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HIV Drug May Defuse Staph Infections
New York, NY — The HIV drug maraviroc could be a potential treatment for Staphylococcus aureus infections, according to researchers at NYU School of Medicine. C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), which HIV uses to enter T cells in order to replicate and cause infection, has been found to be essential to the ability of certain Staphylococcus (staph) strains to kill CCR5-containing cells, which execute an immune response against the bacteria. When cells with CCR5 were treated with maraviroc and then exposed to LukED, the staph toxin that destroys CCR5 cells, the drug completely blocked LukED's toxic effects. The goal of blocking the toxin with maraviroc or other agents is to enable the immune system to better control the infection. |
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Generic Drugs' Safety Labeling Often Incorrect
Indianapolis, IN— Although generic drugs are required to carry warnings identical to those on corresponding brand-name medications, a study by the Regenstrief Institute has found that more than two-thirds of generics have labeling discrepancies. Investigators reviewed more than 9,100 product labels for more than 1,500 drugs available on DailyMed, an online repository of labeling information maintained by the FDA and the National Library of Medicine. Sixty-eight of the 1,040 drugs with more than one manufacturer's label had discrepancies in their safety information. Most generics showed fairly small differences across their labels, but 9% had differences of more than 10 side effects. Errors included out-of-date information, incomplete data, and (in one case) information for an entirely different drug. |
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Iclusig Approved to Treat Two Forms of Leukemia
Silver Spring, MD — The FDA has approved Iclusig (ponatinib) to treat adults with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL), two rare blood and bone marrow diseases. The drug was approved more than 3 months before the FDA was scheduled to complete its review of the drug application. Iclusig, which blocks certain proteins that promote the development of cancerous cells, is used to treat patients with CML or Ph+ ALL that is resistant or intolerant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The drug carries a Boxed Warning noting the occurrence of blood clots and liver toxicity, and some of the more common side effects in clinical trials were high blood pressure, abdominal pain, and rash. |
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