Diabetes researchers at the John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have identified a potential target for the development of new therapies to treat hypertriglyceridemia, a lipid disorder commonly seen in people who are obese and diabetic. Results of their study are published in the June issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

A review of data based on ten years of experience using efalizumab (Raptiva®) to treat chronic plaque psoriasis confirms that that the drug has a favorable long-term safety profile. The chronic plaque form of psoriasis accounts for about 75 percent of psoriasis cases.

New research from the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute about mutations in melanoma may bring a wellspring of hope to many patients.Researchers have discovered that there are several different kinds of DNA abnormalities that can occur in a gene called the KIT gene. These abnormalities are associated with different kinds of acral and mucosal melanomas, which are less common, but highly malignant forms of skin cancer.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Sanofi Pharma Bristol-Myers Squibb SNC of its decision to withdraw its application for a centralised marketing authorisation for the medicine DuoPlavin (fixed-dose combination tablets of 75 mg clopidogrel/75 mg acetylsalicylic acid and 75 mg clopidogrel/100 mg acetylsalicylic acid).

Researchers, patients, and even clinical trials managers are often bewildered by the Byzantine rules and regulations governing clinical trials. Keeping it all straight and up-to-date has, until now, been challenging. This newly released book, edited by Dr Madhu Davies and Dr. Faiz Kermani, demystifies the topic in an exceptionally reader-friendly, yet authoritative format.

Early intensive insulin therapy in patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes can help achieve better blood glucose control, according to new research published today in the Lancet Journal.Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China, looked at 82 newly diagnosed people with diabetes aged 25-70 years and found that those who were given insulin achieved target blood glucose control and in a shorter time than those on tablets.

Arpida Ltd (SWX: ARPN) announced the enrolment of the first patients into the Phase II “intravenous-to-oral” switch trial with oral iclaprim in complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (cSSSI). Enrolment remains on track for completion in 2008. The key objective of the study is to assess the clinical efficacy of an oral capsule formulation of iclaprim as step-down therapy in comparison with a full course of intravenous (i.v.

New findings from Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute show significant numbers of patients nationwide who are not getting the recommended therapy after surgery to remove stomach cancer.”We were surprised to learn that there are still many patients who are not receiving the gold standard of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery - despite compelling clinical data available since 2001.

Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) reports that the last patient to be included in the planned interim analysis (N=132 patients) in the pivotal Phase III clinical trial of ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) in refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has now received the last scheduled treatment.

New findings from Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute show significant numbers of patients nationwide who are not getting the recommended therapy after surgery to remove stomach cancer.”We were surprised to learn that there are still many patients who are not receiving the gold standard of chemotherapy and radiation after surgery - despite compelling clinical data available since 2001.