Genentech, Biogen Idec get FDA request for more information on Rituxan's use in leukemiaNovember 18th, 2009 more images
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Genentech, Biogen get FDA request on Rituxan
NEW YORK — Genentech Inc. and partner Biogen Idec Inc.
Exposure to Bisphenol A may cause male impotenceNovember 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - High levels of exposure to Bisphenol A at the workplace may saddle male workers with impotence, according to a new study. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in baby bottles, plastic containers, the lining of cans used for food and beverages and in dental sealants.
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.
House lawmaker wants guaranteed sick leave for workers sent home with swine fluNovember 3rd, 2009 more images
more imagesLawmaker wants sick pay for workers with swine fluWASHINGTON — A senior House lawmaker is asking Congress to guarantee paid sick leave to workers if their employer asks them to stay home with swine flu or a similar contagious illness. House Education and Labor Committee chairman George Miller says his measure would protect about 50 million workers with no paid sick leave.
Being skinny is dangerous for dialysis patientsNovember 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has shown that dialysis patients with low body fat are at increased risk of death. "Our study indicates that body fat may be protective in dialysis patients.
Health care issues: Employer incentives for workers to stay healthyOctober 29th, 2009 more images
more imagesHealth care issues: Incentives for staying healthyA look at key issues in the health care debate:
THE ISSUE: Should private employers offer incentives that encourage their workers to stay healthy?
THE POLITICS: The health care bill moving through the Senate would encourage employer programs that reward workers with lower premiums if they make healthier lifestyle choices. Some employers, like Safeway, already discount premiums for workers that meet certain standards for body mass index, quit smoking, or control blood pressure.
Industry experts tell Congress pork industry's woes exacerbated by fears about swine fluOctober 22nd, 2009 Experts: Swine flu exacerbates pork industry woesWASHINGTON — The pork industry is facing one of its worst struggles in memory and an unwanted link to the so-called swine flu is exacerbating problems, experts told Congress on Thursday. "Over the past 24 months, pork producers have lost an average of $23 on each hog marketed ...
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.
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.
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.
Priority groups, from health workers to people with chronic ills, to get swine flu shots firstSeptember 16th, 2009 Priority groups will get swine flu shots firstThe federal government has decided five groups should be first in line for swine flu vaccines:
—Children and young people through age 24
—People caring for infants under 6 months
—Pregnant women
—Health care workers
—People aged 25-64 with health conditions that put them at high risk of flu complications. Those include cancer, blood disorders, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disease and neurological disorders such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
Kids with fatter midsection at increased cardiovascular disease riskSeptember 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Kids who have more fat around their midsections are at a greater risk of suffering heart disease in later life, suggests a new study. The study's researchers suggest that routine waist measurements in obese children could predict which ones had developed risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
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.
