Washington, October 1 (ANI): Researchers have discovered a new genetic mutation responsible for deafness and hearing loss associated with Usher syndrome type 1. These findings could help researchers develop new therapeutic targets for those at risk for this syndrome. For the study, researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center work together with the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Kentucky. Usher syndrome is a genetic defect that causes deafness, night-blindness and a loss of peripheral vision through the progressive degeneration of the retina. "In this study, researchers were able to pinpoint the gene which caused deafness in Usher syndrome type 1 as well as deafness that is not associated with the syndrome through the genetic analysis of 57 humans from Pakistan and Turkey," said Zubair Ahmed, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology who conducts research at Cincinnati Children's and is the lead investigator on this study. Ahmed stated that a protein, called CIB2, which binds to calcium within a cell, is associated with deafness in Usher syndrome type 1 and non-syndromic hearing loss. "To date, mutations affecting CIB2 are the most common and prevalent … Continue reading →

Zutphen, The Netherlands (ots/PRNewswire) - Cryo-Save Group promotes the awareness of cord blood storage and stem cell therapies at several local educational events held throughout Europe. Cryo-Save continues its Cord Blood Awareness Months celebration by sponsoring educational events in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain during the months of October and November. It is events like these that Cryo-Save hopes to bring awareness of and research advancements for the stem cell industry. Stem cells are becoming ever more important in the medical field as a way to treat a broad variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. The U.S. National Marrow Donor Program sites cord blood as treatment for multiple myeloma, severe aplastic anaemia, beta thalassemia major, SCID and other inherited immune system disorders, and leukaemias and lymphomas. Patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia have been considered cured after being treated with stem cells.[1] Over 4,000 clinical trials using cord blood stem cells are taking place to treat diseases such as cerebral palsy, diabetes and autism with many more potential clinical trials continuing to develop. "Cryo-Save's efforts to inform the medical professionals and community members about advances in regenerative medicine means that patients suffering from diseases treatable with stem cells can also … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Oct. 1, 2012) A novel therapy in the early stages of development at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center shows promise in providing lasting protection against the progression of multiple myeloma following a stem cell transplant by making the cancer cells easier targets for the immune system. Outlined in the British Journal of Hematology, the Phase II clinical trial was led by Amir Toor, M.D., hematologist-oncologist in the Bone Marrow Transplant Program and research member of the Developmental Therapeutics program at VCU Massey Cancer Center. The multi-phased therapy first treats patients with a combination of the drugs azacitidine and lenalidomide. Azacitidine forces the cancer cells to express proteins called cancer testis antigens (CTA) that immune system cells called T-cell lymphocytes recognize as foreign. The lenalidomide then boosts the production of T-cell lymphocytes. Using a process called autologous lymphocyte infusion (ALI), the T-cell lymphocytes are then extracted from the patient and given back to them after they undergo a stem cell transplant to restore the stem cells' normal function. Now able to recognize the cancer cells as foreign, the T-cell lymphocytes can potentially protect against a recurrence of multiple myeloma following the stem cell transplant. "Every cell in the body … Continue reading →

MagForce AG / MagForce publishes half-year report . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. * Comprehensive restructuring introduced * Integration of medical opinion leaders into post-marketing trial to increase acceptance of NanoTherm therapy * Strategic and distribution partnerships established * Cost savings expected to amount to million Euros due to a package of measures * Loss for the period reduced by 22% to EUR3.6 million Berlin, Germany, October 1, 2012 - MagForce AG (Frankfurt, Xetra: MF6), a leading medical device company in the field of nanomedicine with a focus on oncology, today announced the financial results for the first half of the 2012 fiscal year, ending June 30, 2012. Simultaneously, the company released details of a package of measures (see today's press release "MagForce to radically enforce market setup strategy with new management team"). With this restructuring, MagForce is completing a period of important strategic refocus. "In the first half of the year, we laid out the basic requirements for the acceptance and future commercialization of our NanoTherm therapy, and for the future development of our company. Today we are concluding this phase of strategic focus with the … Continue reading →

Comprehensive restructuring introduced Integration of medical opinion leaders into post-marketing trial to increase acceptance of NanoTherm therapy Strategic and distribution partnerships established Cost savings expected to amount to million Euros due to a package of measures Loss for the period reduced by 22% to 3.6 million Berlin, Germany, October 1, 2012 - MagForce AG (Frankfurt, Xetra: MF6), a leading medical device company in the field of nanomedicine with a focus on oncology, today announced the financial results for the first half of the 2012 fiscal year, ending June 30, 2012. Simultaneously, the company released details of a package of measures (see today`s press release "MagForce to radically enforce market setup strategy with new management team"). With this restructuring, MagForce is completing a period of important strategic refocus. "In the first half of the year, we laid out the basic requirements for the acceptance and future commercialization of our NanoTherm therapy, and for the future development of our company. Today we are concluding this phase of strategic focus with the introduction of vital measures and additions to the management team. Over the short term, we are concentrating all our efforts and financial resources on establishing NanoTherm therapy in the area of … Continue reading →

Focus on most important value drivers in the short-term Experienced senior executives added to the management board Core functions will be centralized in Munich Million Euro cost savings expected from resturcturing measures Berlin, Germany, October 1, 2012 - MagForce AG (Frankfurt, XETRA: MF6), a leading medical device company in the field of nanomedicine with a focus on oncology, today announced additions to the management board and further measures to enforce commercialization of NanoTherm therapy. Thus, focussing on establishing the NanoTherm therapy in the oncology market as well as on its commercialization for near-term value generation. In the short to mid term, MagForce will dedicate its financial resources to the post marketing trial in glioblastoma, which is expected to start in early 2013 and is supposed to make a significant contribution to its strategic set up. Simultaneously, the Company will also focus on the commercialization of its NanoTherm therapy with its distribution partners including DELRUS and TekGrup, development partners such as the Mayo Clinic for gastro-intestinal cancer and the Department of Urology at Duesseldorf University for prostate cancer, as well as the production of nanoparticles. In line with this strategy, the Company`s core functions, including clinical and business development, medical affairs … Continue reading →