News
- Molecular discovery by BBSRC researchers may lead to a new drug class for type 2 diabetes
- Published on May 12, 2009
Scientists funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have harnessed a novel drug-discovery tool to identify a new molecule involved in the body’s insulin secretion process, a finding which could lead to a new drug class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
- Sutent receives NICE recommendation
- Published on May 12, 2009
NICE has recommended Pfizer’s sunitinib (Sutent) as first-line therapy for kidney cancer. The drug, which was initially rejected on cost-effectiveness grounds in August 2008, can be used in patients in England who have either advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma or both, as long as they are suitable for immunotherapy and are well enough to tolerate it. The drug can also be considered for renal cell carcinoma in patients who are having or have had interferon-alpha or interleukin-2 before these...
- Amyloidosis biologic to be developed by GSK and UCL
- Published on May 12, 2009
Researchers from Pentraxin Therapeutics (University College, London’s [UCL] spinout commercialisation company) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are to work together to develop a new treatment for amyloidosis. The researchers will collaborate to transfer the drug from animal testing into human trials.
- NICE advises against NHS funding of Tyvrb for advanced breast cancer
- Published on May 12, 2009
In its final appraisal determination, NICE has advised against NHS funding for lapatinib (Tyverb) in ErbB2-positive breast cancer. In combination with capecitebine (Xeloda), it offers a new treatment option for women whose disease has returned despite treatment with standard chemotherapy and trastuzumab (Herceptin). To date, lapatinib is the only licensed ErbB2-targeted treatment available.
- Dronedarone reduces death rate in patients with atrial fibrillation
- Published on May 12, 2009
Results of the recently published ATHENA trial (reported in the New England Journal of Medicine) suggest that dronedar-one is able to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular-related hospitalisation or death in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).