Add BrightSurf on Google Email

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus


New federal disclosure law may have little impact on drugs prescribed

A Colorado School of Public Health researcher found that a new federal disclosure law has little effect on the prescribing of certain medications, including statins and SSRIs. The study suggests that transparency is important but may not be enough to deter physicians from accepting payments from pharmaceutical companies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMay 29, 2012

Protein RAL associated with aggressive characteristics in prostate, bladder and skin cancers

A study published in Cancer Research found that RalA and RalB proteins are associated with aggressive cancer characteristics in human tumors. The signature of genes changed by these proteins predicts poor outcomes. Removing these proteins from cancer cells may stop the genetic changes that cause aggressive cancer.

Novel technique switches triple-negative breast cancer cells to hormone-receptor positive cells

Researchers found that inhibiting Notch signalling converts triple-negative breast cancer cells into hormone-receptor positive cells, making them dependent on estrogen. This technique has potential for combination therapy, where a Notch inhibitor is used to make all cancer cells hormone-sensitive.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2011

Researchers question key quality measure for asthma

A study published in JAMA found that hospitals' compliance with the Children's Asthma Care measures had no impact on patient outcomes, including return to the hospital for another asthma attack. The researchers concluded that these measures may not be suitable for public reporting, accreditation, or pay-for-performance policies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateOct 4, 2011