Drug Research and Technology highlights

Here are some updates on drug research and technology from my reading-

Nicotine vaccines- do experiments show failure to meet primary endpoint?

The Times "Booster Shots" blog reported that a company working on an "anti-smoking vaccine" similar to the much anticipated product undergoing testing by Nabi Pharmaceuticals "has not been so successful." Swiss-based Cytos Biotechnology Ltd. "said...that a trial of its NICO02 nicotine vaccine had failed to meet its primary endpoint." Although investigators are continuing their work, "apparently" the vaccine "did not stimulate high enough levels of antibodies to produce the desired response."

Studies see increased skin cancer risk in patients taking anti-TNF drugs.

Medical conference reports at the the American College of Rheumatology, stated that, "Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with potent tumor necrosis factor inhibitors ran an increased risk of developing skin cancer." Still, the scientists said "that the absolute risk is still low and represents a small percentage of patients taking the medications." In the first study, "conducted by scrutinizing a United Kingdom national registry," researchers "observed a 70% increase in the number of cases of skin cancer among patients receiving the anti-TNF drugs, when compared with other treatments for the autoimmune disease." In a US study, "doctors scoured the Department of Veterans Affairs database," determining "that the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer was 25.9 per 1,000 people each year among patients treated with anti-TNF drugs, compared with 19.6 per 1,000 people each year (p<0.0001).

USFDA issued warning for Dexferrum injection:

USFDA website reported that, "The FDA has strengthened the black box warning for injectable iron dextran (Dexferrum), cautioning physicians to try a test dose first, due to a risk of anaphalactic reactions and even death." The altered warning "cautions that fatal reactions have occurred even after the test dose was tolerated." Patients "with a history of drug allergy are most susceptible to these serious adverse affects," and they "are also more likely to occur with large doses of the drug, and may be delayed”.

Three-day antibiotic course may be sufficient for pediatric tonsillectomy patients -

According to a scientific publication reported in the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, three days of antibiotics after a tonsillectomy will put kids back on a normal diet and activity level. Several studies have demonstrated that postoperative antibiotics reduce pain, thought to be caused when normal oral bacteria colonize the tonsillar fossae and cause inflammation. And, for that reason, most otolaryngologists prescribe antibiotics after the procedure -- usually for seven days. But, after evaluating 49 pediatric patients, researchers at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College found that - there was no difference between three and seven days of antibiotics in the time it took to get back to normal."

Disclaimer : The above information has been cited from literature in public domain. This is for research purpose/ dissemination of knowledge only and should not be construed as medical advise.