By Deena Beasley (Reuters) - An experimental drug from Gilead Sciences Inc shrank tumors in half of leukemia patients whose cancer had returned, according to an early-stage trial that represents a new foray into oncology by the world's biggest seller of HIV medications. The pill, idelalisib, is part of a new class of medications designed to selectively block a type of protein known to promote tumor growth in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other types of blood cancer. The "pretty incredible" results illustrate how a growing understanding of tumor biology is helping researchers develop promising new targeted drugs, said Dr Sandra Swain, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which will feature the research at its conference in Chicago later this month. Swain was not involved in the trial. Researchers said idelalisib, also known as GS-1101, produced rapid and long-lasting tumor shrinkage in half of the 54 trial patients treated with the drug alone, stalling disease progression for an average of 17 months. Patients in the trial had previously received a median of five other treatments. CLL, which is typically diagnosed through a routine blood test, is a slow-growing cancer, and many patients do not require treatment … Continue reading →

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 15, 2013 The birth control safety advocates at DrugRisk.com are announcing new information on the site for women using Bayers contraceptive device Mirena. A federal judicial panel recently updated the amount of injury claims that have been filed by patients in a special court*. DrugRisk was created to improve the safety of patients using popular medication devices by providing the latest product news, safety alerts, research and legal news. Visitors can determine if others are experiencing similar side effects and decide if they need legal advice. The resource center has added warnings from health experts about the risk of perforation from IUDs such as Mirena. A study published by the Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons warns patients about migration and perforation of Mirena IUDs after implantation**. With a growing number of patients filing a Mirena lawsuit, federal cases have been consolidated to a special multi-district litigation court in the Southern District of New York (In Re: Mirena IUD Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2434). Now, DrugRisk has learned the latest update from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation shows 46 claims have already been filed in the court*. Anyone who suffered perforation or … Continue reading →

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) May 16, 2013 The birth control safety center at DrugRisk.com is announcing new information on the site for women who have taken the contraceptives Yaz or Yasmin. A recent court update shows the number of cases filed alleging blood clots has fallen, as Bayer continues to settle claims*. DrugRisk.com was created to improve patient safety by providing those taking popular prescription drugs with the latest research, safety alerts, recalls and litigation news. Visitors can determine if others have experienced similar side effects and decide if they need legal advice. The resource center has added warnings from health experts like the British Medical Journal** and FDA*** that birth control pills containing the hormone drospirenone, such as Yaz and Yasmin, can increase the risk of blood clots, DVT and pulmonary embolism by as much as 74%. After thousands of patients filed a Yaz lawsuit alleging blood clots, cases were consolidated to a special federal Multi-District Litigation court in Illinois (Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2100, Southern District Illinois)). Bayers latest annual report shows the company had faced claims from over 13,000 patients, but has spent almost $1 billion so far to … Continue reading →