Stem Cell Research
Celgene has received the first FDA clearance for a clinical trial using placenta-derived stem cells. The trial is for PDA001, an immunomodulatory therapy for Chron's disease. It is expected to begin by the end of the year. Release
In a review of the issue published in Developmental Dynamics, researchers state that inducing regeneration in humans from the body's own tissues by chemical means is feasible, though many questions must be answered before the process can reach clinical status. Report
Cancer Research
Age is not an independent factor in cancer survival rates and should not influence decisions about how to treat older patients, according to a study in the November issue of IJCP, the Independent Journal of Clinical Practice. Release
For the first time, researchers have decoded the complete genome of a cancer patient and traced the disease to its genetic roots. The Washington University team was able to identify ten genetic mutations that caused one woman's acute myeloid leukemia. Report
Genetics
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have uncovered a common genetic pathway for a number of birth defects that affect the development of the heart and head. Report
After comparing the genes of 10,000 aneurysm patients and health volunteers, an international team of scientists--lead by researchers at Yale University--have identified genetic differences which may make people more vulnerable to potentially lethal strokes. Report
Two researchers have proposed a new theory about the impact of genetics on brain development. A genetic bias toward the father pushes a developing brain toward a fascination with objects, patterns, mechanical systems, at the expense of social development. A bias toward the mother moves the growing brain along the psychotic spectrum, toward hypersensitivity to mood, their own and others'. Report
More Research
A paper published in the Nov. 8 online edition of the British Medical Journal reported that younger children who suffer head injuries are more likely to develop attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder later in life. Report
Two commonly used vitamins--E and C--apparently do nothing to stop heart disease in men, and may in fact, have negative affects according to a study by Drs. Howard Sesso and J. Michael Gaziano of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Report
In an 18,000-patient trial, the AstraZeneca statin Crestor proved dramatically effective at cutting the risk of heart attack and death among patients who seemed healthy but showed high levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP. Report