Microorganisms may get a bad rap in a setting like a hospital, but in the world of research, theyre offering fascinating new insights into human health and disease. One group of researchers, for example, has linked microbial changes in the gut to the dose-limiting gastrointestinal side effects of certain drugs, and under a newly formed startup called Symberix, theyre testing an inhibitor they think could reduce those effects. The story starts in the lab of University of North Carolina Professor of Chemistry Matt Redinbo. A colleagues battle with cancer, and the gruesome side effects of her treatment, led him to take interest in the cancer drug irinotecan (CPT-11), a chemotherapy agent used against solid tumors, often colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Its a very effective drug, as most chemotherapy drugs are, he said, but its efficacy can sometimes be limited by severe diarrhea. We know a lot about how to kill cancer cells, Redinbo said. The thing that we struggle with is how to kill the cancer cells without killing the healthy cells. Redinbo formulated a hypothesis that simply put the side effects were the result of how the drug affected a microbial enzyme called beta-glucuronidase in the intestines. Tests done … Continue reading →

The US Drug Watchdog is now saying, "We now fear elevated levels of cobalt, or chromium might cause severe side effects like liver, kidney, or heart damage, and we are urging all recipients of a metal, on metal hip implant to get a simple blood test that focuses on cobalt, and chromium levels." If the hip implant recipient's cobalt, or chromium levels are elevated the group is urging these individuals to call them at 866-714-6466, so they can try to get them to the best possible law firms, with the goal being compensation for the ordeal. http://USDrugWatchdog.Com (PRWEB) January 09, 2013 The US Drug Watchdog is now saying, "According to the New York Times, there are 500,000 US citizens who have a metal on metal hip implant. We have been working on the metal on metal hip implant issue for two years, and as usual the US FDA is sitting on their hands-no meaningful studies about cobalt, or chromium poisoning. We have talked to thousands of failure victims, and we are convinced metal on metal hip implants are going to turn out to be one more preventable huge train wreck for innocent US consumers. We believe it is vital all … Continue reading →

Public release date: 8-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Dr. Anna-Sabine Ernst presse@iqwig.de 0049-221-356-850 Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care The drug vemurafenib (trade name Zelboraf) has been approved since February 2012 for the treatment of advanced melanoma (cancer of the skin cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin). It can be an option for adults whose melanoma cannot be removed by surgery or has formed secondaries (metastases) and in whose cancer a change (mutation) has occurred in a certain gene (BRAF-V600). The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has examined the added benefit of the drug pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG). According to the findings, major advantages in terms of overall survival are accompanied by major potential harm in the form of side effects. Overall, there is an indication that vemurafenib offers considerable added benefit. Vemurafenib in comparison with dacarbazine The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has specified the drug dacarbazine as the appropriate comparator therapy. One study that compared vemurafenib directly with dacarbazine was available for the benefit assessment. This is a randomized and open-label study, i.e. patients were randomly assigned to … Continue reading →

LONDON (Reuters) - A drug for bipolar disorder that works like lithium - the most common and effective treatment - but without lithium's side-effects has been identified by British researchers in tests on mice. Scientists say the drug, ebselen, may be a swift answer to long-sought after better medications for patients with the manic depressive disorder, since it is already known to be safe. If the drug could be "repurposed" and licensed for the treatment of bipolar disorder, it could reduce the unpleasant side effects of weight gain, thirst and potential kidney damage that patients risk when taking lithium. "Ebselen is an experimental drug that has been tested in people for other conditions, and does not have problematic side effects like lithium does," said Grant Churchill of the department of pharmacology at Britain's Oxford University. Bipolar disorder effects around 1 percent of the population worldwide and sufferers can experience moods that swing from one extreme to another, and have periods of depression and mania lasting several weeks or longer. These high and low phases are often so extreme they interfere with everyday life and work. In a telephone interview Churchill said that in tests, his team found that mice who … Continue reading →