International Caregivers Development Center (ICDC) is always looking for news or information of interest to our clients; the following are a selection with links:
EXPERTS IDENTIFY GENE VARIANTS LINKED TO LUNG CANCER
Researchers in China and the United States have identified mutations of two genes which appear to make ethnic Chinese more susceptible to lung cancer, they wrote in the journal Cancer. Their finding’s involves two genes, ABCB1 and ABCC1, which were previously thought to be linked to eliminating carcinogens from the lungs and protecting them against inhaled toxins.
In their study, the researchers analyzed the genes of over 500 patients with lung cancer and 517 cancer-free participants in south eastern China. "The investigators found that certain (gene) variants were found much more often in individuals with lung cancer than in cancer-free controls," they wrote in a statement. See Article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE4BL0C820081222
DRUG PROTECTS MICE EXPOSED TO SMOKING
A new study released recently by U.S. researchers has revealed that a new experimental drug was able to protect mice who were exposed to tobacco smoke from developing lung disease.
The study was carried out by researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Maryland and focused on the drug compound or chemical known as CDDO-Im. The study exposed mice to cigarette smoke for a period of six months. The idea was to try and spark lung damage, similar to what they would develop for emphysema.
Mice that received the drug were able to be protected against lung damage. On top of that, they also had improved heart function compared to the mice not on the drug. See Article:
http://www.dbtechno.com/health/2008/12/23/drug-protects-mice-exposed-to-smoking-from-lung-disease/
A GROUNDBREAKING ASTHMA SUMMIT SET IN FEBRUARY 2009
The SRxA Institute for Professional Education will host the inaugural meeting of the Asthma Summit to be held February 20-21, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Baltimore, MD. International key opinion leaders, physicians and scientists will convene to discuss state-of-the-art issues in asthma genetics, asthma pharmacotherapeutics, and asthma clinical management and explore how to "operationalize" the concepts of asthma control, dosing flexibility and heterogeneity of disease. See Details:
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT= 104&STORY=/www/story/12-22-2008/0004946162&EDATE=
UPDATE ON GLAXO'S "SON OF ADVAIR" FOR COPD
GlaxoSmithKline, the world's second biggest drug maker, on reported positive mid-stage results in key additional indications for its key drug seen as a successor to top-selling Advair. The new inhaled long-acting beta agonist (LABA) asthma drug, known as LABA 444 and in development with U.S. partner Theravance, moves a step closer to having a key additional indication in moderate to severe COPD. Glaxo said that it showed an increase in lung function compared to a placebo drug at five-dose levels, meeting the goals for the Phase 2b trial. The company added that it did not show increased average heart rate, a common side effect of beta agonists. See Article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSLM39045320081222
POLLUTION AT HOME OFTEN LURKS UNRECOGNIZED
Many people may be surprised by the number of chemicals they are exposed to through everyday household products, a small study finds, suggesting, researchers say, that consumers need to learn more about sources of indoor pollution.
In interviews with 25 women who'd had their homes and bodies tested for various environmental pollutants, researchers found that most were surprised and perplexed by the number of chemicals to which they'd been exposed. An average of 20 chemicals was detected for each study participant. See More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE4BP1ZL20081226
DANGEROUS DRUG COMBOS POSE RISK FOR ELDERLY
Older adults in the United States are popping prescription pills, over-the-counter drugs (OTC) and dietary supplements in record numbers, and in combinations that could be deadly, U.S. researchers said.
They said more than half of U.S. adults aged 57 to 85 are using five or more prescription or non-prescription drugs, and one in 25 are taking them in combinations that could cause dangerous drug interactions.
"Older adults in the United States use medicine and they use a lot of it," said Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau of the University of Chicago Medical Center, whose study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
She noted a recent report that estimated U.S. adults over 65 make up more than 175,000 emergency department visits a year for adverse drug reactions, and commonly prescribed drugs accounted for a third of these visits. See Story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE4BM59S20081224
CLIMATE CHANGE MAY BOOST CONTACT WITH POLLUTANTS
Global climate change may lead to a rise in health problems due to increased exposure to harmful air pollutants, suggest researchers who reviewed studies projecting the impact of climate change on air quality.
The review authors also concluded that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could help reduce the harmful effects of climate change.
The review looked at how climate change will affect ground-level ozone, a known pulmonary irritant that affects the respiratory mucous membranes, other lung tissues and respiratory function. Exposure to elevated levels of ozone is associated with increased hospital admissions for asthma, allergic rhinitis, pneumonia, COPD and other respiratory diseases. See Article:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/12/26/climate-change-may-boost-contact-with-pollutants.html
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