Nventa Biopharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX: NVN) announced interim immunological data from the first two cohorts of its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead product candidate, HspE7, in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or CIN, a precursor to cervical cancer. Preliminary evaluation of biological samples collected from the study’s first and second cohorts indicates that administration of HspE7 results in an E7-specific T-cell immune response.

Researchers in Europe have analyzed and modeled social contact patternsin order to better understand the spread of respiratory infections. Thestudy is published in the open-access journal PLoS Medicine.It is common to use mathematical modeling techniques to understand andpredict the impact of infectious diseases.

Mobile cancer stem cells can form metastases in colon cancer and other malignant tumours. Professor Thomas Brabletz from the University Hospital Freiburg, Germany, has developed a new model, which he presented at the International Conference “Invasion and Metastasis” held at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in Berlin. “Therefore, mobile cancer stem cells are the most dangerous cells for cancer patients,” he said.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) issued a consensus statement that states the measurement of LDL particle number by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the more accurate ways to evaluate cardiometabolic risk (CMR). The study, published in the April issue of Diabetes Care, reinforces that LDL cholesterol may not be the best way to quantify a patient’s risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Repligen Corporation (Nasdaq: RGEN) announced that the Company has initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the use of RG1068, synthetic human secretin, to improve the assessment of pancreatic duct structures by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This Phase 3 study is a multi-center, baseline-controlled, single dose study in which approximately 250 patients will receive an unenhanced MRI followed by a secretin-enhanced MRI of the pancreas.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has announced that VX-770, an oral drug in development that targets a basic defect in CF, showed promising results in an ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial for patients who carry the G551D mutation of CF. The drug is being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

This meeting will provide an up-to-date overview of the treatment of melanoma. It will cover: the genetic and environmental factors in the development of melanoma; some specialised aspects of the surgical management of melanoma; and the new agents for the treatment of melanoma.

Scientists have discovered two key proteins that guide one of the two groups of pathogenic bacteria to make their hardy outer shells — their defense against the world.The work, they said, could allow researchers to create new antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria, like E. coli and salmonella, that would destroy these bacteria by disabling the mechanism that produces their protective coating.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach announced that the agency has issued draft guidelines to aid the development, testing and manufacture of coronary drug-eluting stents, devices used to treat blocked heart arteries. Over the past few years, FDA and the clinical community have been closely monitoring these devices, including concerns over clot formation in some patients several years after implantation.

Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRBN) announced that it has initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of TRU-016, the company’s lead proprietary Small Modular ImmunoPharmaceutical (SMIP(TM)) drug candidate, for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The company also announced a new, next-generation product candidate for clinical evaluation and provided an update on its product pipeline.