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PO Box 1260
Vernon, NY 13476
877.229.5248
It’s all about building a
company with one
mission, to fight for
what is essential:
YOUR HEALTH!
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This page is dedicated to bringing you the latest stories
and news that impacts the Hemophilia and bleeding disorders community.
What
does NASA have to do with Hemophilia?
As published by Gizmodo on February 8, 2012, NASA
has something in the works that may benefit the bleeding disorders
community. NASA has been looking into ways of providing healthcare
to their astronauts while they are in space and away from the doctors
and medicines the rest of us use. According to Gizmodo, Dr. David
Loftus has invented a biocapsule that may be the solution to NASA's
needs and a large step forward for people with hemophilia and many
other chronic conditions.
The biocapsules are packed with cells that can release
needed medications or proteins. Once specific events trigger the
cells to begin production, the medication or protein would then
cross through the porous biocapsule through diffusion where it can
be absorbed by the body.
While it is probably not the most efficient method
for factor replacement, it may be a new prospect for use with gene
therapy. To read the full Gizmodo article, click
here. |
Study Shows Both Pros and Cons
to Fc Fusion and Factor IX!
January 19, 2012 - the Journal of
the American Society of Hematology prints a study regarding a phase
I trial of the Factor IX protein incorporating Fc Fusion technology.
The study shows that the time that the Fc Fusion factor molecule
lasts in a patient's body is extended by an incredible 3-4X that
of the existing monoclonal factor molecules.
This paper also discusses the after effects that were
noted with the new Fc Fusion product. While the study is only based
on 14 individuals and it cannot be certain which after effects were
directly related to the product, they will definitely be something
to watch as more research is done.
To read the report yourself, the pros and the cons,
follow
this link and see what you think. Would possible headaches and
other side effects be worth the dramatically extended half lives? |
New Human Study
With
Fc Fusion & Factor VIII!
A study published on January 5th, 2012
in The Journal of the American Society of Hematology reports that
16 Individuals with hemophilia participated is a study using the
new Fc Fusion Technology.
The 16 people received varying doses of the recombinant
clotting factor Advate and monitored in order to determine the rate
at which the factor was depleted. Once the Advate was out of their
systems, the same 16 individuals were then given the same doses
of the rFVIIIFc (the recombinant Fc Fusion protein) as they had
received of Advate.
While the peak factor levels reached for the rFVIIIFc
were similar to those reached by the equivalent dose of Advate,
the rFVIIIFc lasted significantly longer in the person's system
than Advate. For the specifics on this study check it out here. |
The FDA Gives
Green Light
To Gene Therapy!
A new year brings a new realm of possibilities. On
January 4, 2012 the company "Amsterdam Molecular
Therapeutics" announced that they had been given approval by
the FDA to conduct clinical trials on Hemophilia B patients in the
United States. St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis
will be the Center point for the studies in the US.
These studies will be building on the earlier successes
you've already read about right here on 'The Latest" page.
More information on this announcement can be found here. |
Follow
Up!!! Hemophilia B, Treated With a Virus?
On December 11, 2011 The New York
Times published a fantastic article with more updated information
on the very story we broke over two months prior. To read this article
in its entirety please click here.
While their article is great the New England Journal of Medicine
did publish an article about the study as well one day earlier.
To read the New England Journal of Medicine's article, click here. |
Tylenol®
Dosing Information Changed
November 15, 2011: McNeil Consumer
Healthcare (the makers of Tylenol®) releases new dosing instructions
for Extra Strength Tylenol. Due to concerns of overdosing causing
Liver damage the recommended dosing has been changed to limit the
chances of liver damage. Since acetaminophen (the generic name for
Tylenol) is used in many products it is easy to overdose without
realizing it. To see the new recommended dosing, click here. |
New
Study on Immune Tolerance Therapy
November 13, 2011: According to a
study published in the Journal of the American Society of Hematology
high dose therapy for immune tolerance is shown to not only be more
effective than low dose therapy, but it succeeds in much less time
and without any noticeable increased chance of infection or other
concerns. To view the article on the Journal's website, click here. |
Non-sterile
Alcohol Wipes
October 26, 2011: If you are a U&I
customer, don't worry. we have never dispensed any PDI alcohol wipes.
A recall was placed on alcohol wipes made by Pacific Disposables
International (PDI) due to infections caused by non-sterile alcohol
preparation pads. If you received alcohol wipes from other sources,
please check to make sure Pacific Disposables International did
not manufacture them. Look at the fine print as they are sold under
various brand names.
To see the MASAC Advisory, click here. |
New
Factor Xa Research May Help Hemophilia A and B Patients with Inhibitors!
On October 23, 2011 Nature Biotechnology
published a study completed by researchers at the Children's Hospital
of Philedalphia on an engineered Factor Xa. The study will be appearing
in the November 2011 issue. The genetically engineered Factor Xa
should work as a bypassing agent and allow clotting even more efficiently
than Factor VII does.
This could really enhance an inhibitors patient's
treatment and prevent many of the prolonged bleeding episodes when
the research comes to fruition. This may also lend itself to act
as a treatment for people having rapid blood loss in other situations
as well.
To read more on this subject you can check out; News-Medical
or for the more scientifically minded, Nature
Biotechnology. To access more than the summary on the Nature
Biotechnology site, you will have to purchase the article if you
do not have a subscription. |
Factor IX Variants Can Bypass
Factor VIII & Treat Hemophilia A.
October 14, 2011: In an article released
in the Journal of the American Society of Hematology, FIX variants
can be used to bypass the lack of FVIII found in Hemophilia A mice.
The variants were expressed using a non-viral gene transfer and
resulted in normal clotting. This new avenue might open doors for
people with inhibitors to factor VIII or even all Hemophilia A patients
at some in the near future.
Read this article in the Journal
of the American Society of Hematology. |
Hemophilia B, Treated
With a Virus?
In a recent meeting (October 7, 2011)
at the National Institutes of Heallth hemophilia was a
central part of the discussion about gene therapy. Six severe hemophiliacs
with Hemophilia B were given a virus engineered to carry the genes
for Factor IX production.
All six saw increases in Factor IX production ranging
from 1% to 8% in increased levels. This provides new hope that some
time in the future gene therapy may become reality for bleeding
disorders.
We'll be trying to follow up on this story in the
near future. More information is also available at the Science American
Association for the Advancement of Science magazine's website. |
Straight
from the FDA!!!
On September 29, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration
approved a135 mcg/0.5ml and 180 mcg/0.5 ml disposable autoinjector
(DAI) to administer Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a), an antiviral
indicated for treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) by subcutaneous
injection.
Pegasys continues to be available in a vial or prefilled syringe,
and now also in a 135 mcg/0.5ml and 180 mcg/0.5 ml PEGASYS disposable
autoinjector.
The updated label and Medication Guide can be found on the FDA
web site by clicking here. |
New
Hope in Treating Hep C!!!
Two protease inhibitors, Boceprevir
(aka Victrelis by Merck) and Telaprevir
(aka Incivek and VX-950 by Vertex), were approved for use earlier
this year. While these new medications must still be used along
side Interferon and Ribaviren they have shown to be effective in
treating most Type I HCV patients by helping them to respond quickly
and effectively to the treatment. Use of the protease inhibitor
has shown to lessen the time a person needs to be on treatment in
most cases and dramatically increase the success rate.
These new medicines are only for people who have the Type I genotype
of the Hepatitis C Virus. This is a huge breakthrough since Type
I has been considered the most difficult to clear. |
Have a suggestion for an update or news flash?
All suggestions welcome, please feel free to email
them to us here. |
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