Avandia Search Engine Blog

New Scientific Studies Show Further Evidence of Avandia Dangers (PRWeb)

2010-02-04T05:20:00.001-06:00

Two independent studies document serious medical risks associated with use of popular GlaxoSmithKline diabetes drug (PRWeb Feb 4, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3563424.htm

Research could help in developing more specific treatments for Type 2 diabetes (News-Medical-Net)

2010-02-02T05:20:00.001-06:00

New research on Type 2 diabetes by Trinity College Dublin researchers could benefit young adults (aged 18-25 years) with the condition. The research led by Professor John Nolan of Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital, Dublin, has just been published online in the leading international journal, Diabetes Care.

Free Legal Consultation for Sudden Unintended Acceleration Incidences in Toyota/Lexus Recalled Cars Now Offered by ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

2010-01-31T05:20:00.001-06:00

Personal injury lawyers, Ennis & Ennis, P.A., are now providing free legal consultation to individuals who have experienced sudden unintended acceleration. All consultations are free, confidential and are available nationwide.

GSK Conducting PGx Trials for Newly Approved Tykerb; Monogram eTag Assays May Play Role (GenomeWeb News)

2010-01-28T05:20:00.001-06:00

GlaxoSmithKline is hoping that pharmacogenomic studies of its newly approved targeted breast cancer drug Tykerb will help identify patients with other solid tumors likely to respond to the drug.

Drug Safety Whistleblower Wants to Fix FDA. GTO Says, Good Luck! (GenomeWeb News)

2010-01-24T05:20:00.001-06:00

The International Herald Tribune profiles Steven Nissen , the Cleveland Clinic scientist best known for his early warnings about the safety of Vioxx, long before the drug was taken off the market.

Avandia Linked to Heart Attacks, Liver Failure, and More

2009-10-15T16:20:00.002-06:00

The diabetes drug Avandia has been linked to so many health problems that some have questioned whether or not it should be on the market at all. In November 2007, a warning detailing Avandia's association with myocardial ischemia was added to the drug's boxed warning. The warning followed an analysis of 42 clinical trails published [...]

The Diabetes Drug Avandia has been Linked to Heart Attacks

2009-10-11T16:20:00.003-06:00

The Mulligan Law Firm is currently investigating injury claims involving Avandia's possible role in heart attacks and heart disease.

Amylin and Biocon collaborate to develop a peptide therapeutic for treating diabetes

2009-09-24T04:20:00.002-06:00

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN) and Biocon, Limited (NSE: BIOCON) announced today that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to jointly develop, commercialize and manufacture a novel peptide therapeutic for the potential treatment of diabetes. Amylin and Biocon will collaborate to develop the therapeutic potential of the compound and share development costs. Research will ...

Avoid Diabetes Drugs

2009-09-03T04:20:00.002-06:00

In a four-year study, the popular Mediterranean-style diet helped keep type 2 diabetes patients off blood-sugar-controlling medications.

Diabetes drug linked to heart failure risk

2009-08-25T16:20:00.002-06:00

Canadian scientists say they have discovered rosiglitazone (Avandia) a type 2 diabetes drug, might be linked with increased risk of heart failure and death. The scientists from the University of Toronto and the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto, said the linkage was found among older patients, compared to a similar drug, pioglitazone (Actos). The scientists utilised prescription records ...

Still Prescribing Killer Diabetes Drug?

2009-08-23T04:20:00.003-06:00

Stop prescribing killer diabetes drug, scientists warn (Guardian Unlimited)
Rosiglitazone, brand name Avandia, has higher rates of heart failure and death than similar alternative Scientists say doctors should stop prescribing a commonly used diabetes drug, after studies show that it is linked to higher rates of heart failure and death than a similar alternative. David Juurlink, a Toronto-based pharmacologist and lead author of a paper published online today by the ...

Avandia Heart Failure Risk More Than Actos

2009-08-20T16:20:00.002-06:00

Avandia Raises Heart Failure Risk More Than Actos (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Avandia Raises Heart Failure Risk More Than Actos Category: Health News Created: 8/19/2009 8:10:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 8/19/2009

FDA approves diabetes drug from two manufacturers

2009-08-02T16:20:00.002-06:00

FDA approves diabetes drug from two area manufacturers (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and AstraZeneca Plc won U.S. approval for a new diabetes treatment to compete with Merck & Co.'s Januvia.

Glaxo profits up

2009-07-23T10:03:00.002-06:00

GlaxoSmithKline, the world's second largest drug maker by revenues, posted an 11 percent rise in second quarter profit on Wednesday after strong pharmaceutical sales in emerging markets helped offset the impact of generic competition in the United States.

Glaxo profits up 11 percent on emerging markets

2009-07-22T10:03:00.002-06:00

Alzheimer's Disease Conference (ICAD) Highlights Promise and Setbacks

2009-07-20T10:03:00.002-06:00

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - July 20, 2009) - As is often the case, recent news regarding potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease contains both promise and disappointment. The International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) draws attention to the leading science behind the fight against the disease. A major announcement preceded the conference, held in Vienna, Austria, ...

Drug Toxicity Assay Kits Increase Drug Development Efficiency

2009-05-31T23:21:00.000-06:00

Bioo Scientific's Toxicity Assay Kits Increase the Efficiency of Drug Development

Bioo Scientific announced the launch of the MaxDiscoveryT Toxicity Assay Kits for the monitoring of toxic effects in in vivo preclinical studies.

Austin, TX, May 31, 2009 -- Since toxicity is one of the leading causes of drug failures, measuring preclinical toxicity is a critical drug development function. Accurate in vivo toxicity assays are essential to lowering attrition and increasing efficiency in drug development.

Bioo Scientific announced today the launch of their MaxDiscoveryT Toxicity Assay Kits. These kits monitor in vivo toxicity by measuring liver and heart function in serum samples. They provide simple, convenient, colorimetric determination of well-characterized functional markers of for liver and heart. They are ideal tools to monitor toxic effects caused by administration of siRNA, DNA plasmids, transfection agents or other therapeutic treatments during preclinical studies. The assays can be used in a range of mammals, including mice and rats, providing a powerful tool to assess and reduce the toxicity of drugs formulations and to improve drug delivery methods.

According to Dr Joe Krebs, Director of Protein Chemistry and Engineering at Bioo Scientific, "MaxDiscoveryT Toxicity kits are designed to provide researchers with rapid, cost-effective tools required to address the escalating challenges of drug development in today's competitive landscape."

Assays are available for alanine transaminase, aspartate transminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, cholesterol, and creatine kinase.

About Bioo Scientific
Bioo Scientific Corporation is a global biotechnology tools company, headquartered in Austin, Texas. Bioo Scientific provides innovative products and services to academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, molecular diagnostics laboratories, and customers who perform food and feed safety analysis.

Contact Information
Bioo Scientific
Dawn Obermoeller
512-301-4094
dawn@redbridgemarketing.com
www.biooscientific.com

Doctors Raised Questions About FDA Epilepsy Drug Warning

2008-12-22T12:06:00.000-06:00

Doctors Raise Questions-Concerns About FDA Suicide Warning

Epilepsy experts urge patients and caregivers to continue drug therapy

SEATTLE, December 8, 2008-Medical specialists at the nation's largest professional meeting on epilepsy discussed multiple questions and concerns they have about data presented by the FDA in support of its recent suicide alert on anticonvulsant drugs (AEDs) and the potential effect of the federal agency's analyses on clinical practice and the way AED drug trials are to be conducted in the future.

It is well known that non-adherence to antiepileptic drug therapy can lead to a dramatic increase in accidents and deaths. For these reasons, epileptic experts believe it is imperative that patients continue their antiepileptic therapy to prevent the occurrence of serious accidents and death.

During the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting, epidemiologists, epileptologists and psychiatrists offered a critical review of the FDA's methodology and analyses, describe the suicide alert's potential impact on patient compliance and seizure management, and its likely effect on the selection of patients for AED regulatory studies. Among the doctors' concerns is that news reports of the FDA's analyses have confused patients and, perhaps, some physicians on the risks associated with epilepsy drugs. They cite data showing that the risk of suicide possibly associated with AEDs is extremely small compared to the potential danger of leaving patients untreated. Also of concern is that epilepsy patients prone to suicidal ideation or behavior will be excluded from clinical trials of new AEDs.

The panel is seriously concerned about methodological flaws in the FDA's data collection and analysis, including biased measurement of suicidality and exclusion of a large proportion of the data. The FDA performed similarly flawed analysis of the SSRIs. After the black box warning appeared, there was a decrease in use of the SSRIs with a corresponding increase in suicide, contrary to what the FDA's conclusions would predict.

The discussion by leading experts was headed by Andres M. Kanner, M.D., professor of neurological sciences at Rush Medical Center and associate director of the Rush Epilepsy Center. The other panelist for the session, titled Suicidality and Epilepsy: A Complex Problem, are Dr. Hesdorffer (Columbia University), Anne T. Berg, Ph.D. (Northern Illinois University), John J. Barry, M.D. (Stanford University), Rochelle Caplan, M.D. (UCLA), and Jacqueline A. French, M.D. (New York University).

EDITOR'S NOTE: In addition to the panel presentation, the American Epilepsy Society submitted a letter to the FDA expressing its concern for potential misinterpretation by patients, families and physicians of package insert warnings.

About The American Epilepsy Society
The American Epilepsy Society (AES), based in West Hartford, CT, is among the oldest neurological professional organizations in the nation, with roots dating to 1898. The AES annual meeting is the world's preeminent professional meeting on epilepsy and attracts some 4,000 participants from around the globe. The Society promotes research and education for professionals (epileptologists) dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of epilepsy. Membership includes epilepsy clinicians, basic science and clinical investigators, and other health-care professionals interested in seizure disorders.

Information Contacts:
Peter Van Haverbeke
AES Media Relations
703-927-9639 mobile
802-375-9011 business

Avandia May be More Dangerous Than Previously Thought

2008-12-10T15:05:00.000-06:00

LegalView Updates Avandia Information Portal with News That Avandia May be More Dangerous Than Similar Drugs

LegalView recently relaunched is Avandia information portal with updated news that the type 2 diabetes drug has more safety risks than drugs of a similar nature. A study from U.S. researchers was published evaluating the dangers of the diabetes drugs and found Avandia as riskier for patients than Actos.

Denver, CO, December 02, 2008 -- LegalView.com, the number one resource for everything and anything legal on the Web, recently announced an update to its Avandia information portal with news that the type 2 diabetes drug poses more safety risks to patients than similar drugs including Actos. According to a Reuters article published in November, the Avandia study as well as analysis has been conducted of the drugs and has found that of both Avandia and Actos, Avandia poses greater risks, especially among older-aged diabetic patients and that the risks include an increased chance of developing heart disease.

Individuals who consume Avandia and who are concerned about the Avandia side effects, which may potentially include early on-set osteoporosis as well as heart failure, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, may need to discuss discontinuing use of the drug with a medical professional. Additionally, contacting an experienced pharmaceutical and Avandia attorney who may be able to provide a free legal consultation as to the development of a potential Avandia class action lawsuit.

Avandia was first introduced from GlaxoSmithKline in May 1999 and was prescribed to nearly 3 million type 2 diabetes sufferers. In 2007 a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health advisory alert was issued regarding the discovery of the alleged link that Avandia patients may be at a greater risk for developing heart disease and heart failure, while also being more susceptible to broken bones and fractures due to a potential osteoporosis risk. Patients consuming the drug should speak with their physician as well as consider the development of litigation for the potential of earning monetary compensation.

LegalView has also made available information portals on several other topics ranging from information on traumatic brain injuries to other controversial pharmaceutical drugs such as Byetta and Ketek.

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, approximately 1.4 million Americans suffer from a traumatic brain injury each year. The condition has also been deemed the signature injury of the war in Iraq by news organizations and medical professionals. Additionally, thousands of individuals are not treated for their TBI condition, which could cause a worsening of the TBI side effects among patients. It is imperative that an individual who may have suffered from a TBI accident contact a medical professional regarding their potential condition.

Byetta (exenatide) from Amilyn Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly was released in 2005, however, the type 2 diabetes drug was allegedly under investigation by the FDA for the potential link to pancreatic inflammation among Byetta patients. In August 2008, approximately six individuals consuming the drug had developed acute pancreatitis and of the six, two had died. Patients of Byetta who are concerned about the potential dangers allegedly associated with the drug are advised to contact a Byetta law firm for more information.

Ketek, which has been available since 2004 from Sanofi-Aventis, has been allegedly linked to the development of liver damage among patients who have consumed the antibiotic that treats upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and community acquired pneumonia. The FDA is also currently investigating the drug, but those who have been affected by the Ketek side effects are encouraged to contact a medical professional as well as a pharmaceutical attorney.

About LegalView:

LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Contact Information
LegalView
Katie Kelley
720-226-6613
press-releases@legalview.com
http://avandia.legalview.com

Market Growing For Surgical Sealants, Glues, Wound Closure, and Anti-Adhesion Products

2008-11-18T15:34:00.000-06:00

Surgical Sealants, Glues, Wound Closure, Anti-Adhesion, Worldwide; MedMarket Diligence Report

MedMarket Diligence tracks wound closure, hemostasis and anti-adhesion technologies and forecasts this market in a forthcoming worldwide report, with insight into market introduction, growth, competition and business opportunity.

Foothill Ranch, CA, November 18, 2008 -- Opportunities for products in wound closure, hemostasis and anti-adhesion products are plentiful for established and emerging companies, driven by innovation in product formulation and penetration of more caseload, including growth in more medical and surgical specialties. The market for these products is also growing through their expansion globally, with products being introduced and finding clinical acceptance in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America and other markets globally.

MedMarket Diligence monitors and identifies emergence and growth of novel technologies in wound closure, hemostasis and anti-adhesion and applies its industry awareness and analysis to providing insight into market introduction, growth, competition and opportunity worldwide. The products, current and forecast markets, companies and opportunities are detailed in this 2008 report from MedMarket Diligence. The report details the markets worldwide, with detailed geographic segmentation, for surgical sealants, glues, hemostats, sutures, tapes, and other wound closure technologies, as well as products for the prevention of post-surgical adhesion.

"The use of these biologicals and other product forms, once representing a minor share of wound closure, has now moved into the mainstream, with sealant, closure, hemostasis and combinations of uses by these products eclipsing use by traditional wound closure devices," says Patrick Driscoll, president of MedMarket Diligence. According to Driscoll, the market is also experiencing increased competition and market evolution as new products are introduced and some consolidation is taking place even while the number and types of procedures target by these products proliferate. A number of market leaders have solidified their positions within the surgical closure and securement markets through successful internal development programs and through technology partnerships with innovative vendors of next generation technologies.

MedMarket Diligence's comprehensive analysis of the market for surgical sealants, glues/adhesives, hemostats, tapes, sutures, and anti-adhesion products is a worldwide report that is a must have tool for market planning, strategic analysis and positioning in this large and growing market. The report details the products on the market, their current and forecast penetration of clinical application, new products under development and their status, the current and forecast market for products by major country markets worldwide, and the current and hopeful competitors in the market and their positions, strengths and strategies. The report provides specific forecasts and shares of the worldwide market by segment for the U.S., Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, BeNeLux), Latin America, Japan and Rest of World.

The report is scheduled for publication in early December 2008. The report is described with table of contents (list of exhibits pending) at http://mediligence.com/rpt/rpt-s175.hm. A pre-paid discount is available and the report may be purchased at https://www.mediligence.com/store/page29.html or via order form (http://www.mediligence.com/order_forms/s175_order.pdf).

Contact Information

MedMarket Diligence, LLC
Patrick Driscoll
949-859-3401
patrick@mediligence.com
www.mediligence.com

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Avandia Ban Calls Grow - Warnings Not Seen As Enough Warning

2008-10-31T07:47:00.000-06:00

Public Citizen Petitions FDA to Ban Avandia, Cites Life-Threatening Toxicity as Top Diabetes Associations Advise Against Use

Risks Outweigh Benefits of the Diabetes Drug; Safer Alternatives Are Available

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Public Citizen - Oct. 30, 2008 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should immediately ban the dangerous diabetes drug Avandia because it can cause death from liver failure and has many other life-threatening risks that far outweigh its benefits, Public Citizen said in a petition filed today with the agency.

New research released by Public Citizen about the drug, used to treat Type 2 diabetes, comes as a working group with representatives from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, unanimously advised against using Avandia, whose generic name is rosiglitazone, because of their concerns about the drug's risks. This statement appears in the newly published issue of Diabetes Care, the ADA's peer-reviewed medical journal. Despite a significant decrease in its use since publication of a study linking it to increased risk of heart attacks, approximately 10,000 prescriptions a day are still filled for this unacceptably dangerous drug, which is sold by Glaxo-SmithKline.

Public Citizen has identified 14 cases of Avandia-induced liver failure, including 12 deaths. These cases were derived from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System after careful review of the agency's MedWatch forms, which are submitted to the agency when adverse drug reactions are suspected.

Liver toxicity is only the most recently noted danger of Avandia; Public Citizen has encouraged diabetes sufferers to avoid taking the drug because it increases the risk of heart attack approximately 40 percent, doubles the risk of heart failure and bone fractures, and increases the risk of anemia and vision loss from macular edema, a swelling of the retina caused by fluids accumulating in the eye. There were 39 times more reports of macular edema per million prescriptions filled for Avandia than for an older diabetes drug, glipizide.

Avandia prescriptions fell sharply following a May 2007 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine connecting the drug with increased heart attack risk. In 2006, the number of people taking the drug peaked at 13.2 million. Since then, that number has dropped to 4.6 million for the last full year. This means that about 10,000 prescriptions a day are still being filled for this dangerous drug.

"The scientific consensus against Avandia is overwhelming," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group. "The timing of these findings should give the FDA the momentum it needs to act swiftly to prevent further needless deaths and health damage by banning this drug."

Safer, more effective drugs for Type 2 diabetes include metformin (brand name Glucophage) and glipizide (brand name Glucotrol). Pioglitazone (sold as Actos), a drug in the same family as Avandia, is not recommended, as it shares most of Avandia's toxicities - except for the risk of heart attack - and the ADA does not number it among the preferred therapies for most diabetics.

The full petition is available at http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?ID=7614.

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Major Cancer is Now Preventable

2008-10-30T12:56:00.000-06:00

Ads Running Throughout the City Are Alerting New Yorkers That a Major Cancer is Now Preventable

"So Disfiguring, So Preventable," the Message about Oral Cancer that is Dominating the City.

New York, NY, October 30, 2008 -- Preventing oral cancer is the word on the street in New York City, as scores of people are spotting advertisements that are running on hundreds of city buses, inside and out. Oral cancer, which kills twice as many Americans as cervical cancer, is now especially on the rise in young people, women and non-smokers partly due to what is widely suspected to be an oral sex related increase in exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV). OralCDx Laboratories, a division of Oral Cancer Prevention International, has launched a bus ad campaign, urging people to visit BrushTest certified dentists for this routine screening test. The BrushTest, often compared to the Pap smear for the prevention of cervical cancer, tells patients if any of the common red and white spots that are found in almost everyone's mouth at one time or another are pre-cancerous and need to be removed, long before they have the chance to develop into cancer.

The ad appears on the outside and inside of 450 MTA buses. Simultaneously, a similar ad jointly placed by OralCDx Laboratories and the American Dental Association is running on over 100 MTA buses.

The bus ads will be running until the end of November, leading into the Greater New York Dental Meeting, taking place at The Javits Center starting on November 28.

Oral cancer, one of the most disfiguring cancers, kills about as many Americans as melanoma and twice as many as cervical cancer. Very few cancers are preventable, and OralCDx is on a mission to let people know that oral cancer has recently joined the short list of preventable cancers. The effectiveness and accuracy of the BrushTest is referenced by both the National Cancer Institute and the ADA, and the test is used by over 30,000 dentists nationwide.

About the BrushTest

OralCDx Laboratories, a division of Oral Cancer Prevention International, Inc., is the worldwide, exclusive provider of the BrushTest, utilizing patented and proprietary tissue sampling and cell analysis systems. The BrushTest is used by dentists and physicians to help prevent oral cancer, a disease that kills as many Americans as melanoma, twice as many as cervical cancer, and is rising among women, young people and non-smokers. Well over 25% of those found to have oral cancer do not use tobacco or abuse alcohol. Recent studies have also shown a link between HPV and an increase in oral cancer.

The BrushTest is taught in the majority of U.S. dental schools and is a covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private U.S. medical and dental insurance plans. The American Dental Association (ADA), in collaboration with OralCDx Laboratories, has recently embarked on a campaign to inform patients that because of the BrushTest, oral cancer has joined the short list of cancers that can now be stopped, years before they can even start. The accuracy of OralCDx was demonstrated in one of the largest studies in oral medicine ever conducted, performed at 35 academic centers in the U.S., involving nearly 1,000 patients. This study was published as the cover story of the Journal of the American Dental Association and earned OralCDx the ADA's prestigious Seal of Acceptance.

For more information on the OralCDx BrushTest, call (877) 672-5722 or visit www.BrushTest.com.

Contact Information

OralCDx Laboratories
Sharon Golubchik
845-368-7451
gsharon@cdxlabs.com
www.oralcdx.com

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Silent Killer of WWII American Veterans

2008-10-01T22:37:00.000-06:00

LegalView Informs Mesothelioma Blog Readers with Details on Asbestos: Silent Killer of American Veterans Dating Back to World War II

LegalView informed mesothelioma blog readers of a silent killer of American soldiers and veterans besides traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mesothelioma cancer has likely affected thousands of American veterans, even dating back to World War II navy veterans.

Denver, CO, August 17, 2008 -- LegalView, the most comprehensive legal resource available on the Internet, unveiled details of a "silent killer" of American veterans that dates back to World War II. Asbestos fibers and dust may have been silently killing veterans returning home from American-fought wars, and has long been overlooked, according to veteran and book author William S. Burton Sr. Currently, many scientists and researchers have deemed traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be the "signature injury" of the recent war, but veterans also suffer from mesothelioma cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos.

According to Burton, veterans, especially navy veterans from World War II, have had difficulties proving their asbestos-induced conditions to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans as well as those suffering from the cancer are encouraged to locate a mesothelioma law firm that can provide a plethora of experienced mesothelioma attorneys to choose from.

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, which were mined throughout the world in the 20th century. Tremolite, which is found in asbestos, caused fibers being inhaled to line the inside of the lung causing the deadly form of cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. While much is being done to find out about mesothelioma treatment, there are no known cures and very few treatments that can offer an increased survival rate. Veterans who suffer from this lung condition should seek medical attention and consult a mesothelioma attorney to learn about receiving medical disability and compensation claims for war-related conditions/illnesses.

For more on mesothelioma cancer visit LegalView's homepage. On this site, find several other various categories to navigate through and locate information on legal topics such as the faulty Zimmer Durom cup or the tendonitis-inducing Levaquin. Also learn the latest on the Viapro recall.

The failing Durom cup hip socket from Zimmer Holdings has stopped being manufactured while hundreds of physicians claim the Durom cup risks have caused failing hip components among some patients, which would likely be cause for an additional hip replacement surgery. The faulty hip socket has already been implanted into approximately 12,000 patients since the components release in 2006.

Levaquin, which is an antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolones drug group, was recently issued the harshest label possible by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The black box label is a warning for physicians that the drug includes serious side effects such as the increased risk of tendonitis or tendon rupture among patients. Individuals taking Levaquin are encouraged to contact a pharmaceutical attorney to learn about the details of a Levaquin class action lawsuit.

The ongoing complications associated with Viapro were discovered after an internal investigation and test by the FDA that found an undeclared ingredient in the drug. Viapro, which treats erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual impotency, has been recalled, but patients may still suffer from the Viapro side effects. Those who are at risk are those also consuming medications containing nitrates, which can be found in high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes medications.

About LegalView:

LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com/.

Contact Information
LegalView
Katie Kelley
720-771-3246
press-releases@legalview.com
www.legalview.com

New Clinical Trial Combines Chemotherapy and Radiation

2008-09-11T21:57:00.000-06:00

LegalView Blog Announces Recruitment of Mesothelioma Victims for New Clinical Trial Combining Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments

LegalView made available the details of a new clinical trial, which will test chemotherapy and radiation methods rather than surgery as a treatment among mesothelioma patients. Victims of mesothelioma cancer are currently being recruited for the study, which will likely last 13 weeks.

Denver, CO - July 12, 2008 -- LegalView, the most comprehensive legal resource available on the Web, released details of a newly advertised clinical trial that will target radiation and chemotherapy treatments rather than surgery for mesothelioma patients. The study is for individuals suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma, which is often considered the most deadly form of mesothelioma cancer. The trial will take approximately 13 weeks and will involve exploratory surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which will be administered directly into the affected area.

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers and dust, which can occur anywhere asbestos has been previously used, although it is most commonly found in insulation within the construction industry. Individuals who have been affected by mesothelioma cancer are advised to seek out a mesothelioma law firm that can provide victims with a better understanding of the details of a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. An experienced law firm will also provide a plethora of mesothelioma lawyers to deal with the specifics of an individual's asbestos-related case.

The new clinical trial aims to find a successful alternative treatment to surgery. Currently, mesothelioma cancer has a grim prognosis, as it is usually not successfully treatable and most often the cancerous portions of the lung are removed via a surgical procedure, which doesn't commonly provide a prolonged life for victims. Additionally, according to the details of the study, surgery "may even lead to a worsened pulmonary function" among patients. For more information on developing litigation related to mesothelioma and asbestos, individuals should locate a mesothelioma attorney who can provide legal consultation on the details of an individual victim's lawsuit.

For information on locating an experienced lawyer, visit LegalView's homepage, which also offers additional information on an array of legal topics including the heavily discussed pharmaceutical controversies that have recently threatened patients. For example, prescription drugs such as Levaquin, Avandia and Chantix have become hot topics in many news reports for the alleged side effects and potential risks associated with each drug.

Levaquin is an anti-bacterial prescription drug that is part of the fluoroquinolone drug family. Levaquin is used for an array of conditions ranging from urinary tract infections to bronchitis to gonorrhea and Chlamydia to pneumonia. According to several scientific studies recently released, consumption of the drug may lead to Levaquin-induced Achilles tendonitis among patients who take the drug for short- to long-term periods of time. One study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine suggested that patients who had taken the drug anywhere from 6 months to two years and prior may even be at risk for the Levaquin tendon rupture. Additionally Cipro, another of the fluoroquinolone drugs, has also been found to pose a potential risk for tendonitis and tendon rupture and has thus been given a "black box" Cipro FDA warning. The "black box warning is the strongest warning the FDA can put on a drug.

Finally, Chantix, one of the most recently released prescription drugs, is used to aid patients attempting to quit smoking. In late 2007, hundreds of patients of the smoking-cessation drug had reported unusual Chantix side effects that included mood swings, erratic behavior, depression, suicidal thoughts and tendencies. An additional 37 cases of suicide among Chantix patients had also been reported to the FDA, according to an FDA Public Health Advisory from 2008. To learn more about these issues as well as many others, visit the LegalView homepage.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com/.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Katie Kelley
LegalView
720-226-6613

Alan Haburchak
legalView
720-226-6613

Cancer Institute Receives Grant to Study Long-term Health Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

2008-08-29T22:17:00.000-06:00

John Wayne Cancer Institute Receives Grant to Study Long-term Health Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Research Will Focus on Relationship of Concussion, Pituitary Hormonal Failure and Quality of Life in Retired National Football League Players

SANTA MONICA, Calif.-- July 02, 2008--The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John's Health Center announced today that it has received a grant from the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment to study pituitary hormonal failure (hypopituitarism) in retired football players.

The research, which will be conducted in collaboration with the University of North Carolina's (UNC) Department of Exercise and Sport Science, and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, will be directed by Daniel F. Kelly, MD, director of the Neuro-Endocrine Tumor Center at the John Wayne Cancer Institute, and Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, chairman of the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at UNC.

In a cohort of retired National Football League (NFL) players, the study will examine the relationship between the number of concussions sustained in players' NFL careers, and their subsequent pituitary hormonal function and post-retirement quality of life. The investigators hypothesize that players sustaining multiple concussions are at increased risk of developing pituitary hormonal dysfunction which may in turn contribute to problems of obesity, fatigue, impaired metabolism, depression, sexual dysfunction and a general poor quality of life.

According to Dr. Kelly, the new study will focus on a relatively unexplored area of traumatic brain injury (TBI)-the potential correlation between recurrent concussions and pituitary hormonal dysfunction. More than 1.2 million Americans sustain a TBI annually, the majority of which are cerebral concussions. Repeat concussions have been shown to be a risk factor for neurodegenerative dementing disorders, including mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. However, little is known about the impact of single or multiple concussions on hormonal function and quality of life. Only in the sport of boxing, have a few small studies shown that boxers are at increased risk of developing pituitary failure. In contrast, it is well known that a single severe head injury can lead to pituitary damage and hormonal abnormalities in up to one third of individuals.

The pituitary is a small bean-shaped gland located immediately below the brain and behind the nasal cavity in the skull base; it is connected to the brain by the thin delicate vascular pituitary stalk. Weighing less than one gram, the pituitary is often called the "master gland" since it controls the secretion of the body's hormones. These essential substances when released by the pituitary into the blood stream have a broad range of effects on growth and development, sexuality and reproductive function, metabolism, the response to stress and overall quality of life.

"This research is long overdue," Dr. Kelly said. "Millions of young people and professional athletes participate in sports that put them at risk of concussion; not just football, but also hockey, rugby, soccer, baseball and basketball. We need to know more about how these so-called "minor head injuries" impact their lives in subsequent years, and in particular, whether multiple concussions can lead to pituitary hormonal failure and poor quality of life."

Using the database of the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes at University of North Carolina and in cooperation with the National Football League Players' Association, 90 study participants will be categorized based on the number of concussions they sustained during their NFL career. The retired players will then be assessed utilizing pituitary hormonal blood tests, body composition testing and neurobehavioral, quality of life and sexual function surveys. Retirees found to be deficient in any hormones such as thyroid, testosterone or growth hormone will be treated with physiological replacement doses of the appropriate hormone and will then have repeat quality of life testing. Hormonal testing assays will be conducted by the General Clinical Research Center at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center under the direction of Professor Christina Wang, an endocrinologist and a study co-investigator.

"The problem of sports-related concussions is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to long-term disability in many retired athletes," said Bob Klein, vice president at Saint John's Health Center and a ten-year NFL veteran with the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers. "However, the potential impact of concussions on quality of life is not well understood. This research will fill that gap in our knowledge. I have spoken with many of my former colleagues in the NFL, and they share my belief in the critical importance of this study."

The Neuro-Endocrine Tumor Center (www.neuro-endo.org) is housed at Saint John's Health Center and the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California. The Center's focus of activities is the treatment of pituitary tumors, brain tumors, and other neuro-endocrine disorders including pituitary hormonal deficiencies.

The Center for the Study of Retired Athletes at the University of North Carolina works in close affiliation with the National Football League Players Association. Since 2001, the Center has been investigating a spectrum of physical and mental disabilities common to retired athletes. The research team will begin work in July 2008, with initial research results expected in 2010.

Since its founding in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Saint John's Health Center has been providing the patients and families of Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and ocean communities with compassionate, advanced medical care. Saint John's provides a spectrum of treatment and diagnostic services with distinguished areas of excellence in cancer care, cardiac care, orthopedics and women's health. Saint John's Health Center is also dedicated to bringing to the community the most innovative advances in technology and patient care available in a healing environment.

Since 1981, the John Wayne name has been committed by the Wayne family to groundbreaking cancer research in memory of the much-loved actor who died of cancer. The John Wayne Cancer Institute has received worldwide acclaim for advances in understanding the disease, focusing on melanoma (skin cancer), breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic, lung and liver cancer, as well as lymphoma and leukemia. With its unique ability to rapidly turn scientific breakthroughs into innovative approaches to treatment and early detection, JWCI provides immediate hope to cancer patients from around the globe.
Contacts

Saint John's Health Center
Greg Harrison, 310/829-8010
858/472-5560 (cell)
gregory.harrison@stjohns.org