Category: Pharmaceuticals
MSD introduces new drug treatment for lung cancer in Malaysia
Lung cancer is responsible for about 1.76 million deaths globally and is the third most common cancer in Malaysia, from 2007 to 2011. There are two major types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) – the former accounts for more lung cancer cases than the latter. As […]
Lack of racial diversity a bane in cancer drug trials
Drugs can aid recovery and treatment in many circumstances, notably in cancer therapy, but there has been an underlying concern about their effectiveness in some patients due to insufficient testing. New research by several American institutions, including the University of Texas, once again highlights the lack of racial/ethnic diversity in clinical trials for cancer drugs […]
Experimental drug boosts blood system’s recovery after chemo/radiation
Chemotherapy and radiation are known to suppress the activity of blood stem cells, which gives rise to all of the body’s blood and immune cells. Although it typically takes several weeks or months for the blood and immune systems to recover after exposure to radiation, scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have […]
Breakthrough Ebola trial drug increases survival rates by up to 90%
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo), which has already killed over 1,800 people, may soon be safely treatable and preventable, thanks to two new drugs. Ebola’s symptoms start with a viral fever, a sore throat, intense weakness, and muscle pain. It gradually progresses to vomiting, diarrhoea and internal/external bleeding. Most of […]
Indian herb-in-capsule shows anti-diabetic properties in mice
Plant-based medicines, including medicinal teas, have newfound popularity thanks to organic lifestyle changes. Although these “natural” sources can be used to aid chronic illnesses, the therapies/treatment must be first tested for their efficacy, dose-related toxicity, active compound delivery, as well as interactions with other drugs. In this vein, specially encapsulated Indian herbal extracts have been […]
Influenced pain prescriptions likely with more money from drug companies
Brand-name versions of a pain drug – gabapentin – are reportedly being prescribed in favour of pharmaceutical companies’ payments to doctors, according to research by a team from Yale University in Connecticut, US. Gabapentin is usually prescribed by pain doctors or general practitioners to control seizures and treat nerve pain. Chemically similar to the brain […]
Australia develops world’s first AI-flu vaccine
A new influenza vaccine has been developed in South Australia by an artificial intelligence (AI) program, after a spate of confirmed cases in the country. The first accomplishment of its kind sees the flu drug being independently created by SAM – Search Algorithm for Ligands – a computer program used by a research team at […]
“Unsuitable” antidepressant drugs pose problem to older adults
Older adults are easily susceptible to major depressive disorder. Data points to some 15-20% of people aged 65 and above, who live independently, deal with serious symptoms, and those in nursing homes face depression rates of up to 50%. However, researchers caution against the harmful effects of antidepressants for treating major depressive disorder in older […]
Scientists tease brain aneurysm treatment with cancer drug
There may be a way to treat sensitive brain aneurysms, traditionally only addressed through delicate surgery and slim success, with an existing drug. The joint effort by scientists from UK’s University of Sussex and US’s University of Washington School of Medicine involves a receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor – a class of drug currently used […]
UK to develop new treatments for cancer drug resistance
UK’s Institute of Cancer (ICR) recent £75million investment on a centre to develop drugs against treatment-resistant cancer could idealise a breakthrough within the next decade. The ICR’s new Centre for Drug Discovery at its south London campus is intended to bring together almost 300 scientists from different disciplines to overcome/redirect cancer evolution. Chief Executive Professor […]
