everolimus drug fails to improve overall survival in patients with advanced liver cancer

everolimus drug fails to improve overall survival in patients with advanced liver cancer -

Despite strong preclinical data, drug everolimus has failed to improve overall survival in patients with advanced liver cancer, compared with placebo, according to a study published in the July 2 issue of JAMA

patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. (HCC, a type of liver cancer) have a median overall survival of less than one year, largely because of the lack of effective treatments. The drug sorafenib is the only systemic therapy shown to significantly improve overall survival in advanced HCC; but its benefits are often transitory and modest, and the disease eventually progresses. In preclinical models, everolimus prevented tumor progression and improved survival, according to background information in the article.

Andrew X. Zhu, MD, Ph.D., of the Hospital Cancer Center at Massachusetts General, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues randomly assigned 546 adults with advanced HCC whose disease progression during or following sorafenib or sorafenib were intolerant to receive everolimus (n = 362) or placebo (n = 184), both given in combination with best supportive care and continued until progression of the disease or intolerable toxicity. In this phase 3 study, patients were recruited from 17 countries between May 2010 and March 2012.

The researchers found no significant difference in overall survival between the two groups, there were 303 deaths ( 83.7 percent) in the everolimus group and 151 deaths (82.1 percent) in the placebo group. The median overall survival was 7.6 months with everolimus, 7.3 months with placebo. disease control rate (percentage of patients with a better overall response of the complete or partial response or stable disease) was 56.1 percent (everolimus) and 45.1 percent (placebo).

"The results of [this study, EVOLVE-1] extend the list of failed phase 3 study in advanced HCC, highlighting the challenge of developing effective therapies for this cancer," the authors write.

the researchers note that the EVOLVE-and the other phase 3 studies failed provided several important lessons, including that it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of Phase 2 testing signals; endpoints substitution such as time to progression, progression free survival and response rate incompatible predict overall survival in Phase 3 trials, and clinical and biological heterogeneity likely affects the performance of targeted therapies in HCC "in the. lack of predictive biomarkers well characterized and validated, the targeted agents are likely to continue to have a high risk of failure if the phase 3 trials are performed in non-selected populations. "

New hope for women with breast cancer at an early stage

New hope for women with breast cancer at an early stage -

Women with early stage breast cancer can now receive treatment radiation a dose along with lumpectomy surgery, eliminating the need to return to the hospital every day for up to six weeks to submit surgical radiation treatment.

relatively new treatment option available to Rush, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), delivers an accurate dose of concentrated radiation to the tumor site immediately after surgical removal of the cancer.

After breast cancer is removed, a device similar to a catheter with a balloon on the end is inserted into the lumpectomy cavity. The balloon is inflated with saline and the quays radiation source precisely in the catheter for delivering radiation into the surrounding breast tissue the cavity where the tumor has been removed, while preventing the radiation to adjacent organs. At the end of radiation treatment, the balloon is deflated and easily removed and the cavity is closed.

"We are currently IORT for women with breast cancer in early stage. However, there are exciting research on the use of this modality for other types of patients, including those who breast cancer recurrences or those subject to a mastectomy nipple preserving "said Dr. Katherine Kopkash, Assistant Professor of surgery, Rush University Medical Center.

generally breast cancer treated with lumpectomy require radiotherapy after surgery to ensure the lowest risk of recurrence. Standard radiation therapy requires patients to return after recovery from surgery to start daily radiation treatment to the entire chest five days a week, for a total of three to six weeks.

"As the time of surgery with intraoperative radiotherapy recovery is the same as surgeries performed without IORT, the total time patients spent in the hospital receiving treatment for breast cancer decreased significantly. This allows patients to return to their lives faster by potentially reducing the need for new therapies and improve their quality of life, "said Kopkash.

IORT may be a treatment option especially important for women who live in rural areas and have to travel long distances for treatment against breast cancer, "said Kopkash." the distance creates a real barrier to women returning repeatedly to the treatment of radiation . Unfortunately, these women often choose to have a mastectomy to avoid the need for radiation. "

Currently IORT is not yet widely available in the United States but has been used in Europe since the 190s began being used more widely in the United States there are about ten years and has been studied in clinical trials. Rush began to deal with his unit of IORT in February 2014 more than 15 women have been treated with IORT by Kopkash and colleagues at Rush.

cancer patients Rush to the breast are able to be seen by a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist and surgeon at the same time in Coleman Foundation Comprehensive cancer Clinic. These cancer doctors work in teams to present a well -defined diagnosis and plan treatment for each patient.

According to the American cancer Society, approximately 40,000 women die each year of breast cancer and 232.670 new cases will be diagnosed in women each year.

Poor nutrition, the cause of health disparities in fetal growth and size of newborns worldwide

Poor nutrition, the cause of health disparities in fetal growth and size of newborns worldwide -

poor nutrition and health , not racial or ethnic origin, cause most of the large existing disparities in fetal growth and size of the newborn

the growth of babies in the womb and birth size, in particular their length, are strikingly similar worldwide -. when babies are born to the health, well-educated and well-nourished mothers

This is the conclusion of an international historical, intergrowth-21, conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford, who involved nearly 60,000 pregnancies in eight urban areas defined in Brazil, China, India, Italy, Kenya, Oman, the United Kingdom and the USA.

worldwide there are large differences in the average size of babies at birth. This has important implications for the future health, such as small for gestational age babies who are already undernourished at birth often face severe short- and consequences on long-term health.

There has already been suggested that the "race" and "ethnicity" are largely responsible for differences in the size of babies born in different populations and countries. These new results show that race and ethnicity are the main factors. What matters most is education, health and nutritional status of mothers and care during pregnancy.

The researchers performed ultrasound for early pregnancy to delivery to measure bone growth of babies in the womb, using identical methods in all countries and the same ultrasound machines provided by Philips Healthcare. They also measured the length and head circumference of all babies at birth.

They showed that if education, maternal health and nutritional status and treatment during pregnancy are also good, babies have equal chances of healthy growth and future healthy uterus .

researchers report their findings in The Lancet, diabetes and endocrinology. They were funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Currently, we are not all equal at birth. But we can be, says lead author Professor José Villar of the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oxford." We can create a similar start for all by ensuring that mothers are well educated and fed, by treating the infection and providing adequate prenatal care.

'do not say we can not do anything. do not that women in parts of the world have small children because they are predestined to do so. It is simply not true.

Highlights

• the study involved nearly 60,000 pregnancies in eight urban areas defined in Brazil, China, India, Italy, Kenya, Oman, the United Kingdom and the United States
• bone growth of babies in the womb and their length and head circumference at birth are strikingly similar worldwide -. when babies are born to educated mothers, healthy and well fed.
• overall, not more than 4% of the total difference in fetal growth and birth size could be attributed to differences between the eight populations studied.
• Improving education, health and nutrition of mothers will boost the health of their babies throughout life in the next generation.
• results are in agreement with the study of previous WHO, using the same methodology from birth to 5 years.

in 2010, an estimated 32.4 million children have been born already undernourished in countries with low and middle income, representing 27% of all live births worldwide . This is closely associated with illness and death in infancy and childhood. Small birth size has an impact on the health of adults too, with increased risk of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Smaller babies also significant costs to health services and a significant economic burden on society as a whole.

Part of the problem to begin to improve outcomes of pregnancy is fetal growth and size of the newborn are currently being evaluated in clinical worldwide using at least 100 different growth curves . In other words, there are no international standards at present for the fetus and the newborn, while such standards exist for infants and children.

"It's very confusing for doctors and mothers and has no biological meaning. How a fetus or a newborn may be considered low in a clinic or hospital and treated accordingly, only for the mother to go to another city or country, and being told that her baby is developing normally, "said Professor Stephen Kennedy, University of Oxford, one of the main authors of the paper

the ultimate goal of the intergrowth-21 study is to build international standards describing optimal growth of a baby in uterus and as a newborn -. standards to reflect how a baby should develop when mothers have adequate health, nutrition and socioeconomic status.

researchers have adopted the same approach adopted by the multicenter study on the WHO growth reference for infants and children healthy, which established international growth standards from birth to 5 age years that are now used in over 140 countries worldwide.

The intergrowth-21 results are fully consistent with the existing WHO standard infant. The average length at birth of newborns in the intergrowth-21 study was 49.4 -. 1.9 cm, 1.9 cm against 49.5 in the study of infant WHO

From now on international standards can be used worldwide to make judgments on growth and the size of the design for 5 years. "Just think, if your cholesterol or your blood pressure is high, they are high, no matter where you live. Why should not the same to growth? Villar said the professor

Professor Pang Ruyan, from Peking University, China, one of the lead investigators of the study, said :. "The 21st-intergrowth results are fully consistent with the WHO child growth standards for infants and for existing. Having international standards of optimum growth from conception to 5 years that everyone in the world can use means it will now possible to assess the improvement of health and nutrition using the same criteria.

Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta of Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan and the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada who is the chairman of the board of this global research team, said "the fact that when mothers are healthy, babies grow in the womb in a very similar the world over is an extremely positive message hope for all women and their families, but there is a challenge as well There are implications for how we think about public health:.. This is about the chances of health and life of future citizens around the world. All those responsible for health care should consider offering the best maternal and child health.

Oncolytics complete patient enrollment in Study II in metastatic pancreatic cancer Phase

Oncolytics complete patient enrollment in Study II in metastatic pancreatic cancer Phase -

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ( "Oncolytics") (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced today the completion of patient enrollment in a study carboplatin, paclitaxel plus REOLYSIN ^® against carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in the first-line treatment of patients recurrent or metastatic cancer of the pancreas (OSU-10045) in two randomized phase II arm. The principal investigator is Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD, associate professor and chief of gastrointestinal oncology section of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC of - James) . The trial is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of the USA (NCI) through an agreement on clinical trials between the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis and Oncolytics. Oncolytics provide clinical supplies of REOLYSIN for the study.

"This is the second randomized trial using REOLYSIN to complete registration," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "This study is important given the relatively limited treatment options and generally a poor prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer, which often are not diagnosed until the later stages of the disease."

the study is an open-label, multi-institution, phase II two-arm randomized study of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. patients were randomized to receive either carboplatin, paclitaxel plus REOLYSIN ( arm a) or carboplatin and paclitaxel alone (arm B). patients in both arms received treatment every three weeks (21 day cycles) and standard intravenous doses of paclitaxel and carboplatin on day one only. in arm a, the patients also received intravenous REOLYSIN at a dose of 3x10 ¹⁰ TCID ₅₀ the one to five days. assessment of tumor response was performed by CT (TDM) and conducted every eight weeks. Patients who progress on carboplatin and paclitaxel (Arm B) had added REOLYSIN. If patients have significant toxicity related to carboplatin and / or paclitaxel they may continue with single agent REOLYSIN.

The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the improvement of progression-free survival with REOLYSIN, carboplatin and paclitaxel versus carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in patients with pancreatic cancer metastatic. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival in both arms. Secondary endpoints include overall response rate and overall survival. The study included 70 evaluable patients in test centers across the United States.

As a sponsor of the study, the NCI is responsible for tracking patients and collect and compile all patient data. Once completed, the data will be analyzed and provided for Oncolytics.

Bekaii-Saab, principal investigator of the clinical study, has no financial interest in Oncolytics, REOLYSIN the manufacturer of the investigational product.

patients with colon cancer with high levels of vitamin D are more likely to survive the disease

patients with colon cancer with high levels of vitamin D are more likely to survive the disease -

patients with bowel cancer with high levels vitamin D in their blood are more likely to survive the disease, a study shows.

patients with the highest levels of vitamin D had half the risk of dying compared to those with the lowest levels, the results indicate.

study is the first to correlate the total blood levels of vitamin D in patients with cancer of the intestine after diagnosis - including one produced after exposure to sunlight and that obtained from dietary sources -. with their long-term survival prospects

The University of Edinburgh team tested blood samples from nearly 1,0 patients after surgery for bowel cancer.

the biggest benefit of vitamin D was observed in patients with stage 2 disease, in which the tumor can be quite large, but the cancer has not yet reached.

researchers found that three-quarters of patients with vitamin D levels higher were alive at the end of five years, compared to less than two thirds of those with levels lower.

results show that vitamin D is associated with a much better chance of survival in cancer, although the nature of this relationship is not clear from this study.

authors of the study are intended to set up a clinical trial to test whether taking vitamin D tablets in combination with chemotherapy can improve bowel cancer survival rates.

levels of vitamin D measurement in patients with bowel cancer could also provide a useful indication of the prognosis, scientists say.

Professor Malcolm Dunlop, the Human Genetics Unit of the Medical Research Council at the University of Edinburgh, said. "Our results are promising, but it is important to note that this is an observational study we we need carefully designed randomized clinical trials before we can confirm whether taking vitamin D supplements offer a survival advantage for patients with bowel cancer. "

Penn receives $ 8 million grant from the NCI to study the effects of PDT

Penn receives $ 8 million grant from the NCI to study the effects of PDT -

Perelman School Researchers at the Medical University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with Roswell Park cancer Institute received $ 8 million grant from the National cancer Institute (NCI) to study the effects of photodynamic light therapy (PDT) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer , aggressive and deadly that most often occurs in the lining of the lungs and is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. The grant will fund clinical trials and other studies examining the effects of PDT on the patient's response to the shelter, the tumor cell itself, and blood vessels surrounding the tumor.

Approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the US, with numbers expected to rise worldwide due to uncontrolled exposure to asbestos.

"Mesothelioma is a cancer for which there is currently little or no hope of recovery," said Eli Glatstein, MD, principal investigator of the grant of the proposed program and professor and vice president radiation oncology and a member of pleural mesothelioma and Penn program, one of the world's leading centers for research and treatment of mesothelioma. "This trial is an important step in understanding the combination treatment modalities that offer patients the best hope for the survival and prolonged remission. "

The study, which plans to enroll 102 patients over four years, will administer Photofrin, a photosensitizing agent that makes cancer cells more susceptible to dying from light therapy, the trial participants 24 hours before surgery. Patients will be a radical pleurectomy, removal of the pleura or lining of the lung and tumor cells contain. They will then be randomized into two arms: half will receive intraoperative PDT by intense laser inserted into the chest cavity during surgery and postoperative chemotherapy standard; and that only half will receive a post-operative chemotherapy. Photofrin absorbs the laser light and produces an active form of oxygen that can destroy microscopic residual cancer cells left after surgery. Radical pleurectomie allows mesothelioma patients to keep their lungs and is associated with better postoperative quality of life and improved survival compared to other cities definitive mesothelioma surgeries.

"PDT has been a part of our treatment plan with Lung-sparing surgery for many years, but a randomized clinical trial, as is still needed to prove its effectiveness," said Glatstein.

PDT is known to kill cancer cells, but researchers are also trying to understand the patient's immune response, the microenvironment of the tumor and the blood vessels in and around the tumor in three additional studies funded under the grant.

the second project will examine the process by which PDT works to destroy tumor cells and look where a drug agent -a or other treatment that may increase its effects.

the third project will investigate whether certain channels awakened during surgery can play a key role in inflammation and cell growth and contribute to treatment failure in some way, and whether inhibition of these pathways will allow improve the effectiveness of intraoperative PDT.

Finally, the team will study the tumor vasculature in the following patients PDT and assess changes in the vascular environment as a result of intraoperative PDT and the modulation potential to improve the efficacy of treatment.

"This trial will help us understand how PDT works in the body and what we can be able to do in the future to improve the body's response to therapy," said Glatstein .

Dmitry Medvedev presents national first "Industry" price Biocad

Dmitry Medvedev presents national first "Industry" price Biocad -

On July 9, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev presented the first national "Industry" price from Russia to Russia Biocad a biopharmaceutical company. The company develops a unique project called MabNext. Under the MabNext Biocad project is developing a number of innovative drugs based on monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The ceremony took place at the International Exhibition "INNOPROM 2014" in Ekaterinburg.

According to the Russian Ministry of Health, over the last 12 years, the number of new cases of malignant tumors increased by 11%. The constantly increasing number of cancer patients is a global trend. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, over the next 20 years, the number of new cancer patients in the world will rise to 22 million cases per year. Consequently, Russia and the rest of the world are so desperate for new effective drugs that will help overcome serious diseases and save millions of lives.

Biocad develops a wide range of innovative products based on monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of diseases such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

"Today, the country is undergoing fundamental changes with regard to the availability of modern medicines for its people. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry economic development, the Russian pharmaceutical companies create a strong technological basis for the production of innovative products and compete successfully in the global pharmaceutical market. of course, our foreign colleagues are not happy with this. However, we can now provide innovative medicines which have no analogues in the world. MabNext the project is a shining example of this, "said Dmitriy Morozov, CEO of Biocad.

The main advantage of monoclonal antibody-based products is that they affect cells or selected molecules, in other words, these therapies are targeted. Only the relevant targets are neutralized without affecting healthy cells.

Biocad has over 10 of these innovative products based on monoclonal antibodies at various stages of development. One of the most notable is an antibody specific for interleukin 17. Clinical trials of this drug will begin in 2014. The drug has no analogues in the market and its characteristics are superior to anti-IL17 antibodies in the process of development by foreign companies. This product has huge potential as regards the treatment of socially significant diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis

If we talk about cancer -. The company is at the stage of development of original products based on monoclonal antibodies against targets such as PD-1, Ang-2 HER3 and others. PD-1 antibody to increase the patient's immune system's ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells.

New theory of how cancer works could lead to the next generation of treatments for disease

New theory of how cancer works could lead to the next generation of treatments for disease -

A new theory of how cancer works could lead to next generation of treatments for the disease.

The theory suggests that cancers when recently evolved genes are damaged and the cells must return to the older usage, inappropriate genetic pathways.

Dr Charley Lineweaver astrobiologists from the Australian National University and Professor Paul Davies of Arizona State University teamed with oncologist Dr. Mark Vincent of the University of Western Ontario to develop the new model.

"the rapid proliferation of cancer cells is a former ability, default has become regulated in the evolution of multicellularity there are about a billion years," says Dr Lineweaver.

"Our model suggests that cancer progression is the accumulation of damage to recently acquired genes. Without control of these recent genes, cellular physiology returns to previous programs, such as unregulated cell proliferation . "

in 2012, about 14.1 million new cancer cases are occurring in the world, but the underlying cause of many forms of the disease has not yet been identified. to understand better disease team turns to the wealth of knowledge being revealed in the genome sequences of a wide range of our distant relatives, including fish, corals and sponges.

This new the knowledge has enabled scientists to establish the order in which the genes have evolved and is the basis for new therapeutic implications of the model, said Dr Lineweaver.

"the adaptive immune system that humans has evolved relatively recently, and it seems the cancer cells are not able to speak and be protected by it. New therapeutic strategies we propose target these weaknesses, "he said

." These strategies are very different from existing therapies, the force that attack cancer -. Its ability to rapidly proliferate "

Professor Davies says the new model will not provide treatment at night.

" it is a work in progress, but we think it gives a more consistent interpretation of what is currently known about cancer than other models do, "he said.

Dr Lineweaver said his research in astrobiology led him to look at cancer.

"Paul and I have always been interested in trying to answer big questions. This led us to astrobiology and try to answer the question 'Are we alone? To answer that you need to know about how life began and evolved on this planet, and that is to understand the evolution of multicellularity. It's obviously a piece missing from our current models of cancer. "

Cryptococcus gattii evolving as it spreads to temperate climates

Cryptococcus gattii evolving as it spreads to temperate climates -

Cryptococcus gattii , a virulent fungus that has invaded the northwestern Pacific is very adaptive and ensures global "vigilance of the public health," according to a study by an international team led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

C. gattii , which probably from Brazil, is responsible for dozens of deaths in recent years because it was discovered in 1999 on Vancouver island, British Columbia, Canada, well beyond its usual tropical habitats.

"We have identified several genes that may make the epidemic strains most able to survive colder environments and that make it more harmful to the lungs," said David Engelthaler, director of programs and operations for Pathogen Genomics TGen Division (TGen North) and lead author of the study published today in the scientific journal MBIO .

This study should form the basis for further inquiries on how and why C. gattii scatters and emerges. He identified several new genomic targets for diagnostic tests and possible new targets for therapeutic drugs and preventative vaccines.

"In analyzing closely the genomes of tens of epidemic strains, and various global strains, we could closely compare and determine the genomic differences that can cause clinical and environmental change," said Dr. Paul Keim, one of the lead authors of the study. Dr. Keim is also director of TGen North, and director of the Genetics Center and microbial genomics at Northern Arizona University (NAU).

TGen, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others, led one of the largest global fungal genome analysis of a particular species to understand its emergence in new environments. The collaborative team included 24 researchers from 13 institutions in seven nations sequenced 115 genomes C. gattii collected from 15 countries.

"Thinking globally, we could better understand what was happening at the local level," said Engelthaler.

C. gattii was typically tropical fungus before it was discovered in temperate surroundings of Vancouver Island. It quickly turned into a new, lung disease, more virulent, which quickly spread to within Canada and south into Washington state. This was followed by an outbreak in Oregon another new strain of C. gattii , which also posted an increase in lethality and spread the same throughout the Pacific Northwest.

C. gattii was previously associated with a neurological disease strains found elsewhere. But the discoveries strains in the northwest Pacific, not only to establish a new ecological niche, but also show increased virulence and produce severe lung infections.

"We provide evidence that the strains of the Pacific Northwest are native to South America, and identified many genes potentially related to the adaptation of the habitat, the expression of virulence and clinical presentation, "said Dr. Wieland Meyer, another lead author of the study.

"further elucidation and characterization of these genetic characteristics may lead to improved diagnostics and therapies for infections caused by this fungus constantly evolving," said Dr. Meyer, who is affiliated with: School- . Westmead Hospital medical Sydney, University of Sydney; and the Westmead Millennium Institute for medical research

This study concluded that "the vigilance of the public health is justified for the emergence in regions where C gattii is not thought to be endemic.. "

New tests developed for this study by TGen make it easier to detect and others mushrooms, and could lead to better monitoring and treatment. the same tools used in this study were also used to investigate the cause of a fungal meningitis outbreak associated with back steroid injections, and the recent outbreak of fever valley in Washington state.

Cancer radiotherapy study shows that DNA building blocks are sensitive to fragmentation

Cancer radiotherapy study shows that DNA building blocks are sensitive to fragmentation -

A new study relevant for cancer radiotherapy shows that the blocks DNA constructs are susceptible to fragmentation

scientists now have a better understanding of how the short DNA strands decompose in microseconds. A European team has found new fragmentation pathways that are universally occur when the DNA strands are exposed to metal ions from a family of alkali and alkaline earth elements. These ions tend to replace protons in the DNA backbone and at the same time induce reactive conformation leading to fragmentation easier. These results Andreas Piekarczyk, University of Iceland, and colleagues published a study in EPJ D. They could help to optimize the treatment of cancerous tumors through improved understanding of how radiation and byproducts, reactive intermediates particles interact with complexes of DNA structures.

In cancer therapy with radiation, it is not the radiation itself that directly damage the DNA strands or oligonucleotides. But rather, it is the secondary reactive particles, leading to the creation of charged intermediates. Here, the authors studied one of these intermediaries responsible in the form of so-called metastable DNA protonated hexamers.

To make complex, the authors created selected oligonucleotide-metal-ion they have chosen to between zero and six metal ions.

They then followed the fragmentation reactions of these complexes using a technique called spectrometry time of flight mass. By comparing different species, they could deduce how the underlying work oligonucleotide fragmentation induced metal ions.

It has been found that fragmentation of the ions induced by oligonucleotide metal is universal with the ions of alkali and alkaline earth metals, e.g., lithium, Li +; potassium, K +; rubidium Rb +; magnesium, calcium and Mg 2+, Ca 2+ .. They had already reached the same conclusion for the sodium ions, which are ubiquitous in nature, in the form of sodium chloride, or salt. Once the number of sodium ions per nucleotide is sufficiently high, the study shows, it triggers a fragmentation reaction unexpected oligonucleotide.

NSF new program helps large laboratory transition ideas to the practical

NSF new program helps large laboratory transition ideas to the practical -

The "valley of death" is well known entrepreneurs - the lull between public funding research and industry support to prototypes and products. To address this problem, in 2013 the National Science Foundation has created a new program called InTrans to extend the life of the highest incidence NSF-funded research and help large laboratory transition ideas into practice.

Today, partnership with Intel Corporation, NSF announced the first InTrans price of $ 3 million to a team of researchers who design, specific IT technologies customizable field for use in health care.

work could lead to less exposure to harmful radiation during x-rays by accelerating the calculation part of medicine. It could also lead to specific treatments against the cancer patient.

Led by the University of California, Los Angeles, the research team includes experts in computer science and engineering, electrical engineering and medicine from Rice University and Oregon Health and Science University. The team comes mainly from IT Centre Domain-Specific (CDSC), which was supported by an NSF Expeditions in Computing Award in 09.

Expeditions, consisting of 5 years, $ 10 million price represent some of the most important investments being made by the NSF computer, information science and engineering (CISE) direction.

InTrans the grant today continues the research efforts funded by the shipping program to bring new technology to the point where it can be produced in a microchip manufacturing plant (or fob) for the mass market.

"We see the InTrans program as an innovative approach to public-private partnership and a means to improve the sustainability of research," said Farnam Jahanian, head of the Directorate of the NSF CISE. "We are delighted that Intel and NSF can partner to continue to support the development of specific equipment to the field and the transition of this excellent research fundament in real applications. "

in the project, the researchers looked au beyond parallelization (the process of working on a problem with more than one processor at the same time) and instead focused on specific own domain, a disruptive technology with the potential for improvement of orders of magnitude to important application specific computer systems to a domain to work effectively on specific issues. - in this case, medical imaging and DNA sequencing of tumors -. or set of problems with similar characteristics, which reduces solution time and lower costs

"We tried to create efficient computers energy that are more like the brain," explained Jason Cong, director of CDSC, a professor chancellor of computer and electrical engineering at UCLA, and the project manager.

"We do not really have a central unit for centralized processing there. If you look at the brain you have a region responsible for speech, another region for engine control, another area for vision. These are specialized "accelerators". We want to develop a system of this kind of architecture, where each accelerator can deliver hundred to a thousand times more effective than standard processors. "

The team plans to identify classes of applications that share the nuclei similar calculation, creating material that solves a common set of related problems with high efficiency and flexibility. This differs from dedicated circuits that are designed to solve one problem (such as those used in cell phones) or general purpose processors designed to solve all problems.

"the group asked another way to present the problem of computer specific area, which is :? How to determine the common features and support them effectively, "said Sankar Basu, program officer in the NSF." They developed a framework for the design of material for a domain they believe can be applied in many other areas too . "

the group selected medical imaging and specific cancer treatments patients - two important problems in health care - as test applications on which to create their design due to the impact of the health on the economy and the quality of national life.

medical imaging is now used to diagnose a variety of medical problems. However, diagnostic methods such as x-ray CT (computed tomography) scanners can exposing the body to a cumulative radiation, which increases the risk for long-term patient.

scientists have developed new algorithms for medical imaging which lead to less radiation exposure, but these have been forced because of a lack of computing power.

Due to their heterogeneous platform customizable, Cong and his team have done a major image reconstruction algorithms CT hundred times faster, which reduce the exposure of a subject to a radiation significantly. They presented their results in May 2014 at the International Symposium IEEE Custom field-programmable computing machines.

"The low dose scanner allows you to get a resolution similar to the standard CT, but the patient can get several times less radiation," said Alex Bui, a professor in the UCLA radiological sciences department and co-leader of the project. "Anything we can do to reduce that exposure will have a significant impact on health."

In theory, the technology also exists to determine the specific strain of cancer a patient has by DNA sequencing and use this information to design a specific treatment to the patient. However, it currently takes so long to sequence DNA that once the strain of a tumor is determined, the cancer has already mutated. With the material specific to the field, Cong believes rapid diagnosis and targeted treatments are possible.

"Power- and high cost-performance computing in these areas will have a significant impact on health in preventive medicine, therapeutic procedures and diagnostic procedures," said Cong.

" cancer genomics, in particular, has been hampered by the lack of open approaches, scalable and effective for aligning and quickly and accurately interpret the genome sequence data, "said Paul Spellman, a professor at OHSU, working on the personalized cancer treatment and served as another co-project manager.

"the ability to use hardware approaches to dramatically improve these speeds will facilitate rapid reversals in huge data sets will be required to deliver the accuracy of medicine. "

on the road, the team will work with Spellman and others at OHSU doctors to test the application of the equipment in a real environment.

" Intel excels in creating flat customizable iT Platforms optimized for HPC data, "said Michael C. Mayberry, vice president of technology from Intel and Manufacturing Group and Chairman of the corporate research Council. "These researchers are some of the leaders in the field of specific computer to the domain.

" This new effort allows us to maximize the benefits of Intel architecture. For example, we can ensure that the features of Intel Xeon processor are optimized under various accelerators for a specific field of application and across all architectural layers, "Mayberry said." Life Sciences and research health care will undoubtedly benefit from the performance, flexibility, energy efficiency and accessibility of this application. "

the program InTrans not only advances the important basic research and integrates into the industry, it also benefits society by improving technologies for medical imaging and cancer treatments, helping to prolong life.

"all the research to get to the stage where they are ready to make a direct impact on industry and society, but in our case, we're close," said Cong . "We are grateful for the support of NSF and are delighted to continue our research in the context of this model unique public-private financing. "

Discovery presents new challenges to efforts to eradicate HIV

Discovery presents new challenges to efforts to eradicate HIV -

The most critical barrier to cure HIV-1 infection is the presence of the viral reservoir cells in which the HIV virus can remain dormant for many years and avoid elimination by antiretroviral drugs. Very little was known when and where the viral reservoir is established during acute HIV-1 infection, or the extent to which it is sensitive to early antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Now, a research team led by investigators at Beth Israel Medical Center Deaconess (BIDMC) in collaboration with the US Military HIV Research Program showed that the viral reservoir is established surprisingly soon after the virus simian immunodeficiency intrarectal (SIV) infection of rhesus monkeys and before detectable viremia

results appear online in the journal Nature .

"Our data show that in this animal model, the viral reservoir was seeded much earlier after infection than previously recognized," says lead author Dan H. Barouch, MD, PhD, Director Centre of virology and vaccine research at BIDMC and member of steering committee of the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. "We found that the reservoir was created in the tissues during the first days of infection, before the virus has even been detected in the blood. "

This finding coincides with the news recently reported the resurgence of HIV in the" Mississippi baby, "which was believed to have been cured by early administration of ART. "the sad news of the virus to rebound further in the child emphasizes the need to understand the early and refractory viral reservoir that is established very soon after HIV infection in humans" adds Baruch, a professor of medicine at Harvard medical School.

in this new study, the suppressive ART initiated scientific team into groups of monkeys on days 3, 7, 10 and 14 after intrarectal SIV infection. Animals treated at day 3 after infection showed no evidence of virus in the blood and does not generate specific immune response SIV. However, after six months of suppressive ART, all animals in the study had viral resurgence when treatment was stopped.

While early initiation of antiretroviral therapy has led to a delay in the time to viral rebound (the time taken for virus replication to be observed in the blood after stopping ART) compared to a later treatment, the inability to eliminate the viral reservoir with very early initiation of ART suggests that additional strategies are needed to cure HIV infection.

"remarkably early seeding the viral reservoir in the early days of infection was sobering and presents new challenges for HIV-1 eradication efforts," the authors write. "Overall, our data suggest that very early initiation of ART, ART prolonged period, and probably additional interventions that activate viral reservoir will be required for HIV-1 eradication."

Beckman announced the national availability of the index of the health of the prostate

Beckman announced the national availability of the index of the health of the prostate -

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a world leader in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, announced the availability national index of the health of the prostate (phi) *, a simple test non-invasive blood which is three times more accurate in the detection of prostate cancer1 the PSA (prostate specific antigen). The precision of the new test reduces the need for many men tested positive for elevated PSA levels for biopsy in order to achieve a reliable diagnosis.

The test of the most widely used screening for prostate cancer is currently the PSA test, which measures the level of PSA, a protein which is naturally produced by the prostate gland and is generally increased when cancer is present in the blood. However, it is widely acknowledged that PSA results can often indicate the possibility of prostate cancer when none is present.

"The PSA test is based on the fact that men with higher levels of PSA protein are more likely to have prostate cancer," said William Catalona, ​​MD, principal investigator of health Index study of the clinical prostate and urologist at Northwestern Medicine and director of the clinical prostate cancer program at the Lurie Comprehensive cancer Center of Northwestern Robert H. University, where they began to use the test phi on patients in February. Dr. Catalona, ​​who was the first doctor in the United States to run the phi test, added: "However, the problem is that higher levels of PSA can also be caused by a benign enlargement or inflammation of prostate, leading to many false positives for cancer and ultimately unnecessary invasive biopsies and increased potential for harm to patients. "

substantially increasing the accuracy of phi test PSA on addresses that concern. The results of a multicenter clinical study found a reduction of 31 percent in unnecessary biopsies because of false positives as a result of the use of test.1 phi

"The phi test helps doctors distinguish prostate cancer from benign conditions by using three different markers PSA (PSA, and freePSA p2PSA) within the framework of a sophisticated algorithm to determine more reliably the probability of cancer patients with high levels of PSA, "said Kevin Slawin, MD, Director, Vanguard urologic Institute at Memorial Hermann Medical Group, clinical Professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine and director of Urology, Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, who conducted part of the key research that led to the development of Phi test and has also started using the test in February. "We have seen firsthand how phi is much more accurate and reduces the need for biopsies prostate. And that phi is a simple blood test has been very attractive for our patients. "

The phi test is now available to physicians nationwide through Innovative Diagnostics Laboratory (IDL ), a laboratory of national clinical reference specializing in personalized blood-based tests to find, understand and treat cancer.

"phi test is a real progress in the science of cancer management prostate, and we are delighted to be the first laboratory to offer this test to across the United States to physicians, "said Tonya Mallory, CEO, president and co-founder of innovative diagnostics laboratory. "The index of the health of the prostate is an important addition to our full menu of advanced clinical blood tests based on evidence that aid in the early detection of cancer."

"After years of collaboration with some of the leading researchers in prostate cancer worldwide and medical institutions who have studied the scientific and clinical benefits of phi, we are pleased that the test is now available to help physicians and patients with an elevated PSA test result, more precisely detect prostate cancer2 "said John Blackwood, Vice President, Chemistry / Immunoassay Business Unit, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics.

axis targeting CXCR4-CXCL12-CXCR7 fight mTOR inhibitor resistance in the kidney cancer

axis targeting CXCR4-CXCL12-CXCR7 fight mTOR inhibitor resistance in the kidney cancer -

By Afsaneh Gray, medwireNews Reporter

There is crosstalk considerably between CXCL12-CXCR4 axis CXCR7 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in carcinoma human kidney cells (RCC), and targeting the axis can overcome drug resistance to mTOR inhibitors, researchers suggest.

"Although progress mTOR inhibitors prolong -free survival in patients with advanced RCC, most patients develop resistance to agents inhibiting mTOR, which limits their effectiveness," said Stefania Scala (Istituto Nazionale per lo studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Naples, Italy) and colleagues. "[T] he new frontier of inhibition of the mTOR pathway is to identify agents that target the feedback loops and crosstalk with other pathways involved in acquired resistance to mTOR inhibitors," they add.

The chemokines and their receptors have been involved in the CCR control growth, angiogenesis and metastasis, they stress, making the chemokine receptor CXCR4-CXCL12-CXCR7 axis an attractive target for the research.

to evaluate the role of CXCR4 in mTOR signaling, the team used two RCC cell lines: A498, which expresses high levels of CXCR4; and SN12C, with low expression of CXCR4. They found that treatment with CXCL12 induced expression of two mTOR target proteins in both cell lines, and a CXCR4 antagonist inhibited this induction, suggesting that the signal CXCL12 of mTOR.

Scala and colleagues next examined the role of CXCR7 on the mTOR pathway by stimulating SN12C A498 cells with CXCL12 and CXCL11 ligand with exclusive CXCR7 in the presence of an inhibitor of CXCR7. induction of CXCL11-mediated downstream of two proteins was inhibited only by the inhibitor of CXCR7, suggesting that mTOR inhibition is also downstream of CXCR7.

The researchers also studied the role of CXCR4, CXCR7 and mTOR in cell migration and wound healing. They found that the SN12C cells and A498 have migrated to CXCL12 and CXCL11, with inhibitors of CXCR4 and CXCR7 impair this process. Treatment with mTOR inhibitor RAD001 more disturbed migration. CXCL12 and CXCL11 also induces wound healing, which has been impaired by an antagonist CXCR7 and RAD001.

Similarly, when cell growth was evaluated by the presence of inhibitors of CXCL12, CXCL11 and mTOR, the effect of inhibitors was found to be additive. Finally, the researchers note that SN12C and A498 cells that were resistant to the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 regained their drug sensitivity in the presence of CXCR4 and CXCR7 antagonists.

Writing in cell death and disease , they conclude: "All […] CXCL12-CXCR4-CXCR7 [axis] regulates mTOR signaling in kidney cancer cells, providing new opportunities and therapeutic targets to overcome resistance to mTOR inhibitors. "

licensed medwireNews with Springer Healthcare Ltd. © Springer Healthcare Ltd. permission All rights reserved. None of these parties endorse or recommends commercial products, services or equipment.

Scientist develops highly accurate device to diagnose fatal lung disease

Scientist develops highly accurate device to diagnose fatal lung disease -

A scientist from the University of Exeter has developed a simple, cheap and very accurate to diagnose and often fatal lung disease that attacks compromised immune individuals such as patients with cancer and bone marrow transplant recipients.

The lateral flow device (LFD), created by Professor Chris Thornton, detects invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, notoriously difficult to diagnose the disease caused by the fungus Aspergillus .

Invasive aspergillosis is a leading cause of death in transplant patients acute leukemia and bone marrow, which represents more than 0,000 fatal infections each year, with an associated mortality rate of up to 0%

The new device -. that looks like a pregnancy test, but uses a small blood sample - cost health authorities only -10 per test and will fit into the routine hospital practice. It could reduce the high rates of mortality and morbidity associated with the disease and enable better use of expensive and toxic antifungal drugs

Professor Thornton of Biosciences, said :. "People with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis often suffer from complex medical conditions and symptoms, which include raised temperature, dyspnea, chest pain and fatigue could be due to a number of other conditions. In currently, it can take several days to identify the disease correctly because of the lack of accurate diagnostic tests and the patient's health deteriorates significantly in the absence of appropriate treatment.

"low cost, speed, ease of use and compatibility of the new system with the hospital standard procedures means that the disease can be quickly and precisely controlled to support the point of using a single blood test or media collected during lung biopsy ".

Professor Thornton and his colleagues published a number of clinical studies with hospitals in London, Germany, Austria and elsewhere in continental Europe.

There is also an ongoing trial with patients with leukemia at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital under the care of Consultant haematologist Dr Paul Kerr. He said: "We have to leukemia Unit Exeter are very proud to work with Dr. Thornton and his team on this project, the diagnosis of this deadly infection is very difficult and can involve either refer the patient to unpleasant investigations and potentially dangerous, or may result in the use of expensive and toxic drugs which can not always be necessary. It is very exciting to think that a simple laboratory test can allow us to greatly simplify this process in the future. "

With the support of university donors and Angel, a spin-out company called ISCA Diagnostics Ltd. was established to enable the marketing of the test. Marketing and distribution of the global device is delivered by partner company ISCA medical OLM.

the lateral flow device will be used in hospitals worldwide from August. the test uses a highly specific monoclonal antibody to detect an active diagnostic marker Aspergillus infection, which means that doctors can more accurately identify patients who develop the disease.

this success is a visible example of how bench to bedside research University and development can offer a commercial impact through academic, industry and private partnerships with investors.

the work was funded by the National Institutes of Health, HEIF, private investors and a global product pharmaceutical company.

The Professor Thornton is a fungal immunologist with a specialist interest of the hybridoma technology and immunodiagnostic. His recent research has focused on human infections by opportunistic fungal pathogens and their rapid detection using monoclonal antibodies.

natural products from plants can protect the skin against gamma rays at a radiation

natural products from plants can protect the skin against gamma rays at a radiation -

Radiation therapy for cancer involves exposure of the patient or their tumor more directly to ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays or X-rays -of. The radiation damages the cancer cells. Irretrievably Unfortunately, such radiation is harmful to healthy tissue, especially the skin on the site of the tumor, which is then at risk of hair loss, skin problems and even skin cancer. As this finding ways to protect the overlying skin are highly sought after.

Writing in the International Journal of Low Radiation, Faruck Lukmanul Hakkim University of Nizwa, Oman and Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan, and colleagues there and at Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia, Bharathiar University, India and Konkuk University, South Korea, explain how three natural products ubiquitous and well-studied plant derivatives can protect the skin against gamma rays during the radiotherapy.

Hakkim and colleagues discuss the benefits of, antioxidants, organic acid compounds caffeic (CA), trans-cinnamic acid rosmarinic acid (RA) and (TCA) used for non-toxic concentrations. They tested the protective effect of the radio these compounds against gamma radiation in reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species generated in skin cells by clinically relevant dose of gamma rays in the laboratory and in terms of DNA damage genetic material, in particular double breaks in laboratory samples of human skin cells (keratinocytes). They found that treatment of human skin cells with CA, RA and TCA can protect cells per 40, 20 and 15 percent of the toxicity of gamma rays respectively. They suggest that the protective effect comes from the fact that the compounds absorb the reactive oxygen species and chemically disable and improving mechanisms natural DNA repair of the body.

The team suggests that these compounds could be better used as protective skin during chemo- and radio-therapy combination. Further work is underway to investigate the clinical potential of mixtures of three natural products.

Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center wins renewal Grant Cancer Support Centre NCI

Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center wins renewal Grant Cancer Support Centre NCI -

The Jackson Laboratory Cancer Center has once again won the renewal of its Cancer Support Grant Center of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

The Center cancer NCI program recognizes research institutions across the United States who meet "rigorous criteria for world-class, state-of-the-art programs in research multidisciplinary cancer" , as described in the NCI Web site.

Cancer Center JAX JAX integrates the three campuses in Bar Harbor, Maine, Sacramento, Calif., And the new Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. 50 members JAX Cancer Center include professors, researchers and associate members who collectively own more than 100 research grants totaling more than $ 40 million.

The overall objective of the research is to develop specific interventions to prevent cancer to progress to an incurable condition. The work exploits the strengths of the Jackson Laboratory in genomics, preclinical modeling, analysis and calculation to find the molecular pathways that drive cancer initiation, progression and resistance to therapy. In support of these objectives, the funding of the renewed grant will support innovative projects, sharing services and scientific resources between Cancer Centers, and salaries of new research cancer researchers.

Under the leadership of President JAX and CEO Edison Liu, MD, Cancer Center JAX extends its research partnerships with major academic medical centers and regional hospitals to move the basic science discovery to the clinical application. The growing list of collaborations includes cooperative research group on national SWOG cancer, Children's Hospital in Hartford, Conn., The University of California, Davis, and Maine Healthcare Systems East, among others.

Liu recognized the importance of the designation Cancer Center, noting, "Already the word of our renewal came out, and we were approached by a number of other research institutions for cancer potential scientific formal collaborations. This is a powerful way for us to help improve outcomes for cancer patients by our research. "

JAX was designated Cancer Center in 1983, when he was the first genetic research laboratory mammals to do so. Today JAX is one of seven centers dedicated to basic research cancer. (the other centers 61 are clinically concentrates, including 41 cancer comprehensive centers.)

the funding of the renewed grant will also support innovative projects, sharing services and scientific resources between centers cancer, and research on new wages cancer investigators

Barbara J. Tennent, Ph.D., JAX associate director for research administration, was active in cancer Center of the . institution of its founding days She comments: "JAX is a scientific institute of discovery with strong partnerships to move these findings toward clinical application."

Some cancer patients with aggressive tumors may benefit from anti-inflammatory drugs

Some cancer patients with aggressive tumors may benefit from anti-inflammatory drugs -

New research raises the prospect that some cancer patients with aggressive tumors may benefit an anti-inflammatory class of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

study of triple negative breast cancer, medical school researchers from Saint Louis University of Washington found that some aggressive tumors based on antiviral pathway that seems to drive inflammation, widely recognized for roles in cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

tumors that activate this particular antiviral pathway always have dysfunctional forms of p53 and ARF proteins, both encoded by genes known to be highly mutated in various cancers. The researchers found that both genes compensate each other. If both are mutated, the tumors that form are more aggressive than if only one of these genes is lost.

When both genes are lost and antiviral pathway is activated, patients can benefit from an anti-inflammatory class of drugs called JAK inhibitors, currently prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis.

researchers report their results in a recent issue of Cell Reports .

So far, though ARF was known to be expressed in some tumors with mutated p53 ARF was widely considered nonfunctional in this scenario. But investigators have shown that in the absence of p53 ARF actually protects against the formation of a more aggressive tumor.

"It is probably correct to say that completely replaces ARF p53, a tumor suppressor solid with multiple ways of working," said lead author Jason D. Weber, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine. "But it seems that the cell has set up a kind of backup system with ARF. It is not surprising that these are the two most suppressors mutated tumors in cancer. Because they support each other, the most aggressive tumors form when you lose both. "

Weber and his colleagues studied the triple negative breast cancer because these tumors often have mutations in p53 and ARF. Triple negative breast tumors are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy since targeted therapies commonly used against breast cancer with hormone-driven are not effective.

in a search Weber called surprising, the researchers showed that most triple-negative tumors lack p53 and turn ARF on a pathway involved in the innate immune response to viral infection.

"it is not the activation level you would see in a real antiviral response, but it is higher than normal," said Weber . "We are interested in studying whether the antiviral response creates a local inflammatory environment that supports more aggressive tumors."

Weber and his colleagues knew that a family of signaling proteins known as JAK is ahead of the antiviral pathway they showed to stimulate tumor growth.

"There are JAK inhibitors in the use of rheumatoid arthritis and to be tested against a number of other conditions," said Weber. "Our data suggest that these anti-inflammatory drugs may be a way to treat some patients lacking both p53 and ARF."

The drugs potentially could benefit patients in whom both genes are lost, Weber added. If one or p53 ARF is present, this antiviral pathway is not active and therefore not play a role in tumor growth.

Weber and his team are working with experts in the lung, breast and pancreatic cancer to identify patients with mutations in both genes and whether these patients could benefit from JAK inhibitors.

New cheaper method for enriching stable isotopes

New cheaper method for enriching stable isotopes -

The University of Texas at Austin Researchers have developed a new method to enrich a group of Chemicals most expensive in the world, Stable isotopes, which are essential for medical imaging and nuclear energy, as reported this week in the journal Nature Physics . For many isotopes, the new method is cheaper than existing methods. For others, it is more environmentally friendly.

A less expensive internal source of stable isotopes could ensure continuity of current applications while opening opportunities for new medical therapies and basic scientific research.

Chemical elements often found in nature as a mixture of different variants called isotopes. To be useful in most applications, a single isotope must be enriched or separated from the rest.

A combination of factors caused a looming shortage of some more expensive but stable isotopes useful in the world.

last year, the Office of the Government of responsibility published a report warning that there could soon be a shortage of lithium-7, a key component of many nuclear reactors. The lithium-7 production was banned in the US because of environmental concerns, and it is unclear whether the current sources, China and Russia will continue to meet global demand.

One of the main sources of molybdenum-99, essential for medical imaging in tens of millions of breast procedures every year the heart, kidneys and is an aging nuclear reactor in Canada that is expected to cease operations in 2016. other precious isotopes are produced by machines of the era of the cold war known under the name calutrons operating in Russia. Their extreme age, high operating costs and regional concentration further threaten global supply.

"Isotopes are among the most expensive products on Earth," says Mark Raizen, professor of physics at the University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences and author of the study. "An ounce a stable isotope that needs to separate the calutron can run about $ 3 million. This is about 00 times the price of gold. And has retained certain medical treatments. "

Unlike calutron, which requires huge amounts of energy to maintain a magnetic field with electromagnets, the new method for enriching stable isotopes, called MAGIS ( magnetically activated and guided isotope separation), needs little energy because of its use of low-power permanent magnets and lasers. It also has less risk of environmental effects of the chemical process used in production lithium-7, which has been linked to mercury contamination

See an animation of MAGIS device in action and learn more about how it works here. https://www.youtube. com / watch? v = Ziri-7AxFAM.

nuclear medicine, in particular could benefit from the new method, the researchers say. many stable isotopes are precursors of short-lived radioisotopes used in imaging medical, cancer therapies and nutritional diagnostics.

The new method also has the potential to enhance our national security. Researchers have used the method to enrich the lithium-7, crucial for the functioning of most nuclear reactors. The US depends on the lithium-7 supply from Russia and China, and disruption could result in the shutdown of the reactors. Other isotopes can be used to detect dangerous nuclear materials arriving in US ports.

co-authors on the paper are Raizen Tom Mazur, a PhD student at the university; and Bruce Klappauf, a software developer at Enthought and a former director of research at UT Austin.

Now Raizen priority to get this technology from the lab and in the world. The MAGIS invention has been granted a US patent, which belongs to the University of Texas at Austin, with Raizen and Klappauf as inventors.

Raizen plans to create a nonprofit foundation to license the technology.

"I think this is a way that is unique among all the projects I did change the world. And I passionately feel about it, "Raizen said." There are many potential uses of isotopes that we do not even know, but they have been selected because the price was too high, or it was unavailable This will be one of the missions of the foundation - .. to explore and develop isotopes for benefit of mankind "

Some critics have raised concerns about the possibility for terrorists or states. MAGIS thugs used to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons. Raizen believes that these concerns are unfounded unique chemical characteristics of the particular uranium. Read an online debate between Raizen and Francis Slakey, a physicist and assistant business manager public of the American Physical Society here: http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201301/backpage.cfm.

This research was funded by the University of Texas at Austin [

Study reveals new information about genes that may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Study reveals new information about genes that may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias

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Two international studies, both conducted by investigators affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, have discovered new information about genes that may increase the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. Studies have recently received back-to-back advance online publication Nature Genetics and Nature Methods .

The Nature Genetics report identifies several new gene regions associated with changes in QT interval - a step in the electrical cycle of the heart which, if prolonged, increasing the risk arrhythmias induced by drugs and sudden cardiac death. A surprising discovery of this document was the extent to which genes involved in calcium signaling influences the QT interval, time for electrical activation of the heart cells, which stimulates the contraction at the end of electrical relaxation.

"We have known that calcium signaling is important in regulating the contraction of muscle cells that generate the heartbeat," says Christopher Newton-Cheh, MD, MPH, of the MGH Center for Research human genetics and cardiovascular research center, corresponding and co-lead author of the Nature genetics report. "But finding that calcium is also involved in resetting after each heart beat was a total surprise and represents a new way forward in the cause of arrhythmias."

The Nature Methods article describes a new approach to analyze and map protein networks that stimulate cardiac repolarization - the biological process disrupted in arrhythmias. By integrating the network with the results of the paper Nature Genetics , the researchers were able to identify specific genes involved in the biology of cardiac repolarization, which would have been difficult to achieve from only genetic. This approach has also identified three genetic variants involved in arrhythmias that had been missed in previous studies.

"As people, genes like working in groups, and we have used the new technologies of genomics and proteomics to obtain genes working group involved in the processes that coordinate the beating of the heart and, when malfunctioning, can cause arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death, "says Kasper Lage, PhD, Department of surgery MGH and analytical and translational Genetics Unit, co paper's lead author Nature Methods." potassium signaling is known to being involved in cardiac repolarization, but our network analysis also highlighted a calcium pump and two proteins regulating this pump as guilty. Noting that calcium signaling is also involved in the repolarization was an unexpected and intriguing discovery. "

on Nature Genetics article describes a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS ) involving more than 100,000 people who identified 35 common genes variants pitches - 22 for the first time - associated with alterations in the QT interval identification of a previously unknown role for calcium signaling in the QT interval. is, according to Newton-Cheh, "a quantum leap in our ability to study one of the leading causes of death in people with heart failure - which is known to involve calcium abnormalities -. and a major cause of fatal arrhythmias which occur as a side effect of several drugs "

The team behind Nature Methods paper used quantitative proteomics interaction, which determines not only whether two proteins interact, but the extent of their interaction with the map in mouse hearts networks of proteins encoded by genes known repolarization and confirmed these findings in the eggs of frogs and zebrafish. the integration these results with GWAS analysis revealed that 12 genes in locations identified by the Nature Genetics study proteins encoded in the network described in Nature Methods, providing a strong link between the well-established genes causing rare syndromes and genes of sudden death associated with the change in the QT common in the general population.

"These studies are more than the sum of their parts, because their integration of proteomic networks with genomic results catalyzes the interpretation of genetic results to reveal new biology relevant to dangerous arrhythmias, "said Lage. "We also provide a general methodology to interpret genetic data using proteomic tissue-specific networks. Importantly, our analysis also shows that we are able to use computational algorithms such as the one developed by Elizabeth Rossin, a co- lead author of this paper, interpret functionally large genetic association studies.

"the world of genetics communities now use the tools to Elizabeth," he adds, "and our study follows rigorously and confirms their predictions. This result is important because the revolution in progress in genome sequencing methods and mapping genetic variation produced enormous amounts of genetic data, and we need scalable computing means for interpreting these data sets to guide an overview biological and therapeutic intervention. Our study shows that the predictions made by our calculation tools, supporting their ability to provide insight into the molecular networks affected by genetics in many common complex disorders. "

The researchers receive over $ 1 million to study the molecular foundations

The researchers receive over $ 1 million to study the molecular foundations - pancreatic cancer

Alexandros Tzatsos, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of anatomy and regenerative biology at the George Washington University school of medicine and health sciences, has received over one million dollars in the health of the national Institutes grants to study the molecular basis of pancreatic cancer.

in May, Tzatsos received a R00 price for $ 706K, which is the second phase of a National Cancer Institute K99 / R00 Howard Temin Pathway to Independence Award in Cancer Research - a subsidy for to help young researchers to establish independent research laboratories. This grant will support his research project, "The role of epigenetic regulators in pancreatic cancer." In February, Tzatsos also received a R21 price $ 374K to fund his research project, "Elucidating and targeting epigenetic oncogenic Networks in pancreatic cancer. "

According to the American cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in rare cases US cancer be found early enough for effective treatment . Tzatsos studies the role of a histone demethylase resulting in the development of pancreatic cancer and generated genetically modified mouse models new to address the role of this epigenetic regulator in vivo.

"We propose use these mouse models to study pancreatic cancer and to develop targeted therapies in preclinical level, "Tzatsos said. "This could be the key to understanding the molecular pathology of pancreatic cancer and develop better therapies."

The implementation of the national expansion of health insurance could mean more discretionary surgeries

The implementation of the national expansion of health insurance could mean more discretionary surgeries -

Bottom Line: full implementation (ACA) of affordable care Act extension of national health insurance could cause much more discretionary surgical procedures in the coming years depending on how the use has changed after insurance reform earlier in Massachusetts

Author: .. Ellimoottil Chandy, MD, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and colleagues

Background: the potential effect of ABA on surgical care are not well known . The authors examined the possible effect by analyzing the expansion of the Massachusetts insurance and the use of discretionary and non-discretionary surgical procedures

How the study was conducted. The authors used inpatient databases of the State of Massachusetts and two control states (New Jersey and New York) to identify adults who have undergone discretionary procedures (eg elective procedures such as joint replacements and back surgery) and non-discretionary procedures (eg, cancer surgery and hip fracture repair) from 03 to 2010. the transitional insurance reform point was in July 07 .

Results: A total of 836.311 surgeries were identified during the study period. the expansion of the insurance was associated with an increase of 9.3 percent in discretionary surgery in Massachusetts and decreased 4.5 percent in non-discretionary surgery. The authors believe the ACA could give additional discretionary 465.934 surgeries in 2017.

Discussion: "Our collective results suggest that the expansion of the insurance leads to greater use of discretionary hospital procedures that are often performed to improve the quality of life rather than to immediately treat life-threatening conditions. in the future, research in this area should focus on whether increased use of these procedures is a response to the need or changes in unmet treatment thresholds driven by patients, providers, or a combination of both. "

tool based on mass spectrometry used successfully in brain cancer surgery

tool based on mass spectrometry used successfully in brain cancer surgery -

A tool to help brain surgeons test and remove cancerous tissue more precisely was successfully used during surgery, according to a Purdue University and Brigham and Women's Hospital study.

Purdue tool designed sprays a microscopic flow of charged solvent on the fabric surface to gather information on its molecular composition and produces a color code image which reveals the location, nature and concentration of tumor cells.

"in seconds this technique provides molecular information to detect residual tumor that otherwise might have been left in the patient," said R. Graham Cooks, Purdue professor who co- led the research team. "the instrumentation is relatively small and inexpensive and could easily be installed in operating rooms to help neurosurgeons. This study shows the enormous potential it has to improve patient care. "

Current surgical methods rely on the trained eye of the surgeon using a surgical microscope and imaging analysis performed before surgery, Cooks said.

"tumor tissue of the brain is very similar to healthy brain tissue, and it is very difficult to determine where the ends of the tumor and normal tissue begins," he said . "in the brain tissue millimeter can mean the difference between normal and altered function. molecular information beyond what a surgeon can see can help accurately and completely remove the cancer. "

The tool based on mass spectrometry was previously shown to accurately identify the type margins cancer, quality and tumor specimens collected during surgery on the basis of an assessment of the distribution and amounts of fat called lipids in tissue. This study took the analysis a step further evaluating also a molecule associated with the growth and cell differentiation, which is considered a biomarker for certain types of brain cancer, he said.

"We were able to identify a single biomarker metabolite which provides information on the classification of the tumor genotype and prognosis for the patient, "said Cooks, professor emeritus Henry Bohn Hass chemistry." with mass spectrometry all this information can be obtained from ' a biopsy in a few minutes without significantly interrupting the surgical procedure. "

For this study, which included the validation and use of samples in two patients' surgical procedures, the tool has been listening to identify the lipid metabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate or 2-HG. This biomarker is associated with more than 70 percent of gliomas and can be used to classify tumors, he said.

A paper detailing the results of the National Institutes of Health-funded study will be published in an upcoming issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is published online.

In mass spectrometry molecules are electrically charged and turned into ions so that they can be identified by their mass. The new tool is based a mass spectrometry technique ambient analysis developed by Cooks and colleagues called desorption electrospray ionization, or DESI, which eliminated the need for chemical manipulations of samples and containment in a vacuum chamber for ionization. DESI enables ionization occurs directly on the outer surfaces of mass spectrometers, making the process much simpler, faster and more applicable to the surgical settings.

The torque tool a DESI mass spectrometer with a software program designed by the research team which uses the results to characterize brain tumors and detect boundaries between healthy and cancerous tissue. The program is based on previous studies of lipid patterns that correspond to different types and qualities of cancer and currently covers the two most common types of brain tumors, gliomas and meningiomas. Both types of tumors combined represent about 65 percent of all brain tumors and 80 percent of all malignant brain tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.

additional classification methods and metabolic biomarkers could be added to adapt the tool for different types of cancer, Cooks said.

brain surgery was performed in the Advanced Multi-Modality guided by the image following the operation, or AMIGO at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Dr. Nathalie Agar, director of the Molecular Imaging Laboratory surgery in the neurosurgery department at Brigham and Women's Hospital, led the study.

New chemotherapy resistance mechanism in the inflammatory breast cancer triple negative

New chemotherapy resistance mechanism in the inflammatory breast cancer triple negative -

Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) identified a cancer cell mechanism within which lead to resistance to chemotherapy in the inflammatory breast cancer. These preclinical findings, published online ahead of print in the International Journal of Oncology, provide evidence of a potential therapeutic approach that will restore sensitivity to chemotherapy and improve tumor treatment of inflammatory breast cancer.

"This study provides the basis for future research in patients with breast cancer and offers hope for targeted therapy for patients with aggressive triple negative breast cancer inflammatory" said lead researcher Mateusz Opyrchal, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of oncology at RPCI.

Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive type of advanced breast cancer and is characterized by rapid development, resistance to chemotherapy, early metastasis and poor prognosis. of inflammatory breast cancer cells have a triple negative breast cancer phenotype that does not have the necessary receptors to promote tumor growth. Therefore, the usual treatments such as endocrine therapy and molecular targeting the HER-2 receptor are not effective in this subtype of breast cancer. No targeted therapy approved for breast cancer tumors triple negative non-inflammatory and inflammatory, and the standard treatment for these tumors is a combination of conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents.

In the laboratory, Dr. Opyrchal and colleagues used breast cancer cell lines to determine the extent to which chromosomal instability and resistance to chemotherapy - the characteristics of inflammatory breast cancer - are related to CD44 + / CD24- / low phenotype rod. They found that CD44 + / CD24- / Bas cancer stem cell (TLC) were resistant to conventional chemotherapy, but were sensitive to SU9516, a specific cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) inhibitor. The researchers concluded from these results that the aberrant activation of cyclin E / Cdk2 oncogenic signaling is essential for the maintenance and expansion of CD44 + / CD24- / Down in inflammatory breast cancer subpopulation. Therefore, a new therapeutic approach in inflammatory breast cancer may involve a combination of conventional chemotherapy with small molecule inhibitors of the kinase Cdk2 cell cycle.

"Cdk2 cell cycle kinase appears to play a role in cancer cell's ability to be more aggressive and resistant to standard chemotherapy," said Dr. Opyrchal. "The blocking of its function has resulted in improving the ability of chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells. Cancer stem cells should be identified and processed in a manner different from that of the bulk tumor."

Dr. Opyrchal note that these results should be confirmed before human trials can be planned. His lab continues to work on identifying cancer stem cells and the signaling pathways that play a role in growth, metastatic potential and resistance to standard treatments.

The study "Inhibition of Cdk2 kinase activity selectively target CD44 + / CD24 -. / Down subpopulation and stem cells restores chemosensitivity SUM149PT triple-negative breast cancer, "was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) grants R01CA072836 and P50CA116201

New gene therapy can be effective against fungal infections in cancer patients

New gene therapy can be effective against fungal infections in cancer patients -

Sleeping Beauty and fungal infections - not two things one would normally associate together, but for immunocompromised cancer patients they may prove to be a useful combination.

a study conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center used the Sleeping Beauty gene transfer system for modifying T cells in hopes of fighting against the major life-threatening infections caused by fungi Aspergillus invasive. The results of the study appear in today's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

This type of gene therapy is already used to recognize tumor-associated antigens. Clinical trials at MD Anderson were the first to use Sleeping Beauty to customize T cells of the immune system to attack specific types of leukemia and lymphoma.

The Aspergillus study, led by Laurence Cooper, MD, Ph.D., pediatric professor in MD Anderson, shows that it can also be effective against fungal infections that can be fatal to immunocompromised patients such as those receiving a transplant of hematopoietic stem cells. Grafts are used to treat cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

The study of Cooper, which included collaboration with Dimitrios Kontoyiannis, MD, D.Sc., professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases, used a new method to inhibit the growth of fungi. The Sleeping Beauty system developed at the University of Minnesota, has offered a new approach to genetically modify T cells for human use which is being tested at MD Anderson for immunotherapy.

The team harnessed Sleeping Beauty to develop human T cells express receptors called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) which forwarded the killing mechanism of T cells T cells displaying targeted RCA sugar molecules in the walls of Aspergillus cells, killing the fungus.

"Mortality associated with invasive Aspergillus still too high, especially in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients," said Kontoyiannis. "While antifungal treatments are available, clean weakening the patient's immune system and the emerging resistance to antifungal undermine the effectiveness of drugs. There is an urgent need for effective improvements immune strategies to treat opportunistic fungal infections in patients with severe and persistent immunodeficiency. "

Cooper said that new approaches for invasive Aspergillus are needed urgently. Since the use of CAR has led to an effective treatment of patients with malignant B cells, her team sought to determine whether a car could be developed to redirect T cells specific to fungi.

The gene Sleeping Beauty transfer system earned its name for its ability to "wake up" certain DNA sequences known as the name transposon. researchers find useful transposon as a way to modify the DNA in human cells. Sleeping Beauty transposon used in an approach "cut and paste" the relocation of genetic material.

"We have demonstrated a new approach to Aspergillus based immunotherapy redirecting specific T cells by a CAR recognizes the carbohydrate antigen on the fungal cell wall, "said Cooper. "T cells expressing CAR can be manipulated in an appropriate manner for human application, which allows the immunology translate in immunotherapy."

The approach has implications for genetically modify T cells to target carbohydrates and thus broaden their application in the experimental treatment of pathogens and malignancies.

NANOG gene linked to tumors derived from the stratified epithelium

NANOG gene linked to tumors derived from the stratified epithelium -

NANOG pluripotent factor regulates cell proliferation in the epithelium of the skin and esophagus in the adult organism; blocking the action of the gene reduces the ability of tumor cells to divide

Scientists from the Spanish National Centre for Cancer Research (CNIO) found that NANOG, a gene essential for embryonic stem cells, also regulates cell division in stratified epithelia-those who are part of the epidermis of the skin or cover the esophagus or adult organisms vagina-in. The findings of the study, published in the journal Nature Communications , this factor could also play a role in the formation of tumors derived from stratified epithelia of the esophagus and skin.

The pluripotency factor NANOG is active for only two days to embryo implantation in the uterus (day 5 to day 7 after fertilization). At this critical period of development, Nanog helps give embryonic stem cells of the extraordinary capacity to compensate all tissues that become the adult organism, a technique known as the pluripotency capacity.

Until now it was thought that the function of NANOG was limited to the stage of development mentioned above immediately prior to implantation. The CNIO study, led by Manuel Serrano and Daniela Piazzolla, however, shows that Nanog plays a role in the adult organism.

After analyzing the presence of NANOG in different mouse tissues by immunohistochemistry, the CNIO team found that, in addition to being present in embryonic tissue, this factor is also found in the stratified epithelia such as the esophagus, skin or vagina.

NANOG is linked to tumors derived from stratified epithelia

Furthermore, the researchers studied a strain of mice that can be programmed to induce the NANOG factor on a limited period of time. As described in the article, when NANOG increased in these mice, the epithelium showed an increase in cell proliferation, hyperplasia and increase in the amount of DNA damage in the cells.

"Interestingly, the effects of NANOG were only observed in the stratified epithelia, whereas other tissues such as the liver kidney, were completely indifferent to the expression of NANOG," said Serrano . This reinforces the idea that NANOG selectively operates in stratified epithelia.

"Using genome analysis, we demonstrate that this factor is able to specifically regulate cell proliferation in these tissues, and it does so through the AURKA protein that is involved in controlling cell division, "said Serrano.

the authors of the book also shows that NANOG is increased in tumor samples from patients stratified epithelia. Furthermore, when they blocked the action of gene using RNA interference, the index of cell proliferation was reduced.

"This tells us that these cancer cells depend on the NANOG activity to maintain their high growth rates and oncologic properties "said Serrano.

ANCA updates Male Stress Urinary Incontinence content

ANCA updates Male Stress Urinary Incontinence content -

The National Association for Continence (NAFC) has updated the content stress Male urinary incontinence www.nafc. org. The new content is designed to be more comfortable for the patient and includes an educational video and additional resources on the diagnosis, treatment and management of stress Male Urinary Incontinence. An improved brochure, Male Stress Urinary Incontinence: Understanding the causes and evaluate treatment options has been produced for more complete online content. This information is the latest addition to the extensive collection of ANCA educational web based and printing equipment available to consumers who seek knowledge of the management and treatment options for bladder and health conditions of gut

Male Stress Urinary incontinence (SUI) also known as post-prostatectomy incontinence, commonly occurs after surgery to remove a cancerous prostate. Studies have shown that up to 0% of men report leaks in the first weeks after surgery, after catheter removal. During the first year, SUI can continue to be a major problem. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for many cases of post-prostatectomy incontinence.

Developed by ANCA, with clinical examiners Brian Christine, MD and Donna Deng, MD, the new web section Male SUI is the most recent information available to patients. Dr. Donna Deng, chairman of the board of the ANCA and associate professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco, believes, "People often say the leak of post-prostatectomy incontinence is worse than cancer real. There is a regrettable lack of information for men with stress urinary incontinence. This new content will hopefully get men to talk to their health care provider about treatment options. "ANCA encourages patients and caregivers to visit this updated web section for Guidance to improve their knowledge of their need to better manage this condition.

the male urinary update incontinence brochure is available for purchase via the website of the ANCA. orders bulk for healthcare professionals are available at a reduced price urinary Incontinence Web section Human stress, a brochure and supporting education are provided by a sponsor Coloplast -.. a global medical device company developing surgical products that make life easier for people with intimate urological disorders such as urinary incontinence

Sunscreens do not protect completely against the development of skin cancer, study shows

Sunscreens do not protect completely against the development of skin cancer, study shows -

The researcher at the Neurosciences Institute, Joint Center of the University Miguel Hernández (UMH) in Elche and the higher Council for scientific research (CSIC), Berta López Sánchez-Laorden co-author of a study that concluded that sunscreens do not protect fully against skin cancer development . The research was recently published in Nature.

The study demonstrates that sunscreen, even with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50, can not fully protect against the development of melanoma. According to a researcher at the UMH Berta López Sánchez-Laorden, sunscreen protects against immediate radiation damage including sunburn, but the radiation can still penetrate and damage the DNA of cells and cause cancer.

Through the use of genetically modified mice so that they were susceptible to melanoma, the researcher found that ultraviolet light induces mutations in the DNA of melanocytes in a gene called p53 . This is one of the genes considered the guardians of the genome as it is essential in detecting and repairing the damage that accumulates in cells, such as produced by ultraviolet light, and is a major obstacle to the body against the cancer.

Several epidemiological studies have shown an association between sun exposure and increased risk of melanoma. However, the molecular mechanism that causes this to happen was unclear.

Berta López Sánchez-Laorden is co-author of the work, which was one of the main projects carried out during his postdoctoral first developed in the Institute for Research on Cancer in London Manchester Institute Cancer Research UK.

Novocure: 18 certified doctors to prescribe the NovoTTF therapy in Europe and Israel

Novocure: 18 certified doctors to prescribe the NovoTTF therapy in Europe and Israel -

Novocure, a commercial stage oncology company, announced today that 18 neurosurgeons and prominent neuro-oncologists in medical centers in Europe and Israel are trained and certified to prescribe the NovoTTF therapy. These physicians will now be able to treat patients with recurrent glioblastoma using this novel anti-mitotic therapy on prescription control outside clinical trials

The following physicians were certified to treat patients using the NovoTTF therapy :.

Austria
Vienna
-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Mr. Preusser, Ordinationszentrum Döbling

Czech Republic
Prague
-Prof. Dr. med. J. Vymazal, Na Homolce Hospital

England
London
- Prof. Dr. med. C. Lindquist, Cromwell Hospital

France
Lyon
-Prof. J. Honnorat, Neurological Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon
Paris
-Dr. Ahmed Idbaih, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière

Germany
Düsseldorf
-Prof. Dr. med. F. Ulrich, Neuro-Unit CME Düsseldorf
Duisburg
-Prof. Dr. med. Mr. Scholz and Prof. Dr. med. S. Petrasch, Klinikum Duisburg / Wedau Kliniken
Hamburg
-Dr. med. T. Martens and Prof. Dr. med. Mr. Westphal, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Heidelberg
-Prof. Dr. med. W. Wick, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
Kiel
-Prof. Dr. med. H. Mr. Mehdorn, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein
Regensburg
-Dr. med. Doenitz and Prof. C. Dr. med. A. Brawanski, Universitätsklinikum

Greece
Athens
-Dr. Mr. Torrens, CHM FRCS, Hospital HYGEIA

Israel
Tel Aviv
-Prof. Zvi Ram, Tel Aviv Medical Center

Switzerland
Lausanne
-Dr. med. A. Hottinger, MD PhD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Zurich
-Prof. Dr. med. R. Stupp, University Hospital Zurich

"We are honored to work with these experts world-renowned oncology to provide NovoTTF therapy for patients with recurrent glioblastoma," said Peter Melnyk, commercial director of Novocure . "The eminent training doctors of these clinics is the first step in the commercial launch of our product in Europe and Israel."

Mount Sinai Hospital earns top rankings of the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of US News & World Report

Mount Sinai Hospital earns top rankings of the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of US News & World Report -

By winning "top rankings" in six of the 16 medical specialties, the Mount Sinai hospital achieved the status of "Honor roll" in this year of US News & World Report "Best hospitals" guide.

Another Health System Mount Sinai Hospital to be nationally ranked in 2014 was the eye of New York and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (No. 10 in ophthalmology). Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Mount Sinai were classified at the regional level.

"We are proud of our US News rankings that we are committed to innovative medicine and a team approach to personalized patient care," said Kenneth L. Davis, MD , CEO and President of the Mount Sinai health system. "In this changing landscape of health care, Mount Sinai continues to provide coordinated care to ensure high quality outcomes for our patients. We are also committed to develop breakthrough therapies and treatments, and we continue to recruit and retain the best physicians, researchers, and medical personnel. "

US News ranks the best hospitals in the country every year, and Mount Sinai ranked 16th on the list of 17 best roll of honor hospitals in the United States this year.

The Mount Sinai Hospital ranked in the top ten in four of the 16 measured specialties: Geriatrics (# 2), gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery (9) Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology, No. 10), and cardiology and heart surgery (No. 10). Mount Sinai Services of Rehabilitation Medicine (No. 14), Neurology and Neurosurgery (No. 15), and diabetes and endocrinology (No. 17) were ranked in the top 20 national. Other specialties in the top 50 were Urology (No. 27) Nephrology (No. 47) and cancer (No. 48). The hospital has also been recognized as "high performance" in gynecology, orthopedics, psychiatry and Pulmonology.

"Mount Sinai groundbreaking discoveries that led to improved methods of diagnosis and treatment of human disease a legacy," said Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean Mount Sinai School of Medicine and president for academic Affairs, health system Mount Sinai. "Currently, we are recruiting doctors and scientists to literally flow each department of the Institute, thus ensuring that we will continue to be the cutting edge of biomedical science and clinical excellence. "

" We congratulate the staff of the Mount Sinai Hospital on their dedication to quality, safety and service in the treatment of our patients in our community and beyond, "said David L. Reich, MD, President and COO of Mount Sinai Hospital and Professor Horace W. Goldsmith anesthesiology, the Icahn school of medicine at Mount Sinai. "Their efforts have resulted in these exemplary rankings US News , and I remain convinced that our staff will ensure that Mount Sinai and our entire health system are held in high esteem for years to come . "

with the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai health system hospitals Mount Sinai has received recognition in the" best hospitals "rankings were:

• Mount Sinai Beth Israel, who made the appointment of high performance in six specialties, up from five last year: Ear, Nose & Throat, Geriatrics, Gastroenterology & GI surgery, gynecology, nephrology, and neurology and neurosurgery

• Mount Sinai St. Luke's / Roosevelt Mount Sinai, all classified by US News has obtained the status of high performance in five specialties. Ear nose and throat; Geriatrics, Urology, Nephrology, and neurology and neurosurgery.

Moreover, Mount Sinai Hospital was ranked third regional ranking in both New York City and New York Metro Area, while New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Mount Sinai St. Luke's / Roosevelt Mount Sinai were classified in 12th, 20th and 24th positions in the New York area, respectively.

Go to http://www.usnews.com/besthospitals to view the 2014-2015 edition of "Best Hospitals", which will be on newsstands Monday, August 25.

Here 2014- 2015 US News & World Report ranking of Mount Sinai:

Geriatrics - No. 2 (against 4 last year)
Gastroenterology - No. 9
Cardiology / Surgery heart - No. 10 (against 13 last year)
Ear, Nose & Throat - No. 10
Rehabilitation Medicine - No. 14
Neurology and neurosurgery - No. 15 (against No. 22 last year)
diabetes / Endocrinology - No. 17
urology - No. 27 (last year "high performance")
Nephrology - No. 47
Cancer - No. 48
Gynecology - efficient
Orthopaedics - efficient
Psychiatry - high-performance
Pulmonology - efficient