In adults who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), long-term treatment with methotrexate (MTX) appears safe, according to pooled data from 88 studies of patients with RA treated with only MTX for at least 2 years.

It is published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE56233O20090703

Source:Reuters

PSA blood tests are often used to screen men for prostate cancer, but there is still no good evidence that they cut death rates from the disease, a new review finds.

It is published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE56236620090703

Source:Reuters

Recruitment of a second cohort of patients for their Phase II trial of TB-402 has been started. This follows completion of recruitment of the first cohort of 100 patients ahead of schedule. TB-402 is a novel, long acting anticoagulant that is being developed for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following orthopaedic surgery.
TB-402 is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody that partially inhibits Factor VIII, a key component of the coagulation cascade.

Link:http://www.thrombogenics.com/documents/09_THR_12TB402Recruitment_EN.pdf
Source:ThromboGenics

Development of anecortave acetate for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with glaucoma has been discontinued.

Link:http://invest.alconinc.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=130946&p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=1304229
Source:Alcon

The initiation of a second phase 2 clinical trial with a novel drug candidate for the treatment of liver disease associated with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection was announced.
CTS-1027 is an oral, small molecule compound that inhibits the activity of key members of a class of protease enzymes, the matrix metalloproteinases or MMPs. 

Link:http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=50515
Source:Pharmabiz

Positive results today from combination agent animal experiments carried out at a prominent American cancer research facility were announced. The results provide strong supportive evidence for the continued evaluation of COTI-2 in combination with conventional single agent therapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer:

Link:http://criticaloutcome.com/090702_COTI_Ovarian.pdf
Source:Critical Outcome

A Phase 1 human clinical trial for ApoB SNALP.  ApoB SNALP, Tekmira’s lead RNAi therapeutic product candidate, is being developed as a treatment for patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, who are not well served by current therapy has been initiated.  ApoB SNALP is designed to reduce the production of apolipoprotein B (ApoB), a protein produced in the liver that plays a central role in cholesterol metabolism.  

Link:http://www.tekmirapharm.com/News_and_Events/News_Releases/Tekmira07020901.asp
Source:Tekmira

Existing drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease could be repositioned for use in the treatment of extreme drug-resistant tuberculosis, which kills about 2 million people each year.
The study will be published in the July 3rd issue of the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Computational Biology journal.
The active component in Comtan tablets (entacapone) is effective at inhibiting M.tuberculosis in concentrations well below a level that is toxic to cells.

Link:http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/553799/?sc=rsmn
Source:Newswise

iCo-007, iCo’s lead Diabetes Macular Edema candidate, has been featured in an article in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, a peer-reviewed scientific e-journal.
iCo-007 is a second-generation antisense drug discovered by Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS) and licensed to iCo. Potential benefits of second-generation antisense drugs, like iCo-007, are expected to include an extended half-life, resulting in less frequent intravitreal drug administration, and a good safety profile. iCo-007 targets multiple growth factors in addition to VEGF. Multiple growth factors seem to play a critical role in the process of ocular angiogenesis and leakage.

Link:http://www.icotherapeutics.com/site/investor-relations/ico_therapeutics_publishes_review_of_diabetic_retinopathy_treatment/
Source:iCo