Women's health problems doctors still miss Oct 20, 2009
But most sufferers are put on an immunomodulator drug like interferon beta or glatiramer acetate to reduce the likelihood of relapse. Rest is crucial, and occasional exercise can improve strength, muscle tone, coordination, and balance. (CNN)
Hot and Holy Oct 14, 2009
According to an article on the practice (PDF), the mild elevations in body temperature induced by sweat lodges may promote "the production of antibacterial substances and the antiviral activity of interferon." Sweat baths, according to the same article, may also lead to healthier skin. Heat increases cardiac output, which in turn increases blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and immune agents to the skin, which can help heal epidural wounds. (Slate)
MicroRNA Expression, Survival, and Response to Interferon in Liver Cancer Oct 8, 2009
We examined microRNA expression patterns, survival, and response to interferon alfa in both men and women with the disease ... In addition, to validate our findings, we used quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction assays to measure microRNAs and assess their association with survival and response to therapy with interferon alfa in 214 patients from two independent, prospective, randomized, controlled trials of adjuvant interferon therapy ... Patients whose tumors had low... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Potential Key To Curing Tuberculosis Oct 5, 2009
Specifically, a team of Italian researchers speculate that type I interferon may give the current vaccine. (Dec. (Science Daily)
Discovery Could Improve Hepatitis C Treatment Sep 25, 2009
Their genome-wide association study of people receiving hepatitis C treatment revealed that genetic variants near the interferon gene IL28B were associated with people s response to treatment ... The standard treatment is a combination of pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin (PEG-IFN-alpha/RBV). (Science Daily)
Interferon-α and the Treatment of Leukemia Sep 24, 2009
The cytokine interferon ... 1 In addition, interferon ... A recent study by Essers and colleagues2 provides new insight into the effects of interferon. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Fish fend off invading germs with an initial response similar to the one found in people Sep 24, 2009
A family of proteins that are critical to instigating the immune response are the interferons (IFN), particularly IFN ... The characterization of IFN- function in zebrafish is presented in the Research Article titled 'The role of gamma interferon in innate inity in the zebrafish embryo', which was written by Dirk Sieger, Cornelia, David Neifer and Maria Leptin at the University of Cologne in Germany and Astrid van der Sar at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam in The Netherlands. (EurekAlert!)
* Pharmaceuticals gain recognition for Taiwan: official Sep 24, 2009
PharmaEssentia Corp (), a Taipei-based pharmaceutical company founded by a group of Taiwanese--American scientists in 2003, has received Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from US and Canadian authorities for its third--generation interferon drug candidate P1101 (PEG-P-IFN-alpha-2b), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) official said ... The drug, which treats hepatitis B and C and is particularly long-acting compared to the two other pegylated-interferon drugs currently on the... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Surgeon Battling Own Cancer Developed New Treatment Sep 21, 2009
Interferon was next but to no avail ... Finally, he took an educated guess that a combination of lovastatin and interferon might have a shot at working ... Leaving his surgical career, he devoted his full-time work to developing the interferon/lovastatin treatment. (PR Newswire)
Researchers prolong the half-life of biopharmaceutical proteins Sep 19, 2009
People who suffer from hepatitis B are often treated with the tissue hormone interferon. However, there is a problem: Interferon is a very small protein, which is filtered from the blood via the kidneys after only a short time ... However, interferon stays in the body much longer when chemically coupled with a synthetic PEG (polyethylene glycol) molecule. (EurekAlert!)
Tuberculosis Patients Can Reduce Transmissability By Inhaling Interferon Through A Nebulizer Sep 16, 2009
15, 2009) A new study published in the September 15, 2009, issue of PLoS ONE found that patients with cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis receiving anti-TB medications supplemented with nebulized interferon-gamma have fewer bacilli in the lungs and less inflammation, thereby reducing the transmissibility of tuberculosis in the early phase of treatment ... The study shows that patients who inhale interferon through a nebulizer can reduce their disease's transmissibility during the first few weeks of... (Science Daily)
Strategies To Counteract Side Effects Of New MS Therapies Sep 15, 2009
Gold explained that both study patients had also been administered the immune activating drug Interferon Beta, thus the hope that the monotherapy was relatively harmless had been realistic. Moreover, when the drug was approved at the beginning of summer 2006, the manufacturing company BiogenIdec had offered country-specific intensive preparatory seminars covering almost all precautionary and therapeutic measures. (Science Daily)
Tuberculosis-prevention Therapy Is Cost-effective Option, Researchers Find Sep 15, 2009
14, 2009) University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers have found that the cost of preventive antibiotic tuberculosis (TB) therapy for patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is generally less expensive than the reported cost of treating newly confirmed TB cases. The study, published in The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease this summer, relied on treatment-cost estimates from previous research studies and data collected by members of the study's... (Science Daily)
Fewer injection site reactions in patients using Avonex Sep 12, 2009
CAMBRIDGE, MA Sept. 11, 2009 Data from an observational phase IV study of 499 patients entitled The Swiss MS Skin Project show that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking AVONEX (interferon beta-1a IM) reported significantly fewer injection site reactions (ISRs) compared to patients on Betaferon (interferon beta-1b), Copaxone (glatiramer Acetate) or Rebif (interferon beta-1a). The study also showed AVONEX patients were less likely to have missed a dose due to an injection site reaction... (EurekAlert!)
Large-scale Study Probes How Cells Fight Pathogens Sep 7, 2009
This protein, called IFNB1 (for Interferon beta 1) requires precise control: if a virus is present, it must be highly active, yet if bacteria are the offending agents, its activity should be minimized. Although the researchers' findings are largely mechanistic in nature and do not yet have any direct bearing on human disease, there are some important medical implications. (Science Daily)
Follow-on biologics for multiple sclerosis unlikely in near future Sep 5, 2009
These issues may be particularly relevant for FOBs for current MS biologics, according to his recent paper, as among the three available interferon beta innovator biologics, there are (intentional) manufacturing differences in the bioreactor/cells in which the products are produced, amino acid composition, and post-translational modifications such as glycosylation. There are a lot of discussions ongoing about follow on biologics and setting the appropriate guidelines for this process. (FT.com -- Markets)
Helix BioPharma Announces $13.5 Million Private Placement Sep 4, 2009
5 Million Private Placement. AURORA, Ontario, Sept. 4 /CNW/ -- Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX, FSE: 'HBP' / OTCQX: 'HXBPF') today announced that it has accepted subscriptions for the purchase, by way of private placement, of a total of 6,625,000 units at $2. (Canada Newswire)
City tasks innovation center with ending brain drain Aug 31, 2009
In the years to come, the innovation center will give priority to the development and production of such products as vaccines, antibiotics, interferon and modern traditional Chinese medicines. In the new materials industry, Changchun has considerable comparative strength into the research of high-polymer chemistry and physics, rare earth chemistry and electroanalytical chemistry. (Xinhuanet, China)
Researchers identify protein involved in causing gum disease, osteoporosis, arthritis Aug 31, 2009
Investigators at Hospital for Special Surgery, collaborating with researchers from other institutions, have contributed to the discovery that a gene called interferon regulator factor-8 (IRF-8) is involved in the development of diseases such as periodontitis (gum disease), rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The study, which will be published online August 30, ahead of print, in the journal Nature Medicine, could lead to new treatments in the future. (EurekAlert!)
Interleukin-17 and Type 17 Helper T Cells Aug 27, 2009
1 Th1 cells produce large quantities of interferon. induce delayed hypersensitivity reactions, activate macrophages, and are essential for the defense against intracellular pathogens (Figure 1). (New England Journal of Medicine)
New Study Finds Wild Pikas Are Natural Mammalian Hosts To H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Aug 26, 2009
(June 21, 2009) Researchers suggest that the cell-signaling protein, interferon type 1, reduced H5N1 influenza virus replication in mice and may offer some degree of protection in the early stages of. (May 31, 2007) Veterinarians who work with birds are at increased risk for infection with avian influenza virus and should be among those with priority access to pandemic influenza vaccines and antivirals. (Science Daily)
West Nile virus, a 10-year evolution Aug 21, 2009
The disease is here to stay, said Dr. James Rahal, head of infectious diseases at New York Hospital Queens in Flushing, who is studying the use of the drug interferon to treat the virus. Currently, there is no cure, but the symptoms can be treated. (Queens Chronicle, NY)
Medical notes: Hepatitis C Aug 20, 2009
Currently, hepatitis C is treated with a combination of two drugs, interferon alpha and ribavirin. About 40% of patients respond to this "combination" therapy. (BBC News -- Health)
New Method To Selectively Kill Metastatic Melanoma Cells Identified Aug 19, 2009
Fisher said that mda-5 is a key regulator of innate immunity that induces interferon beta production limiting replication of specific pathogenic viruses. This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the Spanish National Cancer Research Center. (Science Daily)
Extavia Approved for Multiple Sclerosis Aug 19, 2009
A type of interferon ... MONDAY, Aug. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Extavia (interferon beta-1b) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat multiple sclerosis, drug maker Novartis said Monday ... Interferon beta 1-b has been used as a standard treatment for MS for more than 16 years, Novartis said. (MEDLINEplus)
Gene Predicts Response to Hepatitis C Drugs Aug 18, 2009
Treatment typically involves 48 weeks of interferon plus the antiviral drug ribavirin. Some patients develop such taxing side effects that they stop treatment. (MEDLINEplus)
US FDA Approves Extavia(R) - the First in a New Portfolio of Planned MS Therapies from Novartis to Help Patients with this Devastating Disease Aug 17, 2009
- Extavia is branded version of interferon beta-1b, a standard-of-care for multiple sclerosis in the US for more than 16 years(1) ... EAST HANOVER, N.J., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Extavia(R) (interferon beta-1b), the first in a new planned portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) medicines from Novartis to help patients manage this devastating disease ... The same medicinal product as Betaseron(R)*, Extavia offers patients and physicians a new... (PR Newswire)
CHEAPER DRUGS Aug 13, 2009
Protesters said pegylated interferon, a drug marketed by Roche and intended to flush out the virus, costs $1,500 a month. "Shame on you Roche, shame on you!" they chanted. (AlertNet)
The Right Messenger For A Healthy Immune Response Aug 12, 2009
11, 2009) Researchers from the Molecular Immunology group at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, Germany have now shown that Beta-Interferon also plays a crucial role during an immune response: without Beta-Interferon immune cells are unable to show "wanted posters" of pathogens to other cells ... Interestingly, an immune response is even stronger when a low amount of Beta-Interferon has already been present before the infection occurs ... A healthy basal level of... (Science Daily)
Anadys says hepatitis C drug shows potential Aug 12, 2009
"ANA773 has demonstrated a significant short-term antiviral response in HCV patients, comparable to many historical reports of interferon as a single agent," said President and CEO Steve Worland, in a statement. "Given its oral delivery and favorable tolerability profile to date, we believe that ANA773 holds promise as a potential replacement for injectable interferon products in hepatitis C therapy.". (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
Finding Key To Cancer Drug Gleevec's Limitations Aug 8, 2009
Imatinib is being combined either with interferon, rapamycin (also known as sirolimus), arsenic or GM-CSF (marketed as Neupogen). They hope to find combinations that will make the initiating cells more vulnerable to imatinib's action. (Science Daily)
Hepatitis C Infection: Treatment Options Equally Effective, Likelihood Of Success Known Early On Aug 4, 2009
Either of the two standard, 48-week, dual drug therapies peginterferon alfa-2b, plus ribavirin, or peginterferon alfa-2a, plus ribavirin worked equally well, at 39 ... In a subgroup of 700 patients who took a lower dose of peginterferon alfa-2b (a change from the standard 1 ... "Our study shows that in infected people having difficulty tolerating standard dose therapy with peginterferon alfa, we can safely reduce their medication levels," he says. (Science Daily)
White's psychological thrillers draw on his experience with MS Aug 4, 2009
" White has experienced a wide range of MS symptoms over the years that fluctuate in severity but are generally mild, or at least livable, including vision problems, sensory issues (numbness and tingling), vertigo, spasticity, weakness, pain and balance difficulties. His left eye occasionally droops as he speaks, but otherwise, outwardly, he appears a healthy, albeit slender man who moves with agility. He says the medication interferon has let him lead an active life, though fatigue and what he... (USA Today)
Speedy review coming for Biogen Idec drug Jul 10, 2009
The agency granted a fast track designation for Biogen Idec s PEGylated interferon beta-1a, or BIIB017. Potential treatments for serious conditions for which there is currently little or no treatment warrant such a designation. (Boston Globe)
Biogen MS drug on track Jul 9, 2009
The company refers to its drug candidate as PEGylated interferon beta-1a, or BIIB017, and said in a release the fast-track program is designed to expedite the review of new drugs that are intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. Biogen Idec said it is currently enrolling patients in a global Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of either biweekly or once-monthly injections of the drug. (Boston Globe)
FDA puts Biogen Idec multiple sclerosis drug on Fast Track Jul 9, 2009
The FDA put the drug, called PEGylated interferon beta-1a, on the Fast Track because it could provide MS patients with a treatment option that they could take less often without a loss in efficacy. Many MS patients currently have to take weekly shots for treatment; Biogen believes PEGylated interferon beta-1a could be equally effective with just one or two injections each month ... Early-stage clinical trials suggest that PEGylated interferon beta-1a has the potential to offer less frequent... (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Interferon Alpha Can Delay Full Onset Of Type I Diabetes, Phase II Trial Suggests Jul 2, 2009
ScienceDaily (July 1, 2009) A low dose of oral interferon alpha shows promise in preserving beta cell function for patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, according to researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston ... Research subjects ages 3 to 25 diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within six weeks of enrollment were randomized to receive 5,000 units of interferon alpha, 30,000 units of interferon alpha or placebo once daily for one year ... Jarod... (Science Daily)
Fighting TB Might Be A Matter Of 'Flipping A Switch' In Immune Response Jul 2, 2009
Two cytokines, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha, are known participants in the conversion from one type of immune response to the other ... Many previous studies testing interferon gamma s potential as a TB therapy have suggested that the protein is effective in the fight, but isn t effective enough on its own to treat the infection ... The model showed that early introduction of interferon gamma during the immune response would shorten the switching time and reduce the bacterial... (Science Daily)
Drug Found Ineffective against Lung Disease Jul 1, 2009
MONDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with interferon gamma-1b (Ifn-g1b) does not improve survival in people with a fatal lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, according to a study that was halted early after no benefit to participants was found ... "We cannot recommend treatment with interferon gamma-1b since the drug did not improve survival for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which refutes previous findings from subgroup analyses of survival in studies of... (MEDLINEplus)
Novel Epigenetic Markers Of Melanoma May Herald New Treatments For Patients Jun 30, 2009
(June 3, 2008) Researchers in the melanoma and skin cancer program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute combined two biotherapies, high-dose interferon alfa-2b and tremelimumab, and found the. . (Science Daily)
Nanotechnology Combats Fatal Brain Infections Jun 30, 2009
3, 2007) Interferon, the "superhero" cure for viral infections, may be a strong weapon in the battle against fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, according to a new article. Fungal infections. (Science Daily)
• Skin rash not necessarily caused by hepatitis C Jun 25, 2009
Skin rash not necessarily caused by hepatitis C DEAR DR. GOTT: I'm a 74-year-old female and have recently contracted hepatitis C. I'm too old for interferon or a transplant ... While inappropriate for people with major depression, a common medication for care is interferon combined with ribavirin, a broad-spectrum antiviral ... Oddly enough, you indicate you are too old for interferon, because side effects include skin irritation for both interferon and ribavirin. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Good News For Some Hard-to-treat Hepatitis C Patients Jun 24, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 24, 2009) In a multi-center trial led by a Saint Louis University researcher, investigators found that a new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin helps some hepatitis C patients who have not responded to previous treatment ... About half fully recover after an initial course of pegylated interferon and ribavirin anti-viral therapy that may last from six months to a year ... Patients were given either one of two doses of daily consensus interferon and... (Science Daily)
Helix BioPharma to Present L-DOS47 Analytical Method Development Findings at 2009 AAPS National Biotechnology Conference Jun 20, 2009
Helix's product development initiatives include its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b and its novel L-DOS47 new drug candidate. Helix is listed on the TSX under the symbol "HBP". (PR Newswire)
Tips from the journals of the American Society for Microbiology Jun 20, 2009
Newly Discovered Interferon Response May Offer Early Control of H5N1 Influenza Virus. Researchers from Georgia suggest that the cell-signaling protein, interferon type 1, reduced H5N1 influenza virus replication in mice and may offer some degree of protection in the early stages of infection ... Much is still unknown about the pathogenic mechanisms of H5N1 influenza viruses, but prior research suggests that their ability to evade innate immune responses within the host, such as the type 1... (EurekAlert!)
New Treatment Option For Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Jun 2, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 1, 2009) A new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon (CIFN) and ribavirin is effective for some people with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) who do not respond to standard therapy ... The treatment works particularly well in interferon-sensitive patients who have lower fibrosis scores, according to a new study in the June issue of Hepatology, a journal published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) ... Nearly... (Science Daily)
Cytokine-dependent and -independent gene expression changes and cell cycle block revealed in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected host cells by comparative mRNA profiling May 30, 2009
A prominent type I interferon response was observed in each cell type, reflecting a secondary response to secreted cytokine in infected cultures. To identify a core cytokine-independent response in T. cruzi-infected fibroblasts and endothelial cells transwell plates were used to distinguish cytokine-dependent and -independent gene expression profiles. (BioMed Central)
AGA Institute presents cutting-edge research during DDW May 29, 2009
SVR Results of PROVE3, a Phase 2b Clinical Trial Assessing Safety and Efficacy of Telaprevir in Hepatitis C Genotype-1-Infected Patients with Prior Non-response, Viral Breakthrough or Relapse to Peginterferon-Alfa-2a/b and Ribavirin Therapy ... One abstract will present the results of a trial that re-treated hepatitis C patients who had previously failed treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (patients received treatment with telaprevir combined with pegylated interferon and... (EurekAlert!)
Centocor Ortho Biotech Data to be Presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting May 29, 2009
PRCA has also been reported in patients receiving ESAs while undergoing treatment for Hepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin. If any patient develops a sudden loss of response to PROCRIT, accompanied by severe anemia and low reticulocyte count, and anti-erythropoietin antibody-associated anemia is suspected, withhold PROCRIT and other erythropoietic proteins. (PR Newswire)
Immunologists identify biochemical signals that help immune cells remember how to fight infection May 28, 2009
The researchers previously showed that two molecules interferon alpha and another signaling protein, cytokine, or IL-12 are needed to induce the creation of memory cells. They also found that interferon plays a key role in "teaching" the immune system how to fight off repeated infections of the same virus ... The human immune system churns out both IL-12 and interferon alpha in large quantities in response to a viral infection. (EurekAlert!)
Boceprevir eliminated Hep C virus in unprecedented number of patients May 26, 2009
Patients that received a 48-week boceprevir regimen achieved a 75 per cent SVR rate, twice the efficacy rate provided by current standard therapies KIRKLAND, QC, May 26 /CNW/ - Schering-Plough Canada announced today that final results of the HCV SPRINT-1 (HCV Serine Protease Inhibitor Therapy-1) study showed boceprevir - its investigational oral hepatitis C protease inhibitor - in combination with PEGETRON(R) (peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin), significantly increased sustained virologic... (Canada Newswire)
TB Vaccine Gets Its Groove Back May 25, 2009
Specifically, a team of Italian researchers speculate that type I interferon may give the current vaccine. (June 29, 2006) Australian researchers have begun a trial to test the effectiveness of a new vaccine to protect against the potentially deadly bird flu. (Science Daily)
AstraZeneca says net profit jumps nearly 43% May 24, 2009
Consider an Interferon Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. The simplest and most favorable way to trade global currencies. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)
USC researchers uncover mechanism that allows influenza virus to evade the body's immune response May 21, 2009
" Several specific intracellular receptors are responsible for detecting the virus and activating the body's defensive mechanisms. When a virus' RNA enters the intracellular fluid, a receptor known as retinoic-acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) detects it and triggers a response that limits virus replication and calls the body's defenses into action. RIG-I acts as the sensor and security force against attacks, Jung explains. Then, a protein known as TRIM25 helps RIG-I transmit an alarm signal, which... (EurekAlert!)
Disruption Of Immune-system Pathway Key Step In Cancer Progression, Study Shows May 20, 2009
Silencing an inter-cell signaling mechanism called the interferon pathway may be one way newly developing cancers gain the upper hand ... Clues that the interferon pathway is important in fighting off cancers come from mouse models in which the pathway has been artificially disrupted ... These animals develop spontaneous tumors at higher rates than normal animals with functional interferon signaling showing that the immune system quashes many cancers in their infancy. (Science Daily)
Biogens Tysabri will still play a significant role in second line RRMS May 14, 2009
The current standard of care in this setting includes Tevas (NASDAQ:TEVA) Copaxone and the interferon drugs Avonex, Betaseron, and Rebif ... Tysabri has played a significant role in the second line setting in relapse-remitting MS (RRMS) and in patients who dont respond to interferon and Tevas Copaxone, added Dr AM Rostami, chair of the department of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University. (FT.com -- Markets)
Use of Interferon Gamma-Based Assay to Diagnose Tuberculosis Infection in Health Care Workers after Short Term Exposure May 12, 2009
Our objective was also to determine whether recently developed interferon-gamma release assays based on the M. tuberculosis-specific ESAT-6 and CFP10 antigens might improve infection control measures ... Thus, the risk of TB transmission to HCWs following TB exposure in a hospital setting in Norway is low, and improved screening approaches will benefit from the application of specific interferon-gamma release assays. (BioMed Central)
Virologists Developing More Potent Vaccine Technology That Could Apply To Many Viruses May 11, 2009
Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, 2009; 29 (1): 9 DOI. Adapted from materials provided by , via , a service of AAAS. Email or share this story. (Science Daily)
Patients With Resolved Hepatitis C Likely Still Contagious May 9, 2009
In some individuals, the infection seems to resolve, either spontaneously from the efforts of the immune system, or after treatment with interferon and ribavirin ... Interestingly, HCV replication in the T cells was prevented after neutralization of the virus, and by treatment with interferon. (Science Daily)
Does new swine flu virus kill by causing a 'cytokine storm'? May 6, 2009
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (), is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research, and Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering chnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's... (EurekAlert!)
Egypt: Viral Time Bomb Set to Explode May 6, 2009
The standard therapy is a combination of interferon and the antiviral drug ribavirin ... NCCVH has established 16 treatment centres around the country, which have provided free interferon shots for 47,000 HCV patients since the programme began two years ago. (allAfrica.com)
Virginia Tech virologist developing more potent vaccine technology May 5, 2009
He and his collaborators also recently published a vaccine study in poultry in the January 2009 Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research ("A Novel Method to Incorporate Bioactive Cytokines as Adjuvants on the Surface of Virus Particles," by Yufang Yang, David Leggat, Herbert, Roberts, and Sundick). Roberts has been at Virginia Tech in the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine () since 2007 and is part of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. (EurekAlert!)
Adding Steroid Drug To MS Treatment May Reduce Disease Activity May 3, 2009
For the study, people with MS received the steroid drug methylprednisolone in monthly "pulses," or three doses over three days, in addition to regular weekly treatment with the drug interferon beta-1a ... The study involved 341 people with relapsing-remitting MS. Half of the participants received both drugs; half received only the interferon drug plus a placebo ... The participants had the disease for an average of three years and had not yet received a disease-modifying drug such as interferon.... (Science Daily)
Leukemia Risk from Multiple Sclerosis Drug May Be Up May 2, 2009
In a second study to be presented at the meeting in Seattle, researchers found that adding the steroid methylprednisolone to treatment with interferon beta-1a (Avonex), a standard part of MS drug therapy, may reduce the amount of disease activity more than using the MS drug alone. In that study, people with MS were given the steroid drug in monthly pulses, or three doses over three days, in addition to regular weekly treatment with the drug interferon beta-1a ... The study involved 341 people... (MEDLINEplus)
Cat Eye Infections May 2, 2009
Oral treatments such as interferon and lysine can help shorten the course of infection and/or prevent future infections. Cat eye infections that are caused by bacteria are also treated with topical antibacterial ointments twice daily for 10-14 days. (Suite101.com)
