Battelle acquires almost 11% of the outstanding Common Stock AMIC

Battelle acquires almost 11% of the outstanding Common Stock AMIC -

Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation ( "AMIC") (OTCBB: ADMD), a development company late stage mainly engaged in the development of brachytherapy devices and medical isotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, announced today that Battelle, acquired approximately 11% of the outstanding Common Stock AMIC. Battelle is a global science and technology leading company that explores emerging areas of science and develops and markets technologies

In 2011, AMIC has entered into licensing agreements with Battelle for 10 patents related to Amics products brachytherapy. and in 2012, AMIC has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Battelle for the use of brachytherapy patented gel technology Battelle

AMIC CEO and Chairman James C. Katzaroff said :. "Joint marketing effort AMIC and Battelle was recognized nationally in 2013 when AMIC received the Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, a prestigious honor recognized by the US Secretary of energy and US Senator Patty Murray. We continue our close collaboration with Battelle and look forward to the commercialization of this exciting technology. "

Battelle acquired its interest in AMIC converting a previous note for partial review of studies conducted at PNNL. Details are presented in the form of the Company 8K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As previously announced, AMIC is in the process of obtaining approval from the FDA for its brachytherapy device Y-0 RadioGel ™. AMIC as recently announced, the FDA determined that the brachytherapy RadioGel ™ product is a medical device class III unless reclassified as a Class II device. This determination is being revised and the AMIC steps should be taken for approval. AMIC is engaged in discussions with the FDA in the pre-bid process, including a meeting in person.

The study finds no association between vaccination against HPV and increased risk of blood clot

The study finds no association between vaccination against HPV and increased risk of blood clot -

Although some data have suggested a potential association between receiving the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) and venous thromboembolism subsequent vaccination (VTE; blood clot), an analysis that included more than 500,000 women who received the vaccine did not find an increased risk of VTE, study says published in the July issue 9 JAMA [

"security problems can undermine immunization programs at the expense of public health, and timely assessments of these concerns are essential "the authors write.

Nikolai Madrid Scheller, MB, of the Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues used data from Danish national registries to assess the potential link between HPV vaccination quadrivalent and VTE. Information on vaccination, use of oral contraceptives, use of anticoagulants (blood thinners), and the result of a first diagnosis of VTE in the hospital are not related to pregnancy, surgery, or cancer was obtained from the Danish registers.

The study included all Danish women, aged 10 to 44 years, from October 06 to July 2013 (n = 1,613,798), of which 500,345 (31 percent) who received the quadrivalent vaccine against HPV ; there were 4,375 incident cases of VTE. Of these, 889 women (20 percent) were vaccinated during the study period. Data analysis did not find an association between the quadrivalent vaccine against HPV and VTE during the 42 days after vaccination (defined as the main risk period).

"Our findings, which were consistent after adjusting for the use of oral contraceptives and among girls and young women, and women mid-adult, do not provide support to an increased risk of VTE after the quadrivalent HPV vaccination, "the researchers write.

Sheffield Hallam University is launching an online course Improve Prostate Cancer

Sheffield Hallam University is launching an online course Improve Prostate Cancer -

Sheffield Hallam University has joined the fight against one of the largest UK cancer killers throwing his first Massive Open online Course (MOOC) in Improving prostate cancer.

in collaboration with prostate cancer in the UK the MOOC was designed to give healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and those who have a keen interest in health, luck broaden their expertise and improve their knowledge of prostate cancer.

More than 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year and the University and the charity has developed the five-week program to cover key areas such as diagnosis, treatment, care and survival in later life.

The course is open to health professionals, students, patients and caregivers. It will be delivered in collaboration with the e-portfolio system, PebblePad via an interactive workbook online, discussion forums and live webinars with Sheffield Hallam University, specialists and guest speakers provided by prostate cancer in the United United.

Registration is now open for the free course which will begin on October 13, 2014. This will be the first time that the University has established a MOOC to its wide range of courses.

David Eddy, head of MOOC courses and keynote speaker of radiotherapy and oncology at the University of Sheffield Hallam, said: "This is a first for Sheffield Hallam and prostate cancer in the United -um It is designed to support and enable people around the country. and outside the UK, to study or improve their knowledge of prostate cancer care.

"Not only the current support and facilitate learning, it will also provide a forum for healthcare professionals, patients and carers to share information and discuss ways to improve the treatment of prostate cancer.

"The course has been designed and will be delivered by academics from Sheffield Hallam world class that will provide a high quality and engaging learning experience online with our other programs."

Gemma Borwick, education director for prostate cancer in the UK said: "More than 40,000 men are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer in the UK and it is fast become the most common cancer overall in 2030. as a result, it is more important than ever that health professionals are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat and support of men with the disease.

"We are delighted to work with Sheffield Hallam University to its first MOOC to improve prostate cancer. It is a great opportunity for healthcare professionals and students to deepen their knowledge disease and learn about the latest treatments and supportive services to men living with prostate cancer. "

To register for a place on the MOOC visit http: //tinyurl.com/epccmooc or contact David Eddy via d.eddy@shu.ac.uk for more information

New knowledge can develop treatments for lung cancer patients

New knowledge can develop treatments for lung cancer patients -

The study of the most common form of lung cancer, researchers have found mutations in a cell signaling pathway that plays a role in forming tumors. The new knowledge may develop treatments for patients because drugs targeting some of these genetic changes are already available or are in clinical trials.

Reports July 9 in Nature , investigators from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), including researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Harvard Medical School other institutions, studied tumors from 230 patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

"This is the first time we had a panoramic look at the genomic landscape of the many lung tumor samples," said oncologist Ramaswamy Govindan, MD, professor of medicine at the University Washington TCGA project lung cancer co-president. "These studies reinforce the view that lung cancer is a very heterogeneous disease."

Combined with a previous study of 178 patients lung squamous cell carcinoma, the TCGA researchers now have published genetic data on 400 patients with lung cancer and are working to analyze 0 more. tumors investigators included scientists from the University of the genomics Institute Washington and other major sequencing centers.

in the new study, among the myriad genetic changes observed in adenocarcinoma, a cell signaling pathway stood out. About 75 percent of the samples had mutations that an overactive pathway called RTK / RAS / RAF, known for her roles in tumor growth.

"It is remarkable that the importance of channel RTK / RAS / RAF seems to be," said Govindan, who treats patients at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and University School of Medicine in Washington. "Mutations in this particular way promote cancer cell growth. What is amazing is how many ways this path can be activated.

" We know these tumors are not static, "he added. " They evolve. We should be looking at multiple biopsies over time to see how tumor cells escape by inhibiting a pathway and become resistant to treatment. "

The researchers also found other relevant mutations in important genes such as EGFR NF1 NF2 and MET . These results could be useful in a clinical trial known as ALCHEMIST (adjuvant Lung Cancer enrichment marker identification and trial sequencing) that directs Govindan. the trial will involve the screening of tumors thousands of lung cancer patients for gene alterations called EGFR and ALK . After surgery to remove their tumors, these patients will be invited to participate in clinical trials that study drugs targeting these genes dysfunctional.

ALCHEMIST's trial is based on the current study and will also potentially provide additional tumor samples for genomic analysis. A large sample size is important in the accurate identification of mutations that stimulate the growth of the tumor of the lung.

"Lung cancer patients often have substantial exposure to tobacco, which leads to a large number of mutations," said Govindan. "We can not be able to find important mutations unless we examine several samples from thousands of patients."

Despite these advances in lung cancer understanding - the most common cause of cancer death in the world - the researchers point out that the best way to reduce lung cancer deaths is to help people quit smoking and encourage others to never start.

First edition July 11, 2014

First edition July 11, 2014 -

Today the titles include coverage surveys that offer a glimpse of how the health law is being to do in terms of reducing the nation's uninsurance rate [

Kaiser Health News: A reader asks: Is selling your house affect eligibility for Assisted Living
Kaiser Health consumer news columnist Michelle Andrews answers the question of this player (7/11) ?. Read his response

Politico. The verdict is in: Obamacare uninsured Lowers
A survey by the Commonwealth Fund found that 9.5 million fewer adults are now insured at the start of the Obamacare enrollment season. The Health Reform Monitoring Survey of the Urban Institute found a similar decline, with 8 million adults get coverage. Gallup-Healthways survey and reported that the uninsured rate declined to 13.4 percent of adults, the lowest level since it began tracking the health coverage in 08. That was all on Thursday. In recent months, other surveys of Gallup series have always found the same downward trend, and a RAND survey in April found that the law has extended health coverage to 9.3 million Americans (Näther, 7 / 11).

Los Angeles Times: Covers health law at least 8 million
The health care law President Obama has reduced the number of uninsured adults from 8 million to 11 million in its first year, according to three new studies, and satisfaction of the report of the majority of their new health plans. The studies -; made separately by the Commonwealth Fund, the Urban Institute and the Gallup organization -; use different methods to estimate the effect that the Affordable Care Act was (Terhune and Lauter, 7/10)

Los Angeles Times :. Californians uninsured rate is halved Under Obamacare, survey reveals
The percentage of Californians without health insurance has been cut in half over the last nine months during the expansion of the coverage of the federal law on health, a new study shows. Nationwide, an estimated 9.5 million adults aged under 65 have gained health insurance between the end of summer 2013 and last month, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund on Thursday released (Terhune, 7/10)

Politico :. More signs that health coverage grows in Obamacare
millions of Americans won since Obamacare health insurance took effect, according to several new surveys show that the law reduced the rate of the nation after uninsurance " train wreck "of a departure. Three new surveys published in rapid succession Thursday found a significant number of newly insured adults. None of these results will put to rest the political debate on the cost structure and the wisdom of the Affordable Care Act, but they only give firm defenders proof that the law respects the coverage targets (Wheaton, 7/10 ).

The New York Times: Suit against Obama to focus on the health care law, Boehner said
the trial of President John A. Boehner against President Obama will focus on changes to the Law on healthcare Mr. Boehner said should be left to Congress, according to a statement released Thursday by the office of the speaker (Weisman, 7/10)

Los Angeles Times :. House Lawsuit Over Obamacare to Focus On Employer Mandate Delay
House leaders announced Thursday that their trial planned against President Obama would focus on its inability to enforce the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, renew a fight on the right of the landmark health. Speaker John A. Boehner had already announced its intention to prosecute the president on what he said was Obama's failure to meet its constitutional obligations, but Boehner did not specify that the challenge would be based on (Memoli, 7/10).

Washington Wire The Wall Street Journal: Republicans Lay Out Legislation Room lawsuit against Obama
trial Speaker John Boehner of (R., Ohio) expected to challenge the executive actions of President Barack Obama will focus on the decision of the white House to waive the affordable Care Act mandate employer without the consent of Congress, Republican leaders Thursday. Republicans unveiled a proposed House resolution that would allow the House of Representatives to file a complaint against Mr. Obama, which is provided in the chamber to vote on this month. Mr. Boehner said the trial would be about the distribution of powers between the executive and the legislature, saying that the decision of the White House to change the health law violated the separation of powers (Crittenden, 7 / 10).

Politico: Obama continuing the GOP to devote to the employer mandate
House Republicans will base their lawsuit against President Barack Obama on "unilateral" decision of the administration to delay making provision of office of the employer in Obamacare, Speaker John Boehner said Thursday. Chairman of the Rules Committee Pete Sessions (R-Texas) issued a draft resolution that would allow the House to go forward with a case against Obama for House Republicans characterize as a wide abuse of executive power. The resolution will be considered by the committee next week and a vote on the House floor is expected by the end of July (French, 7/11)

The New York Times :. Obscure rule Restricted extension of the Health Law Care For Addicts
law allowed states to extend Medicaid to many more low-income people, which means that addicts and alcoholics who were previously ineligible may now receive coverage for the treatment of drug addiction, the law was considered an "essential health benefit". But there's a catch :. Under an obscure federal rule promulgated there nearly 50 years, Medicaid covers residential addiction treatment in community-based programs if they have 16 or fewer beds (Goodnough, 7/10)

the Washington post: Michigan reaches its health policy insurance registration 8 months ago
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) announced Thursday that the state had achieved its goal of first year of signing up 322,000 residents of Michigan health Plan eight months earlier. Approximately 477,000 Michigan residents are eligible for the Plan of Michigan Health, Medicaid expanded state for low-income residents. . To be eligible, individuals can not qualify for or be enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid programs and others must have an income equal or less than 133 percent of the poverty line (Schwartz, 7/10)

the Wall Street Journal: Dr. Quitte-uterine device security panel on the conflict
a member of a panel advising the government on the safety of a medical device that can spread the cancer women resigned after the Food and Drug administration of the United States considered the advisory fees received from an equipment manufacturer, the agency said Thursday (Levitz, 7/10)

Washington post:. FDA Free-Speech, security issues to weigh Review Of 'Off-Label' Drug Marketing
Driven in part by the recent decisions of the Federal Court, the FDA reviews its rules on this type of pharmaceutical companies data should be authorized to distribute to doctors about off-label uses, and how they must respond to spontaneous questions from doctors about these uses. Its objective is to issue new guidelines by the end of the year (Dennis, 7/9)

Los Angeles Times :. UnitedHealth Group Sues Over California Fine
Establishment of a major legal battle, UnitedHealth Group Inc. sued the insurance commissioner of California to block his attempt to fine the insurer $ 173.6 million for violations during an acquisition sloppy 05. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Orange County Superior Court, is the latest twist in a long political drama. There are four years, California has asked for a jaw-dropping fine of almost $ 10 billion against UnitedHealth, the largest health insurer in the nation. The penalty to handling problems of medical claims and policy applications after the insurer bought PacifiCare, based in Cypress (Terhune, 7/10)

The Associated Press: Changes Regs on Va .. long-term care insurance
Virginia regulators encourage long-term care policyholders to take advantage of changes that strengthen the protection against accidental cover failures due to non-payment. The Corporation Commission State Insurance Bureau said insurers have long been required to provide the insured with the possibility to appoint a third party to receive notice of forfeiture of the impending policy (7/10).

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This article has been reprinted kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a professional health policy research non-partisan organization affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

Study reveals why the survival of patients with blood cancer still varies between regions in Europe

Study reveals why the survival of patients with blood cancer still varies between regions in Europe -

Failure to obtain the best treatment and changes in the quality of care are the most likely reasons why survival for patients with blood cancer still varies widely between the regions of Europe, according to the largest study population-based survival among European adults to date , published in The Lancet Oncology .

"the good news is that survival at 5 years for most cancers of the blood has increased over the past 11 years, most likely reflecting the approval of new targeted drugs in the early 00s, as rituximab for non-Hodgkins lymphoma and imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia, "said study leader Dr Milena Sant Fondazione IRCCS Istituto the Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy.

"But there are still persistent differences between regions. For example, the absorption and utilization of new technologies and therapies was much slower in Eastern Europe than other regions. This may have contributed to the great differences in management and patient outcomes. "

The Eurocare study analyzed data from 30 cancer registries covering all patients diagnosed in 20 European countries to compare changes in the 5-year survival for more than 560,400 adults (aged 15 and over ) 11 diagnosed with lymphoid and myeloid cancers between 1997 and 08 and followed until the end of 08.

Certain blood cancers showed particularly large increases in survival between 1997 and 08, for example, follicular lymphoma (59% to 74%), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (42% to 55%), chronic myeloid leukemia (32% to 54%) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (50% to 62%).

the greatest improvements in survival during 1997-08 were in northern, central and eastern Europe, although adults in Eastern Europe (where survival in 1997 was the lowest) continue to have lower survival for most blood cancers elsewhere.

But survival gains were lower in southern Europe and the UK. For example, improved 5-year survival of chronic myeloid leukemia in the north (29% to 60%) and Central Europe (34% to 65%) were consistently higher than in the UK (35 % to 56%) and in Southern Europe (37% to 55%). For more detailed results for all cancers by European area see Table 4 on page 6 and Figure 2 on page 6.

The risk of death within 5 years of diagnosis fell so significant for all malignancies, with the exception of myelodysplastic syndromes between 1997 and 08. But not all regions have seen such improvements. For example, compared to the UK, the excess risk of death was significantly higher in Eastern Europe than in other regions for most cancers studied, but significantly lower in Northern Europe. For more detailed results for all cancers in the European zone and age See Table 5 on page 7.

The authors suggest that the most likely reasons for continuing geographic differences in survival inequalities in the provision of care and the availability and use of new treatments.

"We know that rituximab, imatinib, thalidomide, bortezomib and were first made available for general use in Europe in 1997, 01, 1998 and 03 respectively. The years following mailing generally these drugs coincided with a sharp increase in the survival of chronic myeloid leukemia, diffuse large cell lymphoma B, and follicular lymphoma, with an increase in smaller but significant survival for multiple myeloma plasmacytoma "say. authors.

However, they emphasize that the absorption and use of these drugs has not been uniform throughout Europe. For example, rituximab absorption, imatinib and bortezomib market was lower in Eastern Europe and elsewhere could always explain the lower survival in this region

According Sant :.

High resolution studies using clinical records to collect detailed clinical information for representative samples of cancer registry can more directly link treatment and clinical characteristics of survival.

Write a comment linked, Alastair Munro of the University of Dundee Medical School in Scotland question whether these improvements in survival can be simply attributed to drugs, saying, "A better understanding the 5-EUROCARE findings require additional information on changes over time (and space) concerning: survival according to the broad categories of disease (Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma and other malignancies myeloid), distribution of histological subtypes and their relationship with the age distribution of the population; the phase distribution at diagnosis, and the time of active intervention for tumors indolent. ... in comparison, either in time or in space, one must consider the effect of potential confounding factors. is it all on drugs? the answer is, not quite. "

tamoxifen gel stops breast cancer growth without causing dangerous side effects

tamoxifen gel stops breast cancer growth without causing dangerous side effects -

A tamoxifen gel form applied on the breasts of women with cancer of the noninvasive breast reduces the growth of cancer cells to the same degree as the drug is taken orally, but with fewer side effects that prevent some women taking it, according to new research Medicine- Northwestern.

Tamoxifen is an oral drug that is used for breast cancer prevention and treatment of non-invasive breast cancer and invasive cancer

Since the drug is absorbed by the skin directly into the breast tissue, the drug levels in the blood were much lower as possible, which reduces potentially dangerous side effects. - Blood clots and uterine cancer.

The gel was tested on women diagnosed with noninvasive cancer carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in which abnormal cells multiply and form a growth in a milk duct. Because of potential side effects, many women with DCIS are reluctant to take the oral tamoxifen after treatment with breastfeeding saving surgery and radiation, even if the drug effectively prevent DCIS recurrence and reduces the risk of future new breast cancer.

The document was published July 15 in the journal Clinical Cancer Research .

"Delivering the drug if a gel, if proven effective in larger trials, could replace oral tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention and DCIS and encourage many more women to take" said lead author Seema Khan, MD, surgical oncologist at Northwestern Medicine-. "for breast cancer prevention and DCIS therapy, the concentrations of effective drugs are needed in the breast. For these women, moving from top-level drugs cause collateral damage. "

Khan is Professor of Surgery and Professor Bluhm Family Research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine cancer. It is also a surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and co-leader of the breast cancer program at the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern Robert H. University

"minimized exposure to gel the rest of the body and concentrate the drug in the chest where it is needed, "said Khan. "There was very little drug in the blood which should prevent the formation of potential blood clots and a higher risk of uterine cancer."

Women who have completed surgery and radiation are given oral tamoxifen for five years to reduce the risk of recurrent DCIS in the same place and new breast cancer appearing elsewhere in the same breast or the other breast. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen treatment for a type of breast cancer that require estrogen to grow.

Khan and his colleagues conducted a clinical phase II study to compare the effects of frost, 4-OHT, with oral tamoxifen. They found after six to 10 weeks of application of the gel that the reduction of a marker for cancer cell growth, Ki-67, in breast tissue was similar to that of tamoxifen orally. The scientists also found equal amounts of 4-OHT present in the breast tissue of patients who used the gel or took oral medication, but the levels of 4-OHT blood were more than five times lower in people who used the gel.

reducing the levels of 4-OHT in the blood was also correlated with a reduction in proteins that cause blood clots.

The study included 26 women, aged 45 to 86 who had been diagnosed with DCIS that was sensitive to estrogen (DCIS of estrogen receptor-positive). Half of the women received the gel, they applied daily, and half of the oral drug, which they took every day.

The gel application may also be more effective for some women. oral tamoxifen does not allow all women who take it because it must be activated in the liver by specific enzymes and about a third of women lack these enzymes, Khan said. These women can not receive full benefits of the pill.

Cancer of the mouth and Cody Kiser partner coming Snake River Stampede Rodeo

Cancer of the mouth and Cody Kiser partner coming Snake River Stampede Rodeo -

While the world of rodeo was the area of ​​sponsorship by the tobacco industry for decades, the Foundation of oral cancer take a stand today and presents its new spokesperson, Cody Kiser; a rodeo cowboy who will be debuting its partnership with the foundation for the next Snake River Stampede Rodeo in Nampa, ID.

As a spokesman for the foundation, Cody hopes to serve as a positive role model for children and adolescents that look up their cowboy heroes in the world of rodeo. Research shows that nearly 15% of high school boys use smokeless tobacco in the United States. With the nicotine content in a dip box roughly equivalent to that of 80 cigarettes, this dependence can be one of the most difficult to break, which is why the Oral Cancer Foundation hopes to educate parents and youth about the dangers before you even start.

"My father was a cowboy, so I know what it's like to watch cowboys as heroes for all my life. Health and fitness have always been incredibly important to my family. my father was a positive role model in my life growing in this area, and the idea of ​​using chewing tobacco never appealed to me, "Cody actions." Right now, I continue the rodeo as a of my passions, and at the same time, I can do good in the world and a good example for young children who might deal to me, so I am honored and eager to do "

" Every child has a hero, they turn to, and if it is a cowboy, baseball player, or another important person in their lives ;. even heroes can still have some aspect of their life that is less than a perfect example to follow, "said Brian Hill, founder and executive director of the Oral Cancer Foundation. "We are excited to partner with Cody and risk in the rodeo arena because we believe we can make a real difference."

Brian continues, "Cody is an excellent partner for us. This is the first time that a nonprofit is really happening in a world that is very related to smokeless tobacco use and proactively defend against our messaging to young people is simple. .. Be Smart do not start "

Founded in 1999, the Oral Cancer Foundation was established to promote change proactively, both in the public and medical / dental professionals. This change includes education on the dangers of smoking to the pin, one of the risk factors that contribute to disease. entering the rodeo stage, OCF aims to respond provocatively the real dangers of smoking in a world which has long been influenced and sponsored by it

About the Oral Cancer Foundation
with our mouth we eat and drink what sustains us. with it we communicate ideas and feelings in the world by word or a smile. It allows us to enjoy the shade of a good wine, the sweetness of a freshly picked berry, or hot dog covered with mustard at the ballpark. the love or passion is expressed by it when we kiss a loved one or a child. When cancer affects our mouth, it does more than remove these daily functions, it takes too often our lives. Thanks to the public and increase awareness of professionals, prevention through lifestyle changes, early detection initiatives, education, improved treatment modalities, and sponsoring research, mission of the Oral Cancer Foundation is to contribute to the reduction of suffering, permanent physical damage and disfigurement, and death caused by this disease.

Foundation is an IRS registered non-profit 501 (c) 3, public service charity designed for advocacy and service, created to promote change proactively, both in the public and medical / dental professional sectors. At the forefront of our program is the setting up firm in the minds of the American public to the need to undergo an annual oral cancer screening, combined with awareness of the medical and dental communities to provide this service as a matter of common practice.

The researchers significant breakthrough that can benefit patients with cancer of the intestine

The researchers significant breakthrough that can benefit patients with cancer of the intestine -

Researchers at Queen's University have made a significant breakthrough that can benefit to patients with intestinal cancer.

Dr Sandra van Schaeybroeck and his team have discovered how two genes cause colon cancer cells to become resistant to treatments used against the disease. The research, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, was published this month in the prestigious international journal Cell reports.

The activity of two genes, called MEK and MET, was discovered when the researchers looked at all the different pathways and interactions that take place in cancer cells of the intestine.

Dr. van Schaeybroeck and his group found that these intestinal cancers go on a survival mechanism when they are treated with drugs that target faulty genes MEK. But when researchers added drugs that also block the MET gene, cancer cells of the intestine are dead.

The team is currently testing a new approach to target these two genes in the most aggressive forms of bowel cancer in a European Commission funded clinical trial is led by Dr. van Schaeybroeck.

Currently, more than 40,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year and more than 16,000 patients die of the disease. More than half of patients develop an aggressive form of the disease that does not respond to standard treatment, the overall five-year survival in this group of patients is less than five percent.

study author Dr. Sandra van Schaeybroeck, of the Centre for Research on Cancer and Cell Biology (of CCRCB) at Queen's University, said: "We have discovered how two key genes contributing aggressive bowel cancer understand how they are involved in the development of the disease has also initiated the development of new potential. treatment approach for this disease "

Vice Chancellor University of the Queen, Professor Patrick Johnston, said:". Understanding the genes that cause bowel cancer is a key element of our research Our findings in this deadly disease were identified. new path to clinical application for cancer patients "

Professor David Waugh, Director CCRCB the Queen said:". the publication of this research by Dr. van Schaeybroeck and his team demonstrates our commitment to achieve scientific excellence here in Belfast that can be directly translated to the clinic. "

clinical trial, which is called mercuric and should begin in September, will deliver personalized medicine to patients in Northern Ireland and patients from other European countries. overall, the pan-European collaborative effort will involve 13 research / clinical teams from nine European countries.

Researchers develop a new technique for single cell to study the effects of the environment on the DNA

Researchers develop a new technique for single cell to study the effects of the environment on the DNA -

Researchers at the Babraham Institute BBSRC-funded, in collaboration with the cell Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute genomics single center, have developed a unique new powerful cell technique to help investigate how the environment affects our development and the traits we inherit from our parents. The technique can be used to map the set of "epigenetic marks" on the DNA in a single cell. This unique approach cell will boost understanding of embryonic development, could improve clinical applications as therapeutic cancer treatments and fertility, and the potential to reduce the number of mice currently required for this search.

"epigenetic marks" are chemical tags or proteins that mark DNA and act as a kind of cellular memory. They do not change the DNA sequence, but store the experiences of one cell to the DNA, which allows cells to remember an experience long after it has disappeared. Place these tags is part of normal development; they say if genes being turned on or off and therefore can not determine how the cell develops. Different sets of active genes are different skin cell of a brain cell, for example. However, environmental cues such as diet may also change where epigenetic tags are attached to DNA and influence long-term health of an organism

Dr Gavin Kelsey, of the Babraham Institute, said, :. "The ability to capture the full map of these epigenetic marks of individual cells is essential for a complete understanding of early development, the growth of embryonic cancer and help the development of stem cell therapies.

" research epigenetics was mostly dependent on using the mouse as a model organism for studying early development. Our new unicellular method gives us an unprecedented ability to study the epigenetic processes in the human early embryonic development, which was limited by the very limited amount of tissue available for analysis "

the research, published in Nature Methods offers a new single cell technique capable of analyzing DNA methylation. - one epigenetic key brands - .. in the genome the method processes the cellular DNA with a chemical called bisulfite treated DNA is then amplified and read more high-throughput sequencing machines to show the location methylation marks and the affected genes.

These analyzes will help determine how epigenetic changes in individual cells in early development destiny drive cells. current methods observed epigenetic marks in multiple cells, grouped together. This can hide the changes that occur in individual cells at some point in development where each cell has the potential to form a unique way. The new method has already revealed that most of the methylation marks that differ between individual cells are specifically located in sites that control gene activity

Dr Gavin Kelsey, said :. "Our work provides a proof of principle for large scale epigenetic analysis a single cell is feasible to help us understand how epigenetic changes control embryonic development. the application of a single understanding of epigenetic approaches cell goes well beyond the basic biological research. future clinical applications could include the analysis of individual cancer cells to provide clinicians with information to tailor treatments and improvements in the treatment of fertility by understanding the potential of epigenetic errors in assisted reproductive technologies. "

Professor Wolf Reik, a founder of the cell Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute single Genomics Centre, added:" This exciting new method has already yielded some remarkable insights into how much variation it is in epigenetic information in embryonic stem cells. This may explain the enormous plasticity of these cells should develop into many different cell types in the body. "