Biotech Week articles from February 2001

Biotech Week archives from February 2001

Men and Women Respond Similarly to Ibuprofen.(analgesic effects studied)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Maryclaire Lindgren, staff medical writer -- Men and women respond similarly to the analgesic effects of ibuprofen. It is generally believed that women and pain don't mix. Studies have shown that women have lower...

Protocol Elicits Anti-Carcinoembryonic Antigen Immune Responses.(cancer vaccine reseach)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Results of a Phase I study of an anti-cancer vaccination protocol in advanced cancer patients indicates success in eliciting immune responses. "This trial sought to determine,...

Recombinant Poxvirus Vaccines Initiate Strong Anti-Tumor Responses.
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- According to a study from the United States, recombinant poxvirus vaccines initiate stronger anti-tumor responses than do peptide in adjuvant vaccines in cancer patients. "An...

Myocyte Production of Growth Factor after Allograft Benefits Transplant Survival.(vascular endothelial growth factor)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Sonia Nichols, staff medical writer -- Individuals whose myocytes produce vascular endothelial growth factor after cardiac allografting have a survival advantage not demonstrated in other patients, scientists say. The...

Tissue from Pigs Has Orthopedic Applications.(patch from pig intestine helps to improve healing of surgically repaired tendons)
February 7, 2001... 2001 FEB 7- (NewsRx.com) -- Maybe the lowly pig will finally beat its bad rap as the barnyard's mess-maker - at least among people who suffer from bad shoulders, damaged elbows, and other problematic joints, anyway. University of Southern...

Actinomycin D Selects for DNA Hairpin Loop.
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michael Greer, staff medical writer -- Researchers in the United States have shown that the selective binding ability of the antibiotic actinomycin D, which underlies its potential as an anti-HIV therapy among other things,...

Liver Cancer Rate Falls in Taiwanese Boys, Hepatitis B Vaccine Rate a Factor.
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Sonia Nichols, staff medical writer -- Until recently, young boys in Taiwan tended to develop a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma faster than young girls. Investigators now credit better hepatitis B...

Intranasal Vaccine Effective in Murine Model.(group B Streptococcus)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Researchers in Sweden demonstrated the efficacy of a group B Streptococcus type III polysaccharide-cholera toxin B subunit conjugate intranasal vaccine in a preclinical murine model....

Venom from Chilean Tarantula Might Prevent Arhythmias.(and atrial fibrillation)
February 7, 2001... 2001 FEB 7- (NewsRx.com) -- A specific protein isolated from the venom of a Chilean tarantula by University at Buffalo (UB) biophysicists shows promise as the basis for new drugs for preventing atrial fibrillation. Frederick Sachs, PhD, UB...

SG3PDH Protein Evaluated for Vaccine Potential.(for prevention of schistosomiasis)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- According to researchers in Egypt, schistosome glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (SG3PDH) protein may be a vaccine candidate for the prevention of schistosomiasis. ...

Genetically Engineered Enzyme Boosts Treatment for Rare Children's Disease.(iduronidase developed for mucopolysaccharidosis 1 therapy)
February 7, 2001... 2001 FEB 7 - (NewsRx.com) -- U.S. medical scientists, working together, have found that a genetically engineered enzyme can significantly help children and young adults with a rare disorder that involves storage of materials within cells,...

VEGF Gene Transfer Induces Neovascular Formation in Ischemic Heart.(vascular endothelial growth factor)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- According to a study from the United States, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene transfer induced neovascular formation in ischemic mouse hearts. "VEGF plays...

Drug Can Reduce Pain Afterwards.(Lamotrigine can reduce post-stroke pain)
February 7, 2001... 2001 FEB 7 - (NewsRx.com) -- The drug Lamotrigine can reduce the pain that affects some stroke patients. Central post-stroke pain occurs in 8% of stroke patients and is difficult to treat. The only current treatment, amitriptyline, doesn't...

FDA Approved Non-Drug Treatment for High-Blood Pressure Available.(RespeRate helps lower blood pressure through breathing exercises)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- A medical device that can help lower blood pressure with no side effects is now available in the United States by prescription exclusively in the Chicago, Illinois area. The device, called RespeRate, analyzes a patient's...

Vaccine Protection May Need More than Activation of T Cells.(Leishmania viral vaccine research)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Researchers in Kenya suggest that a successful vaccine against Leishmania major parasites may need to do more than just stimulate interferon gamma (IFN)-producing T cells. ...

Different Modes of DNA or Protein Immunization Analyzed.(Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 4)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Researchers in Australia have evaluated different modes of DNA or protein immunization against Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 4 (MSP4). "Plasmodium falciparum...

Vectors Expressing Cytokines Specifically Enhance Responses.(mucosal vaccine immune responses stimulated by Interleukin-5 and Interleukin-6)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-6 enhance immune responses of mucosal vaccines, researchers in Canada say. "In this study, we have examined the in vivo effects of IL-5 and IL-6...

DNA Vaccine Effective in Murine Model.(of neuroblastoma)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Researchers in Germany have found that a DNA vaccine is effective in a murine model of neuroblastoma. "The disruption of self-tolerance against neuroblastoma is the ultimate...

IL-2-Expressing Allogeneic Cell Vaccine Elicits Anti-Cancer Responses.(in neuroblastoma patients)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Allogeneic tumor cell vaccines were shown to elicit anti-cancer responses in neuroblastoma patients. "Immunotherapy using cytokine-expressing tumor cells has shown promise as an...

Oral Immunization with Allogeneic Cells Induces Specific Immunity.(transplantation immunity)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Researchers in the Czech Republic reported that specific transplantation immunity in mice can be induced by oral immunization with allogeneic cells. "Oral administration of...

Tissue Inhibitor Prevents Thrombosis and Cell Overgrowth.(recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- by Sonia Nichols, staff medical writer -- A new study shows that hyperplasia and the formation of blood clots or thrombi can be reduced following vascular injury by using a tissue growth inhibitor called recombinant tissue...

A Valuable Lesson in Gene Therapy.(adverse reactions and complications in gene therapy trials need to be reported)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) -- A year after an 18-year-old patient died following experimental gene therapy, researchers are beginning to understand what went wrong. Their work might help to prevent similar tragedies m the future. Savio Woo, Mount...

[0] Genetically Engineered Enzyme Boosts Treatment for Rare Children's Disease.(Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndromes and mucopolysaccharidosis)
February 7, 2001... - (NewsRx.com) - U.S. medical scientists, working together, have found that a genetically engineered enzyme can significantly help children and young adults with a rare disorder that involves storage of materials within cells, resulting in the...

Drug Decreases Blood Vessel Stiffness in Older Primates.(ALT-711)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14- (NewsRx.com) -- A drug that breaks down vascular collagen bonds in the body significantly decreased the stiffness of blood vessels in older non-human primates, according to a study conducted by U.S. National Institute on Aging...

Killing Cancer Cells By Their Own Sword.(chronic myelogenous leukemia research)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Cancer Center have discovered a way to trick leukemia cells into committing suicide by using the gene that causes the leukemia in the first place. ...

Scientists Suggest Therapy Targets Tissue Damage Prevention.(therapy for stroke damage prevention)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), La Jolla, California, along with their colleagues at Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Detroit, Michigan, reported findings suggesting a therapeutic target that...

Vascular Receptor Stimulation Brings Chemotherapy to Solid Tumors.(vasoactive bradykinin receptor agonist)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- Sonia Nichols, staff medical writer -- Drug delivery systems that specifically take advantage of increased receptors in the vascular structure of solid tumors may be the next strategy for cancer therapy, based on...

Grape Seed Extract and Chromium Show Promising Results for Improving Heart Health.
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- Results from a pilot study conducted at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, and announced in January - American Heart Month show that grape seed extract and chromium, when taken together, may lower...

Protease Inhibitor-Induced Hyperlipidemia Caused by Increased Production.
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michael Greer, staff medical writer -- Biologists in the United States have presented evidence implicating the liver in the excessive lipid levels induced by commonly used treatments for HIV infection. ...

Alitretinoin Gel Effective for Treating Lesions.(caused by Kaposi's sarcoma)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michael Greer, staff medical writer -- A topical gel containing alitretinoin can safely and effectively treat lesions caused by AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, according to dermatologists in the United States....

FDA Issues Urgent Notice of Recalled Injectable Drugs.(marketed by Phyne Pharmaceuticals and manufactured by Amram Inc.)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14- (NewsRx.com) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging individuals, health care organizations, and medical product distributors to stop dispensing and/or distributing certain injectable medications marketed by Phyne...

Adrenal Cortex Extract Not Being Recalled.(Amram Inc.'s injectable Adrenal Cortex Extract is not being recalled)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14- (NewsRx.com) -- Phyne Pharmaceuticals Inc. has informed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it is not recalling vials of injectable Adrenal Cortex Extract (ACE) manufactured by Amram Inc. The FDA had included ACE...

Specialists Offer Procedure to Monitor Women at Higher Risk.(ductal lavage to be used for breast cancer diagnosis)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14- (NewsRx.com) -- Breast health experts at the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, have started using a procedure to monitor women who are at higher risk for breast cancer. The procedure, ductal...

Technique Uses Imaging Technology to Identify Candidate Compounds.(for therapeutics)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14- (NewsRx.com) -- Scientists working to develop pharmaceuticals will soon have a tool for sorting quickly through millions of compounds to identify the best drug candidates. Researchers from Purdue University, West Lafayette,...

FDA Approves "Sleep Moustache".(for at home sleep apnea diagnosis)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a device that inexpensively and accurately screens for sleep apnea at home. Characterized by the temporary cessation of breathing during sleep, sleep...

Special Vaccines Could Prevent Insulin-Dependent Diabetes.(plasmid DNA vaccines)
February 14, 2001... 2001 FEB 14 - (NewsRx.com) -- Results of a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) medical study suggest that vaccines can be made using plasmid DNA that would inhibit development of insulin-dependent diabetes, a growing health...

Diagnostic Ultrasound Catheter Helps Patients at Risk.(diagnosis of holes in the heart as a prevention for embolic stroke)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- A study from the University of Chicago in Illinois reported that an ultrasound catheter successfully guides minimally invasive surgical closure of holes in the heart, such as atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent...

"Swiss Rolls" Improve Magnetic Resonance Imaging.(magnetic material improves results)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- A magnetic material developed might lead to dramatic improvements in the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. They described in the journal Science initial experiments confirming the exotic...

Growth-Factor-Based Vaccine Abrogates Angiogenesis and Tumor Formation.(fibroblast growth factor-2)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Researchers in the United States hope that one day a simple vaccine may help treat certain cancers. "Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is an important...

Lab Strain H37Rv and Clinical Isolate CDC 1551 Maintain Similar Traits.(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- According to a study from England, two strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have maintained genomic similarities although they come from different environments. ...

Physicians Discuss FDA Approval to Begin Human Implants.(AbioCor Replacement Heart clinical trials to begin)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- Physicians from the University of Louisville in Kentucky and Jewish Hospital gathered to discuss the recent announcement by Abiomed, Inc., that it had received permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

Survey Indicates Physicians' Preference for Single Protease Inhibitor.(for HIV infection therapy)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- In a new survey assessing physicians' experience with HIV resistance, 71% of physicians who initiate therapy with a protease inhibitor (PI) chose a single PI over a dual PI, reserving use of dual PIs for future...

Phase I Data on Troxacitabine Indicate Therapeutic Activity.(Troxatyl)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21- (NewsRx.com) -- BioChem Pharma Inc. (BCHE; BCH), Laval, Quebec, Canada, announced the publication of a paper regarding Phase I leukemia data on Troxatyl (troxacitabine). Troxatyl is BioChem's investigational compound currently...

Data Presented on Substitution of Efavirenz for Protease Inhibitor.(Sustiva substituted for protease inhibitor)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- Data presented at the 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Chicago, Illinois, indicate that patients who substituted DuPont Pharmaceuticals' anti-HIV drug Sustiva (efavirenz) for a...

Recovery Can Be Deceptive after Grafting from Mismatched Donors.
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michael Greer, staff medical writer -- Hematologists in California warn that apparent recovery of the immune system after stem cell transplantation may be far less effective than it seems, especially when the...

Single and Multiple Drug Combinations are Effective Treatment.(for mycobacterium avium)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michelle Marble, staff medical writer -- Moxifloxacin drug therapy for Mycobacterium avium is effective singly and when combined with ethambutol, researchers in the United States reported. "Moxifloxacin...

Sacral Nerve Stimulation Enables Patients to Empty Bladders More Normally.(InterStim Therapy for Urinary Control)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- A study reported that continuous stimulation of specific nerves in the lower back significantly improves the ability of many patients suffering from intractable urinary retention to empty their bladders more...

Monoclonal Antibodies May Effectively Inhibit HIV.
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- by Michael Greer, staff medical writer -- Researchers in New York have shown that monoclonal antibodies targeting the crucial CCR5 co-receptor can potently and selectively block HIV infection, to an even higher...

Caelyx Cancer Treatment Receives Approval in Canada.(ovarian cancer treatment)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- A drug treatment developed at the University of Alberta (U of A) to improve the quality of life for women with ovarian cancer has been approved for use in Canada. "This approval means these women now have a...

Internal MRI Coil Receives FDA Clearance to Look Inside Blood Vessels.(Intercept-Vascular guidewire)
February 21, 2001... 2001 FEB 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- Surgi-Vision, Inc., Columbia, Maryland, announced that it has received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Intercept-Vascular guidewire, a tiny magnetic resonance (MR) coil...