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Growth hormone and Alzheimer's disease
December 5, 2010
Growth Hormone Boost May Not Slow Alzheimer's | health.usnews.com
The research outcome is adding significantly to the understanding of the maintenance of Alzheimer's disease, particularly the neuroprotective role of the growth hormone. Despite the negative results reported in this context, the findings did provide the efforts to offer new directions of intervention for reducing the cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's patients.
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Clinical efficacy for Linagliptin - results from phase III trials
September 29, 2009
Boehringer Ingelheim`s diabetes pipeline continues to advance as the Company announces conclusion of robust Phase III pivotal trials programme for linagliptin | www.pipelinereview.com
The news is advocating an interesting finding from the third phase of a clinical trial to confirm the efficacy and safety profile of Linagliptin to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. The finding supporting the effective use of Linagliptin to treat diabetes type 2 from the phase III pivotal trials has been gathered from a large population groups across the world, thereby raising the culture-free clinical property profile of this drug.
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What impact economic recession will have on the market for medical devices?
January 5, 2009
Medical devices not immune to recession worries | www.boston.com
This article has made a good predictive analysis of the economic climate for the medical equipments, especially amidst recent global economic recession. While the financial downfall for medical devices in general is already showing a gloomy picture, yet the economic landslides for sales of pacemakers, knee replacements and other items is still not clear. If the major companies are going for administration then the obvious outcome is economic decline. Cosmetic treatment company Allergan Inc. has already slashed its outlook in October on plummeting demand for its breast implants and Botox anti-wrinkle injections, and more may follow the suit, leaving a vulnerable economic market for medical devices, yet this is still in a predictive stage! More analytical information should be available for the public to make them aware of possible economic decline in the sector of medical devices.
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Delay in price tagging - who to blame?
September 19, 2008
Medicare overpaid on drugs with new generics, report says | www.latimes.com
This brief news is warning againts any procedural delay to market prices of generic versions of brand-name drugs. The eventual outcome is unexpected overpayment for generic brand. Is this a problem arising from computer pricing or a stratetgic decision making issue on how to label generic drugs in the competitive market?
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Is this a precautionery measure or a step to safeguard patient's health?
July 8, 2008
FDA Panel To Weigh Heart Trials For Diabetes Meds | www.pharmalot.com
The article is indicating ethical measures from the FDA relating to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease from using type 2 diabetes drug. An interesting idea for medical intervention in which decision making is underway to assess the efficacy of clinical trials either before or after a diabetes drug has been approved and marketed and the drugs are used by the population at large. The news will have immense value for type 2 diabetes drug development, especially when the risk for developing cardiovascular disease due to the use of diabetes drug cannot be ruled out.
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Anything new for Alzheimer's patients - a development or a dilemma ?
June 27, 2008
New clue to Alzheimer's found | news.yahoo.com
This news has limited implications for drug development due to the mystery surrounding the causes of Alzheimer's disease. The research reported in this news article is mainly examining the potential primary role of beta-amyloid plaque to cause the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The research is useful to make an attempt to untie the knot of complex roles of beta-amyloid plaque, especially when the presence did not necessarily lead to Alzheimer's disease for many aged people. The findings of the research is calling for sophisticated examination of beta-amyloid plaque to confirm if types of beta-amyloid plaque may be responsible for the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The research is carried out with rats, hence the question remains - to what extent this finding can be applied to human-beings ?
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PET with semiconductor shows promising result to diagnose diseases at an early stage
June 20, 2008
First Semiconductor-Based PET Scanner Demonstrates Potential To Aid In Early Diagnosis Of Disease | www.medicalnewstoday.com
The news reported in this article is no doubt showing an excellent progress made in diagnostic technique for various major illnesses, for which brain scanner is used. PET has been used to detect neurological disorder for a long time, and an additional development can ensure the successful application of PET to diagnose various life threatening disease at an early stage. It has also good prospect to benefit medical care, such as, scanning the development made by a drug intake This innovative practice relating to the use of PET with semiconductor is carried out in Japan, hence it's wider application can warrant the scientific value inherent in medical practice.
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Durable efficacy of exenatide for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes
June 18, 2008
After One Year, Type 2 Diabetes Patients Taking Exenatide Once Weekly Sustained Improvements in Glycemic Control and Weight; DURATION-1 Presented at ADA 2008 | newsroom.lilly.com
A valuable piece of information indicating an achievement to regulate and control severity of type 2 Diabetes. The article reports the findings of a clinical trial in details, the interesting outcome of weight loss in addition to blood sugar reduction may serve as indicators of possible success for exenatide, both for treatment and marketing.
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The benefits of using oral HRT can not outweigh fatal risks
June 2, 2008
Oral HRT More than Doubles Thrombotic Risk | www.medpagetoday.com
This article is providing an excellent summary of risk factors associated with oral HRT intake. It is unsual to highlight the health cost relating to a medical therapy when treatment for post-menopausal problems is not extensive. This type of information based on research findings can no doubt benefit women at the menopausal stage. More importantly, the comparison between oral and transdermal estrogen can show hope for many women suffering from post menopausal symptoms as the research is suggesting that transdermal estrogen has less side effects than oral, which may lead to thromboembolism. What other options are there for women if the serious consequences of taking both oral and transermal estrogen cannot be ruled out?
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New era for SEROQUEL® (quetiapine fumarate) - approval from the FDA
May 19, 2008
FDA Approves AstraZeneca’s Seroquel for Maintenance Treatment in Bipolar Disorder | www.astrazeneca.com
With the acceptance of SEROQUEL® (quetiapine fumarate) by the FDA to treat Bipolar disorder, medical research can yet again rely on extensive clinical trials to get confirmation of drug treatments for major psychiatric illnesses in conjunction with psychological interventions, thereby increasing the prospect of beneficial maintenance treatment for patients with Bipolar disorder. It can be expected that the severity of Bipolar disorder can be minimized with the help of SEROQUEL® when a treament plan is developed for patients with Bipolar disoder. Further insights can be gained after the successful use of this drug and from reported recovery rate. A follow-up study is needed for this.
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May 19, 2008
Anti-inflammatory Drugs Do Not Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults | pharmalive.com
The article presents a very important piece of information regarding the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory drugs, Naproxen and Celecoxib to treat cognitive decline of patients with neurodegenrative disorders. It presents the results of a large scale clinical trial carried out by ADAPT ((Alzheimer’s Disease Anti-Inflammatory Prevention Trial) Research Group). The nonsignificant result obtained for Naproxen and Celecoxib to improve cognitive functions of patients with neurodegenerative disease suggests that we cannot generalize about the positive effects of all anti-inflammatory drugs without going through an extensive clinical trials, also we have to ascertain specific benefits any drugs can bring at a certain time point during the progress of this disease. This is confirmed in this trial with the suggestion that these drugs may be effective at the onset of Alzhiemer's disease. Further clinical trial is required to warrant the scientific validity of such assumption.
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May 5, 2008
Corcept Therapeutics Announces Commencement Of Next Phase 3 Study With CORLUX(R) For The Treatment Of Psychotic Depression | www.biospace.com
This is an interesting development for treating psychotic depression, particularly, for dealing with the serious side of this illness, which is causing premature death and more illnesses associated with it. The information indicates that FDA is looking forward to make a quick approval due to the urgency of treating psychotic depression, and in the absence of any suitable drug, CORLUX is likely to get formal approval quite sharp from the FDA. This news worth further monitoring, especially when the result of the 4th phase trial for finding clinical efficacy of CORLUX is made.
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Eurpean phase III study for Huntingdon disease- clinical efficacy for ACR16
May 2, 2008
NeuroSearch initiates pivotal Phase III programme with ACR16 for the treatment of Huntington’s disease | www.pipelinereview.com
The news is showing a prospective development to treat Huntingdon's disease, which is a major neurodegenrative disorder affecting a vast population groups across Europe and USA. As far as the recent treatment option is concerned, complete cure for Huntingdon's disease is not yet found, hence any clinical work to develop drug to treat this disease will be an welcoming addition to the existing efforts to treat Huntingdon's disease. Phase III study aims to assess major motor functions as well cognitive abilities, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. In addition, the side effects and tolerance level of ACR16 will be ascertained.
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What strategy Pfizer will take (advanced Melanoma fails to give positive results) ?
April 7, 2008
Pfizer Ends Clinical Trial Of Melanoma Treatment | online.wsj.com
This article is briefly stating the future hold of Pfizer in developing drugs for cancer treatment. The infomation provided is incompleted, for example, there is an absence of detailed information on the phase III clinical trial neccesary to know if there is a flaw in the scientific methods taken for this clinical trial rather than a failure of Melanoma to cure symptoms for cancer, if not make a full cure. Pfizer is affriming it's situation to uphold cancer drug development, and this positive attitude in the face of adverse findings may help the company to overcome unexpected setback as was occurred in 2006. Failure can actually inspire more engagement and active plan to invest more resources and efforts, and this may well be expected for Pfizer, who has long established reputation in drug development.
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Good news for Obesity - Taranabant shows significant weight loss
April 4, 2008
Phase III Data Showed Taranabant, Merck's Investigational Medicine to Treat Obesity, Led to Statistically Significant Weight Loss | pharmalive.com
This article has reported Merck's successful clinical trial to obtain significant efficacy for Taranabant, an investigational medicine to treat Obesity. The news is particularly important for showing a longitudinal effect in the clinical significance for Taranabant, and a prospective market for Taranabant in the coming years, subject to more trials, which Merck is contemplating. There is a need to tease out the effects of Taranabant, independent of the effects due to diet restrictions and intake of regular exercise while on trial for Taranabant. Only then the clinical efficacy of this drug can be further confirmed. The question also remains about the length required to show significant weight loss after Taranabant intake, and how the adverse effects can be minimized. Merck is expected to make further development on this drug - something to follow-up for obesity.
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Prospective drug for Alzheimer's disease - Phase III cinical trial from Lilly
April 3, 2008
Lilly Launches Its First Phase III Trial for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease | www.fiercebiotech.com
The article published in the www.fiercebiotech.com is a positive indication of Lilly's approach to treat Alzheimer's disease, with the invention of 'The IDENTITY Trial', in which the efficacy of LY450139, an investigational gamma secretase inhibitor for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease is going to be examined with a sample of 1,500 patients from U.S and 21 other countries over a period of 21 months, and a possible extension for participants completing the study. Although, the details of how the cross-country comparison will be made, and what factors will be controlled for establishing a valid outcome can not be ascertained at present, nevertheless, the clinical trial will generate a good medical groundwork to a possible rehabilitation programme following on the treatment for Alzheimer's patients. Until the outcome is known, the information can not justify the efficacy of LY450139, but can suggest about a possible drug for this disease in the future.
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Prevention is better than cure - Medivir's successful phase III clinical trial for Lipsovir(R)
March 31, 2008
Medivir: Lipsovir Prevents Cold Sores - Phase III Clinical Trial Results First to Show Prevention by Early Treatment | pharmalive.com
The article published in the www.pharmalive.com is presenting a very useful information for preventing common illness, such as cold sores. The successful clinical outcome from phase III trial for Lipsovir is a progressive step for Medivir to develop preventative medicine. Particularly, the combination of an antiviral and an anti- inflammatory agent in Lipsovir can show the additional clinical significance for hydrocortisone (an anti-inflammatory agent), which is mainly used to treat atopical Eczema. Medivir has obviously showed excellent performance to satisfy FDA's rigorous requirement to achieve a certain level of significance ((p=0.001). Although the dialogue will continue with regulatory authorities before a plan for marketing is done, nevertheless, Medivir's achievement is indicative of successful endeavour to develop a preventative medicine.
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March 31, 2008
CHMP Upholds Negative Opinion for the EU Application for Cimzia® in the Treatment of Crohn's Disease | www.pipelinereview.com
The article is showing good practice taken by both EMEA and CHMP to scrutinize the viablity of Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) to treat Crohn's disease in the drug market. Although specific issues for rejection were not known, however, the article mentioned about UCB's ongoing attempt to get formal approval, and to this end they managed to resolve specific safety and quality concerns raised by the committee in November through the appeal process. The forward planning from UCB is noteworthy, especially in the face of adverse reactions from the regulatory committee.
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Innovative therapies for cancer by Immunomedics - a promising ttherapeutic intervention
March 27, 2008
Immunomedics Develops New Immunoconjugates for Targeted Chemotherapy of Pancreatic and Other Cancers | www.pipelinereview.com
The article published in the www.pipelinereview.com is presenting the clinical efficacy of three new antibody-drug conjugates aimed at treating pancreatic, colon, and lung cancers. The chemical compunds of each of these drugs are designed to treat specific cancer without posing a threat to normal tissues and organs. While this development for pancreatic, colon and lung cancers is a good scientific step, nevertheless, the benefits could still require further complicated steps including licensing these drugs after the FDA approval, and further longitudinal clinical trials. Until then, the information in this article has limited usage in practical terms.
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Psoriasis can lead to cardiovascular disease, depression and cancer - an interesting overview
March 26, 2008
Research Shows Patients With Psoriasis at Increased Risk for Developing Other Serious Medical Conditions | www.pharmalive.com
This article is enlighting our understanding of developing cardiovascular disease, depression and cancer for patients with Psoriasis. The report published in the www.pharmalive.com is an awareness review for Psoriasis, especially the implications for developing further serious medical conditions. The review is based on a research, and calling for an appropriate treatment for Psoriasis to minimise the risk for developing further medical problems, thereby reducing the life chances of a patient with Psoriasis. This type of awareness review is a very welcoming step from both practitioner and patients perspectives. The responsibility of a practitioner to inform a patient with Psoriasis about all possible long-term health issues may not only help to maintain a healthy life-style, but also to prepare for any related medical conditions with the use of an appropriate coping style.
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