Drug Research and Technology update :

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

Newer research pathways for Alzheimer's drug development -

Big drug companies since the 1990s have bet heavily on the concept that amyloid poisons brain cells and that blocking it will halt a patient's devastating decline" in Alzheimer's disease, but "even as their drugs move into final human trials, the evidence implicating amyloid is starting to look a little shaky. Additionally, researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City examined an old allergy drug from Russia that recently showed promising results in Alzheimer's victims and which "boosted short-term amyloid levels in animal and lab experiments, according to results reported at a big Alzheimer's conference.

Research indicates Rituxan may increase progression-free survival in patients with follicular lymphoma-

Roche Holding AG unit Genentech Inc and Biogen Idec . announced that Rituxan (rituximab) increased progression-free survival when taken alone by patients with follicular lymphoma who previously responded to Rituxan and chemotherapy together. The company might discuss the potential new indication with the USFDA. Extended course of preventive antiviral treatment may benefit transplant patients says a report from the researchers.

A longer period of preventive treatment after kidney transplant can help reduce the risk that the patient will become infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV)-

A Sept. 17 online publication of Journal of the American Society of Nephrology states, a longer period of preventive treatment after kidney transplant can help reduce the risk that the patient will become infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV disease increases the risk of morbidity, rehospitalization, and death after transplants, particularly those of the kidney.

For the study, the team "conducted a retrospective analysis of the incidence of CMV infection and CMV disease in 131 transplant patients who received valganciclovir for three months after surgery and 91 patients who received the medication for six months after surgery. Each patient received either a kidney or pancreas transplant between March 2002 and March 2007.

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.