StemCell Therapy

The Food and Drug Administrations accelerated approval of Padcev offers patients with advanced bladder cancer a potential standard of care.

BY Kristie L. Kahl

The agency granted accelerated approval to the application for Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) for this patient population, who had no standard of care prior.

Typically, for this patient population, there really wasn't anything that was active (in treating patients), and what weve seen is about 12% of patients have a complete tumor disappearance. Overall, about 40% of patients have whats called a partial response and 84% of patients have some form of tumor reduction, explained Dr. Daniel Petrylak, professor of medicine, medical oncology and urology, and co-leader of Cancer Signaling Networks, at Yale Cancer Center. So this is really a remarkable finding. To my knowledge, this is the most active single agent (in treating advanced bladder cancer). It is even more active than drugs they've been using in the earlier setting.

The agency based its decision on data from the multicenter, single-arm, phase 2 pivotal EV-201 trial designed to evaluate Padcev, which is directed against Nectin-4, a protein located on the surface of cells and highly expressed in bladder cancer, in 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer who received prior treatment with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor and a platinum-based chemotherapy.

The first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate is approved under the FDAs Accelerated Approval Program, which allows approval of a medicine based on a surrogate endpoint if the medicine fills an unmet medical need for a serious condition. In this instance, the accelerated approval was based on tumor response rate, the studys primary endpoint.

We had a certain goal that we had to meet, which was 30%, and we exceeded that, Petrylak said. Patients demonstrated an objective response rate of 44%, including 15 complete responses (12%) and 40 partial responses (32%).

Moreover, duration of response, a secondary endpoint of the study, was 7.6 months.

The most common serious side effects were urinary tract infection (6%), cellulitis (5%), febrile neutropenia (4%), diarrhea (4%), sepsis (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), dyspnea (3%) and rash (3%). Peripheral neuropathy led to treatment discontinuation in 6% of patients. Common side effects of any grade included fatigue (56%), peripheral neuropathy (56%), decreased appetite (52%), rash (52%), alopecia (50%), nausea (45%), dysgeusia (42%), diarrhea (42%), dry eye (40%), pruritus (26%) and dry skin (26%).

Continued approval of Padcev will be contingent upon further evaluation to verify and describe the clinical benefit of the drug in a confirmatory trial.

There are a lot of next steps. This is an exciting drug, and it has a tremendous amount of activity, Petrylak said. Were looking to move this up earlier, in the course of disease. There's a trial being done in patients who've had frontline chemotherapy, and we're looking to (add Padcev) in the neoadjuvant setting prior to somebody having their bladder taken out. And so the thought is that perhaps we'll have more activity earlier.

Petrylak added that researchers are also looking to add the agent to other combinations, like checkpoint inhibitors.

Read CUREs original coverage of the approval.

Read more:

What You Need to Know About the FDA - Curetoday.com

You may be heading into 2020 without 20/20 vision, but you can simplify the vision testing process. To cut down on optometrist visits, you can pick up an EyeQue Personal Vision Tracker for just $19.99 with our New Year promo code.

The whole process is verysimple: Just attach the EyeQue to your phone and press start. The paired app then runs through tests to help determine your Eyeglass Numbers. You cant completely abandon your doctor, but the EyeQue does make it far easier to track your prescription throughout the year.

The EyeQue Vision Tracker is no pretender either. Its an MIT-patented device that took home awards at CES 2017. If you come from a family of glasses-wearers, you can all share the same device as long as everyone has their own account.

The EyeQue Personal Vision Tracker has a retail value of $35, and the potential to save tons of time at the optometrist. You can pick up your very own for just $19.99 with the promo code 20SAVE20 at the Tech Deals checkout.

The deal wont last long so hit the widget below to take advantage.

$19 .99

EyeQue Personal Vision Tracker Use offer code: 20SAVE20

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Is this deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the DEALS HUB.

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Keep an eye on your eyesight with the EyeQue Vision Tracker - Android Authority

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart still hasn't been cleared but is nearing a return to the court after an eye infection he described as "hell."

"Just really, really painful and really not knowing," Smart told reporters. "I thought I was going to go blind for a while. The doctors said it was the worst case of viral conjunctivitis that they've seen, so basically I was a guinea pig to see how to handle this if it ever happens again with anybody else.

"But it was the worst pain that I've been through in a very long time, and I don't wish it on anybody. But I'm here. The eyes feel better. I'm still trying to adjust to some lights, light sensitivity. But everything, the contagious part is gone. They cleared me. They said from here on everything should be OK. I still have to see them kind of on a daily basis. They say it's so my cornea doesn't get white spotted behind it and mess up my eyesight. So it's definitely a process. It's an annoying process, but I'm just blessed to be able to come back and get through this."

Smart said doctors told him they were afraid the infection had gotten so bad it would permanently affect his vision:

"The way it was going, they were so worried about it affecting my cornea and my vision, so it was a little scary. At first we thought it was an allergic reaction, because I broke out in hives like the day before my eyes started having allergic reaction. But we caught it so early that the same symptoms came off, and then about three days later it transferred from my left eye to my right eye, and that's when we ruled out that an allergic reaction was the cause. They said it was a virus called the (adenovirus), and it was caused by having a cold already and being sick, so it makes sense because right before that, those two days after the Denver game, Dec. 6th, the 7th and 8th, I came down with an allergic reaction and a really bad cold."

"The Celtics actually sent me home, because I was feeling really bad, and it just kind of broke my immune system down and opened it up for everything else. Everything else in my body went haywire. It was just some unfortunate events that happened, but on the good side, I got to rest and heal up the injuries that I had and just let my body do what it does."

Smart has been out nearly three weeks due to the virus, but he did travel with the Celtics to their Christmas Day game against the Toronto Raptors. He's averaging 11.8 points, 4.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 38.3 percent from the field and defending the best wing player on the opposing roster every night.

The Celtics have managed to stay afloat with Smart out of the lineup, posting a 4-2 record, including three straight victories heading into Christmas.

Thankfully, it appears the worst is over and Smart will be back out on the floor sooner than later.

Read more here:
Celtics' Marcus Smart Says Eye Infections Were 'Hell,' Put Vision at Risk - Bleacher Report

Poor nutrition increases the risk of vision loss 3 foods to include in diet to keep eyes healthy   |  Photo Credit: Getty Images

New Delhi: As children sway more towards processed foods, junk and unhealthy diet, and increase their screen time with the use of smartphones, laptops, tablets, television, etc, parents often find themselves worried about the effect it may have on their eyes and their vision. Getting glasses is, of course, the solution, but it comes with added complications and responsibility, that very young children may not be able to take. Weak eyesight in childhood can also lead to vision complications as the child grows up.

According to a recent study, the parents' fear may actually be real, because a new study has linked poor nutrition with the risk of vision loss. Parents must try to include nutritious foods, especially healthy for the eyes, in their child's diet to ensure their eyes stay safe, especially during their growth years.

To ensure reduced risk of weak eyesight and vision loss, include these foods in your child's diet.

Leafy vegetables like cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, fenugreek, etc which are abundantly available in the winter season are very healthy and nutritious foods, especially for the eyes. Rich in calcium, iron, vitamins, and fibre, they are also a great inclusion in a diet for boosting immunity, losing weight, etc.

Oily fish rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can really work wonders for good eyesight. Tuna and salmon are the two most popular oily fishes. They are also healthy for the heart and the skin.

Protein plays an important role in keeping our eyesight healthy. Include eggs, and other protein sources of food like beans, lentils, dairy, etc to ensure that the risk of vision loss is minimized, and your child is nourished and healthy.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

Continued here:
Poor nutrition increases the risk of vision loss 3 foods to include in diet to keep eyes healthy - Times Now

If youre tired of struggling with poor eyesight, specifically someone who wants to improve their vision, reverse glaucoma, cataract, near-sightedness and wants to stop using glasses, then here is good news.

I have discovered a natural herbal remedy that has helped over 2,742 Nigerian men, women and children restore eyesight, improve vision and cure severe eye problems within few weeks.

You see, I was once in your shoes, I used to battle severe eye problems that made me had blurred vision, dry itchy eyes.

But my eye doctor told me I could only live with it, so my optician kept on recommending eye glasses lens (or spectacles) so I could manage it to improve my vision.

But, as time went by this became ineffective, caused several eye irritations and also negatively affected my self esteem.

3 years later, my eye condition had worsened after several eye exams, I was diagnosed with glaucoma in the right eye.

Again, several solutions like eye drops, pills and surgery was recommended.

Eye surgery which was the best long term treatment was really expensive, and even comes with its own side effects after several months or years.

So, I decided to start using eye drops just so I could manage to see because at this point, I was literally going blind.

You see, the problem with eye drops is that most of them came with serious side effects, so one has to continue changing them until you see the most suitable one.

Sadly, within few months I used over 5 eye drops.

While for over the counter eye drugs, they take almost forever to work and give you perfect eye so you keep on spending and spending on the drugs for several years.

So, I decided to start searching for an alternative solution, something herbal that comes with no side effects and will naturally reverse glaucoma, cataracts, near-sightedness, and other severe eye problems.

But the entire situation changed when I came in contact with an old time friend, Uwem, he used to work in a particular eye clinic in Abuja .

We have been friends since our NYSC days for over 7years till date. Although, it has been a long time we spoke because he relocated to Canada to continue his profession.

We started talking as usual, and he asked me about my eye condition, if it has improved for better.

I explained how I was already tired of looking for solution to the eye problem, and how I have spent lots of money on drugs, supplements, eye drops and glasses, desperately looking for solution but without any improvement, insteadI was almost getting blind instead!

He explained that most people wearing eye glasses suffer from myopia (nearsightedness), glaucoma and cataract.

He later explained that there ispermanent cure for most of the eye problems, and natural remedy that helps treat and reverse glaucoma, cataract, myopia and other severe eye problems.

Most of these cases he has handled in the eye specialist clinic he works with in canada, and his patients improved their eyesight, and they never had to wear glasses or go for expensive eye surgery again.

But sadly, the solution is very rare to find because its imported, specially for Eye clinics in the USA, UK, Canada and some developing African countries as well.

That was when he introduced me to aspecial herbal teathat have been in existence for several years, that help cures severe eye problems, reverse cataract, glaucoma and myopia.

At first, I was shocked and surprised. But he told me the exact plant extracts contained inside the herbal tea, and how they improves overall eyesight health and restores vision.

I quickly pleaded with him to help me send a complete supply of the herbal tea. The next morning, I quickly sent the money to him.

After about a week, the complete supply of the herbal tea was delivered to me.

Immediately, I started it using it as prescribed (serving size of 1 tea bag in morning, and 1 tea bag in the evening).

To my surprise, in less than 2 weeks of using it, it was almost like a miracle cure to my eyesight problem and it helped improve my vision.

My eyes became crystal clear, my vision was never blurry again, and I started to feel that my glaucoma was gone.

To ensure it was really effective,I had to give the same herbal tea to about 2 of my colleagues in a different branch office, and some of my relatives using spectacles just to confirm if it could help them improve their eye health and cure eye problems.

Within 30 days or less of using it, all of them came back to testify that this herbal tea helped them improve their eyesight and cure eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, near-sightedness, hyperopia, and blurry vision, and they didnt have to continue wearing glasses anymore.

To ensure that this solution really works, I went to my eye doctor, just to be completely sure be about it.

After several eye exams, he confirmed that my eye was much better than before, and that the herbal tea also contained some ingredients that are very rare to find, but are highly effective in improving eyesight naturally

Without wasting time, let me introduce you to the Herbal Remedy that Has Helped me and over 642 Nigerian men and women Improve Eyesight, vision and PROVEN to cure Severe Eye Problems

Eye Restore Tea

Eye Restore Teais a herbal remedy formulated to treat and permanently cure all kinds of eye problems such as glaucoma, myopia, hyperopia, cataracts and lot more

It helps restore your eyesight, promotes eye health and improves vision.

Eye Restore Tea is made up of finely blended plant herbal extractssuch as bilberry extract, chrysanthemum, chinese wolfberry, cassia seed and green tea.

A pack of eye restore tea contains 20 tea bags, which you use daily, morning and evening.

The best part is that the Eye Restore tea is purely herbal, comes without any side effect and curative for the treatment of most eye problems. And within few days of taking this herbal tea, you can start seeing improvement in your vision and eye health.

Eye Restore Tea has the highest standard of approval by International FDA bodies. Its produced in the best, biggest and professional tea manufacturing factory withcertificate of GMP Good Manufacturing Practice, HACCP, Food Production License, QS etc.

So you can be sure that, Eye Restore Tea is Safe, 100% Herbal and Healthy, No Side Effects.

Do you want to dump your glasses, and also put an end to using expensive eye drugs that takes almost forever to work?

Then pay attention to this.

Eye Restore Teais made of herbal extracts, that after several years of research, scientist prove that these herbs help eliminate any form of eye problems, gives a crystal clear eye, improves eye sight and vision naturally.

Heres how this special herbal tea works

When you order for the Eye Restore Tea, each pack contains 20 tea bags. Put 1 tea bag in the cup, add boiled water, you can add honey or lemon (depending on your taste). Drink the tea in the morning when you wake up, and in the night before bed.

Within 3 weeks or less, I can guarantee that it will cure whatever eyesight problem you are experiecing at the moment. It will improve and perfect your eyesight, you will be able to read better anytime of the day. It will help you see comfortably without your glasses.

THATS how powerful it is.

Right now, my eyes are crystal clear, no more blurry vision, I see clearly without my eye glasses, glaucoma has gone, and no more cataracts.

And after this worked for me, Ive gone to share this amazing eye restore secret with almost everyone (family, friends and collegues) that I know that uses spectacles, or have severe eye problems for many years.

And once they started using Eye Restore Tea, they experienced similar results, their joy knew no bounds and they were able to dump their glasses, save money on expensive drugs and eye drops.

While it has also helped them to have a much improved vision, eyesight and totally natural cure to glaucoma, cataracts, myopia, hyperopia, eyestrain and other eye problems.

And to Prove It, Here Are What People Who Have Used theEye Restore Tea Are Saying About it, and How TheyveSeen Great Results Using it

For over 3 years of having glaucoma in my right eye, Ive been eye drops that my eye doctors prescribed. After using it for a long time, I noticed that the eye was becoming useless, and I only had my left eye for all purpose.Until I came accross Eye restore tea, I decided to use it instead. Within few weeks, I began to see better. I went to the Eye center, and after the examination doctor say that my eye has improved and the IOP has dropped.Thanks so much for this wonderful solution that saved my eyes

James Gwarimpa, Abuja=================

I suffered from Glaucoma for about 2 years now, and I had to use eye drops to control it. But the eye drops have serious side effects that made me uncomfortable so I had to keep changing them and used 5 types of eye drop.Luckily, a friend introduced me to Eye restore tea, so I decided to give it a trial. My vision now have improved up to the extent that I no longer need spectacles or any eye drop again.

Mrs. Tolulope Ketu, Lagos===============

Immediately after my cataract sugery, I used to have a foggy or cloudy vision and colors are not vivid as they were. I got corrective sight vision lens, and after many months I still get this blurry vision sometimes which is frustrating.

My wife helped me order for the Eye Restore tea, and I decided to use it, within 6weeks, my eyesight is clear and has corrected itself with time. Ive gone on to recommend this for my elder brother with similar eye problems. Thanks so much for this miracle tea

Mr. Victor Onitsha, Anambra

============ After seeing an opthalmologist for an eye exam, it was revealed an eye pressure of 25 in both eyes, and my right eyes looked suspicious for glaucoma. I continued using eye drops.

I stumbled upon your eye restore tea product, and decided to go for it. Within few weeks of using the tea, am seeing obvious changes, and finally stopped using eye drops. i will keep you updated on my progress, really appreciate this!

Olawale warri, Delta

Truth is, I could load more and more testimonials from these people who have used the Eye Restore tea but it will only be saying the same thing this product works like crazy!

As you have seen, these people were once like you suffering form similar eye conditions that were a threat to their vision, but they took action got the Eye Restore tea and cured severe eye problems.

As we speak lots of people are raving about this natural miracle eye treatment solution. I wonder what happens when people begin to post experiences and testimonials on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.)

Customers will continue telling friends, and the news keeps on spreading like wildfire.

By word of mouth, theres so much huge demand, supplies are going off the shelf fast even my colleagues and inner circle friends picked up 143 packs of the Eye Restore Herbal tea.

So, there are just 257 packs remaining.

The miracle eye treatment solution is spreading like wildfire and demand is so heavy much of the stocks are running out fast.

Right now, thousand of people are on this website and stocks are extremely limited.

We have no idea when the next stocks will arrive, so get your supplies now while you can.

The best part is, you can get it at an affordable discount price when you place order right away.

I cannot assure you will get it at the same discount price if you procrastinate.

SO WHATS IT COST?

Let me ask you whats something like this worth?

What would it be worth to be able to see clearly again, without spending lots of money on presciption pills, eye drops or expensive surgery?

What would it be worth to improve all aspects of your vision using a natural solution that completely reverses glaucoma, cataract, shortsightedness and other eye problems?

A natural solution that makes you never scared again about having dry itchy eyes, blurred vision, or even worse going blind.

So that, you will be able to enjoy your eyes, watch tv, read newspapers, reports, documents without depending on your glasses ever again.

Eye restore tea, is like giving you a brand new set of perfect eyeballs faster, more safer, and more easily.

What would that be worth?

You see, you wont pay a lot for this miracle herbal tea.

And if you go ahead and get it now, you will enjoy

=> the discount introductory price

=> 100% FREE Shipping to every state in Nigeria

=> Payment at the point of delivery (or at your DOORSTEP)

This means you will pay for the products only when it has been brought down to you face to face by our courier company or delivery man.

Heres a breakdown of the price (depending on the supply you are ordering for)

Yes, at this affordable price youll get access to this miracle tea that improves your vision, reverses glaucoma, cataract, shortsightedness and other severe eye problems.The specially recommended option is for 2Months supply, so you get perfect results from it, and youll never have to spend money again on this.

Also, the 2months supply is for a severe Glaucoma, cataract, shortsightedness, etc. and also for people who have done (or considering) eye surgery, but still experience eye pains, blurred vision and other eye complications.

However, both the 1month supply and 2months supply options will give tremendous results when you make use of them.

But to Make It Even Better, When You Order for the 2MONTHS Supply of Eye Restore Tea, You will Also Get a FREE BONUS ENCLOSED to Your Parcel *NOT available anywhere else

Heres how to get it: When you order for 2months supply of the Eye Restore tea at N45,000 you will get your own free bonus of the Nature Tea that helps in the treatment of high blood pressure etc.

See the original post:
How 63-year-old Benin grandpa discovered herbal remedy that improves eyesight, treats glaucoma, cataracts without eyedrops - Daily Post Nigeria

In an interview, Henry Cavill revealed that his eyesight was almost impaired by wearing contact lenses in The Witcher. In the series, his character Geralt has yellow eyes:

I could only wear the lenses three hours at a time, well, I should only wear three hours at a time. The problem is not getting dry eyes, but the eyes are the only part of the body that receives oxygen from the air and not from the blood. So if you leave them covered for a long time, you are not receiving oxygen and after a long time it can harm your eyes. Not worth it.

Cavill stated that his ophthalmologist warned him to take the lens off after a certain period of time, but he was a little stubborn and thought it was okay to continue filming a bit more. She said I could start going blind after a while.

The star revealed that the most dramatic moment was after a few shootings in the Canary Islands, when the dust of the place got behind the contact lenses and began to scratch his eyes. Cavill thought he was just tired, but his doctor found him and advised, There came a point where she found me hiding in the shadows, because everything was so clear. I said I was fine, but she said the recordings wouldnt continue until I took the lens off.

The rest is here:
The Witcher Henry Cavill almost had vision impaired by contact lenses - Somag News

TORONTO Celtics guard Marcus Smart said the eye infections that have sidelined him since Dec. 9 have been hell, and that the condition was so severe there were some concerns he could permanently lose some of his vision.

It was the worst pain that Ive been through in a very long time, Smart said before Wednesdays 118-102 victory over the Raptors, speaking to the media for the first time since he was sidelined. I dont wish it on anybody. But Im here. My eyes feel better.

Smart said doctors initially thought he was having some kind of allergic reaction, but that was ruled out after the issue spread to from his left eye to his right eye, and he was diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis. He said doctors told him it was the worst case they had ever seen.

The greatest concern, Smart said, was that the virus could spread to the back of his corneas, which could possibly cause permanent damage to his vision.

It was painful, it was burning, it was really hard, Smart said. I couldnt see. I had outdoor sunglasses everywhere. Even in the dark, I was wearing sunglasses. It was that bad.

Smart said his eyes were sealed shut with discharge every morning and doctors had to pry the mucus out just so he could open them.

I was bleeding tears every time they did it, for like a day, he said. They did that for about four days straight. The first day was probably the worst, just because it built up so much that it started to scab under my eyelids, and they had to open the scab and then pull it out. It felt like they were putting needles in my eyes.

Smart, whose eyes appeared sleepy Sunday but no longer as puffy as they did earlier this month, said he is still undergoing daily checkups to ensure that there is no issue with his corneas. He is using two kinds of eye drops each day, which is a small sign of progress, because previously he was using three.

He is still adjusting to light he said he could not even watch television initially and that he has lost about six pounds since he contracted the virus. He said if there is a silver lining to this ordeal, its that the time off has allowed his other bumps and bruises to heal.

Smart was scheduled to complete an on-court workout prior to the Celtics game against the Raptors on Wednesday. He said he feels like he is about 80 percent ready to return. He does not expect to play against the Cavaliers on Friday, but could be back soon after that.

Its definitely a process, Smart said. Its an annoying process. But Im just blessed to be able to come back and get through this.

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Read more from the original source:
I dont wish it on anybody: Marcus Smart details pain, severity of his eye infections - Boston.com

People with visual impairment are more cautious when stepping over obstacles but this increased their risk of falls, a new study has found.

Published in Scientific Reports and performed at Anglia Ruskin University, researchers simulated blurred vision in participants before asking them to negotiate at 10cm high obstacle under a specified time. Researchers recorded how participants negotiated the obstacle and where their gaze.

Researchers reported that participants with impaired vision raised their lead foot 43% higher and 10% slower than the control group. Furthermore, this affected participants stability.

The study observed that those with visual impairment also showed 32% more anxiety than the control group, regardless of time. They also looked down more often and for longer when completing the task.

Study author and director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at the Anglia Ruskin University, Professor Shahina Pardhan, explained: Walking with vision loss requires significantly more mental effort, and this research shows that even when performing a simple task like stepping over an obstacle, people with sight problems have considerable anxiety about falling, particularly when they might be in a hurry.

Image credit: Pixabay/MabelAmber

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Cautiousness of visually impaired people results in increased falls risk, study finds - AOP

For a little while, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart worried he might lose his sight.

Already out to a variety of illnesses and injuries, the Texan developed a severe eye infection which spread from one to both eyes instead of healing in the usual seven-to-ten day period his doctors anticipated.

At first, they thought it could be the result of an allergic reaction, but soon realized it was viral, specifically conjunctivitis and the worst theyd ever seen.

As it spread, concern arose it could permanently damage his vision should it affect the back of his corneas, reports the Boston Globes Adam Himmelsbach.

It was painful, it was burning, it was really hard, explained Smart. I couldnt see. I had outdoor sunglasses everywhere. Even in the dark I was wearing sunglasses.

It was that bad, he added.

It was literal torture for his doctors to care for him, requiring prying open eyes crusted shut with the pus his eyes generated to flush the virus out of his system.

I was bleeding tears every time they did it, for like a day They did that for about four days straight. The first day was probably the worst, just because it built up so much that it started to scab under my eyelids, and they had to open the scab and then pull it out. It felt like they were putting needles in my eyes

Now nearly back to normal but six pounds lighter for his efforts the Oklahoma State product feels about 80 % of his usual self. He doesnt expect to play in Fridays game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but could perhaps return for the home rematch with the Toronto Raptors.

While the ordeal was a terrible one, it did force the always-ready Smart to rest long enough to get entirely healthy, something the Flower Mound native was having difficulty letting himself do before the infection nearly robbed him of his sight.

It goes without saying that the 25-year-old would prefer an alternate path to complete health in the future, though. It was the worst pain that Ive been through in a very long time, Smart said.

I dont wish it on anybody. But Im here. My eyes feel better.

Read the original here:
Marcus Smart nearly lost sight from infection; plans return soon - Celtics Wire

There are 366 days of 2020 ahead of us. Lets just get this all out of the way now, shall we? There are more catchy, cute, and creative slogans, themes, and promotional ideas for 2020 than we have days to advertise. They involve throw-backs to the Roaring (18)20s, rhymes, and obviously eyesight. Im starting a 2020 collection:

I can see clearly now, my nice green lawn. (Adapt as needed.)

Have the perfect vison with (insert company name here.)

With us, the future is clear. (Works for almost everyone.)

This one, or this one? This one, or this one? (Get it?)

Moving along as we get off to a terrific start in 2020, the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce calendar for January is already bursting at the margins. The Government Affairs Committee will meet at 5 p.m. on Jan. 6 followed by the Chamber ACTION Committee the next morning. These are two of the most important committees of the chamber.

The Government Affairs Committee has historically been the arm of the chamber assisting with monitoring, and relaying information to and from, government entities to its business members, and vice-versa. The committee remains proactively involved in the government process with the overall goal being the advancement of prosperity and general welfare of the chambers business members and the community they serve.

Serving on the Government Affairs committee alongside local business professionals are representatives from Charlotte County Administration, City of Punta Gorda, Charlotte County Public Schools, Punta Gorda Airport, Charlotte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Charlotte County Sheriffs Office, and the Charlotte County Economic Development Office. Its at these meetings that requests are often made for initiative or project support. Action can be taken by the committee in the form of support, nonsupport, or abstaining from the issue. This recommendation is then sent to the chamber board of directors for the final determination. Over the past 95 years, the Government Affairs Committee has taken a level-headed approach to representing the business interests of Charlotte County. To ensure continuity from year to year, the immediate past board president serves as the committee chair and its guidance and support are frequently requested.

The ChamberACTION Committee is all about the membership! Chambers are membership driven. These committee members support all of our activities, disseminates information, and provides education about the multitude of benefits to being a member of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Ive always wondered why a qualified business wouldnt want to be a member of the chamber and excuse my bluntness Ive yet to hear a valid reason. This committee makes sure the value of membership is spread far and wide, hither and yon, over hill and dale.

Along with those two committee meetings, the Jan. 8 Networking at Noon (11 a.m.) event will be harbor-tastic as we enjoy a fun and relaxing cruise with King Fisher Fleet. Please make a note that noon does mean 11 a.m. this month! The cost remains $15 and reservations can be made by calling the chamber at 941-627-2222 or by visiting the Chamber Store at charlottecountychamber.org.

On Jan. 9, the Leadership Class of 2020 will experience Education Day as they travel throughout the county. Many of these community leaders have not been on a school bus or in a classroom since their own school days let alone have a conversation with school board members and the superintendent.

Also on Jan. 9, we will be cutting the ribbon at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate Labor Solutions at 2726 Tamiami Trail, Suite A, in Port Charlotte. All chamber members are invited to attend.

Wow, and thats just the first few days of 2020! Oh yes, please feel free to send me your unique 2020 slogans to share as we navigate through the year! Do you have the perfect vision? (20rry not 20rry!)

Teri Ashley is the executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, with offices in both Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. She can be reached at 941-639-2222 or at tashley@charlottecountychamber.org.

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A Perfect vision roaring into the 20s hindsight is 2020 - yoursun.com

How do magpies detect worms and other food sources underground? I often see them look or listen, then rapidly hop across the ground and start digging with their beak and extract a worm or bug from the earth Catherine, age 10, Perth.

You have posed a very good question.

Foraging for food can involve sight, hearing and even smell. In almost all cases learning is involved. Magpies are ground foragers, setting one foot before the other looking for food while walking, called walk-foraging. It looks like this:

Finding food on the ground, such as beetles and other insects, is not as easy as it may sound. The ground can be uneven and covered with leaves, grasses and rocks. Insects may be hiding, camouflaged, or staying so still it is hard for a magpie to notice them.

Read more: Curious Kids: why is a magpie's poo black and white?

Detecting a small object on the ground requires keen vision and experience, to discriminate between the parts that are important and those that are not.

Magpie eyes, as for most birds, are on the side of the head (humans and other birds of prey, by contrast, have eyes that face forward).

To see a small area in front of them, close to the ground, birds use both eyes together (scientists call this binocular vision). But birds mostly see via the eyes looking out to the side (which is called monocular vision).

This picture gives you an idea of what a magpie can see with its left eye, what it can see with its right eye and what area it can see with both eyes working together (binocular vision).

You asked about underground foraging. Some of that foraging can also be done by sight. Worms, for instance, may leave a small mound (called a cast) on the surface and, to the experienced bird, this indicates that a worm is just below.

Magpies can also go a huge step further. They can identify big scarab larvae underground without any visual help at all.

Scarab larvae look like grubs. They munch on grassroots and can kill entire grazing fields. Once they transform into beetles (commonly called Christmas beetles) they can do even more damage by eating all the leaves off eucalyptus trees.

Here is the secret: magpies have such good hearing, they can hear the very faint sound of grass roots being chewed.

We know this from experiments using small speakers under the soil playing back recorded sounds of scarab beetle larvae. Magpies located the speaker every time and dug it up.

So how do they do it? Several movements are involved.

To make certain that a jab with its beak will hit the exact spot where the juicy grub is, the magpie first walks slowly and scans the ground. It then stops and looks closely at the ground seemingly with both eyes working together.

Then, holding absolutely still, the magpie turns its head so the left side of the head and ear is close to the ground for a final confirming listen.

Finally, the bird straightens up, then executes a powerful jab into the ground before retrieving the grub.

That is very clever of the magpies. Very few animals can extract food they cant see. Only great apes and humans were thought to have this ability. Clever magpies indeed. And farmers love them for keeping a major pest under control.

Read more: Curious Kids: Why do birds sing?

Hello, curious kids! Have you got a question youd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to curiouskids@theconversation.edu.au

Original post:
Curious Kids: how do magpies detect worms and other food underground? - The Conversation AU

We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But unfortunately, some companies simply dont succeed. For example, after five long years the Medigen Biotechnology Corp. (GTSM:3176) share price is a whole 62% lower. We certainly feel for shareholders who bought near the top.

View 2 warning signs we detected for Medigen Biotechnology

Medigen Biotechnology wasnt profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely well see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. When a company doesnt make profits, wed generally expect to see good revenue growth. Thats because its hard to be confident a company will be sustainable if revenue growth is negligible, and it never makes a profit.

In the last half decade, Medigen Biotechnology saw its revenue increase by 5.6% per year. Thats not a very high growth rate considering it doesnt make profits. This lacklustre growth has no doubt fueled the loss of 17% per year, in that time. Wed want to see proof that future revenue growth is likely to be significantly stronger before getting too interested in Medigen Biotechnology. When a stock falls hard like this, some investors like to add the company to a watchlist (in case the business recovers, longer term).

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Balance sheet strength is crucial. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time.

Its nice to see that Medigen Biotechnology shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 49% over the last year. Theres no doubt those recent returns are much better than the TSR loss of 17% per year over five years. This makes us a little wary, but the business might have turned around its fortunes. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, weve discovered 2 warning signs for Medigen Biotechnology (of which 1 is major) which any shareholder or potential investor should be aware of.

But note: Medigen Biotechnology may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on TW exchanges.

If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned.

We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading.

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Introducing Medigen Biotechnology (GTSM:3176), The Stock That Slid 62% In The Last Five Years - Simply Wall St

Equities research analysts forecast that BIO-TECHNE Corp (NASDAQ:TECH) will report earnings of $1.14 per share for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Four analysts have provided estimates for BIO-TECHNEs earnings. The lowest EPS estimate is $1.12 and the highest is $1.16. BIO-TECHNE reported earnings of $1.06 per share during the same quarter last year, which would indicate a positive year-over-year growth rate of 7.5%. The company is expected to report its next quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, February 4th.

On average, analysts expect that BIO-TECHNE will report full-year earnings of $4.94 per share for the current year, with EPS estimates ranging from $4.85 to $5.04. For the next year, analysts expect that the business will post earnings of $5.77 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $5.45 to $6.07. Zacks earnings per share averages are an average based on a survey of research analysts that cover BIO-TECHNE.

BIO-TECHNE (NASDAQ:TECH) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The biotechnology company reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $183.24 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $179.38 million. BIO-TECHNE had a return on equity of 13.36% and a net margin of 12.68%. The firms revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.98 earnings per share.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on TECH shares. TheStreet upgraded BIO-TECHNE from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. ValuEngine cut BIO-TECHNE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. BidaskClub upgraded BIO-TECHNE from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Zacks Investment Research cut BIO-TECHNE from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 2nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on BIO-TECHNE in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $235.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. The stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $224.50.

In other BIO-TECHNE news, CEO Charles R. Kummeth sold 703 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.01, for a total value of $156,073.03. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Roeland Nusse sold 8,347 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.33, for a total value of $1,830,747.51. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 15,721 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,448,086.93. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 34,271 shares of company stock valued at $7,503,700. 4.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of BIO-TECHNE by 97.1% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,064,196 shares of the biotechnology companys stock worth $221,874,000 after purchasing an additional 524,216 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of BIO-TECHNE by 6,323.4% during the second quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 126,091 shares of the biotechnology companys stock worth $26,289,000 after purchasing an additional 124,128 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA raised its stake in shares of BIO-TECHNE by 229.8% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 47,344 shares of the biotechnology companys stock worth $9,871,000 after purchasing an additional 32,989 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in shares of BIO-TECHNE by 3.4% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 951,301 shares of the biotechnology companys stock worth $186,141,000 after purchasing an additional 31,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. raised its stake in shares of BIO-TECHNE by 20.2% during the third quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 129,857 shares of the biotechnology companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 21,840 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.11% of the companys stock.

TECH stock traded down $5.29 during trading on Friday, hitting $213.02. 122,699 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 117,811. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $212.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $204.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.06, a PEG ratio of 4.61 and a beta of 1.23. BIO-TECHNE has a 52-week low of $132.75 and a 52-week high of $222.87. The company has a current ratio of 4.44, a quick ratio of 3.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 8th were paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.60%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 7th. BIO-TECHNEs dividend payout ratio is currently 33.68%.

BIO-TECHNE Company Profile

Bio-Techne Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells biotechnology reagents, instruments, and clinical diagnostic controls worldwide. It operates in three segments: Biotechnology, Protein Platforms, and Diagnostics. The Biotechnology segment offers specialized proteins, such as cytokines and growth factors, immunoassays, antibodies, and related reagents to the biotechnology research community; and in situ hybridization, media, and other cell culture products and reagents.

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$1.14 Earnings Per Share Expected for BIO-TECHNE Corp (NASDAQ:TECH) This Quarter - Riverton Roll

US Pentagon in Washington DC.

For years, many of us in the genetics community have strongly suggested thatconsumers think long and hard beforeordering recreational genetic test kits for Christmas or any other occasion. But when thePentagon sends a stern warningto its military members, even Santa needs to listen.

Military Mission at dusk

Why would the Pentagon be worried about our military using at-home DNA kits?A memo issued to service membersfrom the Office of the Secretary of Defensestates that recreational genetic kits could give military personnel inaccurate information about their health. These inaccurate results couldhave negative professional consequences,particularly because military members, who are required to report medical problems, are not covered bytheGenetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA),which prohibits genetic discrimination by employers and health insurers.

It is already well known that thesekits should not be usedto answer serious medical questions based on a personal or family history of disease. Anyone with such a history shouldconsult a certified genetic counselorto ensure that an accurate test is ordered and interpreted correctly.The Pentagon concurs, saying they dont advise against genetic testing altogether, but recommend that service members get genetic information from a licensed professional rather than a recreational kit.

But are there other reasons the Pentagon may be warning against recreational genetic test kits? Couldthis genetic information lead to genetic surveillance, tracking, and grave privacy concerns for military personnel and others who use these kits?

China has already demonstratedthat genetic technology and research findings, intended to help people, can instead be used to harm. It is believed that the Chinese government has collected DNA samples from its citizens throughmandatory physicals to create a large databasethats being used to weed out up to one million Uighurs to be sent toconcentration camps. Although U.S. citizens, thankfully, enjoy greater protections than those in China, this example illustrates that our DNA can give insight into ancestry and ethnic origins that can be used for grave harm.

In fact, genetic data can reportedly be usedto determine how gay a person is, and if you are a 23andMe user who shared your data for research, you may have contributed to this study. Could DNA data be used to determine if military personnel may be gay? And if so, could that information beused against them?

And, of course, none of these companies can guarantee that their databases wont be hacked,as has happened in the past. Recently, GEDmatch, the genealogy company used to track down the Golden State Killer, wasacquired by a company created to work with crime labs. Other testing companies have chosen toshare their user data with the FBI.How will all of this consumer data be used, for good or evil? The truth is, we dont know.

finger print with DNA code at background

What we do know is thatundercover military agentscould likely be identified using a small sample of blood or saliva and large DNA databases. This may be true whether or not they personally have undergone recreational genetic testing,since one of their relatives probably has. For our military working undercover, this means that anonymity is likely a thing of the past.

Read more:
Why The Pentagon Is Warning US Military Not To Use Recreational Genetic Test Kits - Forbes

When Anne Weber became pregnant with her first child at age 28, little did she suspect that, rather than bringing home a bundle of joy, she would have to contend with a cancer diagnosis that would change the course of her life.

At her first ultrasound, not only did she find out that she had miscarried but also that she had a large cyst on one of her ovaries. That cyst turned out to be cancer.

"Because I didn't have a strong family history of cancer, everyone assumed it would be benign," she recalled in an interview with Medscape Medical News. "We were all very surprised when the pathology report came back with ovarian cancer."

Although the incidental finding may have been heartbreaking, it may also have been lifesaving. Because it was caught early, her ovarian cancer was of stage I. She underwent surgery and is now telling her story, 10 years later.

Weber is now a patient advocate at FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to individuals affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers, andpreviously worked for a while at genetic testing company Myriad Genetics.

How Weber developed ovarian cancer at such a young age was initially a mystery. Without a family history and without symptoms or personal risk factors for it, her physician did not suspect a hereditary cancer even though at the time, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommended that physicians consider genetic testing for anyone younger than 50 who are found to have ovarian cancer. However, her physician didn't offer genetic testing, or even counsel her about it.

Weber was left with nagging questions. She wanted to know why she'd gotten ovarian cancer and how she could prevent a recurrence. So she started sleuthing around on the Internet.

"When I was diagnosed, I knew nothing about this. Literally, I didn't know what terms to type into the search engine," she said.

When she stumbled onto an online forum that linked her to the NCCN guidelines, the pieces of the puzzle began fitting together.

This was 2009, and she was living in Atlanta at the time. She asked her physician about genetic testing, and her doctor referred her to the only genetic counselor in the city, who was at Emory University. At that time, the wait time for genetic testing was 6 months.

"Six months when you're dealing with something like cancer can be pretty dire," Anne said.

Genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer has not always been straightforward, and fast-moving research means that genetic testing is becoming more and more complex all the time.

The NCCN may have recently provided a step in the right direction. On December 4, the NCCN released updated clinical practice guidelines on genetic/familial high-risk assessment for breast and ovarian cancer.

The guidelines represent a fairly radical shift from previous recommendations, which focused on BRCA genes, according to Robert Pilarski, MS, LGC, MSW, LSW, a genetics counselor and professor of clinical internal medicine at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center. He was also vice chair of the NCCN guidelines panel that updated the guidelines.

The NCCN recommendations remain anchored in strong, unbiased evidence and reflect a conservative approach regarding genes for which there is lack of evidence, he said. But the guidelines also acknowledge a shift toward panel testing and include a table of 17 moderate- and high-penetrance genes that should be considered in addition to BRCA genes. They also provide management recommendations for people who carry these genes.

"Most people now are doing panel testing where the panel involves multiple genes besides BRCA," Pilarski said, "This guideline update is the closest that we've got to a consensus [regarding breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer] because it now specifies a set of genes that are reasonable to include in at least a basic panel."

The use of multigene panels is controversial, as previously reported by Medscape Medical News. A study published in early 2019 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggested that roughly half of breast cancer patients who carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation are missed by current genetic testing guidelines. That study used an 80-gene panel, and the authors recommended expanded panel testing for all patients with breast cancer.

Critics shot back, arguing that universal testing is not warranted and that large, multigene panels may create undue anxiety among patients as well as confusion among physicians. Research is in its infancy for many of these genes, and physicians don't know how or even whether to act on results for some of them. That's especially true for variants of unknown significance, which have not been confirmed to increase risk for disease.

Perhaps in response to this controversy, the NCCN guidelines do not recommend universal testing for breast or ovarian cancer. Instead, they provide clinical scenarios in which genetic testing is clinically indicated, may be considered, or has low probability of clinical utility. The NCCN authors hedge their bets by not endorsing for or against multigene panel testing.

"I think we held back from becoming too definitive because there may be times when other genes are appropriate," Pilarski explained. "We didn't want to lock patients out of insurance coverage, and we didn't want to lock ourselves into a set of genes that could change next week with changing evidence."

This "wishy-washiness" over multigene panels creates a problem for Mehmet Copur, MD, FACP, an oncologist who wrote a critical response to the study published earlier this year. He is affiliated with the Morrison Cancer Center in Hastings, Nebraska, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

"I believe they have tried to please both parties, and they have been too nice," he said. "My personal opinion is that I would go for high-penetrance genes in clinically suspicious settings. I would ignore that disclaimer note and say, 'I'm going to do this 17-gene panel.' "

Going one step further, he suggested the creation of commercially available gene panels based on the NCCN recommendations for these 17 genes.

"There are a wide variety of panels available with different genes on different panels. There is a lack of consensus among experts regarding which genes should be tested in different clinical scenarios. If possible, it would be helpful to create commercially available gene panels based on the updated NCCN recommendations," he said.

In another major change, the guidelines now include pancreatic cancer for the first time. But in contrast to breast and ovarian cancer, the NCCN recommends that all patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer receive genetic testing.

"Approximately 1 in 20 patients with pancreatic cancer will have an inherited susceptibility gene. Most people with pancreatic cancer who carry these mutations do not have a family history of pancreatic cancer, so you can't rely on family history to guide you about who should get genetic testing," Michael Goggins, MD, MBBCH, who was also involved in updating the NCCN guidelines, told Medscape Medical News. Goggins is director of the Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Advantages of genetic testing for pancreatic cancer include guidance regarding choice of chemotherapy and the possibility of cascade testing for prevention or earlier detection of pancreatic cancer in family members.

Other additions to the guidelines include new recommendations for genetic testing for individuals with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, as well as new or updated recommendations for Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Cowden/PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome.

The guidelines also offer an expanded section on genetics risk assessment and genetic counseling. Genetic testing has become increasingly complex, and the NCCN emphasizes the importance of genetic counseling throughout the testing process.

It has been 10 years since Anne Weber was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Because she was diagnosed at a young age (28 years) and her other ovary was unaffected, she opted for surgery to remove only the ovary with the tumor.

After her own Internet research and at her own request, Weber underwent genetic testing. She found out that she is a carrier of the BRCA2 mutation, which carries high risk for breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.

Current recommendations are that people with BRCA2 mutations start breast cancer screening at age 25, so Weber was screened immediately.

Her first breast MRI revealed a mass that was found to be stage I breast cancer. At that point, she chose to have her other ovary removed, as well as both fallopian tubes and both breasts, which significantly reduces her risk for recurrence.

"I'm so incredibly grateful that I found the information. All the guidelines say that I shouldn't even have had my first mammogram at my current age of 39. So there is low likelihood that I would have been diagnosed by now, and it certainly would not have been stage I," she said.

Since her diagnosis, she and her husband have adopted a child.

"Genetic testing isn't right for everyone. People aren't going to make the same decisions I did," she said. "The biggest thing is to understand that being positive doesn't mean that you're going to get cancer. It just allows you to have that circle of care to try to prevent cancer, or at least catch it earlier, when it's more treatable."

NCCN. Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, and Pancreatic Version 1.2020. Full text

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Heartbreaking News, Then Tumor Find Leads to Genetic Testing - Medscape

Often, science moves ahead incrementally. Yet sometimes it advances in dramatic leaps and bounds that can stir new hopes for medical benefits while shaking society to its very core. We saw both in 2019, as work using the gene-editing tool CRISPR gained momentum.

The year opened with the scientific community scrambling to respond to the news that Chinese researcher He Jiankui had used CRISPR technology to edit the genomes of human embryos. The experiments resulted in the November 2018 birth of twin girls, the first humans with genetically altered germline cells which means their genetic changes are heritable and can be passed on to future generations.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a crucial public supporter of biomedical research, is among the many who consider such experiments both irresponsible and unethical. The NIH has not funded any use of heritable gene-editing technologies in human embryos, and it has no intention of doing so.

But NIHs strong stance against heritable gene editing does not mean that we think CRISPR has no role in the future of clinical medicine. This innovative technology possesses enormous potential for therapeutic good if used for making nonheritable genetic changes. In that approach, genetic material is altered only in relevant somatic (nonreproductive) cells, so there is no chance of passing those changes on to future offspring.

NIHs highest priorities in 2019 included supporting research aimed at using nonheritable gene editing to help people with life-threatening disorders, such as sickle cell disease, HIV infection, cancer and muscular dystrophy. Indeed, such applications may offer the best hope not only for treating, but for curing, many of the nearly 6,000 human genetic diseases that still lack treatments.

Now, scientists and leaders around the globe have an obligation to consider the appropriate use if any of heritable human gene editing. This involves scrutinizing the safety of such experiments, including the risk of unintended mutations, as well as a clear-eyed analysis of actual medical need. In our view, the current arguments that the benefits outweigh the risks are surprisingly uncompelling. But our deliberations should not stop there. We must weigh the profound social, ethical and moral issues associated with modifying the germline in ways that could change the human species forever.

Given the significance of these decisions, in March, leading scientists from seven countries led by Eric Lander and including CRISPR pioneers Feng Zhang and Emmanuelle Charpentier called for a five-year international moratorium on the use of gene editing to modify the human germline for clinical purposes. The NIH supports such a moratorium.

Despite the calls for caution, some researchers are forging ahead. In June, Russian molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov announced plans to implant gene-edited embryos into women. Like his Chinese counterpart, Rebrikov planned to use CRISPR to target the CCR5 gene to protect against HIV; he later changed course to focus on GJB2, a gene linked to heritable hearing loss.

Direct editing of embryos is not the only way to alter the human germline in heritable ways: In August, New York-based reproductive biologist Gianpiero Palermo went public with his plans to use CRISPR technology to target a gene that increases cancer risk in human sperm.

But such moves continued to meet vigorous opposition. In August, a number of research groups working on gene-editing therapeutics issued a statement asserting heritable gene editing is currently inappropriate for use in human clinical studies. That same month, a group of international research societies convened to discuss recommendations for appropriate research, which are slated for completion in spring of 2020.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organizations new expert advisory committee, convened in the wake of Hes experiments, sidestepped the issue of a moratorium at its August meeting. It did, however, establish a global registry to track all kinds of human gene-editing research and to offer consultation on governance of such technologies.

A moratorium of at least five years on heritable human gene editing would provide us time to engage in proactive, rather than reactive, discussions about the future of such technology. That discussion has to be inclusive of many societal perspectives. We must never allow our technology to eclipse our humanity. As an interconnected global society, we have a responsibility to ask ourselves some very hard questions about heritable gene editing and the dangers of human hubris. While difficult, this is a debate that we simply cannot afford to postpone.

Francis S. Collins is the director of the National Institutes of Health.

Read more from the original source:
NIH Director on Human Gene Editing: 'We Must Never Allow our Technology to Eclipse our Humanity' - Discover Magazine

Seattle Genetics' (NASDAQ:SGEN) shares soaredas much as 6% after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its bladder cancer drug this month, and the stock now is heading for a total gain of more than 86% for 2019. The biotech company, which has a pipeline of candidate treatments for various cancers, now has a new product on the market and is optimistic about an investigational treatment that recently earned the FDA's "breakthrough" label.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

Let's have a closer look at the two elements that could lift the shares in 2020, even after this year's spectacular performance.

Seattle Genetics announced the accelerated approvalof Padcev (generic name: enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) on Dec. 18 for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer. It's the most common kind of bladdercancer, and develops in the cells lining the inside of the bladder. The approval is specifically for adult patients who have previously been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor. PD-1 and PD-L1 are proteins in the body, and in some cases, they help cancer cells hide from an immune system attack. Inhibitors prevent this from happening. As for Padcev, it targetsthe Nectin-4 protein and leads to the destruction of cancer cells.

A key point in this approval news is that Padcev is the only FDA-approveddrug for this patient set, meaning that it will be an obvious choice and welcome option for many. Seattle Genetics has said about 2,000 to 4,000 new patients per year may be candidates for Padcev, but CEO Clay Siegall said it's difficult to forecast an exact patient population. However, according to GrandView Research, the global urothelial cancer drug market will reach $3.6 billion by 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 23%. In the U.S., about80,000 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed per year, and about 90% of cases are of the urothelial type. So a foothold in this market is a definite growth opportunity for Seattle Genetics.

Seattle Genetics aims to submit tucatinib, its investigational treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer, to the FDA in the first quarter. That's a positive development, but even better is the fact that the FDA already grantedtucatinib breakthrough status based on data from a phase 3 clinical trial. Tucatinib was administered along with Roche'sHerceptin and another drug, and riskof death declined by 34%. The study also showed a 46% decline in risk of disease progression. HER2stands for a protein -- human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. In HER2-positive breast cancer, high levels of this protein within tumors lead to the spread of cancer cells. Tucatinib inhibits enzymes that activate this type of protein.

Breakthrough status is meant to expedite review and approval for treatments that address life-threatening illnesses, so if all goes well, Seattle Genetics could have a third drug on the market sooner rather than later. (The company also sells Adcetrisfor Hodgkin lymphoma.) The market for HER2-positive breast cancer is expected to increase by 54% from its 2015 level to $9.89 billion in 2025, according to GlobalData.

Padcev and tucatinib both address conditions where the need for new treatments is obvious. Though Seattle Genetics' earningshistory hasn't been great -- it missed its EPS forecasts in the past two quarters -- its recent product news offers investors reasons for optimism about revenue streams to come. A new drug on the market and high hopes for another approval are catalysts that should help its share price make healthy gains in the new year.

Excerpt from:
2 Things That Will Propel Seattle Genetics Stock Even Higher in 2020 - The Motley Fool

Nathan Anderson and two of his four sons, Griffin, 10, and Brennan, 4, have been diagnosed with a rare mutation on their Runx1 gene. Besides causing easy bruising, excessive bleeding and a tendency to develop hematomas, the mutation predisposes them to certain blood cancers. Wife and mother, Joy Anderson, has become an outspoken advocate for the condition and her family.

As Joy Anderson tucked her four boys into their beds one recent evening, she asked each of them to reflect on the difficult year the family has had.

Oldest son Griffin, 10, expressed anger and sadness, especially because he isnt allowed to play contact sports anymore.

Maxwell, 9, said hes worried about his siblings and parents.

Nolan, 8, said hes tried to be more compassionate, as you never know what someone is facing.

And then theres sweet-yet-rambunctious Brennan. At just 4 years old, he doesnt really understand whats been going on, only that hes had many doctors visits and needle pricks lately.

A little over a year ago, the Anderson family received news that rocked their world: Brennan had tested positive for the Runx1 gene mutation.

It was the third such blow for the family, who hails from Arlington, a village in Hancock County outside of Findlay, in just a few short months. Griffin first received the same diagnosis in August 2018, followed by their father, Nathan, in November that year and now Brennan.

Maxwell and Nolan, fortunately, do not share the mutation.

Its like a 50-50 chance of being passed down, Joy said. In that case, I felt like we were a living statistic.

But their situation is anything but routine: Only 120 individuals in the world have been diagnosed with the mutation.

Visible symptoms of the disease, which causes platelet abnormalities, include easy bruising, excessive bleeding and a tendency to develop hematomas. But the most distressing part is its predisposition (40% to 70%) to certain blood cancers.

I felt like I couldnt breathe, like I was having a panic attack, the 41-year-old mother said of the diagnoses. I tried to Google everything to learn more about it, and there isnt really much out there.

Three people she loves dearly half her family now must be followed regularly by a hematologist and undergo bone marrow biopsies annually to monitor for cancer.

Little did I know we would have such a domino effect after we all got tested, she said.

***

The Andersons had spent much of the first nine years of Griffins life trying to figure out what caused his bruising and the huge goose eggs that would form on his body.

Sure, he was an active boy, but with each small accident, his parents couldnt help notice the extreme results that sometimes landed him in the hospital to ensure his blood had clotted.

Doctors in Toledo offered a general diagnosis of low platelets and a blood disorder when Griffin was 3 and prescribed special medication to use during surgeries.

He began seeing various hematologists at Nationwide Childrens Hospital. However, the family still had few answers until a doctor suggested genetic testing in August 2018.

Thats when the Andersons met Elizabeth Varga, a genetic counselor at Childrens, who counseled them what results might yield.

Four weeks after Griffin had blood drawn for the genetic tests, Varga called to say they found something.

Runx1 is a gene involved in the making of blood cells. If there is an abnormality, it can impair the production of platelets, which help blood clot.

Patients are predisposed to something called myelodysplastic syndrome, which is essentially a pre-leukemia state that can evolve and change to be a cancer of the blood, Varga told the family.

Typically, thats acute myeloid leukemia, which is most common in adults over 60, but the Runx1 mutation increases the risk for AML in all ages.

So basically from the time of birth youre kind of set up to have that evolution, Varga said. However, not all patients that have a Runx1 abnormality will ever get cancer right now we dont have a great way to gauge who will and who wont.

To deliver this news to Joy was very difficult, said Varga, who has three young sons.

Each phone call, Joy said, felt like a sucker punch, as she struggled to learn what this would mean for their family.

***

In the days leading up to Griffin and Brennans first bone marrow biopsy in December 2018, the elder brother watched YouTube videos of the minor but uncomfortable procedure, which is the best way to monitor changes.

I was interested in it, the fifth grader said. I want to be an ER doctor when I grow up.

Joy and Nathan Anderson said its a bit of an odd blessing that two sons have the diagnosis as they dont have to be alone.

I usually tell Brennan to be brave and we can do it, Griffin said, adding that his youngest brothers silly antics calm his nerves.

The mutation presents differently in Griffin and Brennan. Both bruise easily, but its much more pronounced in Griffin.

Brennan has dealt with a slew of pulmonology issues asthma, seven bouts with pneumonia that may be linked with the gene mutation.

Discovered only 20 years ago, very little research has been done on the mutation, making it difficult to discern what symptoms are caused by it, said Katrin Ericson, executive director of the Runx1 Research Program, a California-based nonprofit group that funds research and provides patient support.

Earlier this year, Joy Anderson was the first patient family representative to speak at the organizations annual conference. Shes become very active in increasing awareness of the Runx1 mutation, which is underdiagnosed, Ericson said.

Based on epidemiological estimates, between 2,000 and 18,000 people in the United States could be living with it.

Ericson said the organization is thrilled that, in May, the National Institutes of Health launched the first longitudinal, natural history study of Runx1. The Andersons are one of 25 or so families participating, and they traveled to Bethesda, Maryland, in June for testing.

These patients have really been struggling with this most of their lives, Ericson said. They had no idea they had this mutation. Maybe they were misdiagnosed at first.

There can be guilt felt by parents for passing it unknowingly to their children, and Joy said her husband feels this way.

Nathan his parents tested negative never experienced symptoms, he said. However, looking back, routine blood work often showed low platelet counts.

Shortly after the diagnosis, I was at a charity event for work and I was chopping wood, Nathan said. I noticed that I had bruises up and down my arm.

During his first bone marrow biopsy at Ohio State Universitys Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital last December, doctors discovered he had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or pre-leukemia. Hes unsure what this means for the future, except continued monitoring.

Nathan and his two sons will travel to the NIH in the summer for follow-up biopsies. (Griffin and Brennan had a second one in June with zero changes.)

The boys also have blood drawn every few months.

Our hope is if we do more frequent surveillance for MDS, that we will hopefully be able to be preemptive, Varga said. If we do see any progression, the only cure right now is a bone marrow transplant.

However, a bone marrow transplant which requires chemotherapy and a lifetime of immunity-suppressing drugs is a procedure that wouldnt be done without good reason, Varga said.

***

One of the biggest challenges of having a genetic disorder, Joy and Nathan agreed, is explaining it to others.

Some people think were dying and some think were getting chemotherapy, said Nathan, who has taken up running to cope with the diagnosis and keep himself healthy. Others think its not a big deal.

People have questioned the necessity of putting our kids through all this, Joy said. Others have said that everyone would find something wrong if they did genetic testing, she said.

Were trying to monitor and learn more, she said. Im all about being proactive. I feel like what if we never even did anything about it, and then one day this has progressed to leukemia and its so far into it, we cant do anything to help.

That attitude, Varga said, represents a shift shes detected.

Previous generations, there was much more of I dont want to know, Varga said. There was a fear of stigma or discrimination, but younger generations are more embracing (of) knowledge and being powerful.

***

For now though, the Anderson boys will continue to climb on top of their swing set and run in the field behind their house. Theyll fish and ride bikes and wrestle.

Theyre boys still, and we want them to live a normal life, Nathan said. We dont stop.

Griffin has recently fallen in love with playing drums and though his parents dont always appreciate the noise, theyre thankful Griffin has found an outlet other than sports.

The family is thankful for the power the knowledge of this diagnosis ultimately brings them, and with how strong it has shown the six of them to be.

Its a reminder of just how precious life is, Nathan said. You might live a long life or you might run into complications. Its a constant reminder to live every day to the fullest.

award@dispatch.com

@AllisonAWard

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Ohio family faces uncertainty as 2 sons, husband diagnosed with rare genetic disorder - The Columbus Dispatch

Genetic tests sold directly to consumers have been growing in popularity. And Im not just referring to the tests that show your ethnic ancestry, but also those that claim to identify genetic-based health risks. Experts warn that these tests should not be used to inform health decisions without further scrutiny, as the results of these tests can easily be misinterpreted or unreliable.

Business of Healthcare | December 27, 2019

Most genetic testing is done through healthcare providers such as physicians, nurse practitioners and genetic counselors. These providers determine which test is needed, order the test from a laboratory, collect and send the DNA sample, interpret the test results, and share the results with the patient.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is different. These tests can be bought online or in stores. Customers send the company a DNA sample and receive their results directly via a secure website or mailed report. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing provides access to genetic information without necessarily involving a healthcare provider.

Dozens of companies offer these tests for a variety of purposes. The most popular uncover genetic variations to make predictions about health, provide information about common traits, andyesoffer clues about a persons ancestry. While the number of companies providing direct-to-consumer genetic testing is growing, along with the range of health conditions and traits tested for, there is very little regulation of these services.

That means if you do use one of these tests to get genetic information about your health, dont make any decisions based on the results without talking to a medical professional.

Continued here:
Business of Health Care: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing - KWBU

(BPT) - An estimated 130 million Americans make resolutions for 2020 with more than half of them focused on health. However, most resolutions are broken by February.

Marjan Champine, a board-certified and licensed genetic counselor at Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, shares tips for thinking about your health in 2020:

1. Small choices matter for a healthier you in the New Year.

Day in and day out, the small choices we make can end up making a big difference in how we feel and our overall health. The journey to better health can be as simple as to:

2. Talking to your family can unlock valuable insights into your health.

Understanding your familys health history and screening for common genetic conditions can provide information about some potential health risks. Armed with this information, there are powerful choices and actions you can take to improve your health, and your familys health, now and in the future.

You dont need to be alone in trying to make sense out of all of this. Genetic counselors can help you connect the dots of your family health history and the results of genetic health screening tests. Services like those offered by Ancestry, which recently launched AncestryHealth, can also empower you with genetic insights to put you on the path to a better, healthier you. When you and your health care provider know more about your risks for certain conditions, thats the start on the path toward better health.

3. Your genes dont need to be your destiny.

While genetics plays an important role in our health, the daily choices we make about our activity, sleep, nutrition and how we handle stress can also play a role in our quest for better health.

Because families share genetics as well as other health-related risk factors such as diet, lifestyle and environment family history is again important in this regard. Most people understand the health benefits of a good diet and exercise. But whats often overlooked is the importance of knowing your familys health history. By sharing your family health history in addition to any genetic health test results with your health care provider, you can work together to create a personalized plan of action to treat, manage and, in some cases, even prevent certain diseases.

4. Specific, achievable, actionable and enjoyable.

I am always looking for fun ways to improve my health. As part of that goal, my resolution this year is to spend more quality time with my family, share stories about our history and keep a record of our health history all in one place using AncestryHealths family health history tool.

If you havent made a New Years health resolution yet, think of a goal thats specific, actionable and achievable. Also think of goals that can be achieved in ways you enjoy.

5. The time is now.

Now is the perfect time to jump in and begin tackling your 2020 New Years health resolutions. Your family health history and genetic screening results could unlock important information that will allow you to manage your health.

The more you know about your genetic risk factors, including your family health history, the more you can take proactive steps, in collaboration with your health care provider. Taking this information and sharing it with your health care provider is important so that, together, you can create a personalized plan of action for a healthier 2020.

Marjan Champine is a board-certified and licensed genetic counselor at Ancestry with a passion for family, health and helping others.

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Resolving for a healthy 2020? Talking to your family is a great way to start - Eagle & Times