Health News

Artificial booster makes immune system dramatically more effective in fighting pneumonia and meningitis

Date: Mar-25-2014
Researchers at the University of Leicester have produced an artificial version of a naturally occurring protein, properdin, which has been found to successfully combat bacterial pneumonia and meningitis when tested in mice.In the new study, published today (24 March) in the online early edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers have shown that a booster of the innate immune defence has a profound and immediate effect on the body's ability to clear infections, even when the bacteria have reached the bloodstream.

Integrating mental health services in pediatric practices feasible, effective, Pitt finds

Date: Mar-25-2014
Brief behavioral and mental health programs for children can be effectively provided within pediatric practices as an alternative to being referred to a community specialist, University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences researchers found in a National Institutes of Health-funded randomized trial.

Cancer Research UK launches trial to fight cancer caused by a common virus

Date: Mar-25-2014
Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office (DDO) has launched a trial of a vaccine to treat some forms of cancer caused by a common virus known as the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV).The trial is being presented today (Tuesday 25 March) at a conference to mark 50 years since Cancer Research UK first discovered the link between the EBV virus and cancer*.The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects most people in the UK, although it rarely causes medical problems.

New study shows smoking tobacco doubles risk of recurrent tuberculosis

Date: Mar-25-2014
Research published today (24 March 2014) provides critical new insight on the harmful links between smoking tobacco and developing tuberculosis (TB). Regular tobacco smoking doubles the risk that people who have been successfully treated for TB will develop TB again - a condition known as "recurrent" TB. The study is the most robust ever conducted into how smoking tobacco increases the risk of recurrent TB. It appears in the April issue of the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

FDA approves Xolair® (omalizumab) for people with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU), a form of chronic hives

Date: Mar-25-2014
Novartis has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xolair® (omalizumab) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), a form of chronic hives. The new use is for patients 12 years of age and older who remain symptomatic despite treatment with H1-antihistamine therapy. Xolair is not used to treat other forms of urticaria (hives) and is not for use in children less than 12 years of age. Xolair is jointly developed by Genentech and Novartis Pharma AG and is co-promoted by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation with Genentech in the United States.

New FDA-approved treatment gives hope to Psoriatic Arthritis patients

Date: Mar-25-2014
Celgene Corporation has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved OTEZLA® (apremilast), the Company's oral, selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis. A chronic disorder, psoriatic arthritis is characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling and tenderness of the joints, inflammation of specific ligaments and tendons, and a decrease in physical functioning. OTEZLA is the only FDA-approved oral treatment for psoriatic arthritis.

Non-invasive gene expression profile test shown to identify sentinel lymph node negative melanoma patients at high risk of metastasis

Date: Mar-25-2014
Castle Biosciences Inc. has announced study results showing its gene expression profile (GEP) test (DecisionDx-Melanoma) can identify primary cutaneous (skin) melanoma tumors that are likely to metastasize in patients who had a negative sentinel lymph node biopsy. The data are being presented at the Latest in Dermatology Research Symposium session of the 72nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The DecisionDx-Melanoma test completed validation in 2013 and is widely used to determine metastatic risk in Stage I and II melanoma patients.

Patients susceptible to leukemia treatment aftermaths identified

Date: Mar-25-2014
The National Institute of Pediatrics (INP) in Mexico, conducted a study on genetic markers to identify children with acute leukemia, who may suffer side effects from the medications used to treat this type of cancer.Genetic markers studies are used to identify which patients are susceptible to side effects of a drug used in chemotherapy called methotrexate, which can cause mucositis or an inflammation of the mucosa and even death.Dr.

Thousands of young people at risk of 'slipping through the net' due to adults' lack of mental health awareness, UK

Date: Mar-25-2014
More than half of adults lack the confidence to approach a child, or a parent of a child that they suspect to have a mental health problem, in case they are mistaken, a new survey launched today reveals. The survey comes as a new website - MindEd - funded by the Department of Health launches. It will provide adults with the knowledge and skills to help address this lack of mental health awareness.

Potential for earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment of severe periodontitis with the help of gene expression signatures

Date: Mar-25-2014
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have devised a new system for classifying periodontal disease based on the genetic signature of affected tissue, rather than on clinical signs and symptoms. The new classification system, the first of its kind, may allow for earlier detection and more individualized treatment of severe periodontitis, before loss of teeth and supportive bone occurs. The findings were published recently in the online edition of the Journal of Dental Research.