- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Oct 22,2010
A seven-year Medical Research Council (MRC) study – the most ethnically diverse of its kind in London – is setting out to gather another raft of data from its participants and shed light on the future health of our multi-cultural capital. The study examines how factors such as poverty, family life, jobs, education and neighbourhoods affect health throughout adolescence to adulthood.
The DASH study, which follows 6,500 young people in London, speaking more than 50 languages between them, began in 50 schools in 10 London boroughs – some of which are the most deprived areas in the city.
Despite more deprivation and the known inequalities in health in their parents’ generations, surprisingly, DASH has found that young people from ethnic minority backgrounds are doing well across key health indicators. This next stage of study will determine whether or not the young people, now aged 19-21 years, will retain this good health as they grow older, which factors promote good or poor health, and how to keep people healthy, regardless of their ethnic background. Read the rest of this entry »
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- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Oct 21,2010
Intercell AG and Romark Laboratories L.C. announced plans to commence clinical trials of Intercell’s investigational therapeutic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine, IC41, in combination with Romark’s antiviral drug, nitazoxanide, during the first half of 2011.
Intercell’s vaccine candidate has demonstrated a sustained reduction of viral load in chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) patients in a Phase II proof-of-concept trial. Nitazoxanide is an oral therapy that targets host cell factors involved in HCV replication and is not associated with viral mutations conferring resistance. Nitazoxanide has been shown to induce sustained virologic response as monotherapy in some patients chronically infected with HCV.
The planned European Phase II trial will include about 60 treatment-naïve patients chronically infected with HCV genotype-1 in three treatment arms: IC41 plus nitazoxanide, IC41 plus nitazoxanide and Pegasys® (peginterferon alfa-2a) and Pegasys and Copegus (ribavirin), the current standard of care, as an active control. The primary endpoint will be sustained virologic response (no detectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after end-of-treatment). Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Oct 20,2010
Demonstrated to significantly reduce stroke compared to warfarin, Pradaxa is first new oral anticoagulant approved by the FDA in more than 50 years
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) capsules to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). PRADAXA, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor that was discovered and developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, is the first new oral anticoagulant approved in the U.S. in more than 50 years. As demonstrated in the RE-LY® trial, PRADAXA 150mg taken twice daily has been shown to significantly reduce stroke and systemic embolism by 35 percent beyond the reduction achieved with warfarin, the current standard of care for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. PRADAXA 150mg taken twice daily significantly reduced both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes compared to warfarin.
The FDA approval of PRADAXA provides a new treatment to reduce the risk of stroke for the increasing number of patients with AFib. The safety and efficacy profile of PRADAXA was established based on the results of the 18,113 patient RE-LY® trial, the largest stroke prevention trial in AFib patients completed to date. Treatment with PRADAXA does not require blood monitoring or related dose adjustments and has no recommended dietary restrictions. The FDA also approved PRADAXA 75mg twice daily for the small subset of patients who have severe renal impairment. Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: Health Informer
- Filed under: Health News
- Date: Oct 19,2010
The American Red Cross and American Heart Association announced changes to guidelines for administering first aid. Among the revisions are updated recommendations for the treatment of snake bites, anaphylaxis (shock), jellyfish stings and severe bleeding. The First Aid Guidelines are being published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Volunteer experts from more than 30 national and international organizations joined the Red Cross and the American Heart Association in reviewing 38 separate first aid questions. Experts analyzed the science behind them and worked to reach consensus on the treatment recommendations. Last revised in 2005, these recommendations form the recognized scientific basis for most first aid training around the world.
“It is vital that the first aid community come to consensus and speak in a clear voice on these life and death issues,” said David Markenson, M.D., first aid science advisor to the American Red Cross. “We are proud to help set the standard for first aid training around the globe.” Read the rest of this entry »