FDA approves Hetlioz for sleep-wake disorder in blind individuals

 

The FDA approved Hetlioz (tasimelteon), a melatonin receptor agonist, to treat non-24- hour sleep-wake disorder (non-24) in totally blind individuals. Non-24 is a chronic circadian rhythm (body clock) disorder in the blind that causes problems with the timing of sleep. This is the first FDA approval of a treatment for the disorder. 

Non-24 occurs in persons who are completely blind. Light does not enter their eyes and they cannot synchronize their body clock to the 24-hour light-dark cycle. Those with the disorder may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and may wake up groggy or feeling as if they need more rest. People with non-24 may find their sleep patterns reversed—needing to sleep during the day and to be awake at night.

Pfizer and Merck to collaborate on innovative anti-cancer combination studies

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) has agreed with Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada ("Merck"), through two Merck subsidiaries, to explore the therapeutic potential of Merck's investigational anti-PD-1 therapy, MK-3475, in combination with two Pfizer oncology assets. A Phase I/II clinical study will evaluate the safety and anti-cancer efficacy of MK-3475 combined with Pfizer's axitinib (INLYTA®) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Batch-19 students of ACRI, participated  in Group Discussion. 

Today's Group Discussion topic is "Legal and ethical issues in clinical research field in India''.

Atherosclerosis may be predicted by high blood pressure in early adulthood

Atherosclerosis is when plaque - made up of fat, cholesterol and calcium, among other things - builds up inside a person's arteries. These plaque build-ups can limit the flow of blood, leading to serious and potentially fatal problems, such as disease of the heart or arteries.

Because atherosclerosis does not usually cause symptoms until it blocks an artery, many people do not know they have this condition until it causes a medical emergency.

People who have escalating levels of high blood pressure in early adulthood are more likely to develop atherosclerosis and associated heart problems in later life.

Students of Batch-19, exhibited their traits, by sketching the technical case study of tale of two cousins into an excellent, expressive and emotional role –play.

Immune system kills spontaneous blood cancer cells every day

Each and every one of us has spontaneous mutations in our immune B cells that occur as a result of their normal function.

If cancerous B cells go on to form tumors they develop into B cell lymphomas, also known as non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. B cells, a type of white blood cell, undergo spontaneous changes that could lead to cancer if the immune system does not carry out regular checks and kill them before they form tumors.

The researchers found T cells of the immune system carry out regular checks to find cancerous and pre-cancerous B cells.

Students of Batch-19, gave an excellent insight about the real life scenarios of subjects in clinical trials, and rules and regulations governing the clinical trials in India, by enacting the role-play on Bhopal gas tragedy.