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Malaria drug may treat metabolic syndrome's many symptoms

A malaria drug, chloroquine, was found to improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome in mice by reducing atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood sugar tolerance. The drug works by activating a particular stress pathway that mediates susceptibility to the syndrome.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 7, 2006

JCI table of contents, June 8, 2006

A study found that HtrA1 protein contributes to chemotherapy resistance in ovarian and gastric cancers by inducing cell death, while ghrelin hormone promotes the storage of energy as fat by altering gene expression in adipose cells. The findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 8, 2006

Combination therapy shows promising results in patients with advanced lung cancer

Researchers have found that pairing Tarceva with Celebrex significantly increases response rates in lung cancer patients, offering a potential breakthrough in treating the disease. The combination therapy has shown to increase response rates by about three-fold, with some patients experiencing responses for up to 93 weeks.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJun 1, 2006

Troubling trends converge

Researchers report a disturbing convergence of drug-resistant bacteria and virulent new strains of Staph. aureus, leading to severe illness and death in previously healthy children. The study highlights the need for better treatments and a vaccine to combat this growing threat.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 22, 2005

A friendly reminder for HIV patients

A study found that HIV-infected patients with mild memory loss who used the Disease Management Assistance System (DMAS) Jerry took their medication 80% of the time, compared to 65% without it. This improvement was seen in both normal and memory-impaired patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateSep 13, 2005

Aspirin treatment failure warning

Research reveals that aspirin resistance is a significant concern for certain patient groups, particularly those with coronary heart disease or high cholesterol levels. An alternative treatment option, Clopidogrel, has shown promise in reducing blood clotting and inflammation in these patients.