Immunology Product Guide

Anti-inflammatory drugs might treat resistant cancer

Jim Marino — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:28:28 +0000

According to a study conducted by researchers from University of California, the Burnham Institute for Medical Research and the University of Copenhagen Hospital, anti-inflammatory drugs that are already in the market for the treatment of arthritis are also effective in treating a chemotherapy-resistant form of lymphoma. The research focused on a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma discovered that anti-inflammatory drugs, etanercept and infliximab, used for arthritis shrank lymphoma tumors in mice.

Study finds HPV vaccine effective against precancerous cervical lesions

Jim Marino — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:36:39 +0000

A new study published in The Lancet depicts that GlaxoSmithKline’s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is highly effective at preventing precancerous cervical lesions that can lead to cervical cancer. The researchers said that the HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine was as much as 98% effective against HPV-16/18, and between 37% and 54% effective against 12 other cancer-causing HPV types.

Some Zicam intranasal products harmful: FDA

Jim Marino — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:25:14 +0000

The FDA has advised people against using Zicam intranasal products containing zinc as these drugs might cause long-lasting or permanent anosmia (loss of the sense of smell. The following Zicam products come under the FDA warning:
•    Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
•    Zicam Cold Remedy Gel Swabs
•    Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size

MorphoSys Unveils New Antibody Library, HuCAL PLATINUM(R)

Jim Marino — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:49:35 +0000

MorphoSys AG has announced the successful completion of a new proprietary antibody library, HuCAL PLATINUM. Initial results show that the new antibody library, which is approximately three-times larger than the former version, HuCAL GOLD, can provide a more diverse range of fully human antibodies. In addition, the new technology enables the generation of antibodies having higher affinity as well as improved expression rates. The improvements achieved with this next generation antibody library are expected to significantly shorten timelines from antibody discovery to pre-clinical development and result in antibody drug candidates with improved characteristics.

Affiris Begins Development Of A Parkinson’s Vaccine

Jim Marino — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:05:01 +0000

AFFiRiS has announced the start of the pre-clinical development of its first Parkinson’s vaccine PD01. The vaccine will be investigated for efficacy (”proof of concept”) in Parkinson models. On successful conclusion of this preclinical evaluation, initial clinical testing could start in 2010/11. The Parkinson’s vaccine specifically targets the alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) protein, which is considered to be a key contributory element in Parkinson’s disease. There is clear scientific evidence that the concentration and enrichment of alpha-syn in the brain are contributing factors in the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Vitamin Boosts Immunity Against Skin Cancer

Jim Marino — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:42:16 +0000

According to new research from the University of Sydney, Nicotinamide (VitB3), a vitamin found in common foods like meats, nuts, grains and cereals, may provide the next advance in skin cancer prevention. Presenting the results of a trial to the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Associate Professor Diona Damian said tests had shown the vitamin prevented damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation by protecting the immune system. The tests on volunteers using nicotinamide both as a lotion and in tablet form offered equally strong protection, against both UVB and UVA.

New Type Of Vaccines Deliver Stronger And Faster Immune Response

Jim Marino — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:55:36 +0000

A new vaccine principle is being developed by scientists at the University of Copenhagen which if it works to its full expected potential could help to save millions of lives and revolutionise current vaccine technology. The ‘InVacc’ platform, as it is known, represents an advance on the original DNA vaccines and generates new vaccines with greatly enhanced properties. The platform consists of a chain of amino acids attached to a gene of the virus being vaccinated against.

Everythingantiaging.com announces LimuZ Nei from Immune Tree

Jim Marino — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:11:13 +0000

www.Everythingantiaging.com has added LimuZ Nei from Immune Tree to their online catalog of nutritional supplements. LimuZ Nei is a blend of 5 all natural ingredients including Colostrum, limu with Fucoidan, zeolite and acetyl-L-carnitine. It is specifically designed to treat the immune, endocrine, nervous and anti-aging systems. LimuZ Nei has the same electrolyte balance as the blood in our bodies. This balance makes LimuZ Nei highly absorbable allowing for immediate delivery into the body systems because it bypasses the digestive process.

FDA nod to Cypress’ Cetirizine HCl Oral Solution

Jim Marino — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:35:27 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to Cypress Pharmaceutical, Inc.’s abbreviated new drug application for the prescription and over-the-counter versions of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, 1 mg/1 mL. This product is an AA-rated generic equivalent to the Zyrtec® Oral Solution developed by McNeil Consumer Healthcare. While Cetirizine HCl Oral Solution’s over-the-counter version is an antihistamine that relieve from indoor and outdoor allergies such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy throat; the prescription version treats symptoms of allergic rhinitis in children who are 6 to 23 months of age and relieve children up to 5 years of age from chronic urticaria (hives).

FDA nod to Tibotec’s PREZISTA for treating HIV-1 infection

Jim Marino — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:08:36 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded the indication for Tibotec Pharmaceuticals’ PREZISTA (darunavir) tablets once-daily dosing as a part of the HIV combination therapy in adult patients who have not taken medication for HIV before. Also, PREZISTA has been approved as a twice-daily for use in adults with a prior experience of treatment. With this approval, the protease inhibitor when administered with 100 mg PREZISTA/r (ritonavir) and other ARVs (antiretroviral agents) can be used for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.