Higher Levels Of Vitamin D In The Blood May Lower Risk Of Multiple Sclerosis
Medical News Today Mon, 25 Dec 2006 0:13 AM PST
New research suggests that having higher circulating levels of vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk for multiple sclerosis, although this relationship was not seen for black and Hispanic individuals, according to a study in the December 20 issue of JAMA. [click link for full article]

Caregiving takes toll on men NorthJersey.com Sun, 24 Dec 2006 9:54 PM PST WEST CHESTER, Pa. -- Joe Wolf still remembers his wife, Joanne, as a healthy 18-year-old with long brown hair and a '61 Chevy. They met through a social group at a Presbyterian church. They got married and had two children.

Alternative To Embryonic Stem Cells Stem May Be Provided By Cells Found In Adult Hair Follicles
Medical News Today Sun, 24 Dec 2006 2:10 PM PST
Having recently identified the molecular signature of these epidermal neural crest stem cells in the mouse, their research resolves conflicting scientific opinions by showing that these cells are distinctly different from other types of skin-resident stem cells/progenitors. Their work provides a valuable resource for future mouse neural crest stem cell research. [click link for full article]

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The Immune Response Corporation Announces New Trading Symbol As One-for-100 Reverse Stock Split Takes Effect
RedNova Wed, 20 Dec 2006 9:04 PM PST
CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCal

Study Shows Vitamin D May Cut Risk of Getting MS
RedNova Wed, 20 Dec 2006 3:05 PM PST
By RONALD KOTULAK, SPECIAL FROM THE CHICAGO TRI

Vitamin D May Fight Multiple Sclerosis
First Coast News Wed, 20 Dec 2006 2:13 PM PST
CHICAGO (AP) -- An abundance of vitamin D seems to help prevent multiple sclerosis, according to a study in more than 7 million people that offers some of the strongest evidence yet of the power of the "sunshine vitamin" against MS.

Stakeholder Insight: Multiple Sclerosis - Disease-modifying efficacy and side effects guide treatment choice Pharmaceutical Business Review Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:47 PM PST Introduction The disease-modifying drugs are considered by physicians to represent a significant advance for the management of MS. However, none is fully effective and there are problems with regards to side effects, dosing regimens and cost.

Vitamin D May Reduce Risk of MS, Study Says RedNova Thu, 21 Dec 2006 6:06 AM PST Researchers have found new evidence that people with higher blood levels of vitamin D have a reduced risk for developing multiple sclerosis. MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning that it causes the body's own immune system cells to turn against some healthy part of the body.

Study finds people with higher Vitamin D levels less likely to develop MS San Antonio Express News Wed, 20 Dec 2006 3:31 PM PST Vitamin D is called the "sunshine" vitamin. Much of the Vitamin D circulating in your body right now comes from the sun. A new study published in Wednesday's "Journal of the American Medical Association" found people with the highest levels of Vitamin D were 62 percent less likely to develop multiple sclerosis, a chronic nerve-damaging disease.

Vitamin D May Protect Against MS MedicineNet.com Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:37 PM PST Title: Vitamin D May Protect Against MS Category: Health News Created: 12/20/2006 Last Editorial Review: 12/20/2006

Rituxan linked to two deaths, FDA reports
North County Times - Escondido,CA,USA
... Last year, Genentech suspended sales of another drug, Tysabri, due to reports that two patients taking the drug for multiple sclerosis had contracted PML. ...

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Biogen issues alert after 2 Rituxan deaths

By Stephen Heuser, Globe Staff | December 19, 2006

Biogen Idec Inc. said yesterday that two patients using its drug Rituxan have died of a rare brain infection, the same one that shadows its multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri .

In a letter sent to doctors, Biogen and Genentech Inc., which co-markets Rituxan with the Cambridge drug maker, warned that the two patients had contracted fatal progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML.

Both patients were being treated for lupus, a disease in which Rituxan use is still considered experimental.

The drug is approved only for use in rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma , a form of blood cancer, but doctors are allowed to prescribe it for other diseases at their discretion.

In a posting on its website, the Food and Drug Administration said it was looking into the deaths.

The "FDA is working to gather more information about Rituxan and PML and to strengthen the warnings about PML in the Rituxan product label," the agency said.

The FDA warned doctors who prescribe Rituxan to be on the lookout for PML symptoms, which include dizziness, difficulty talking, and vision problems.

The disease, a viral brain infection that is usually fatal, strikes patients with compromised immune systems.

Last year, Biogen Idec withdrew Tysabri from the market shortly after its introduction, after three cases of PML were reported and two of the patients died. After a Food and Drug Administration hearing, the company brought Tysabri back to the market earlier this year.

Rituxan is one of the biggest-selling biotechnology drugs in the world, generating $1.8 billion in sales in 2005.

Biogen Idec recorded $709 million of that revenue, making Rituxan its second-biggest seller, after the multiple sclerosis treatment Avonex. Rituxan was discovered by Biogen Idec.

In a "Dear Healthcare Provider" letter posted yesterday on Genentech's website, the companies also said 23 cases of PML had been reported in blood-cancer patients taking Rituxan. The label for Rituxan already includes a warning about PML in those cases.

"This is the first time we've seen it outside the oncology setting," said Biogen Idec spokesman Tim Hunt. "We want to alert the prescribing public that it's been observed."

Both Rituxan and Tysabri are antibodies, a complex molecule modeled on a component of the human immune system.

Hunt said Biogen Idec didn't believe there was a link between the PML cases in Tysabri and Rituxan patients.

"I think the reality is, you see PML with a lot of patient populations," he said.

Hunt said PML is also seen in cancer and lupus patients not undergoing Rituxan treatment.

Rituxan is currently in clinical testing on patients with lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. In addition to revising the label, the makers will obtain renewed consent forms from patients currently in Rituxan clinical trials. The patients who died were not in a clinical trial.

Stephen Heuser can be reached at sheuser@globe.com.

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2006/12/19/biogen_issues_alert_after_2_rituxan_deaths/