Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles
Natural Remedies

Surprising Findings May Yield Insights Into Human Developmental Disorders: Researchers Discover Evolutionary Event Underlying The Origin Of Dachshunds
A single evolutionary event appears to explain the short, curved legs that characterize all of today"s dachshunds, corgis, basset hounds and at least 16 other breeds of dogs, a team led by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health, report. In addition to what it reveals about short-legged dogs, the unexpected discovery provides new clues about how physical differences may arise within species and suggests new approaches to understanding a form of human dwarfism.
generic viagra online
Deworming Drug Could Help Reduce Spread Of HIV In Africa, Study Finds
Providing girls in rural Africa with a deworming drug could help reduce the spread of HIV, according to a study recently published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the New York Times reports. The drug, called praziquantel, costs about 32 cents per pediatric dose and prevents schistosomiasis, a worm disease that starts as a urinary tract infection. If untreated, schistosomiasis can lead to female genital sores that can facilitate HIV infection. Because the drug can kill the worms but cannot cure genital sores, girls should be protected before they reach sexual maturity, according to the Times. "For this relatively small investment, the reproductive health of young women would be improved," the authors from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, Imperial College London and Oslo University wrote, adding that "there is a reasonable chance that HIV/AIDS transmission can be reduced." There are about 207 million schistosomiasis cases worldwide, 90% of which occur in Africa, where humans are exposed usually through snail-infested water. According to a pilot program conducted in Burkina Faso, all 70 million cases among young children in Africa could be treated for $22 million, and repeating universal treatment every two years for 10 years would cost $112 million (McNeil, New York Times, 5/26).
News of the day
Also In Global Health News: HIV & TB; ITN Program; DRC's Health System
HIV-Positive Babies More Likely To Contract Deadly TB If Given BCG
Public Health

PROSTVAC(TM) Data Presented At The ASCO Meeting Demonstrates The Potential For Significant Increases In Life Expectancy In Late-Stage Prostate Cancer

Detailed data from a randomized Phase 2 study with PROSTVAC(TM) were presented Saturday at the ASCO Annual Meeting in Orlando. The presentation was made by Philip Kantoff MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute who is also the principal investigator of the study. The more detailed analysis supports the headline data that were reported in October 2008. In the Phase 2 prospective randomized placebo-controlled study of 125 patients with advanced prostate cancer, patients in the PROSTVAC(TM) group had a significantly longer median overall survival by 8.5 months compared to the control group. The hazard ratio estimate for overall survival from the study is 0.56 (95% CI 0.37-0.85). The statistical significance in the final data set is (p=0.006). There were no major clinically meaningful imbalances in baseline characteristics in the PROSTVAC(TM) and control vector treated arms. PROSTVAC(TM) immunotherapy was well tolerated, with some patients having injection site reactions (40-60%), and systemic symptoms of fatigue, fevers, and chills (10-30%) reported. PROSTVAC(TM) is an "off-the-shelf" viral vector-based immunotherapy, utilizing pox virus vectors that express PSA and three T cell costimulatory molecules are administered subcutaneously. Philip Kantoff MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, the principal investigator of the study, said: "There are few available treatments for advanced prostate cancer. To see this extent of improvement in overall survival is very encouraging. These phase II data with PROSTVAC(TM) warrant confirmation with a phase III study and when confirmed this product has the potential to fulfil an unmet medical need for these patients." Anders Hedegaard, President & CEO of Bavarian Nordic said: "We are delighted that the data presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting confirms the excellent headline data with our prostate cancer vaccine candidate, PROSTVAC(TM), ready to start Phase 3 in 2010." About PROSTVAC(TM) PROSTVAC(TM) is a therapeutic vaccine moving into late stage clinical development that has the potential to extend the lives of people with advanced prostate cancer. Administered subcutaneously, it induces a specific, targeted immune response that attacks prostate cancer cells. Conventional chemotherapy currently used to treat prostate cancer has limited survival rates and is often associated with numerous side effects. In contrast, PROSTVAC(TM) has the potential to extend survival with improved quality of life. PROSTVAC(TM) is being developed in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Bavarian Nordic"s U.S.-based subsidiary, BN ImmunoTherapeutics. In clinical trials to date PROSTVAC(TM) and related PSA containing poxviral vaccines have been investigated and optimised in more than 500 patients for 10 years. Forward-looking statements This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law. About Bavarian Nordic Bavarian Nordic A/S is a leading industrial biotechnology company developing and producing novel vaccines for the treatment and prevention of life-threatening diseases with a large unmet medical need. The company"s business strategy is focused in three areas: biodefence, cancer and infectious diseases. Bavarian Nordic"s proprietary and patented technology MVA-BN(R) is one of the world"s safest, multivalent vaccine vectors. Bavarian Nordic has ongoing contracts with the US government for the late-stage development and procurement of the company"s third-generation smallpox vaccine, IMVAMUNE(R). Bavarian Nordic is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen under the symbol BAVA. Bavarian Nordic A/S


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009