Blood Weekly articles from November 2002

Blood Weekly archives from November 2002

RIBA-3 HCV immunoassay best choice for blood product screening.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in Australia have evaluated the performance of a pair of immunoblot screens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) contamination in donated blood. Philip...

Peripheral blood grafts linked to improved survival rates.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Hematological cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplantation should be treated with peripheral blood rather than bone marrow-derived stem cells,...

Molecular and serological typing methods both needed for best results.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Umbilical cord blood should be HLA-typed using both molecular and serological techniques, researchers in Italy argue. "Although widely used, serological...

Hopes rise for test to spot vCJD.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A screening test for variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD), the human form of mad cow disease, could one day ensure no one gets the disease from donated blood. More than 100 people have...

Expanded clonal T cell levels predict favorable response to photopheresis treatment.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States have identified a positive prognostic indicator for patients undergoing photopheresis treatment for graft-versus-host disease...

Graft T-cell depletion, alemtuzumab use linked to post-transplant adenovirus infection.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United Kingdom have elucidated the factors that can put stem cell recipients at risk for life-threatening adenovirus disease after...

Study finds direct thrombin inhibitor safe, effective in HIT patients.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Argatroban provides safe and effective anticoagulation for patients who have heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a limb- and life-threatening reaction to heparin that causes blood clots, during...

Military orders blood analysis systems; FDA clears phosphate assay.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Abaxis, Inc., (ABAX), a medical products company manufacturing point-of-care blood analysis systems, announced it has received an order from the Defense Logistics Agency for 20 Abaxis Piccolo blood...

FDA clearance granted for blood collection system.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Baxter Healthcare Corporation received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a fast, portable, automated blood collection system that offers the potential to increase the supply...

European approval of Fosrenol not expected in 2002.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AnorMED announced that it has been notified by its licensee, Shire Pharmaceuticals Group, plc, that the first European approval of Fosrenol, a phosphate binder treatment for end stage renal disease...

Hepatitis A vaccine protects hemodialysis patients from viral infection.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Hepatitis A vaccine is a feasible way to protect end-stage kidney disease patients from infection, according to a new study. Reporting in the journal...

Record 3Q 2002 sales reported from cord blood program.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cryo-Cell International, Inc., (CCEL) announced the company's preliminary fiscal third quarter sales for its umbilical cord blood (U-Cord) preservation program. John V. Hargiss, president and CEO,...

Company receives FDA approval for Versant HIV bDNA viral load system.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bayer Diagnostics announced that it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA), its nucleic acid probe diagnostic assay for the direct quantification of...

Customers advised to suspend use of certain bloodlines pending investigation.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Baxter Healthcare Corporation has been notified that four patients died over a 1-2 week period after receiving dialysis treatment at a hemodialysis center in Mishawauka, Indiana. The investigation...

Newly discovered peptide induces protection against malaria.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cel-Sci Corporation (CVM) responded to requests on the status of its malaria program following the local announcement that two Northern Virginia teenagers contracted malaria even though they have not...

New company created by merger.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- GenStar Therapeutics (GNT) and privately held Vascular Genetics, Inc., (VGI) jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. The agreement is expected to result in the...

Trading begins on Nasdaq after spin-off from Chugai.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Gen-Probe Incorporated (GPRO), an established leader in molecular diagnostics based on its patented nucleic acid testing (NAT) technology, has begun regular-way trading on the Nasdaq National Market...

Officials worried about 'untraceable' blood-doping drug.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- U.S. Anti-Doping Agency officials are keeping a close eye on an antianemia drug that would be virtually undetectable by blood or urine tests if used for performance enhancement. Repoxygen, a new...

Larger blood reserves needed for aging population.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Larger reserves of blood will be needed as the population ages, predict researchers in the British Medical Journal. They recorded the use of nearly 10,000 units of red blood cells from all National...

Phase I clinical trial results reported for antirejection drug.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AtheroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIX), a pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, announced positive results from a phase I clinical trial that assessed the safety...

EPA will bypass pesticide regulations to fight outbreaks.
November 7, 2002... 2002 NOV 7 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, hoping to help stem the rapid spread of West Nile virus, said October 10, 2002, it will let some people spray pesticides on water to kill mosquitoes without...

Depletion of NK cell subset increases rejection risk.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Removing natural killer cells from stem cell grafts may paradoxically increase the risk of rejection, researchers in the United States warn. "Natural...

Delaying posttransplant G-CSF treatment shortens hospital stay, lowers cost.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in Switzerland have found a novel way to reduce the considerable costs of hematopoietic stem cell grafts. "Granulocyte colony-stimulating...

Careful timing of marrow infusions can improve donor cell engraftment.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States have developed a method for improving donor cell chimerism in recipients of unrelated bone marrow grafts. "Graft...

Growth factor associates with spleen enlargement in blood disorder.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Polycythemia has joined the growing list of diseases associated with complications correlated with excess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production....

American Association of Blood Banks calls for enhanced reimbursement.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) calls for improved Medicare reimbursement for blood products and services. As highlighted in a report issued by the Lewin Group, flaws in reimbursement...

Marketing application for Hemopure accepted for FDA review.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Biopure Corporation (BPUR) announced that its Biologic License Application (BLA) for Hemopure [hemoglobin glutamer - 250 (bovine)] has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

Bayer Biological Products launches Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bayer Biological Products (BP), a division of Bayer Corporation, announced the launch of the Bayer Hemophilia Awards Program, a $2.75 million annual grant initiative to fund hemophilia research and...

FDA approves additional Kogenate FS manufacturing processes.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bayer Biological Products (BP) announced receipt of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for additional processes used in the manufacture of Kogenate FS, Antihemophilic Factor...

West Nile virus, bioterrorism require developing a radically new approach.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The emergence of West Nile virus in the United States and bioterrorist threats require a new strategic approach to public health, the American Public Health Association said in testimony before the...

Abbott receives FDA approval to reintroduce Abbokinase.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Abbott Laboratories has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to reintroduce Abbokinase (urokinase) for the treatment of...

Fast track status announced for novel sickle cell anemia treatment.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Icagen, Inc., announced that it has received notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that ICA-17043, currently in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of sickle cell anemia,...

Anti-CD40L antibody effects enhanced by immunosuppressive agents.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Several immunosuppressive agents improve the engraftment-enhancing effects of an anti-CD40 ligand monoclonal antibody (anti-CD40L mAb) for stem cell transplant...

Galactomannan testing provides early warning of aspergillosis.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Assays that can detect a key Aspergillus cell membrane polymer provide early warning of fungal infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,...

Myelomonocytic stem cell counts affect recovery rate, complication risk.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in Spain have elucidated the impact of hematopoietic stem cell subsets on transplant outcome. "Currently, no information is available regarding...

Phase I/II study of antiphospholipid syndrome immunotherapeutic discussed.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (LJPC) discussed the design and progress of its ongoing phase I/II clinical trial of LJP 1082 for the treatment of antibody-mediated thrombosis at the 10th International...

Test for blood clots enters ongoing multicenter clinical trial.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- IGEN International, Inc., (IGEN) announced that its proprietary test for the diagnosis of venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease, commonly known as blood clots, will be used in an ongoing multicenter...

Hepatitis patients file suit against tissue, organ banks.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Two people who contracted hepatitis C after they received tissue transplants from an infected donor filed separate multimillion dollar lawsuits against the tissue and organ banks that screened and...

Recruitment complete for phase IIa clinical trial in kidney transplantation.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Isotechnika, Inc., announced it had achieved its objective of enrolling 130 patients in the phase IIa clinical trial evaluating ISA247, its lead drug, as a potential treatment therapy in kidney...

Blood transfusions suspected in Ohio cases.
November 14, 2002... 2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Authorities were testing donated blood to determine if three people in Ohio, including one who died, contracted West Nile virus through blood transfusions. "We are aware of potential cases"...

Alemtuzumab reduces GvHD risk but reduces graft efficacy.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Treatment with the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab reduces the risk of graft-versus-host reactions after stem cell transplantation but carries risks...

Hemoglobin levels can help predict surgical transfusion needs.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Hemoglobin levels can be used to predict patients likely to need blood transfusion during surgery, researchers in the Netherlands report. "Generally, only...

Unsuspected and unreported infection may be cause of Japanese liver cancers.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Physicians in Japan say unreported or unsuspected viral hepatitis infections may be the cause of transfusion-related liver cancer within the general Japanese...

Surgical blood transfusions do not affect relapse, survival risk.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States have elucidated the effect of blood transfusions on the safety and efficacy of surgery to treat cervical cancer. Nick M....

Initiative takes on tenth leading cause of mortality.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Intensive care professionals from around the globe have called for concerted action to reduce the number of deaths from one of the world's oldest and most virulent killers: sepsis. It is estimated...

CDC updates investigations in recipients of blood transfusions.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in collaboration with blood collection...

Early results of phase I/II trial presented.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (LJPC) announced preliminary results from the first clinical trial evaluating its experimental drug candidate, LJP 1082, for the treatment of antibody-mediated stroke,...

Distribution network expanded for home blood coagulation monitor.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- International Technidyne Corp. (ITC), a subsidiary of Thoratec Corporation (NASDAQ:THOR), said that it has expanded its distribution network in the United States to promote its ProTime blood...

Exanta and enoxaparin compared in phase III clinical trial.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Results of a phase III clinical trial of AstraZeneca's investigational oral anticoagulant Exanta (ximelagatran) showed that treatment with Exanta significantly reduced by 63% the risk of proximal deep...

Blood sampling device company names additions to board of directors.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cell Robotics International, Inc., (CRII) producer of the Lasette, a laser based capillary blood sampling device, announced that it has filled two vacancies on the board of directors, appointed a board...

Bone marrow Fas ligand transduction may improve engraftment.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States have identified a novel technique for improving bone marrow engraftment after transplantation (BMT). "Fas-mediated...

A little blue and purple helps body fend off deadly parasites.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Chagas disease, a parasitic disease that is nearly epidemic from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, may have met its match in a simple solution of dyes, a University of California (UC) Irvine study has found....

Imatinib treatment has little effect on bone marrow engraftment.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - The anticancer drug imatinib mesylate is unlikely to affect hematopoietic stem cell engraftment in human leukemia patients, researchers in Germany say. ...

Company's third quarter revenue positively affected by HIV, HCV contracts.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Boston Biomedica, Inc., (NASDAQ:BBII) reported its third quarter financial results. "Third quarter revenue increased 8.6%, driven primarily by strong activity in two service contracts related to...

Cell death research awarded NIH research grant.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- BioLife Solutions, Inc., (BLFS) announced that the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded the company a grant of $158,000 under the NIH's Small Business Innovation Research Program. ...

Combination therapy effective for hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Doctors believe a drug regimen combining interferon and ribavirin is the best method for treating hemophilia patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C. ...

Sperm protein-specific T-cell infusions may enhance stem cell graft efficacy.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States may have found a way to improve the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for some multiple myeloma (MM)...

FDA approves reintroduction of urokinase to dissolve blood clots.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to reintroduce Abbokinase (urokinase) for the treatment...

Baxter International Foundation awards $60,000 to improve blood safety.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- While blood transfusions save countless lives around the world each year, unsafe handling of blood products can result in the spread of infectious diseases, which can be fatal. This is a serious...

Phase Ib clinical trial results reported for small molecule treatment.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Icagen, Inc., presented encouraging results from its phase Ib clinical trial of ICA-17043, a novel small molecule under development for the chronic treatment of sickle cell disease. Favorable...

Thrombopoietin enhances posttransplant stem cell expansion.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - The platelet growth factor thrombopoietin aids stem cell expansion after transplantation, researchers say. "Multiple lines of evidence indicate that...

Antibody may be risk factor for stroke in young women.
November 21, 2002... 2002 NOV 21 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Young women with a self-attacking antibody may have an increased stroke risk, according to the first study of its kind published in the journal Stroke (2002;33(10):2396-2401). Antiphospholipid...

Etoposide, radiation therapy can increase post-transplant mucositis severity.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States have identified several factors that can exacerbate mucositis in stem cell transplant recipients. "Mucositis is a common...

FDA issues final guidance to blood industry.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidance designed to protect the safety of the blood supply against West Nile virus (WNV). This guidance for industry provides recommendations...

First platelet pathogen inactivation system receives CE clearance.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Subsidiaries of Baxter International Inc. (BAX), and Cerus Corporation (CERS) announced CE Mark declaration for the illuminator device for the Intercept Blood System. This represents the final...

Novel embryonic stromal cell lines support extensive stem cell expansion.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the Netherlands have identified a series of stromal cell lines that could be valuable for studying stem cell development. "The first...

Device to detect bacteria-contaminated platelets cleared for marketing.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to Pall Corp. (PLL) to market the Pall BDS, a new system to detect bacterial contamination of platelets. Bacterial contamination...

Scientists work on getting more mileage out of cord blood.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Blood from human umbilical cords is a rich source of hematopoeitic stem cells, the progenitors that can reconstitute all of the different cell types in our blood, including oxygen-carrying red blood...

Biotherapeutics company announces new board member.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. (GTCB) announced the appointment of Marvin L. Miller to the company's board of directors. Mr. Miller has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology...

Richard G. Babbitt named director and chairman of the board of delipidation company.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Lipid Sciences, Inc., (LIPD) announced that Richard G. Babbitt has been elected to its board of directors and will serve as chairman. He will replace Christopher A. Marlett as chairman. Babbitt...

American Red Cross to implement new blood management software product.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The American Red Cross recently conducted a pilot launch of a transfusion service management information system from Wyndgate Technologies, a division of Global Med Technologies, Inc. (GLOB). The...

Registry receives $18 million investment.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cord Blood Registry (CBR), the world's largest accredited cord blood stem cell bank, announced that both ABS Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in established and profitable...

Plasma delipidation clinical trial put on hold for modifications.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Lipid Sciences, Inc., (LIPD) announced it voluntarily has paused its phase I human clinical trial. The company is reviewing the clinical protocol for the safety trial following a transitory...

New licensed-in technology turns injectable drugs into oral formulations.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Debiopharm S.A. announced the licensing-in of an innovative technology, based on the formulation of microparticles prepared with blends of biodegradable and polycationic polymers, to examine the...

Nanosphere wins grants for colorectal cancer and hypercoagulation genetic tests.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Nanosphere Inc., a privately held nanotechnology-based life sciences company, announced it has been awarded two grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) totaling $1.5 million. These...

LifeCell to market the Harvest SmartPReP Platelet Concentration System.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- LifeCell Corp. (LIFC) announced that it entered into an agreement with Harvest Technologies Corp. granting LifeCell the exclusive right to market the Harvest SmartPReP Platelet Concentration System to...

Physicians need to recognize potentially fatal syndrome.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Vascular specialists/hematologists from The Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, and other institutions are calling on physicians and other health care professionals to focus greater attention toward recognition...

Postexposure hepatitis B vaccine not effective in hemodialysis patients.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Accelerated hepatitis B vaccine schedules are not very effective for protecting hemodialysis patients after they have been exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV)....

Vaccine blunts virus's sting.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The livers of people infected with hepatitis C could be saved if one of a handful of experimental vaccines lives up to its early promise. Innogenetics of Belgium has reported that its therapeutic...

Advanced disease prognostic score useful for predicting stem cell transplant outcome.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - A system for predicting the course of advanced Hodgkin disease can also predict the outcome of stem cell transplants used to treat this condition, according to...

Alternative to chemotherapy effective for newly diagnosed disease.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A Mayo Clinic study indicates patients who have newly diagnosed multiple myeloma may have a new and better-tolerated option to intravenous chemotherapy treatment. The study was published in the...

Low-dose post-transplant interleukin-2 improves myeloid recovery.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Interleukin (IL)-2 can enhance myeloid cell recovery after peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation for breast or ovarian cancer but does not provide...

Advances in radical retropubic prostatectomy minimize blood loss.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - With the proper technique, the risk of significant blood loss during prostate removal can be virtually eliminated, researchers in France argue. Christian...

FDA raps Red Cross for blood-safety lapses.
November 28, 2002... 2002 NOV 28 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Salt Lake City's Red Cross officials insisted October 23, 2002, their blood supplies are safe despite allegations they've taken blood from hundreds of questionable donors - even people who acknowledged...