Inhaled Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor Safe, Well-Tolerated and Effective in Raising Sputum Levels in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Inhalation of aerosolized alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) permits delivery of drug to the site of active airway disease while limiting systemic exposure, and has been shown to reduce neutrophil elastase burden and inflammation in respiratory secretions of alpha-1 antitrypsin-deficient patients.

Biomarker Found in CIDP Patients Who Don’t Respond to IVIG Therapy

A recent study discovered a biomarker in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients that explains why they don’t respond to intravenous immune globulin therapy.

Engineered Protein Controls Bleeding in Severe VWD

Results of a Phase III study show that BAX 111, a highly purified recombinant von Willebrand factor analog manufactured by Baxalta, appeared safe and effective for treatment of bleeding episodes in patients with severe von Willebrand’s disease.

New Type of Sound Wave May Allow for Inhalable Vaccines

A new form of hybridized sound waves developed by Australian researchers may allow drugs and vaccines to be delivered to the body through a nebulizer in a fine mist inhaled into the lungs.

Cancer-Causing Gene Found in Plasma May Help Predict Outcomes for Patients

University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered that a human cancer-causing gene, called DEK, can be detected in the plasma of head and neck cancer patients.

Short Course of IVIG May Slow Brain Atrophy and Conversion to Dementia in Persons with MCI Stage Alzheimer’s Disease

An exploratory controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted by investigators at the Sutter Neuroscience Institute in Sacramento to determine whether a single course of
intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) influences the rate of brain atrophy and cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Stroke Drug May Halt Progression of Alzheimer’s

Scientists at the University of South Australia and colleagues from Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China, have found that the drug Edaravone alleviates Alzheimer’s disease pathologies at multiple levels and improves learning and memory functions in mice.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Promising in Melanoma

In two recent studies, researchers found that immune checkpoint inhibitors show promise in treating advanced melanoma.

Personal Melanoma Vaccines Evoke Immune Response

In a first-in-people clinical trial, personalized tailor-made melanoma vaccines given to three patients with advanced melanoma appeared to increase the number and diversity of cancer-fighting T cells responding to the tumors.

Studies Find Interventions Increase HPV Vaccine Coverage

Three recent studies have found that interventions increase the rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among teens and young women.