Cancer Research

CALGARY, Canada, January 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that it has met the initial criteria to proceed to full enrolment in its U.S. Phase II trial to evaluate the intravenous administration of REOLYSIN(R) in patients with various sarcomas that have metastasized to the lung. According to the trial protocol, to proceed to full enrolment of 52 patients, Oncolytics had to demonstrate that at least one patient in the first 38 patients treated experienced a complete or partial response, or stable disease for greater than six…

ORLANDO, Florida, January 30 /PRNewswire/ -- John Wagner, M.D., recognized as a leader in the field of cord blood stem cell transplantation, has joined the team at CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank. Dr. Wagner's extensive experience and knowledge in transplant medicine and stem cell biology will provide a significant contribution to CORD:USE. "We're honored and fortunate to have him as a member of our distinguished team," says Edward Guindi, M.D., President and CEO of CORD:USE Cord Blood Bank. Dr. Wagner is internationally recognized as an expert in the field of stem cells and use of unrelated…

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus have shown they are able to use the radiocarbon dating method to study special proteins in the lens of the eye - they use a nuclear accelerator to determine the amount of Carbon-14 in as little as one milligram of lens tissue and thereby calculate the year of birth. This will enable forensic scientists to establish the birth date of an unidentified body and could also eventually be used in cancer research. The lens of the eye is made up of transparent proteins called crystallins. These are packed so tightly together and in such a…

Sequences of DNA in the human genome that originated from ancient viral infections have some surprising effects on our bodies and are even essential for a healthy pregnancy, according to an article in the February issue of Microbiology Today. Retrovirus infections represent the most intimate host-pathogen relationship. The virus inserts a copy of its genome into the DNA of the host cell, resulting in an irreversible, stable and sometimes lifelong infection. If a sperm or egg cell is infected, the virus DNA can be passed down generations, permanently fixed in the germ line. As a result, an…

TORONTO, January 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Viventia Biotech Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company advancing a portfolio of novel antibody therapeutics focused on cancer, announced today it intends to explore strategic alternatives to further advance and realize value from its pipeline of therapeutic antibodies, its antibody discovery platform and its antibody manufacturing capabilities. The Company will consider potential strategic opportunities including, but not limited to, the sale or merger of the Company with another entity, and has retained HSBC to act as advisors in this process.…

University of Alberta researchers in Edmonton, Canada, have developed a portable unit for genetic testing about the size of a shoebox, which has the same capability as a lab full of expensive equipment. The device – along with other, even smaller units the team is now in the process of developing – paves the way for enormous savings to health-care systems and will improve care for patients. A wide variety of genetic tests that are available but not often used because their cost is prohibitive will become cheap, fast and easily accessible. Prof. Christopher Backhouse, of the Department of…

A unique transmissible and rapidly spreading cancer threatens the very existence of Tasmanian devils. To combat this particularly aggressive disease, a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory research team, in collaboration with 454 Lifesciences, is committing resources to sequence parts of the devil’s genome in an effort to increase the odds of saving them from extinction. In 1996 scientists first discovered the facial tumors on Tasmanian devils. Subsequent research revealed that the cancer is transmitted from one devil to another when tumor cells are transplanted through fighting, biting, and other…

LONDON, January 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Dean Flanders, CIO of the Novartis Research Foundation, Graham Watson, CTO at Cancer Research Technology and Martin Blueggel, COO at Protagen are among the thirty plus industry leaders presenting at the Smart Lab Exchange this February. They join representatives from organisations such as The Hershey Company, Dow Chemical, Pfizer, L'Oreal, Cargill and Johnson & Johnson will gather to share best practice in senior level data strategy in a non-competitive cross industry forum. The Smart Lab Exchange is an invitation-only event uniting only the most senior…

LONDON, January 28 /PRNewswire/ -- On Valentine's Day 1852 Great Ormond Street Hospital opened its doors for the first time. In honour of the hospital's birthday Clinique and Harrods have joined forces to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, the KISS IT BETTER appeal. On Valentine's Day Clinique at Harrods will be DONATING ALL TAKINGS to the KISS IT BETTER appeal- raising money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer. As well as this fantastic donation to the appeal, Clinique at Harrods will also be selling the LIMITED EDITION KISS…

PARIS, January 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi-aventis announced today that the anticoagulant Clexane(R) (enoxaparin sodium injection) has been approved for marketing in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery of the lower limbs such as total hip replacement, total knee replacement and hip fracture surgery. Venous thromboembolism is a frequent and preventable complication among patients hospitalized for orthopaedic surgery. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are common…