contributing author to the 2009 and 2013 ASTRO and ABS APBI guidelines. “The results from this landmark, multicenter, prospective randomized clinical study are the first to offer the critical level one evidence necessary to drive the fundamental changes in breast conserving cancer treatment that patients and healthcare professionals have been demanding for years.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7661231-new-apbi-brachytherapy-data-at-astro-2015/
WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD), the leading source of health information, today announced the winners of its 2016 Health Hero Awards (http://www.webmd.com/healthheroes/what-is-hero), recognizing individuals who are changing the healthcare landscape by meeting a health challenge and giving back to others. This year’s winners are Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, Ed Damiano, PhD, Betty Ferrell, RN, PhD and Trisha Prabhu.
On November 3, 2016, an accomplished and inspiring lineup of presenters and performers will gather to honor the winners at the 3rd Annual WebMD Health Hero Awards gala, hosted by Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts. This year’s presenters include David Krumholtz, Adam Savage, and Sarah Wynter, with musical performances by A Great Big World and Naturally 7.
To watch the red carpet arrivals as they happen live from the TimesCenter in New York City, follow WebMD on www.facebook.com/webmd beginning at 6:30 PM ET on November 3, and be sure to follow @WebMD on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter for updates throughout the night with #HealthHeroes.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7579756-webmd-2016-health-hero-awards/
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today that its first doses of Fluzone® (Influenza Vaccine) for the 2016-2017 influenza (“flu”) season have been released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for shipment. This represents the first of more than 65 million total doses of seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur that will be delivered to U.S. health care providers and pharmacies beginning in July and continuing throughout the remainder of the year. Sanofi Pasteur plans to increase its supply to respond to the shifting pediatric public health needs.
Seasonal influenza activity typically occurs between October and May and peaks between December and February. However, influenza activity peaked noticeably late last season occurring in early March 2016.1 Influenza seasons are always unpredictable as new influenza strains emerge and strain activity fluctuates throughout the year, making timely vaccination even more important to help protect against the virus, especially for seniors, young children and infants six months of age and older.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7842051-sanofi-pasteur-influenza-vaccine/
Ahead of World Mental Health Day, today sees the publication of the Mental Health Integration Index, a new research initiative commissioned by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and undertaken by the Economist Intelligence Unit.1 The research explores the challenges of integrating Europeans with mental illness into society and employment, within the European Union’s 28 Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland. Countries have been ranked according to their degree of commitment to support those living with mental illness; the findings demonstrate that while there are many examples of good practice across Europe, the whole region has a long way to go before people with mental illness are adequately supported and truly integrated into their communities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762557-janssen-europe-mental-health-index/
Whole You, a Mitsui Chemicals Company dedicated to offering innovative healthcare solutions to help those with sensory and physical mobility challenges experience life more fully, launched its Whole Day campaign video today. The video follows acclaimed photographer Bruce Hall, who has been legally-blind since birth, as he captures a celebration of the senses and movement.
“At Whole You we want nothing less than to change how people understand what it means to be healthy – we develop solutions that enable people to move, see, smell, taste and experience the world more fully than ever before,” said Hiromi Inagaki, chief innovation officer, Whole You. “The video with Bruce is an expression of this vision, a place where sensory or physical mobility challenges don’t hold us back, where we celebrate the senses and freedom of movement to have a deeper appreciation of a life lived beyond limitations.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7704351-whole-you-bruce-hall-campaign/
ACCU-CHEK Aviva Expert offers people with diabetes a new and easy way to simplify complex calculations to deliver precise insulin dosing advice.
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the ACCU-CHEK® Aviva Expert system, the first and only blood glucose meter system with a built-in insulin calculator to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is now available by prescription. The device represents a significant advancement in blood glucose meter technology for people with diabetes who take multiple daily insulin injections. The meter’s integrated bolus calculator provides easy-to-use and reliable dose recommendations based on automated calculations, eliminating the need for manual dosing calculations and estimations.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7322751-roche-accu-chek-aviva-expert-blood-glucose-meter-now-available/
The Preeclampsia Foundation, the nation’s only non-profit patient advocacy organization for preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, today announced the results of a recent nationwide Preeclampsia Awareness Survey of more than 1,500 expectant and new mothers. These findings are driving the Foundation’s strategies associated with National Preeclampsia Awareness Month.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7171451-preeclampsia-foundation-awareness-survey-education-pregnancy-disorders
A new survey from the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) finds many Americans with gout may be placing too much emphasis on diet when it comes to managing the disease and controlling painful flares. Of all the steps taken to manage gout, respondents cited changing their diet by eliminating or reducing consumption of certain foods as their top step taken (50 percent)—even ahead of taking medications to lower their uric acid levels (40 percent) and maintaining an overall healthy fitness level (33 percent). Furthermore, nearly one in three with gout incorrectly believes that the disease can be completely avoided by eliminating certain foods; and more than one in four said they would not take medications if they were making dietary changes.
“Physicians all too often see patients who believe they can successfully manage their gout with diet alone,” said N. Lawrence Edwards, M.D., a rheumatologist and GUAES chairman. “But even with extremely rigid diet restrictions, most gout patients will only be able to lower their uric acid levels slightly—not nearly enough to achieve a healthy level to control flares and reduce risk for long-term damage.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7835451-guaes-diet-survey/
Nuage Networks™, an Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) venture focused on software defined networking (SDN) solutions, has today announced an open software-based solution to address the key datacenter network constraints that limit cloud services adoption. The Virtualized Services Platform (VSP) will allow healthcare, banking, utilities and other enterprise market segments, as well as webscale companies – large Internet-based companies – and telecom service providers, to scale their cloud offers and provide instant, secure connectivity to multiple customers.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60963-alcatel-lucent-nuage-networks-virtualized-services-platform-cloud-solution
Abbott today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Masters HP™ 15mm rotatable mechanical heart valve, the world’s smallest mechanical heart valve, that will allow doctors to treat babies and toddlers in need of a mitral or aortic valve replacement. Until today, surgeons could only use a range of larger-sized valves to replace a pediatric heart valve that could not be repaired, and larger valves are often not suitable given the smaller size of children’s hearts. This dime-sized new valve is the first and only pediatric mechanical heart valve developed for newborns and infants, and offers hope for pediatric patients in urgent need of treatment who have no other approved options.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8280551-abbott-pediatric-heart-valve-fda-approval/
Seqirus is now shipping its complete portfolio of seasonal influenza vaccines to customers in the US market for the 2016-2017 season. Seqirus is the only influenza vaccine manufacturer to produce influenza vaccines using both egg-based and cell culture technologies, and the only provider in the US that offers both quadrivalent and trivalent influenza vaccines, as well as the only adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine.
Seqirus is now shipping to the US all influenza vaccines in its portfolio, including Fluad™ (Influenza Vaccine, Adjuvanted), Flucelvax Quadrivalent™ (Influenza Vaccine), Afluria® (Influenza Vaccine), and Fluvirin® (Influenza Virus Vaccine) in advance of the peak of influenza season.
“Seqirus is proud to be a major contributor to the prevention and control of influenza by offering healthcare providers and pharmacists with a range of clinically proven, innovative vaccination options that help protect people against the debilitating effects of the disease,” said Brent MacGregor, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations. “We are committed to being an early and reliable supplier of our influenza vaccines to help ensure that appropriate patients have plenty of time to get their annual immunization.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7902351-seqirus-franchise-shipment/
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), announced today that its first doses of the Fluzone® (Influenza Vaccine) portfolio for the 2017-2018 influenza (“flu”) season have been released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sanofi Pasteur has begun distributing initial shipments, representing the first of nearly 70 million total doses of seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured by the company for this upcoming influenza season. Widespread shipment of Fluzone Quadrivalent, Fluzone High-Dose and Fluzone Intradermal Quadrivalent vaccine to health care provider offices, pharmacies and other immunizers will begin in early August to support fall immunization campaigns.
“As we enter the Swiftwater site’s 120th year, it reminds us of our innovation and growth as we came to understand the science of influenza and its impact on human health,” said David P. Greenberg, M.D., Associate Vice President and Regional Medical Head North America, Sanofi Pasteur. “Influenza can be especially severe for the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children and those with compromised immune systems; however, it can also have a serious health impact on otherwise healthy individuals. Sanofi Pasteur is and always has been deeply committed to improving public health by continuously striving to develop new vaccines and on improving existing ones.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8081151-sanofi-pasteur-influenza-vaccine-first-shipment-2017/