Immunotherapy Weekly articles from September 2001

Immunotherapy Weekly archives from September 2001

Stimulating Innate Human Immune System May Retard Disease Progression.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Research published in the August 2001 issue of the journal Experimental Hematology presents laboratory findings that could lead to an antibody-based medication that prevents or attenuates the...

Antibody Halts Infection.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Scientists working at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and at the University of California, San Francisco, have published a paper in the journal Nature describing an antibody that clears prion...

Erythrocyte-Delivered Drug Can Protect Macrophages.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in Italy have developed a novel method for delivering protective drugs to macrophages at risk of HIV infection. "Monocyte-derived...

Adjuvant Speeds Relief For Pollen Sufferers.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - A new allergy vaccine for pollen sufferers is more effective when given with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), a Th1-stimulating adjuvant, researchers in...

HLA Allele Expression Does Not Predict T-Cell Targets.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele expression does not reliably predict the immune response to cells infected by HIV, according to researchers in the...

Phase I Clinical Trial Of Monoclonal Antibody Initiated.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Tanox, Inc. (TNOX) announced that enrollment is now open in a Phase I clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody being developed for a new approach to the treatment of HIV. After review of the...

Research Reveals New Information On Latex.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Children allergic to latex may experience severe reactions while playing in ball pits at fast food restaurants, according to a case report in the August 2001 Journal of Allergy and Clinical...

Immune System Enhancer Approved As Adjuvant To Chemotherapy.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- SciClone Pharmaceuticals (SCLN) announced that Zadaxin(R), an immune system enhancer (ISE) drug, has been approved in the Philippines as an adjuvant to chemotherapy for the treatment of various...

Anti-Factor D Antibody Reduces Systemic Inflammation.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Tanox, Inc. (TNOX) reported positive results in using TNX-224, its anti-factor D monoclonal antibody, to reduce inflammatory responses in an experimental model of cardiopulmonary bypass. ...

New Class Of Antibody Drug Candidate Discovered.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- MorphoSys AG (Mor) and ProChon Biotech, Ltd. announced the discovery of a novel antibody lead resulting from their collaboration initiated in June 2000. The antibody, representing a new class...

Researchers Prove The Validity Of Carrot Allergy.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Allergic reactions to carrot and celery are very uncommon in the United States, however, reactions to carrots affect up to 25% of food-allergic individuals in Europe, and are associated with cross...

Ganglioside Vaccine Induces Tumor Protection In B16 Mouse Model.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - A vaccine incorporating the glycolipid GM3 ganglioside offers long-term protection against melanoma in a mouse model, even after reintroduction of the...

Sleeping Mat: A Novel Approach For Prevention And Treatment.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A sleeping mat that creates a natural energy field, and its potential for treating or preventing osteoporosis, is the subject of a clinical trial at the University of Connecticut Health Center. ...

New Antirejection Drug Enters Phase II Trials.(Brief Article)
September 5, 2001... 2001 SEP 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Isotechnika announced that the first kidney transplant patient has been enrolled in Phase II trials of the novel immunosuppressive drug ISA(TX)247. Within the next few months, 120 patients at...

Synthetic Peptides Cause Significant Lysis Of HPV Targets.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Researchers in the United States have identified possible vaccine candidates for human papillomavirus (HPV), using an algorithm that may have applications...

Researchers Discover New Role For Immune-Response Enzyme.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- When viruses or bacteria assault the body, the immune system marshals its army of attack cells to ward off invaders. But sometimes, that arsenal of immune cells mistakenly ravages the body's own...

Genetic Variation Predisposes Children To Common Allergies.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A slight variation in a gene associated with a rare skin disorder predisposes to the most common allergic diseases in children, suggest scientists in the October 2001 issue of Nature Genetics. ...

Optimal DNA Vaccination Comprises Secreted HCMV Glycoprotein B.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Researchers in Hungary have outlined an ideal regimen for DNA vaccination against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in a report in Vaccine. Optimization of...

Social Stress May Trigger Problems In Immune System.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Certain social interactions may weaken the immune system to the point it can't control inflammation, new research suggests. In turn, the inflammation may cause irreversible organ and tissue damage....

Stimulating Innate Human Immune System May Halt Disease Progression.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- New laboratory findings could lead to an antibody-based medication that prevents or attenuates the progression of HIV to AIDS. This research advance is based on new insights into the emerging...

Immunostimulatory DNA Sequences Stimulate Immune Responses.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Dynavax's proprietary immunostimulatory DNA sequences (ISS) have been shown effective in producing potent immune responses in mice when linked to envelope protein gp120 antigen. In the study,...

TB Test Required For Arthritis Patients Wishing To Take Remicade.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Rheumatoid arthritis patients must be tested for tuberculosis before they begin taking a treatment called Remicade, the drug maker and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced. Patients...

Study Finds Specialists More Likely To Follow Best Practice Guidelines.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Research has shown that asthmatics are less likely to have attacks that send them to the emergency room or lead to a hospital admission if they are treated in accordance with guidelines established...

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Is Novel Drug Target.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AVN) announced that it has acquired a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) technology from the Ciblex Corporation. The asset acquisition provides AVANIR with...

Intranasal Vaccines In The Works For Plague, Tetanus, Diphtheria.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Better protection and ease of administration make intranasal delivery of tetanus, diphtheria, and plague vaccines promising, and studies in small animal...

Somatropin Receives European Approval For Treatment Of Adult Syndrome.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Serono S.A. (SRA) announced the positive conclusion of the Mutual Recognition Procedure for use of Saizen(R) (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection) in the treatment of adult growth hormone...

Vaccine Could Have Prevented Four Of Five Cases In Young Adults.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - The currently licensed meningococcal vaccine could have prevented 82.8% of invasive meningitis in Maryland young adults in the 1990s, epidemiologists there...

Phase I Study Of Antibody Therapy Initiated.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- MedImmune, Inc. (MEDI) announced that it has begun dosing rheumatoid arthritis patients with Vitaxin(TM) in a Phase I clinical trial. Vitaxin is an antibody that has the potential to inhibit...

RADIUS, One Of The Largest Longitudinal Studies, To Start Soon.(Brief Article)
September 12, 2001... 2001 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Immunex Corporation and Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a division of American Home Products Corporation, announced that they will sponsor a 10,000-patient rheumatoid arthritis (RA) study. RADIUS...

Porcine Thymus Tissue Can Aid Immune Recovery.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Thymic tissue from swine can support the expansion of blood progenitor cells in humans, researchers in Massachusetts report. "Transplantation of swine...

Immunization With Activated Lymphocytes Shows Promise in Phase I Trial.(cancer treatment)(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Pharmacologically activated draining lymph node cells show promise as an adoptive immunotherapy (AIT) for cancer patients although further refinement of...

Zinc Supplementation Enhances HCV Response To Therapy.(chronic hepatitis C infection)(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Sonia Bell-Nichols, senior medical writer - Patients with intractable chronic hepatitis C who add zinc supplementation to their interferon treatments may respond better to therapy, medical...

LACK DNA Vaccine Induces Immunity But Not Protection Against L. donovani.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - A new vaccine is highly immunogenic against Leishmania donovani but cannot induce protection against visceral leishmaniasis (VL), report researchers in the...

Antigens Stimulate Immunity That Corresponds To Clinical Outcomes.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Dendritic cells pulsed with melanoma antigens can stimulate specific immune responses that are associated with tumor regression, researchers in Texas have...

Breakthrough Allergen Tests Will Help Millions Worldwide.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- ABC Research Corporation announced it is using tests developed by the University of Nebraska's Food Allergy Research & Resource Program in cooperation with the Neogen Corporation of Lansing,...

Study Will Treat Airway Inflammation Early To Prevent Chronic Disease.(asthma)(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Asthma rates have more than doubled since 1980, and there is no known cure. But doctors at National Jewish Medical and Research Center think they may be able to prevent asthma from developing in...

BOTOX Injection Receives Approval In The United Kingdom.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Allergan, Inc. (AGN), announced that BOTOX (Botulinum Toxin Type A Purified Neurotoxin Complex) has been approved in the United Kingdom for use in the management of severe hyperhidrosis (excessive...

Theratope Anticancer Vaccine Under FDA Review.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Biomira Inc., (BIOM) and its collaborator, Merck KGaA, announced plans for a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The purpose of the meeting is to review the Theratope...

Therapeutic Vaccine To Start Testing In Phase II Study.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. announced today the start of a placebo-controlled Phase II study of its cholesterol management vaccine (CETi-1) in approximately 200 patients with low levels of HDL...

Enrollment In Phase III Trial Of Interferon Gamma-1b Completed.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- InterMune, Inc. announced that it has completed enrollment in its Phase III clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Actimmune (Interferon gamma-1b) for the treatment of idiopathic...

Television Series To Investigate Experimental Treatment.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Vical Incorporated announced that Emmy-winning actress, Mariette Hartley, hosted an overview of Allovectin-7, Vical's experimental gene-based immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, during an...

Investigational Peptide Therapy Subject Of New Study.(Brief Article)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Magee-Women's Hospital is now enrolling patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer in a clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a treatment combining traditional chemotherapy with a...

AP Vaccine Safe And Immunogenic In Cincinnati Outbreak.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by N.R. Saltmarsh, staff medical writer - Hospital workers vaccinated against pertussis during a Cincinnati outbreak apparently were well-protected, proving that the vaccine can be immunogenic even...

Preliminary Results Using Etanercept Are Positive.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 19, 2001... 2001 SEP 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Immunex Corporation announced positive preliminary results from its first clinical study of Enbrel (etanercept) in psoriasis patients. In this Phase II clinical study, 112 patients with...