Bear bile chemical could help keep hearts in rhythm

We know that, the compound, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, see structure), is already used to lower cholesterol and help dissolve gallstones, and it's a key ingredient in many traditional Chinese medicines, which use bear bile. According to the latest research from Imperial College London it might also be able to treat abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, in fetuses and heart attack victims.

“These findings are exciting because the treatments we have now are largely ineffective at preventing arrhythmia in patients who develop an abnormal heart rhythm after a heart attack,” said Dr. Julia Gorelik...........

Ref : http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_2-8-2011-10-25-30

Positive results from combination drug trial for late-stage ovarian cancer

In continuation of my update on  carboplatin

Researchers from IU Medical Sciences Program-Bloomington  and Indiana University Melvin, have found that, an experimental two-drug combination (decitabine & carboplatin) for treating late-stage ovarian cancer continues to produce strong results, leading its Indiana University researchers to actively pursue the next step, conducting a larger clinical trial to test the therapy and to see how it compares with existing treatments for ovarian cancer.

The researchers have been investigating the addition of decitabine, which is marketed as Dacogen in the United States, because they suspect it reactivates tumor suppression genes that are turned off in ovarian cancer cells and improves cells' susceptibility to anti-cancer drugs like carboplatin.

"The science associated with the trial is novel and exciting and could have impact in the future," she said.....

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Diabetes drug rosiglitazone can reduce development of neuropathic pain..

In continuation of my update on Rosiglitazone,

The diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia) can control inflammation leading to nerve damage and abnormal pain responses,  claims the researchers of  Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo.

As per the claim by the researchers, Rosiglitazone works by blocking a specific pathway—called PPAR-gamma—which appears to play a critical role in the development of disabling neuropathic pain. Researchers  therefore propose PPAR-gamma regulation of the macrophage-mediated inflammatory response as a novel therapeutic target for treating neuropathic pain development.

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FDA Accepts NDA Filing for Ruxolitinib as a Treatment for Myelofibrosis

FDA Accepts NDA Filing for Ruxolitinib as a Treatment for Myelofibrosis

Taxoxifen combined with dasatinib reverses chemo-resistance in breast cancer cells

Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University Hospita,  found that taxoxifen combined with dasatinib, a protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, reverses the chemo-resistance caused by cancer-associated fibroblasts in the surrounding tissue by normalizing glucose intake and reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress, the process that fuels the cancer cells. 

In this study, researchers sought to better understand drug resistance by looking at the metabolic basis in an ER (+) cell line and cancer-associated fibroblasts.  Researchers claim that the  resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is a metabolic and stromal phenomenal  and the drug combination had an "antioxidant effect" in these types of cancer cells.  

Researchers showed that ER (+) cancer cells alone responded to tamoxifen but when co-cultured with human fibroblasts had little to no effect. Similarly, dasatinib, a chemotherapy drug used to treat leukemia patients who can no longer benefit from other medications, had no effect on fibroblasts alone or cancer cells. Together, however, the drugs prevented the cancer cells co-cultured with the fibroblasts from using high-energy nutrients from the fibroblasts. Researchers conclude that, 

"The drugs have no effect when they are used alone-it's in unison when they effectively kill the cancer cells in the presence of fibroblasts and combination resulted in nearly 80 percent cell death" 

Ref: http://www.jeffersonhospital.org/News/leukemia-drug-reverses-tamoxifen-resistance-in-breast-cancer-cells.aspx

New cough suppressant from cocoa

Researchers are carrying out the final stages of clinical trials of a drug that contains theobromine (see structure), an ingredient found in chocolate and cocoa. The drug could be in the market in another two years.

New cough suppressant from cocoa

Press Announcements FDA approves Xalkori with companion diagnostic for a type of late-stage lung cancer

Press Announcements FDA approves Xalkori with companion diagnostic for a type of late-stage lung cancer

New three-drug combination may be effective for newly diagnosed blood cancer patients: Study

New three-drug combination may be effective for newly diagnosed blood cancer patients: Study

When Having the Blues is a Good Thing: Blueberries & Cancer Prevention

In continuation of my up date on the usefulness of blue berries.

Now researchers from the Department of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, lead by Laura Newton have come up with another interesting finding about blue berries, i.e., as little as a cup a day can help prevent cell damage linked to cancer.

As per the claim by the researchers, free radicals, atoms that contain an odd number of electrons and are highly reactive, can cause cellular damage, one of the factors in the development of cancer; many believe a diet filled with fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk. 

Lead researcher says

"Studies suggest that antioxidants may help prevent the free-radical damage associated with cancer"

Researchers add that, Blueberries also are rich in vitamin C, which helps the immune system and can help the body to absorb iron. "Vitamin C also helps to keep blood vessels firm, offering protection from bruising. Blueberry juice and other products may be nutritious but often contain less fiber than the whole fruit, and added sugar or corn syrup may decrease their nutritional value. Consuming fresh, raw blueberries provides the most benefits; the average serving size of raw blueberries is one cup, which contains about 80 calories...

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Ivabradine also effective in reducing the risk of diastolic heart failure..

Researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) have come up with the new findings about the drug,  ivabradine (see structure). Researchers claim that,  a heart rate reduction medication, is also effective in reducing the risk of diastolic heart failure (left ventricular insufficiency) and cardiac fibrosis.

As per the claim by the researchers Ivabradine, reduces Diastolic Dysfunction and Cardiac Fibrosis. The study was conducted on rabbits given a standard diet, a cholesterol-enriched diet or a cholesterol-enriched diet with ivabradine. Researchers found  that apart from improving the myocardial performance index, ivabradine greatly improved left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in animals receiving a cholesterol-enriched diet. Ivabradine also reduced fibrosis of the heart chambers adds the researchers.

According to Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the MHI Research Centre and professor of medicine at the Universit- de Montr-al, 

"The effectiveness of ivabradine in treating angina pectoris is now well known. However, few treatments are available to patients with diastolic heart failure. The beneficial effects of ivabradine demonstrated in laboratory suggest that this course of treatment should be further investigated." Clinical studies with subjects are expected to follow..........

http://www.icm-mhi.org/files//pdf/Communique-EN-2011/press_release_Ivabradine.pdf