Category Archives: Genetic Therapy

Public release date: 6-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Dorsey Griffith dorsey.griffith@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu 916-734-9118 University of California - Davis Health System

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) A team of UC Davis investigators has found that a genetic mutation may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. The mutation of the so-called p53 (or Tp53) gene was previously implicated in late disease progression, but until now has never been shown to act as an initiating factor. The findings may open new avenues for diagnosing and treating the disease.

The study was published online in the journal Disease Models & Mechanisms and will appear in the November 2012 print edition in an article titled, "Initiation of prostate cancer in mice by Tp53R270H: Evidence for an alternate molecular progression," and is available online.

"Our team found a molecular pathway to prostate cancer that differs from the current conventional wisdom of how the disease develops," said Alexander Borowsky, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and principal investigator of the study. "With this new understanding, research can go in new directions to possibly develop new diagnostics and refine therapy."

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis in men in the United States. Although it is curable in about 80 percent of men with localized disease, the rate is much lower if the cancer is highly virulent and has spread beyond the prostate gland.

The investigators developed a mouse model genetically engineered to have a mutation in the "tumor suppressor" gene, p53, specifically in the cells of the prostate gland. These mice were significantly more likely to develop prostate cancer than control mice without the mutation, and provided the first indication that the p53 mutation could be involved in the initiation of prostate cancer. They also note that the mutation of p53 in the prostate differs from loss or "knock-out" of the gene, which suggests that the mechanism is more complicated than simply a "loss of tumor suppression" and appears to involve an actively oncogenic function of the mutant gene.

The p53 gene encodes for a protein that normally acts as a tumor suppressor, preventing the replication of cells that have suffered DNA damage. Mutation of the gene, which can occur through chemicals, radiation or viruses, causes cells to undergo uncontrolled cell division. The p53 mutation has been implicated in the initiation of other malignancies, including breast, lung and esophageal cancers.

Other studies have associated p53 mutation with disease progression in prostate cancer, but this is the first to find that it can have a role in the early initiation of prostate cancer, as well.

Until now, understanding of the role of p53 was that mutation occurred exclusively as a late event in the course of prostate cancer. Based on the findings in the new mouse model that the researchers developed, p53 mutation not only can initiate prostate cancer but might also be associated with early progression toward more aggressive forms of the disease.

The rest is here:
UC Davis scientists find new role for P53 genetic mutation -- initiation of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Depression is a medical illness that involves the brain. It affects more than 20 million Americans. Symptoms can include sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in weight, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, a loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide. Researchers believe there are a variety of causes including genetic, environmental, psychological and biochemical factors. Depression usually starts between ages 15 and 30 and is much more common in women. Typical treatments include antidepressant drugs and talk therapy.

(SOURCE: National Institute of Mental Health)

WHAT IS ECT? Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used to treat severe depression. It involves using electricity to induce a seizure. Doctors believe the seizure in the brain produces a host of chemical and physiologic changes in the brain. When ECT was first introduced in the 1940s, it was performed without anesthesia. The treatments were often portrayed as painful and punitive in movie scenes. The treatments dont look anything like they used to look, Richard Weiner, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Medical Director of the Duke ECT Program, told Ivanhoe. The type of electricity that we use now is very different from the type of electricity that used to be used. What we use now is actually modeled after the type of electricity that the brain itself uses. Today, patients also receive muscle relaxers prior to having the procedure, and they are put under general anesthesia. About 100,000 people undergo ECT treatments each year. It is recommended for those with severe depression who fail to respond to other therapies such as medications and psychotherapy.

(SOURCE: http://www.doctoroz.com, Ivanhoe interview with Dr. Weiner)

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS IT? Several studies show ECT therapy works between 80 percent and 90 percent of the time for those who are good candidates. The results can be extraordinarily dramatic, Dr. Weiner said.

RISKS: There are risks and side effects of ECT therapy. These include headache, muscle pain, nausea, and memory problems. Many patients who undergo ECT treatments continue taking their antidepressant medications, which also pose side effects. Any treatment has risks and not treating also has risks, Dr. Weiner said. While there has been some concern about ECT causing permanent changes in the brain, Dr. Weiner says: Whats been found is ECT doesnt cause any pathological, structural changes in the brain. Interestingly, what has been found is depression itself causes pathological changes in certain parts of the brain, so in a sense, ECT may end up being better for their [patients] brain rather than bad for their brain.

(SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Dr. Weiner)

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Shock Therapy: New Twist on an Old Treatment

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Telegraph.co.uk

India beat Britain 3-1, bag bronze in Azlan Shah Cup Hindustan Times Five-time champions India came from behind to stun Great Britain 3-1 and clinch the bronze medal in the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, today. India dominated the match, but squandered several scoring opportunities to concede the ... New Zealand win Azlan Shah CupRediff Azlan Shah Cup: India stun Britain to clinch bronzeEconomic Times New Zealand win maiden Azlan Shah Cup titleIBNLive.com All India Radio all 152 news articles »

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India Today

My choice of captain would be me, says Dhoni Deccan Herald India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni refuse to speculate on who can be his successor as it's not in his hands but given a choice he would choose himself for the top job. Responding to a question on his successor, Dhoni said he would not like to name ... Dhoni wants to serve army after his cricketing career endsEconomic Times PHOTOS: Lt. Col Dhoni meets Indian army troops in J&KRediff Youth of Jammu & Kashmir should actively take up sports: DhoniBusiness Standard Indian Sports news all 118 news articles »

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/xcqq92/orphan_disease_the) has announced the addition of the "Orphan Disease Therapeutic Disorders to 2018 - Emerging utics in GenAgents in Cystic Fibrosis Offer Strong Opportunities for Investment and Licensing Activity" report to their offering.

GBI Research, the leading business intelligence provider, has released its latest research, Orphan Disease Therapeutics in Genetic Disorders to 2018 - Emerging Agents in Cystic Fibrosis Offer Strong Opportunities for Investment and Licensing Activity, which provides insights into the global orphan diseases in genetic disorders therapeutics market, including market forecasts until 2018. The report provides an in-depth analysis of major orphan genetic disease indications, covering Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Fabry disease and Pompe disease. The report also includes insights into the orphan genetic disease therapeutics R&D pipeline. It analyzes the competitive landscape, including M&As, and licensing and co-development deals. The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GBI Research's team of industry experts.

Scope

- Data and analysis on the global orphan disease therapeutics in genetic disorders in the leading geographies of the world- the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Japan.

- Annualized market data for the orphan disease therapeutics in genetic disorders market from 2002-2010 with forecasts to 2018.

- Market data on the therapeutic landscape, covering CF, DMD, Fabry disease and Pompe disease. This includes market size, market share, annual cost of therapy, treatment flow algorithm and branded and generic share.

- Key drivers and restraints that have had a significant impact on the market and on each indication.

- The competitive landscape of the global orphan disease therapeutics in genetic disorders, including companies such as Genzyme, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Santhera, and Shire.

- Key M&A activities and licensing and co-development agreements that took place from 2006-2011 in the global orphan disease therapeutics in genetic disorders market.

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Research and Markets: Orphan Disease Therapeutic Disorders to 2018 - Emerging utics in GenAgents in Cystic Fibrosis ...