Archive for the ‘Gene Therapy Research’ Category

Published: Sept. 25, 2013 at 5:18 PM

POCATELLO, Idaho, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The pros and cons of genetic engineering should be weighed to determine if tweaking should be included in the species-saving mix, a U.S. researcher said.

Conservationists are considering rescue remedies, such as moving animal populations to help them track hospitable habitats, to stave off the extinction, basically, of between 15 percent and 40 percent of species by 2050, Michael Thomas of Idaho State University and his colleagues said in the latest edition of Nature.

In a commentary, Thomas and his co-authors consider the pros and cons of adding genetic engineering into the mix.

The authors argue that with the attention agricultural genetic engineering has received and techniques used to transfer genetic material more sophisticated, it is just a matter of time before conservationists apply the approach to safeguard biodiversity.

The authors noted there are many practical challenges to find appropriate target genes to move between populations of the same species -- or even between different species -- to avert extinction of a threatened population.

The effects of moving material to a different environmental and genetic context also would be difficult to predict, the authors said.

However, the authors cautioned that the possibility of using genetic-engineering tools to save biodiversity could lead to inaction with regard to climate change.

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Researchers mull genetic engineering for conservation

It makes sense

An ear of genetically altered corn waits to be harvested in Illinois.[Scott Olson/Getty Images.]

Whats the fuss about labeling foods containing genetically engineered organisms? [Initiative 522: the cases for and against labeling GMO food, Opinion, Sept. 22.]

The process of plant-genetic engineering is different from traditional plant-hybrid breeding to obtain a desired trait. Genetic engineering forcefully introduces foreign-gene fragments into plant cells to create a new trait.

One pro for genetic-engineering techniques is that the trait can be obtained in weeks or months, unlike the years required for conventional breeding. A con is that hidden changes may occur in the plant cells due to the excess foreign-gene fragments. Some people exhibit allergic reactions to foods containing genetically engineered crop products.

Foods already carry a nutritional label with ingredients such as trans-fats, artificial dyes and sweeteners, preservatives and warnings for other allergens. Labeling genetically engineered foods is a logical approach to alleviate the food-associated problems in sensitive people.

Genetically engineered food labeling is required in 64 countries. Many U.S. food manufacturers already provide genetically engineered food labeling for export to those countries. The system of labeling is in place now.

If Initiative 522 passes, it may actually be beneficial for manufacturers because they can have common labeling and streamline their products packaging

Toyoko Tsukuda, Richland

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Labeling genetically modified foods in Washington

With estimates of losing 15 to 40 percent of the worlds species over the next four decades due to climate change and habitat loss, researchers ponder in the Sept. 26 issue of Nature whether science should employ genetic engineering to the rescue.

The technique would involve rescuing a target population or species with adaptive alleles, or gene variants, using genetic engineering, write Josh Donlan, Cornell visiting fellow in ecology and evolutionary biology, and his colleagues. The method is an increasingly viable option, which we call facilitated adaptation, [but it] has been little discussed, they add.

To avert mass extinctions, the group thinks that three options, each with its own set of challenges, complications and risks, exist. They are:

The Nature commentary draws from a recent National Science Foundation-funded workshop, Ecological and Genomic Exploration of Environmental Change, in March, where scientists met to understand issuessurrounding climate change adaptation. In those spirited discussions, a hot question emerged: Is managed relocation of animal and plant species really the only approach to averting extinction? Instead of moving plant and animal populations, could genes be moved into populations? Thus, the term facilitatedadaptation was born, said Donlan.

Averting climate change altogether would be a preferable albeit unlikely outcome. The scientists fear that implementing genetic solutions could potentially deter other climate change action.

A serious concern is that even the possibility of using genetic-engineering tools to rescue biodiversity will encourage inaction with regard to climate change. Before genetic engineering can be seriously entertained as a tool for preserving biodiversity, conservationists need to agree on the types of scenario for which facilitated adaptation, managed relocation and other adaptation strategies might be appropriate, and where such strategies are likely to fail or introduce more serious problems, they write.

Joining Donlan on the Nature commentary, Gene Tweaking for Conservation, are Michael A. Thomas, Idaho State University, first and corresponding author; Gary W. Roemer, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.; Brett G. Dickson, Conservation Science Partners, Truckee, Calif.; and Marjorie Matocqand JasonMalaney, University of Nevada, Reno. Donlan is also executive director of the Advanced Conservation Strategies, Midway, Utah.

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Using genes to rescue animal and plants from extinction

Sep. 25, 2013 A Mayo Clinic researcher, along with his collaborators, has shown that an individual's genomic makeup and diet interact to determine which microbes exist and how they act in the host intestine. The study was modeled in germ-free knockout mice to mimic a genetic condition that affects 1 in 5 humans and increases the risk for digestive diseases. The findings appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Our data show that factors in the differences in a host's genetic makeup -- in this case genes that affect carbohydrates in the gut -- interact with the type of food eaten. That combination determines the composition and function of resident microbes," says Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and first author of the study. He is also a collaborator in the Microbiome Program of the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine.

Significance of the Findings

Roughly 20 percent of humans lack the gene that encodes proteins for processing a specific carbohydrate, a sugar in the intestinal mucus called fucose. The interaction shown by the research team is valuable because many bacteria are adept at utilizing carbohydrates such as fucose, which are abundant in the gut. Confronted with diets that have little or no complex plant sugars, these bacteria are forced to change their function, especially in hosts that lack fucose. This was seen with the altered metabolic gene expression of one of the key microbes in the gut -- Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. Changes in microbial membership or function as demonstrated in this study may, in turn, foster a "digestive landscape" that can promote inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease.

The microbiome represents millions of microbes in the gut and elsewhere in the body. They perform specialized functions to help keep metabolism in balance. Whether in humans or other animals, the microbial combination is unique and must function well with the individual's genome and diet for a healthy existence.

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Genetic makeup and diet interact with the microbiome to impact health

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Castle Biosciences Inc. today announced data from a study of a genetic test demonstrating high accuracy in differentiating thymomas from thymic carcinoma tumors. Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are both rare epithelial tumors of the thymus gland that can be challenging to differentiate, yet have very different metastatic behaviors. The study results were presented by researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine at the Fourth International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) Annual Meeting on September 7. Based on these study results, the genetic test now offers doctors an accurate and accessible method for making a precise diagnosis. This information can help choose the most effective and personalized treatment options for patients.

"This study shows that the gene signature can predictably differentiate thymomas from thymic carcinomas, two thymic cancers which can have a similar appearance but greatly varying behaviors," commented Sunil Badve, M.D., FRCPath, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine. "Thymic cancers are typically much more aggressive and require immediate post-surgery treatment, while some thymomas are slow growing and patients may benefit from avoiding or delaying treatments associated with severe toxicities."

Study DetailsTwenty-three genes were analyzed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archived tumor samples (111 primary thymomas, 35 thymic carcinomas). The test demonstrated very high overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity (ROC 0.957), with an accuracy of 100% and 93% in the training (n=97) and confirmatory (n=47) data sets.

Commented Yesim Gokmen-Polar, PhD, Assistant Research Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, "The availability of a tool that helps confirm an accurate diagnosis can help physicians move rapidly ahead with the most appropriate treatment plan, giving the patient the greatest chance for an extended, good quality life."

A gene expression profile signature is already in use for predicting whether a thymoma tumor will metastasize within 5 years1, helping some patients avoid treatments associated with adverse events. This test, called DecisionDx-Thymoma, is available to physicians through Castle Biosciences Inc., which exclusively licensed the test from Indiana University. More information about the test, including how to order, can be found at http://www.thymiccancer.com.

About Thymic CancerThe thymus is a small organ that is part of the lymph system and located just beneath the breastbone. There are two main types of thymic cancers: thymic carcinoma and thymoma. Both are extremely rare cancers; thymoma accounts for 90% of cases and is diagnosed in approximately 500 people in the United States each year. Thymic carcinoma and thymoma have very different metastatic behaviors and can be challenging to differentiate. Thymic carcinoma is considered to be more aggressive than thymoma, yet not all of these patients experience rapid recurrence or metastasis. In comparison, thymoma usually does not spread outside of the thymus. It can occasionally spread to the lining of the lung (or pleura), but rarely spreads to other internal organs. While only 10% of thymomas are metastatic at the time of diagnosis, some patients will experience recurrence at some point after treatment. The cause of cancer in the thymus is not well understood, but it appears to be most common in adults between the ages of 40 and 70. Thymic cancer symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, or a choking sensation, but often the tumor shows no signs at all and is discovered incidentally during a doctor's visit.

About Castle BiosciencesCastle Biosciences is a molecular diagnostics and prognostics company dedicated to helping patients and their physicians make the best possible decisions about their treatment and follow-up care based on the individual molecular signature of their tumor. The Company currently offers tests for patients with skin melanoma and other rare cancers including uveal melanoma, thymoma, esophageal and brain cancers. More information can be found at http://www.castlebiosciences.com.

1. "A Gene Signature to Determine Metastatic Behavior in Thymomas" was published in the July 24, 2013 issue of PLOS One and authored by Dr. Badve, Yesim Gokmen-Polar, Ph.D. and Patrick J. Loehrer Sr., M.D., all of Indiana University School of Medicine. The full article can be found at: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0066047

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Genetic Test Highly Accurate in Differentiating Thymomas From Thymic Carcinoma Tumors

Newswise Although heavily studied, the specific genetic causes of complex diseases, a category of disorders which includes autism, diabetes and heart disease, are largely unknown due to byzantine genetic and environmental interactions.

Now, scientists from the University of Chicago have created one of the most expansive analyses to date of the genetic factors at play in complex diseasesby using diseases with known genetic causes to guide them. Analyzing more than 120 million patient records and identifying trends of co-occurrence among hundreds of diseases, they created a unique genetic map that has the potential to guide researchers and clinicians in diagnosing, identifying risk factors for and someday developing therapies against complex diseases. The work was published Sept. 26 in Cell.

For the first time weve found that almost every complex disease has a unique set of associations with single-gene diseases. This essentially gives us barcodes of specific gene loci, which we can use to help untangle the complex genetics of complex diseases, said Andrey Rzhetsky, PhD, professor of genetic medicine and human genetics at the University of Chicago, who led the study.

The majority of human diseases are complex and caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. On the other end of the spectrum are Mendelian diseases such as cystic fibrosis and sickle-cell anemia, which are caused by abnormalities to a single gene. Some Mendelian disorders are known to predispose patients to certain complex diseases, but these co-occurrences have thus far only been studied on a small-scale basis.

To expose any underlying shared genetic structures between these disease categories, Rzhetsky and his team developed computational algorithms to parse more than 120 million patient billing records from hospitals systems across the U.S. and from nearly the entire population of Demark. They looked for trends in comorbidity, or the occurrence of both complex and Mendelian disease in the same patient, that were higher than expected from random chance. They studied these correlations in 65 complex diseases affecting almost every system in the body, including arthritis, depression and lung cancer, and in 95 Mendelian disease groups (representing 213 disorders).

The team uncovered 2,909 statistically significant associations, as well as corresponding levels of relative risk between every disease pair. Some comorbidities were well known, such as the strong link between lipoprotein deficiencies and heart attack, but the vast majority were previously unknown. For example, Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, was found to have significant comorbidities with neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism, bipolar disorder and depression. Fragile X syndrome, an intellectual disability disorder, has significant associations with asthma, psoriasis and viral infection, highlighting a potential immune system dysfunction in these patients.

Since the Mendelian diseases are associated with known genetic loci, we have essentially created a genetic map for complex disease using Mendelian disorders as markers, said David Blair, a graduate student at the University of Chicago and first author on the study. These loci represent great candidates for uncovering subtle genetic variations, some which might not directly cause Mendelian disease but still impact the risk for developing complex diseases.

This genetic map is immediately useful for geneticists and clinicians as a gauge to the level of risk of developing complex disease among their patients with Mendelian diseases. But it also gives scientists a wealth of new data and a unique approach by which to better understand and develop therapeutics against complex diseases. The team also discovered that genetic insults underlying Mendelian diseases do not appear to independently contribute to complex diseases but likely interact in a combinatorial way to ultimately cause the disorders.

Individuals with multiple Mendelian disease-causing genetic variants end up having a much higher risk for a complex disease than we would predict given that the variants act in isolation, Blair said.

The team hopes to expand their study to even more diseases and larger population data and to compare their predictions against the whole genome data of a broad population.

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A Genetic Map for Complex Diseases

BOER FULLBLOOD...Genetics is mine...
Deux monstres de plus de 130 kilos chacun... Exigé toujous vos papiers. Genetics is mine...

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Peter Gariaev about wave genetics.
Raja Yoga + experience of the West. New methods and results available for everyone.

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Peter Gariaev about wave genetics. - Video

Boy elected homecoming queen - violates science, biology, genetics and common sense

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Boy elected homecoming queen - violates science, biology, genetics and common sense - Video

Iowa Corn Promotion Board ENDOWED CHAIR in Genetics at ISU
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board announces Dr. Pat Schnable at ISU as the inaugural Iowa Corn Promotion Endowed Chair in Genetics.

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Tony Drake, CFP® explains to WTMJ4 how bad money choices, could be Genetics
Tony Drake, CFP® explains to WTMJ4 how bad money choices, could be Genetics.

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Tony Drake, CFP® explains to WTMJ4 how bad money choices, could be Genetics - Video

Adult cell therapy in spinal cord injury - video abstract 43712
Video abstract of original research paper "Detailed analysis of the clinical effects of cell therapy for thoracolumbar spinal cord injury:an original study" ...

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Adult cell therapy in spinal cord injury - video abstract 43712 - Video

Poway, California (PRWEB) September 24, 2013

Vet-Stem, Inc., the world's leading Regenerative Veterinary Medicine company, is pleased to announce that Pets Best Insurance plans provide coverage for Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. Pets Best Insurance knows that with pets come vet bills, especially when a pet is suffering from the pain of injury or arthritis. Pets Best Insurance wants the best for pets and their owners and Vet-Stem offers the best in regenerative medicine for them. Pets suffering from pain of osteoarthritis, joint issues, and injuries of the muscle, tendon and ligament can now be given stem cell therapy.

Vet-Stem first offered stem cell therapy for dogs and cats in 2007. One of the success stories and stem cell advocates is part of the Pets Best Insurance family, Jetta, owned by Greg McDonald, CEO of Pets Best Insurance.

Jack L. Stephens, DVM and President/Founder of Pets Best Insurance talks about Gregs experience: "Our CEO had a wonderful experience utilizing Vet-Stem therapy in his twelve year old lab. He loved throwing, and she loved chasing, a ball every evening. But as she aged, she just could not do it due to severe arthritis. Surgery was not a viable alternative and he asked me about stem cell therapy. I told him we had seen claims with the treatment and it was covered with our insurance. He had it done, her condition very much improved and she was able to chase the ball again. Pets Best Insurance provides full coverage for Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy, in fact we were early adopters of providing coverage and paying for the therapy. Any procedure performed by practicing veterinarians that helps pets, we are in favor of.

"We are proud that so many dog owners and veterinarians have placed their trust in Vet-Stem Cell therapy. We feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that there are thousands of dogs and dog owners who have experienced the benefit of stem cell technology. This practical and beneficial application of technology puts stem cell therapy into the present day instead of a future theoretical concept. The fact that Pets Best provides coverage for our therapy is an added plus and makes this a viable treatment option for many more pet owners," said Robert Harman, DVM, MPVM, Founder and CEO of Vet-Stem.

For more information about Pets Best Insurance visit http://www.petsbest.com

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.

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Pets Best Insurance Announces Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine by Vet-Stem, Inc. Covered by ...

New York , NY (PRWEB) September 24, 2013

Marking its 59th year as the only national non-profit dedicated to a deadly genetic blood disorder, The Cooley's Anemia Foundation today announced the launching of its Council of Heroes.

This new campaign will allow us to move to a new level of activity and enable us to more aggressively pursue our goal of minimizing complications and lengthening the lives of those with thalassemia, said Anthony J. Viola, National President of the Cooley's Anemia Foundation.

The Foundation, the only national non-profit dedicated solely to the genetic blood disorder thalassemia, is working to perfect stem cell and gene therapy as a potential cure to the disorder.

"We believe that every great cause and goal calls forth the heroes it requires," Viola said. While we are eternally grateful for the ongoing support we receive from many donors, our patients need us to reach greater heights in fundraising if we are to perfect a cure for this disorder.

Children born with a severe form of thalassemia (also called Cooley's anemia) must undergo bi-weekly blood transfusions, daily drug treatments and the ever-present knowledge that, absent a cure, their lives will be curtailed far too early.

After many years of research, scientists have begun the first human gene therapy trials as a potential cure for thalassemia. Early evidence suggests this therapy holds great promise but only if the Foundation has the significant resources to continually advance the research.

The Council of Heroes campaign is designed to significantly expand the Foundation's impact on the future health of thalassemia patients.

"We cannot do this alone," Viola said. "In the weeks ahead, we will reach out for help from exceptional men and women who have vision, experience, willpower and ability to make a difference in our ongoing battle against this disease."

The Foundation's announcement of the Council of Heroes campaign on September 20 has symbolic power: the date marks the 59th anniversary of the founding of the Cooley's Anemia Foundation and launches the one-year countdown to the Foundation's landmark 60th anniversary in 2014.

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59 Years for Cooley's Anemia Foundation: Launches "Council of Heroes"

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Contact: Alison Heather a.heather@garvan.org.au 61-434-071-326 Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Australian researchers have demonstrated a strong association between the FTO (fat and obesity) gene and hip fracture in women. While the gene is already well known to affect diabetes and obesity, this is the first study to show that its high-risk variant can increase the risk of hip fracture by as much as 82%.

The study, undertaken by Dr Bich Tran and Professor Tuan Nguyen from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research, examined six gene variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) of the FTO gene, taken from the DNA of 943 women in the Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology Study (DOES). The women were all over 60, and their bone health was followed between 1989 and 2007. During that period, 102 women had hip fractures.

On average, the risk of fracture is about 11%. The study showed that if a woman has a low-risk genotype, or gene variant, the risk of fracture is 10%. If she has a high-risk genotype, it is 16%.

Now published online in Clinical Endocrinology, the authors believe that the findings have the potential to improve prediction of hip fracture. Known risk factors, also to be taken into account, include advancing age, falls, history of fracture, low bone mineral density, low body mass index (BMI) and genetic make-up.

"We found that for a woman of the same age and same clinical risk factors, those with the high-risk genotype have an increased risk of hip fracture of 82% - a strong effect in genetic terms," said Professor Tuan Nguyen.

"A genome-wide association study published in 2007 suggested that genetic variants in the FTO gene were associated with variation in BMI. This led us to hypothesise that they might also be associated with variation in hip fracture risk, because BMI is a strong predictor of fracture."

"The present study tested our hypothesis by examining the association between common variants in the FTO gene and hip fracture."

"Our results showed a strong association with hip fracture, with some gene variants doubling the risk of fracture. Interestingly, this effect was independent of both the bone density and BMI of the women we studied."

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Fat and obesity gene also affects hip fracture

Genetic Engineering 2

By: Biology

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Genetic Engineering 2 - Video

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Response Genetics, Inc. (RGDX), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests that help determine a patient's response to cancer therapy, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Three Rivers Provider Network, one of the country's largest and fastest-growing proprietary PPO networks.

Three Rivers Provider Network offers healthcare benefits to over 10 million members located throughout the United States through its supplemental PPO Network Foundation. These members will now have access to Response Genetics' portfolio of predictive genomic testing. Response Genetics' specialization focuses on the linkage between the genetic profile of an individual cancer patient's tumor and various drugs that may be used to fight that cancer. This partnership between the two companies will offer Three Rivers Provider Network and its clients enhanced access to precision medicine.

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. (the "Company") is a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic testing services for cancer. The Company's technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information derived from tumor cells stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The Company's principal customers include oncologists and pathologists. In addition to diagnostic testing services, the Company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company's headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit http://www.responsegenetics.com.

About Three Rivers Provider Network

Three Rivers Provider Network has evolved into the largest and fastest-growing proprietary PPO network in the U.S. The TRPN network is comprised of more than 600,000 total providers, including more than 5,000 hospitals and 70,000 ancillary facilities. Through its clients, more than 10 million people have access to the TRPN PPO network. For more information please visit http://www.trpnppo.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of the Company related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company, to provide clinical testing services to the medical community, to continue to strengthen and expand its sales force, to continue to build its digital pathology initiative, to attract and retain qualified management, to continue to strengthen marketing capabilities, to expand the suite of ResponseDX(R) products, to continue to provide clinical trial support to pharmaceutical clients, to enter into new collaborations with pharmaceutical clients, to enter into areas of companion diagnostics, to continue to execute on its business strategy and operations, to continue to analyze cancer samples and the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, and other statements identified by words such as "project," "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.

These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, including, without limitation, actual sales results, if any, or the application of funds, may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Response Genetics, Inc. Announces Contract With Three Rivers Provider Network

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) today announced new data published in Clinical Cancer Research that showed the myPlan Lung Cancer test is a significant predictor of lung cancer death in patients with early-stage, resectable lung adenocarcinoma and may be a valuable tool for selecting which early-stage patients should be considered for additional post-surgical chemotherapy.

"Lung cancer remains one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers. New prognostic markers to guide treatment decisions in early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer are necessary to improve outcomes for patients," said Edward S. Kim, M.D., co-author and chair of the Department of Solid Tumor Oncology and Investigational Therapeutics, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte NC. "In this verification study, the 31-gene cell cycle progression score was demonstrated to be a significant prognostic marker in resectable lung adenocarcinoma in that it stratifies patients' risk more effectively than conventional clinical parameters. This new information will further improve our ability to define the most appropriate treatment plan for surgically-treated, lung-cancer patients."

The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of the myPlan Lung Cancer test as a predictor of survival in patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma in three independent data sets. The primary endpoint was overall survival as measured by disease related death within five years of surgery. Additionally, the study assessed the prognostic value of the score as compared to the conventional clinical variables of disease progression including age, stage of disease, gender, smoking status and tumor size.

The myPlan Lung Cancer test measured mRNA expression levels of 31 cell cycle proliferation genes and 15 housekeeping genes in stage I and II tumor samples from a total of 841 patients. The results showed that myPlan Lung Cancer consistently was the strongest independent predictor of 5-year disease survival and remained the dominant prognostic marker in the presence of conventional clinical variables.

"myPlan Lung Cancer is an important new molecular diagnostic tool that will help physicians in predicting the aggressiveness of early-stage lung cancer in conjunction with conventional clinical parameters," said Mark Capone, president of Myriad Genetics Laboratories. "Publication of these data is an important milestone as we prepare to launch myPlan Lung Cancer later this fiscal year."

The full publication of this study is available on the Clinical Cancer Research web site at: http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2013/09/18/1078-0432.CCR-13-0596.full.pdf+html

About Myriad Genetics

Myriad Genetics is a leading molecular diagnostic company dedicated to making a difference in patients' lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. Myriad's portfolio of molecular diagnostic tests are based on an understanding of the role genes play in human disease and were developed with a commitment to improving an individual's decision making process for monitoring and treating disease. Myriad is focused on strategic directives to introduce new products, including companion diagnostics, as well as expanding internationally. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: http://www.myriad.com.

Myriad, the Myriad logo, myRisk are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. in the United States and foreign countries. MYGN-F, MYGN-G

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Myriad Genetics' myPlan(TM) Lung Cancer Test Meets Primary Clinical Endpoint

Goodie Mob Cell Therapy HQ)

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Newswise DANVILLE, Pa. Geisinger Health Systems director of the Genomic Medicine Institute believes that making a patients genetic test results available in the electronic health record (EHR) is a win for patients and for their doctors. But he is also clear that much work needs to be done before its a reality.

Insights of several research teams actively engaged in integrating genomic medicine into the electronic health record, including an editorial co-authored by Marc S. Williams, MD, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA, and Joseph Kannry, MD, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, are featured in the October 2013 issue of Genetics in Medicine.

In the editorial the prominent pair of genomics researchers state that: "Successfully integrating genomics into clinical care requires a vision, a strategy that will achieve the vision, and an actionable implementation plan."

The research led by Drs. Williams and Kannry and many other members of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)-funded Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) network explores a variety of issues related to including genetic information in Electronic Health Records (EHR) including storage and representation of the information, education about use of the information at the point of care and solutions to concerns about privacy, confidentiality, access and portability.

If we believe that there is information in the genome that is going to lead to more effective and safer therapies, we need to solve these issues, said Dr. Williams. We are basically trying to build a bridge over a canyon, and you cant leave out any of the key structural elements and expect the bridge to hold together. We really need to solve these problems if we want to move to what some people are calling precision medicine."

Genetic tests can now tell us whether we are at increased risk of various cancers, heart or kidney disease, asthma and a number of other conditions. Or, whether you will respond to certain medicines or be harmed by side effects linked to your genetic code.

But harnessing that information to benefit individual patients and prevent illnesses in others will require that doctors have access to genomic information for each patient. As health records are converted to digital form, the most likely place to store and retrieve genomic information will be EHR. But when and how that happens will depend on having good models to build upon.

In addition to the contributions that derive from the research and experiences of individual sites that comprise the eMERGE Network additional perspective is provided by a commercial EHR vendor and by the Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research network, another NHGRI funded research consortium.

About Geisinger Health System Geisinger Health System is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development of innovative care models such as ProvenHealth Navigator and ProvenCare. As the nations largest rural health services organization, Geisinger serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The physician-led system is comprised of more than 19,500 employees, including a 1,000-member multi-specialty group practice, six hospital campuses, two research centers and a 448,000-member health plan, all of which leverage an estimated $6.1 billion positive impact on the Pennsylvania economy. The health system and the health plan have repeatedly garnered national accolades for integration, quality and service. In addition to fulfilling its patient care mission, Geisinger has a long-standing commitment to medical education, research and community service. For more information, visit http://www.geisinger.org, or follow the latest Geisinger news and more on Twitter and Facebook.

About Marc S. Williams, MD Marc S. Williams, MD, FAAP, FACMG is the director of Geisingers Genomic Medicine Institute. Before joining Geisinger, Dr. Williams was director of the Intermountain Healthcare Clinical Genetics Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Geisinger Genomics Director Says EHRs Key to Effective use of Genetic Information

Apothecary Genetics Introduction
http://www.apothecarygenetics.com The Apothecary® Genetics company started growing in the early 90 #39;s in Gig Harbor, Washington and has become one of the lead...

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Apothecary Genetics Introduction - Video

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NewLink Genetics Corp (NLNK) Sees Hammer Chart Pattern: Time to Buy?

SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - Sep 24, 2013) - Atossa Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), The Breast Health Company, announced today that Kyle Guse, Chief Financial Officer & General Counsel, will present the Company's products, services and business strategy at the 2013Aegis Capital Healthcare Conference on Friday, September 27, 2013, beginning at 9:45 am Pacific Time.The conference will be held at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Management will be available for one-on-one meetings with the investment community during the conference. Please contact Aegis conference organizers if you would like to arrange a meeting.

About Atossa Genetics, Inc.

Atossa Genetics, Inc. is focused on preventing breast cancer through the commercialization of patented, FDA-designated Class II diagnostic medical devices and, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The National Reference Laboratory for Breast Health, Inc. (NRLBH), patented, laboratory developed tests.The lead test is called the ForeCYTE Breast Health Test, which can detect precursors to breast cancer up to eight years before mammography.

The NRLBH is a CLIA-certified high-complexity molecular diagnostic laboratory located in Seattle, Washington.

For additional information, on Atossa and the NRLBH, please visit http://www.atossagenetics.com and http://www.nrlbh.com. For further information on the ForeCYTE Breast Health Test, please visit http://www.getforecyte.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with actions by the FDA, regulatory clearances, responses to regulatory matters, Atossa's ability to continue to manufacture and sell its products, the efficacy of Atossa's products and services, the market demand for and acceptance of Atossa's products and services, performance of distributors and other risks detailed from time to time in Atossa's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

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Atossa Genetics to Present at the 2013 Aegis Capital Healthcare Conference

Orange County, CA (PRWEB) September 23, 2013

The leading regenerative medicine clinic on the West Coast, TeleHealth, is now offering three different types of stem cell therapy injections. The California stem cell treatments are predominantly covered by insurance, and performed by Board Certified stem cell doctors. For more information and scheduling, call (888) 828-4575.

The stem cell treatments are excellent for joint arthritis, tendonitis, ligament injuries, and spinal arthritis along with degenerative disc disease. Initial research with small studies has shown regenerative medicine treatments are working well for degenerative conditions, such as the recent study out of the Hospital for Special Surgery.

One of the treatments offered is bone marrow derived stem cell injections. These are outpatient procedures that involve harvesting the patient's own bone marrow, processing it, and injecting into the area of concern at the same setting. These bone marrow stem cell injections have very low risk and the potential for helping regenerate damaged cartilage and soft tissue from such conditions as achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis and tennis elbow.

The second procedure offered is platelet rich plasma therapy. This procedure involves a simple blood draw from the patient, and the blood is centrifuged for approximately 15 minutes. This separates the blood into concentrated platelets and growth factors, which are then injected into the problem area. This material then calls in the body's stem cells to facilitate further repair. At times PRP is used in conjunction with bone marrow derived stem cell injections.

The third procedure utilized is fat derived stem cell injections, which has the same indications as bone marrow derived.

TeleHealth sees patients from a broad area of the west coast and offers Board Certified doctors providing treatment. To seek treatment with the premier stem cell therapy clinic, call (888) 828-4575.

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Leading Stem Cell Clinic in California, TeleHealth, Now Offering 3 Different Stem Cell Therapy Treatments

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (CYTX) provided preliminary data from a study evaluating a potential treatment for scleroderma based on the companys cell therapy. The investigator-funded, open-label, pilot study is being conducted on patients with cutaneous systemic scleroderma in France.

12 patients were administered Cytoris cell therapy, injected into their fingers. Safety and hand function improvement are the primary endpoints of the study which were measured by the Cochin hand functional scale at six months.

At the end of the two month follow-up period, no infection, ischemic complications or serious adverse events were observed. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the Cochin hand function disability scale.

As far as secondary endpoints are concerned, there was a significant improvement in scleroderma health assessment questionnaire score and in Raynauds Severity Score. Also, there was a significant improvement in hand pain when measured by the visual analog pain scale.

Cytori is focused primarily on the development of treatments for cardiovascular disease and soft tissue injuries and burns based on its proprietary cell therapy formulation. The companys cell therapy is based on the formulation of stem and regenerative cells derived from a patients own adipose (fat) tissue (ADRCs). The company has also designed the Celution System, a tissue processing system, to access the cells from a patient during the surgery procedure.

We note that last month Cytoris Celution System gained approval from the Australian regulatory body for commercial use for autologous re-implantation or re-infusion of a patients ADRCs.

The company is currently conducting Athena, a multi-center, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study for evaluating its cell therapy in 45 patients with chronic ischemic heart failure. The company expects to complete patient enrollment in the fourth quarter of this year. 6-month top-line data from the study is expected in the first half of next year.

Cytori carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Companies that currently look well-positioned include Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) and Actelion Ltd. (ALIOF) with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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Data on Cytori's Cell Therapy