Geron Initiates Phase 2 Trial of GRN1005 in Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer

In continuation of my update on Paclitaxel and drug discovery....

Geron Corporation, announced the initiation of GRABM-B (GRN1005 Against Brain Metastases - Breast Cancer), a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate GRN1005 in patients with brain metastases arising from breast cancer. GRN1005 is the company's lead LRP-directed peptide-drug conjugate (LRP-directed PDC) that consists of the cytotoxic drug, paclitaxel, linked to a peptide (Angiopep-2) that targets the LRP receptor to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to target tumors in the brain.

The purpose of the Phase 2 study is to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of GRN1005 in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer. The trial is designed to include 100 patients with HER2 positive or HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) disease, who will be assessed in two separate cohorts of 50 patients each.....

More...

Ref : http://www.geron.com/media/pressview.aspx?id=1287

Drug combination highly effective for newly diagnosed myeloma patients......

A three-drug combination treatment for the blood cancer multiple myeloma compares favorably to the best established therapy for newly diagnosed patients, according to a multi-center study led by Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and director of the multiple myeloma program at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

( Carfilzomib)

 (Lenalidomide)

( Thalidomide)

The combination includes an investigational medicine called carfilzomib combined with two standard medications: lenalidomide, an analogue of thalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory with anti-cancer properties.

"This combination appears to deliver everything we expected and more," said Jakubowiak, who came to the University of Chicago this fall from the University of Michigan. "We have seen excellent efficacy — the best reported to date — without the neurotoxicity that has been problematic with other drug combinations."

Ref : http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2011/20111206-myeloma.html

Total Synthesis of Indolizidine (+)-223A :: ChemViews Magazine :: ChemistryViews

Total Synthesis of Indolizidine (+)-223A :: ChemViews Magazine :: ChemistryViews

Synta's ganetespib shows potent in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple breast cancer types

Synta researchers  have reported that, Ganetespib (structure)  shows potent in vitro and in vivo activity against multiple types of breast cancer including HER2-positive, ER/PR positive, triple-negative, and inflammatory breast cancer. 

"These results demonstrating that ganetespib potently inhibits key signaling pathways involved in the growth and proliferation of multiple forms of breast cancer are encouraging, and supportive of the results presented earlier at this meeting showing single-agent, anti-tumor activity in patients with breast cancer who have progressed on or failed to respond to multiple prior therapies," said Vojo Vukovic, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Synta. 

Researchers conclude that, the combined preclinical and clinical results create a strong rationale for advancing ganetespib development in both HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer.

More : http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=147988&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1638540&highlight=

Combination of bortezomib and panobinostat shows promise against advanced multiple myeloma

In co\continuation of  my update on Bortezomib...

A phase 2 clinical trial has shown that pairing bortezomib with an experimental drug, panobinostat: Panobinostat is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, a type of drug that blocks key processes involved in gene expression and protein degradation. Panobinostat clogs up a protein disposal mechanism in myeloma cells so that harmful byproducts accumulate and eventually cause programmed cell death.(see below structure), may be a promising new treatment for such patients, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers say.

 The PANORAMA 2 trial included 53 patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who had undergone multiple rounds of prior treatment and, in more than half, also stem cell transplant. The researchers reported on 44 patients receiving the panobinostat-bortezomib-dexamethasone combination.

Results showed that in the first phase of the treatment, 9 of the patients had at least a partial response of their disease, and 2 of the 9 saw their myeloma almost disappear, a so-called near complete response. Another 7 patients experienced minimal response, which is also associated with clinical benefit. 

More : http://ash.confex.com/ash/2011/webprogram/Paper41145.html

Ruxolinitib reduces spleen size by 35% in patients with myelofibrosis

In continuation of my ruxolinitib

In a major advance in treatment, a multicenter study found that ruxolinitib did a better job than off-label chemotherapy drugs reducing the terrible symptoms associated with myelofibrosis, including pain, enlarged spleen, anemia, fever, chills, fatigue, and weight loss. 

Only about 10 percent of myelofibrosis patients are eligible for a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy often falls short, Dr. Mesa says. A handful of off-label chemotherapy drugs have been modestly helpful, he says.

A randomized, double-blind clinical trial, known as the COMFORT-1 study, showed that ruxolinitib reduced spleen size by more than 35 percent in almost all of the 154 patients studied. An enlarged spleen, caused by sequestered over-proliferating blood cells, causes discomfort and can also lead to the need for blood transfusions and further medical complications for patients.

"The studies confirmed the drug is very effective. As a representative of a particular class of molecular inhibitors called JAK2 inhibitors, which are now being widely studied, ruxolinitib suggests this category will continue to be promising for myelofibrosis," Dr. Mesa says.

Ref : More...

American Friends of Tel Aviv University: Beating Superbugs with a High-Tech Cleanser

American Friends of Tel Aviv University: Beating Superbugs with a High-Tech Cleanser

Total Synthesis of Indolizidine (+)-223A :: ChemViews Magazine :: ChemistryViews

Total Synthesis of Indolizidine (+)-223A :: ChemViews Magazine :: ChemistryViews

UMass Amherst Researchers Test a Drug-Exercise Program Designed to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

In continuation of my update on Metformin...

Kinesiology researcher Barry Braun of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and colleagues recently reported unexpected results of a study suggesting that exercise and one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for diabetes, metformin, each improves insulin resistance when used alone, but when used together, metformin blunted the full effect of a 12-week exercise program in pre-diabetic men and women.

Ref : http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/142505.php

Editorial: An apple a day keeps colitis away

In continuation on my update on the benefits of apple

Editorial: An apple a day keeps colitis away:

More : http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/MT200812AG.pdf

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