Adaptive Pharmacogenomics, LLC

Researchers in Brazil found a protein that can be used to indicate which patients in the early stages of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a good prognosis and which do not. High levels of this protein correlate with resistance to certain anticancer drugs, especially cisplatin and carboplatin. This new finding may help doctors decide on the best course of action for each NSCLC patient, which may greatly impact survival rates.

Researchers have identified a biomarker in patient blood which can predict the severity of breast cancer in patients and may enable clinicians to track patients throughout the course of their treatment.

Curr Drug Metab. 2009 Nov;10(9):981-97

Authors: Van Asseldonk DP, de Boer NK, Peters GJ, Veldkamp AI, Mulder CJ, Van Bodegraven AA

Thiopurines such as azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine are antimetabolites that have been used for several decades in the treatment of several diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases.

Curr Drug Metab. 2009 Nov;10(9):998-1008

Authors: Agúndez JA, Martínez C, Pérez-Sala D, Carballo M, Torres MJ, García-Martín E

Polymorphisms in drug-related enzymes and receptors are often strongly related to altered drug response and to the risk of developing drug intolerance.

Curr Drug Metab. 2009 Nov;10(9):956-70

Authors: Andrade RJ, Agúndez JA, Lucena MI, Martínez C, Cueto R, García-Martín E

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a severe adverse effect. The majority of DILI cases are idiosyncratic and several mechanisms have been postulated to explain why some subjects develop DILI with drugs that are safe for the majority of individuals.

 

The BioPharm America 2010/MassBio Investors Forum will be held on September 15-17 at the Copley Marriott in Boston, MA.

In partnership with BioPharm America, the MassBio Investors Forum will bring together companies from across the globe to partner and invest in Massachusetts most innovative companies.

MassBio and EBD Group will make this combined North America’s premiere partnering events -- creating a unique, high powered business exchange that unites the international life sciences community.

Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. 2010 Feb;14(1):121-5

Authors: Higgs J, Gambhir N, Ramsden SC, Poulton K, Newman WG

AIM: For certain drugs, pharmacogenetic tests can reduce adverse drug reactions and improve treatment efficacy. However, the adoption of pharmacogenetics into clinical practice has been relatively slow.

Blood.

Nephrologists must consider fluid overload effects when prescribing dialysis, according to a new study. The fluid overload biomarker, N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), previously known as a "cardiac biomarker" in dialysis patients, is an important component of managing patients with kidney disease.

Eur Heart J. 2009 Aug;30(16):1964-77

Authors: Wallentin L

Currently, clopidogrel is recommended for treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome and/or percutaneous coronary intervention.