Authors: Opstrup MS, Mosbech H, Garvey LH PMID: 20635797 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology)

We describe a case of chronic idiopathic urticaria in which symptoms improved dramatically after treatment with omalizumab. This drug, which is approved for the treatment of asthma, has been studied in other allergic conditions and a number of reports have described its efficacy as an immunomodulator in chronic and physical urticaria. Immunopathologic mechanisms are poorly understood. In chronic autoimmune urticaria, it has been postulated that this monoclonal antibody against immunoglobulin (Ig) E might reduce FcepsilonRI expression on the surface of basophils, thus preventing IgG antibody-mediated crosslinking and the release of mast cell mediators. We analyzed activation and homing molecules of B cells and type 1 and type 2 cytokine production by T cells and document a new immunomodulat...

CONCLUSION: In children with a family history of allergy, it seems to be important to distinguish between maternal and paternal predisposition as children whose fathers have a history of atopic disease seem to benefit most from breastfeeding for >4 months. PMID: 20635784 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology)

Authors: Azuma H, Inamoto T, Ibuki N, Ubai T, Kotake Y, Takahara K, Kiyama S, Nomi H, Uehara H, Komura K, Yamamoto K, Narumi Y, Katsuoka Y We investigated the effect of balloon-occluded arterial infusion (BOAI) of anticancer agent (cisplatin/gemcitabine), used concomitantly with hemodialysis, which delivers an extremely high concentration of anticancer agent to the site of a tumor without systemic adverse effects, along with concurrent radiation (referred to as the OMC-regimen) in patients with advanced bladder cancer. One hundred and ninety-two patients were assigned to receive either the OMC-regimen (n=96) or total cystectomy (n=96). Patients in the OMC-regimen group who failed to achieve CR underwent cystectomy, or secondary BOAI with an increased amount of CDDP or gemcitabine (1600...

Authors: Ota K, Fujimori H, Ueda M, Jono H, Shinriki S, Ota T, Sueyoshi T, Taura M, Taguma A, Kai H, Shinohara M, Ando Y Midkine (MK) expression has been documented to be inversely correlated with the prognosis of patients with various tumors, but the mechanism of this relationship has not been well characterized. Recent studies have also correlated p53 expression with prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We evaluated the relationship between MK expression and clinicopathological features of patients with OSCC to clarify the influence of p53 status on MK expression in OSCC cells. Our results showed that patients with MK over-expression in OSCC cells had a significantly lower 5-year survival rate compared with patients with low MK expression.

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In conclusion, our results indicate that functional cell surface expression of TLR9 in human HCC may play an important role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. PMID: 20811701 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Oncology)

Authors: Morishita A, Gong J, Nomura T, Yoshida H, Izuishi K, Suzuki Y, Kushida Y, Haba R, D'Armiento J, Masaki T Several studies have reported that activated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are highly expressed in colon cancer and may promote tumor growth and survival. However, there is little information available as to the function and signaling of RTKs in colon cancers. In the present study, we performed protein array technology to determine the expression status of various RTKs that are activated in colon cancer compared to normal colonic cells and tissues. Of the 42 different phospho-RTKs, 5 (ErbB2, FGFR1, FGFR2a, FGFR3 and MSPR) were activated in Caco-2, SW480, WiDr, Lovo colon cancer cell lines and cancerous tissues. In order to determine the effect of inhibition of RTKs, espe...

We examined if blood monocytes from mammary tumor-bearing mice are already altered in their activation profiles before becoming macrophages and whether they correspond to inflammatory or resident monocyte subtypes. Much effort is currently devoted to reversing macrophage adverse traits in tumor hosts; as these cells reside within tissues, access is limited. Blood monocytes could be better targeted and manipulated by less invasive means. In the present study, mononuclear cells were isolated from whole blood of D1-DMBA-3 mammary tumor-bearing and normal BALB/c mice and CD115+ monocytes were analyzed. Our results show that there is an increase in circulating monocytes in tumor hosts; these monocytes exhibit a reduced expression of several myeloid differentiation markers such as CD115, F4/80, ...

Authors: Li CM, Narayanan R, Lu Y, Hurh E, Coss CC, Barrett CM, Miller DD, Dalton JT Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are attractive targets for anti-cancer drug development. Inhibition of Akt or activation of AMPK is cytotoxic to human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. We previously demonstrated that 2-arylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid amides (ATCAA) are effective cytotoxic agents in prostate and melanoma cancer cell lines, with IC50 values in the low/sub micromolar range. Using in vitro and in vivo studies, we further characterized the anti-cancer efficacy and mechanism of action of ATCAA-10, a potent lead. ATCAA-10 exhibited equal potency on both MES/SA and P-glycoprotein over-expressing multidrug resistant MES/SA/Dx5 cells, sugge...

In this study, we evaluated the effects of novel combinations of conventional anti-cancer treatments (temozolomide or irradiation) with the targeted drug, imatinib, or with psychotropic drugs, belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and phenothiazine subclasses, as well as combination of imatinib with psychotropic agents, on a human U87 glioblastoma cell line. The combination of temozolomide with imatinib or the psychotropic drugs resulted in an additive anti-proliferative effect, while the combination of irradiation and the psychotropic agents resulted in a less than additive effect on cell proliferation. A marked synergistic anti-proliferative effect of imatinib combined with the psychotropic drugs fluoxetine, sertraline or perphenazine was demonstrated.

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Researchers have developed a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that might use arrays of "microneedles" to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

GSK initially became aware of possible cases of narcolepsy following vaccination with the adjuvanted H1N1 pandemic vaccine Pandemrix through adverse event reports received by the Swedish Medical Products Agency, and subsequently via media reports in Finland. Information on the individual cases remains limited at present, but GSK is conducting its own investigation in an effort to gather as much additional data as possible regarding the reported cases, and is working closely with key regulatory authorities, including the European Medicines Agency (EMA)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

This study discusses the numbers of diverted antimalarial medicines from several samplings in Africa. Methods: A total of 894 samples of antimalarial medicines were covertly purchased from private pharmacies in 11 African cities from late 2007 to early 2010... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDSI) announced a positive meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Meda and BDSI that occurred on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 to discuss significant modifications to the existing Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for ONSOLIS (fentanyl buccal soluble film). At the meeting, FDA and Meda discussed REMS modifications that seek to reduce unintended barriers to prescribing and expand access to ONSOLIS for appropriate patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

NICE has rejected imatinib (Glivec) as an adjuvant treatment for people who have had a gastrointestinal stromal tumour removed and who are at risk of the cancer recurring. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

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MONTESANO, Wash., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Saturday warned people Estrella Family Creamery cheeses may be tainted with illness-causing Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes - Listeriosis - Health - Immune system - Cheese (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Rebecca Jarvis discusses the alarming rise in prescription drug abuse among baby boomers with Dr. Barbara Krantz of the Hanley Center. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Health tourists travel the world and spend thousands, but their hopes of being cured are likely to be dashedFor the past decade stem cells have sparked huge excitement among scientists, dramatic media coverage about breakthroughs that could mean a cure for some of the nastiest diseases, and hope – sometimes desperate – among patients that the reality will match the hype. That has fuelled a booming trade in stem cell tourism – people heading to clinics abroad and forking out large sums for what are called stem cell treatments but which are unlikely to work and possibly do harm.It is, as some of the UK's leading stem cells experts warned last week, a world of unproven therapies, patient optimism and predatory clinicians. Despite the lack of reliable evidence underpinning the treatments...

The dispersal of tiny sea creatures in Antarctica has alerted scientists to the vulnerability of Earth's ice sheetsBryozoans make unlikely prophets of doom. Nevertheless, scientists believe these tiny marine creatures, which live glued to the side of boulders, rocks and other surfaces, reveal a disturbing aspect about Antarctica that has critical implications for understanding the impact of climate change.British Antarctic Survey researchers have found the dispersal of these minute animals suggests a sea passage once divided Antarctica 125,000 years ago. The discovery was made for the ongoing Census of Antarctic Marine Life project and involved comparing bryozoans from the Ross and Weddell seas. These two seas are separated by the west Antarctic ice sheet, one of the planet's largest masse...

Indigo Productions, a New York City video production company, is sponsoring a nationwide contest offering a $1,000 scholarship prize to the student or group of students who create the most original and effective video PSA (Public Service Announcement). First prize: $1,000 Second prize: $500 Deadline: September 15, 2010 Eligibility: Contestants must be students attending an accredited college or university in the continental U.S. at any point during 2010. Length: Video can be up to 2 minutes long Subject matter: Any health or safety issue that is of importance to the public (e.g. obesity, addictions, STDs, school bullying). Indigo Productions 145 West 58th Street New York, NY 10019 212-765-5224 info@indigoprod.com (Source: ScanGrants feed)

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