The NHLBI halted a clinical trial on periodic blood transfusions for patients with sickle cell anemia due to the treatment's proven effectiveness in preventing strokes. However, the trial also highlighted potential long-term side effects such as iron overload and the need for ongoing monitoring.
The new compound BMS-354825 successfully overcomes Gleevec resistance in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, showing an 85% success rate in phase I clinical trials. Researchers believe the drug's unique mechanism of action may provide a solution to this common problem.
Research reveals chimpanzees' brain anatomy is asymmetric in key areas, particularly the hippocampus, similar to humans. This finding suggests that asymmetry may be a fundamental aspect of primate nervous systems and influences behavior, such as facial expressions and spatial memory.
New data from the largest study on CML patients (1106) showed improved rates of progression-free survival and durable responses to imatinib. Patients with early cytogenetic responses achieved higher progression-free survival rates, with 93% at 42 months compared to 74% without
Researchers found asymmetries in KNOB and language brain region correspond to right- and left-handedness, challenging previous theory of human-chimpanzee brain differences. The Yerkes National Primate Research Center is a leader in biomedical and behavioral studies involving nonhuman primates.
Researchers from the University of Toronto developed a new method for predicting mammalian gene function by analyzing RNA expression patterns. They used a support vector machine algorithm to analyze over 40,000 known mouse mRNAs and predicted functions for thousands of genes, with high accuracy.
Researchers have discovered that BMS-354825 and AMN107 can effectively treat patients with leukemia who are resistant to Gleevec therapy. The studies found remarkable activity in these novel compounds, with high response rates and improved survival outcomes.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated that half-matched donor (haploidentical) natural killer cells can survive and persist to actively attack cancer cells, potentially leading to remission and eligibility for bone marrow transplant. This breakthrough treatment option shows promise for some patients with AML.
A recent study has shown that children with sickle cell disease who are at risk for having a stroke need to continue receiving transfusions to minimize their risk. The study found that of the 41 children who came off transfusions, 14 reverted to high-risk status within 10 months and two others had strokes shortly after.
A study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that exposure to methylisothiazolinone (MIT), a common ingredient in shampoos and personal care products, can restrict the growth of axons and dendrites of immature rat nerve cells. This may have potentially damaging consequences for human development.
Research from the Women's Interagency HIV Study found that HIV-infected women with low platelet counts had a five-fold increased risk of dying due to any cause. The study also revealed that highly active antiretroviral therapy, such as HAART containing zidovudine, can boost platelet counts back to normal.