TUM researchers uncover molecular mechanism of thalidomide

Thalidomide was marketed as a sedative in West Germany and some other countries under the brand name "Contergan". 55 years ago, in 1961, it hit the headlines after having caused horrific deformations in unborn children. Between 5,000 and 10,000 children were affected worldwide. To this day, more than 2,000 victims across the world still live with the consequences of this tragedy. Soon after the discovery of these devastating side effects, the drug was withdrawn from the market. More recently, however, thalidomide is experiencing a kind of renaissance, as it was coincidentally discovered to inhibit the growth of certain tumors.

Since then, the two follow-up substances lenalidomide and pomalidomide have been approved for cancer treatment. Both thalidomide-derivatives are successfully used to treat certain bone-marrow cancers such as multiple myeloma. While showing stronger anti-tumor potential, they have fewer side effects than thalidomide. Despite this, they still pose a risk of causing severe birth defects and must not be taken during pregnancy.

TUM researchers uncover molecular mechanism of thalidomide

Drexel scientists identify how two new antimalarial drugs work

Drexel scientists identify how two new antimalarial drugs work: Drexel University scientists have discovered an unusual mechanism for how two new antimalarial drugs operate: They give the parasite's skin a boost in cholesterol, making it unable to traverse the narrow labyrinths of the human bloodstream.

Novel, bacteria-repelling biomaterial could increase the success of medical implants

Novel, bacteria-repelling biomaterial could increase the success of medical implants 

Rituximab drug more effective than fingolimod for patients with highly active multiple sclerosis

Rituximab drug more effective than fingolimod for patients with highly active multiple sclerosis: A new study indicates that rituximab is more effective than fingolimod for preventing relapses in patients with highly active multiple sclerosis switching from treatment with natalizumab.

Rituximab shows second-line promise in autoimmune limbic encephalitis

Rituximab shows second-line promise in autoimmune limbic encephalitis: Rituximab is an effective and well-tolerated second-line treatment for patients with autoimmune limbic encephalitis, suggests research.

Study examines use of cryoablation to reduce phantom limb pain

Study examines use of cryoablation to reduce phantom limb pain: J. David Prologo, MD, delivered new findings from an Emory Interventional Radiology and Image Guided Medicine study at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting. The study examines the use of cryoablation, or extreme cold, to reduce phantom limb pain (PLP) - a condition that causes individuals to perceive chronic pain in amputated limbs. Emory's study shows interventional radiologists who applied cold blasts to patients suffering from PLP significantly reduced their level of pain.

Patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection achieve high SVR rates with VIEKIRAX EXVIERA

Patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection achieve high SVR rates with VIEKIRAX EXVIERA: AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced data showing that patients with genotype 1 (GT1) chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who received the recommended regimen of VIEKIRAX (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets) + EXVIERA (dasabuvir tablets), with or without ribavirin (RBV), achieved high sustained virologic response rates at 48 weeks post-treatment (SVR48), regardless of the presence of baseline resistance-associated variants (RAVs).