Fresh use of targeted therapy advances treatment of early HER2-positive breast cancer
...erez, who led one of the four pivotal studies that proved the drug's benefit in early-stage disease, says the approval of trastuzumab by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 16 for this new use now allows physicians to manage an aggressive type of breast cancer much more effectively than just a fe...November/December 2006 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet
...ience-based measure of continuity of care (ECC-DM) proved to be reliable and a valid tool that is suitable for use in different care settings. This tool can increase physicians understanding of factors that improve or harm patients experiences of continuity of care and can be completed by the patient or in...Five-year study by OHSU Cancer Institute shows Gleevec's excellent survival rate
...In five years Gleevec, the little yellow pill, has proved itself to be a miracle drug for most patients who take it. When the drug first was developed by Brian J. Druker, M.D., the leukemia program leader of the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute, the overall survival rate for patients wi...Study highlights new and cheaper way to treat heroin addiction
...or treatment programmes for drug users, which have proved controversial not least because of the high costs involved. In contrast to methadone which comes in liquid not tablet form dihydrocodeine is much easier to store and comes under less stringent regulations because it is not as toxic and less likely...Cancer immunoresistance linked to loss of tumor suppressor gene
...the mechanism responsible for the immunoresistance proved more difficult. Fortunately, Russ Piepers lab here at UCSF had developed a model that took normal human astrocytes and made them act like a malignant glioma. This allowed us to study the effects of PTEN mutation in a very well controlled manner, ...Protein 'fingerprint' in spinal fluid could spot Alzheimer's disease
... of the 23 markers that emerged from this analysis proved to be proteins with known links to the pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease," said Relkin. For example, some of the biomarkers are associated with proteins that clog the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Others molecules were linked to infl...Ability of biomarkers to predict risk of heart disease, stroke appears limited
...udy period of up to 10 years. The biomarkers that proved most useful in predicting future cardiovascular events were BNP and urinary albumin content. BNP appeared to be a stronger predictor of risk than C-reactive protein, possibly the best-known cardiovascular biomarker. However, even though those with ...Psychological treatments improve outcomes for back pain sufferers
...lone or as part of a multidisciplinary approach -- proved to be superior to waiting lists or standard treatments on the entire range of pain-related outcomes. When the researchers analyzed specific outcomes, they found that the largest and most consistent effect was a reduction in pain intensity. This...6 finalists compete for achievement in operations research
... the discipline and many of our award winners have proved transformative." Ranging widely in industry and geographic origin, the 2007 Franz Edelman finalists are: 1. Coca-Cola, for a project entitled "Optimizing Distribution at Coca-Cola Enterprises" 2. The U.S. Coast Guard, for "Maximizing Aircraft Avai...Syphilis spreading rapidly in China
... years. However, long-term control of syphilis has proved difficult, and recent sporadic reports have provided clues to the magnitude of the spread of syphilis throughout China. To investigate, Xiang-Sheng Chen (National Center for STD Control, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical...Important mechanism identified in the formation of blood vessels
...roliferation. To date, anti-angiogenic therapy has proved effective in the treatment of colon cancer and the common eye disease AMD (Age-dependent Macula Degeneration). All therapies have so far targeted the growth factor VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). VEGF controls several important functions...MR angiography highly accurate in detecting blocked arteries
...e DSA and CT findings. In addition, MR angiography proved highly accurate (94 to 100 percent) for detecting blockages of over 50 percent, and image quality was rated sufficient to excellent for 97 percent of the arterial segments evaluated. "This procedure should be highly cost effective for clinical use,...The problem with treating spondylarthritis with anti-TNF strategies
...ce with spontaneous arthritis, however, etanercept proved no more effective than placebo at inhibiting new cartilage or bone formation or ankylosis. What's more, TNF-positive cells were observed in the joint capsule, adjacent blood vessels and in new cartilage. "Our observations strengthen our ...National Inventors Hall of Fame announces 2007 inductees
... Soft contact lens Wichterle's soft contact lens proved to be less expensive and more comfortable than traditional glass or hard plastic lenses. A significant part of his invention was the process for making the lenses. Inventors may be nominated by anyone for induction into the Hall of Fame, but the...QUT scientists on the way to sifting out a cure for HIV
...wn as nano-mesh, and said preliminary research had proved it successful in removing viruses from water. Nanofiltration is the filtration of minute particles using a filter with extremely small pores. "If we can remove compounds from liquids and viruses from water, then there may also be potential to rem...ESA contribution to International Polar Year 2007-2008
...tu research is very difficult to carry out and has proved to be insufficient for comprehensive studies. For the first time during an International Polar Year, the scientific community has at its disposal satellite measurements offering broad coverage of the polar regions and thus opening up new scientific p...NIH names Clinical Trial Units for the Microbicide Trials Network
... By virtue of being selected by NIH, our CTUs have proved themselves as the most qualified and the most committed to take part in an endeavor of such great global importance," said Sharon Hillier, Ph.D., MTN principal investigator and professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and of mole...Embargoed March/April Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet
...to one of the network's primary care clinics. This proved to be an effective approach the emergency department only saw 148 evacuees. The authors reflect the valuable lessons learned that may aid in future disaster planning: family physicians are an invaluable asset because of their breadth of knowled...Contrast agent puts new light on diagnosing breast cancer
...make it water soluble. Recent studies by the lab proved that the new agent works well in large animals approaching the size of humans, and that it can be used to guide surgeons performing procedures near growing bone. Future studies will focus on translating the new compound to the clinic for human tes...Implant device effectively maintains heart function for transplant-listed patients
...irst to complete a US trial, and we are pleased it proved safe and effective. We now look forward to completing evaluation of this device in a larger sample of patients including those not eligible for heart transplant with the goal to prolong survival and quality of life in all of these patients with adva...