New therapy shows promise in treating advanced leukemiaNovember 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre have come up with a novel treatment that would improve survival rates of leukemia and pre-leukemia patients. They used a radiolabeled antibody to deliver targeted doses of radiation, followed by a stem cell transplant, to successfully treat a group of leukemia and pre-leukemia patients,
The study showed that patients with advanced acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome - a pre-leukemic condition - experienced a remission with the help of combination of low-intensity chemotherapy, targeted radiation delivery by an antibody and a stem-cell transplant.
Amgen shares fall as company discloses additional FDA Prolia request, Arenesp dataOctober 22nd, 2009 Amgen shares fall after new Prolia requestNEW YORK — Amgen Inc. shares fell Thursday over the likelihood that the biotechnology company's next potential blockbuster will take longer than expected to reach its full sales potential in the market.
Biogen Idec says Tysabri sales grew 21 pct, lower amortization expenses aided 3rd-qtr profitOctober 20th, 2009 Biogen 3Q profit beats views on smaller chargesCAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Biogen Idec says its profit jumped 34 percent in the third quarter due to lower amortization costs and increased sales of its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri.
Biogen Idec, Biovitrum will advance potential hemophilia drugOctober 19th, 2009 Biogen, Biovitrum advancing hemophilia drugNEW YORK — Biogen Idec Inc. and Biovitrum said Monday they will move a potential hemophilia B treatment into a late-stage study.
FDA rejects expanded use of rheumatoid arthritis drug RituxanOctober 17th, 2009 FDA nixes wider use of rheumatoid arthritis drugThe Food and Drug Administration has rejected an application to expand the use of rheumatoid arthritis treatment Rituxan for patients with earlier stages of the disease, biotech drug developers Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec said Saturday.
Drug-chemo combo doubles survival in high-risk childhood leukaemia patientsOctober 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has revealed that daily doses of a targeted drug called imatinib mesylate along with regular chemotherapy can almost double the survival rate of children with a high risk type of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Known commercially as Gleevec, imatinib is a pill that's used to treat some adult leukemias and gastrointestinal cancers.
New chemical cocktail fences off breast cancerOctober 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Think of a protective fence that blocks the neighbour's dog from charging into your backyard. The body, too, has fences -- physical and biochemical barriers that keep cells in their place.
Labor Dep't wants exemption for new Chrysler health care plan for retireesOctober 2nd, 2009 DOL seeks exemption for Chrysler health care planWASHINGTON — The Labor Department said Friday it was seeking an exemption to facilitate Chrysler's move under bankruptcy proceedings to transfer company securities into a new retiree health care trust. To help Chrysler Group LLC carry out its plan, the department is seeking an exemption from provisions of a federal law prohibiting such benefit plans from holding large assets in the form of employer securities.
Roche says a study on Avastin in early-stage breast cancer halted over safety concernSeptember 25th, 2009 Enrollment in Avastin breast cancer study haltedNEW YORK — Swiss drug developer Roche said Friday six cases of patients with heart failure symptoms prompted a halt to enrollment in a National Cancer Institute sponsored study of its blockbuster drug Avastin. The U.S. National Cancer Institute and U.S.
Developer of Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas dies after battle with leukemiaSeptember 25th, 2009 Las Vegas' Stratosphere developer dies at 67LAS VEGAS — The developer of the 1,149-foot Stratosphere tower on the Las Vegas Strip has died at a hospital after a long fight with leukemia. A spokeswoman for Bob Stupak's family says the casino entrepreneur and colorful gambler died Friday at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas.
Studies: Doubling chemotherapy dose helped adults with acute myeloid leukemiaSeptember 23rd, 2009 Doubling chemo dose helped leukemia patientsLOS ANGELES — Adults with a common form of leukemia had a better chance of remission if they got a double dose of a long-used cancer drug, two new studies found. Doctors said the findings should change the standard of care for younger adults with acute myeloid leukemia, but work remains to find better treatment for the elderly, who are more likely to develop the disease.
FDA says it confirmed new cases of brain inflammation linked to MS drug, bringing total to 13September 22nd, 2009 FDA confirms 3 new infections linked to TysabriNEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration says it confirmed three new cases of a potentially lethal brain inflammation linked to the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. There have been 13 reported cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, since mid-2006.
NJ urging tests for nearly 5,000 patients in hepatitis B outbreak linked to one doctorSeptember 9th, 2009 NJ: 29 hepatitis cases tied to 1 doctor's officeTRENTON, N.J. — Several thousand patients of a New Jersey doctor should get tested for blood-borne diseases because of an outbreak linked to his office that has led to more than two dozen being diagnosed with hepatitis B, state health officials said.
FDA panel says Genzyme did not conduct study necessary to prove benefit of leukemia drugSeptember 1st, 2009 FDA panel wants more data on Genzyme cancer drugWASHINGTON — A panel of cancer experts has issued a negative review of a leukemia drug from Genzyme, saying more data is needed to establish its safety and efficacy for older patients. The Food and Drug Administration's oncology panel voted 9-3 Tuesday that Cambridge, Mass.-based Genzyme should be required to conduct a larger, comparison study to prove its drug is safe and effective.
FDA cites shortcomings with Genzyme study of leukemia drug for frail, elderly patientsAugust 28th, 2009 FDA: problems with Genzyme study of leukemia drugWASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Friday questioned whether Genzyme's leukemia drug Clolar should be approved for older patients based on limited studies conducted by the biotech drugmaker. Cambridge, Mass.-based Genzyme has asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve its injectable drug for adults older than 60, who have leukemia but are not healthy enough to undergo chemotherapy.
