StemCell Therapy

Kiran Mathur Mohammed

kmmpub@gmail.com

The bodies and minds of half the country and more than $6.8 billion a year are being lost because we arent stopping heart disease, diabetes or mental illness before they kill us or lock us away.

How many of the men and women trapped in cages and defecating in buckets; that filled our screens last week, had treatable issues that might have been prevented much earlier?

You may not realise it, but we have more in common with those poor souls than we think.

You might not end up in a cage. But as dramatic will be the heart attack that suddenly robs you of life or health; or the innocuous doctors visit that turns into a gut wrenching revelation: Im sorry maam your eyesight is going, and possibly for good; Im sorry but your sons mania requires institutional confinement.

It is a natural human bias to discount early care and preventative treatment. Psychologists and economists alike fret about the reasons why we (and it is most all of us) dont spend enough time looking after our minds and our bodies.

Still, one in two people that die in this country die of heart disease, a stroke or diabetes, says the Health Ministry. And, says the World Health Organisation, in Latin America and the Caribbean up to 24.2 per cent of our populations suffer from some mental disorder ranging from anxiety to depression.

The equally wondrous and frustrating thing is that human knowledge and modern medicine make all these things largely preventable. We could literally glow with health.

How? Weve all been lectured about cutting out the refined starch, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. We all know we need to go for a walk or a hit the gym. We know we need to pop our pills. We all know we need to steer clear of smoking, cut down the booze and go see a shrink.

But its tough. The reality is that many unhealthy things like booze or ice-cream lubricate social interactions and enable experiences that bind us together with family, friends and strangers. And our culture still views soft feelings as a sign of weakness.

The concept that we must simply buckle down with self-discipline is old hat. We can only make the right choices if our whole lives are redesigned to help us do so.

We now know that a choice as simple as taking a heart pill is guided by a huge number of factors: from cost, to time, to physical access to education. Thats why more than 46 per cent of people dont even bother to fill their prescription, says Dr Mandreker Bahall.

The same goes for the decision to reach for broccoli instead of fried chicken. The Health Ministry reckons that 90 per cent of the population have less than five servings of fruit and vegetables daily, while 74.6 per cent of students still drink more than one sweet soft drink every day.

But changing these behaviours is not impossible.

First, we can throw more resources at capturing the crucial data that should inform our policymakers every decision, as UWI lecturer Dr Robin Seemongal-Dass and others have advocated.

Then we can quickly tack up a few whiteboards and map peoples decision processes from start to finish; from the decision to eat poorly, to the decision to not exercise or the decision to not take lifesaving medication. Once we find those pain points, we can surgically remove them.

Can technology make taking drugs less difficult or confusing? Can the State use school lunches to bombard children with vegetables? Can employers be convinced that physically active employees make them more money?

If spun right, a national preventative medicine programme, dull as it sounds could make as many headlines as announcing a new hospital. Look at the global attention New Zealands PM got with her mental health budget.

The opportunity is tremendous: dont forget the $6.8 billion that diabetes and heart disease extract through healthcare costs and lost productivity, as think-tank RTI International has measured.

The private health sector has just as much an incentive to get involved as the public. It is an opportunity for the health industry to enter the rapidly growing markets for wellness, and outpatient and continual care. GPs are the unsung heroes in this battle: people like Dr Maria Clapperton of the Caribbean Collection of Family Practitioners.

We must escape those dark places of last resort: the emergency room and the psychiatric ward. We still have the chance to cheat death.

Kiran Mathur Mohammed is a social entrepreneur, economist and businessman. He is a former banker, and a graduate of the University of Edinburgh

See the original post here:
How to cheat death and save billions - TT Newsday

As a specialist in joint pain, Guermazi has done thousands of steroid injections over decades of work. He has trained other doctors as he was trained: to believe that the injections are safe as long as they arent overused. But now he has come to believe that the procedure is more dangerous than he knew. And he and a group of his Boston University colleagues are raising a warning flag for doctors and patients alike.

Millions of times every year, people with joint pain allow doctors to run a needle through their skin, then their muscle, then their tendons, and into the fluid-filled space of a painful joint to calm inflammation. Such inflammation can be the result of many types of injury or disease, but most commonly it is the result of gradual wear and tear known as osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage diminishes, the space between the bones narrows, and eventually bones start to rub on one another. At that stage, a person may need a surgical joint replacement. The progression of the disease itself cant be reversed with drugs, so medical treatment is aimed at easing pain and maximizing mobility. Steroid injections are one of the chief ways this is attempted.

In the journal Radiology this week, Guermazi and his colleagues at Boston University published a study of 459 patients at their hospital who got injections, in the hips or knees, in 2018. Of those patients, 8 percent had complications that worsened the state of their joints. In some cases, the arthritis actually sped up. Others developed small fractures under the cartilage or had complications that compromised the blood supply to bone. In the worst cases, patients had what Guermazi and his colleagues described as rapid joint destruction.

Patterns of harm can be slow to emerge in medicine, and causal relationships are difficult to prove. But these findings build on a gradual accretion of evidence challenging the widespread use of steroid injections. In 2015, Cochrane Musculoskeletal did a meta-analysis to see if the intervention was even helpful. After collating data from 27 knee-arthritis trials carried out around the world, the authors concluded that the quality of evidence was low and overall inconclusive. Some of the studies they analyzed found small to moderate improvements in pain and physical function, but the results were not statistically reliable. Whether there is truly any positive effect, the authors concluded, is unclear.

Since then, the role of the placebo effect in steroid injections has gotten attention. In 2017, rheumatologists at Tufts University and Boston University did a randomized controlled trial in people with knee pain. A control group got a sham injection that contained no steroids. In what became a bombshell paper in the journal JAMA, people with knee arthritis reported that their pain was no different if they received injections of steroids or saline. Whats more, the people who got the steroid injections saw more erosion in the cartilage in their knees.

Here is the original post:
A Warning From a Doctor Who Has Done Thousands of Steroid Injections for Arthritis - The Atlantic

Although liver fibrosis and liver stiffness are more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with the general population, methotrexate (MTX) treatment does not appear to be a contributing factor, according to research published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine.

Using data from consecutive patients with RA, researchers sought to determine the role of MTX therapy in the development of liver stiffness and liver fibrosis. Categorically, patients who were MTX-nave and MTX-treated were assessed via real-time 2-dimensional shear wave elastography technology (2D.SWE.SSI).

The total cohort included 140 MTX-treated, 33 MTX-nave, and 100 healthy controls with a similar mean age and gender distribution across all groups. However, MTX-nave patients had a significantly shorter disease duration and higher Health Assessment Questionnaire compared with patients who were treated with MTX. In the MTX-treated group, the mean cumulative dose of MTX was 37153560 mg, with a mean time of treatment exposure of 71.366.4 months.

Liver stiffness (kPa) values were significantly lower in healthy controls compared with both patients who were MTX-nave and MTX-treated (4.320.7 vs 4.920.8 and 4.850.9, respectively). The difference in kPA values between the 2 MTX groups was not statistically significant.

Researchers, through the results of a multiple linear regression analysis, found that RA diagnosis, older age, and being a man were independently associated with higher liver stiffness values. An additional multiple linear regression analysis found that increasing age and being a man, but not treatment with and cumulative dose of MTX, were independently associated with increasing liver stiffness in patients with RA.

Based on a proposed cutoff of 7.1 kPa, only 4 out of 173 patients with RA were classified as having significant liver fibrosis (kPa values range 7.1-7.6). All 4 of these patients were in the MTX-treated RA group. However, these patients did not have liver function abnormalities or clinical signs of hepatic failure.

One study limitation is the lack of histological confirmation of hepatic fibrosis, which researchers note would have been difficult to justify from an ethical point of view. Additional limitations include the possibility of selection bias and the cross-sectional nature of the study design.

Significant liver fibrosis and liver stiffness in RA patients appear to be independent of MTX use, the researchers concluded. [The] 2D.SWE.SSI technique could be a promising tool to assess the severity of and to follow-up liver stiffness in RA patients and other chronic inflammatory conditions under MTX treatment.

Reference

Erre GL, Cadoni ML, Meloni P, et al. Methotrexate therapy is not associated with increased liver stiffness and significant liver fibrosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional controlled study with real-time two-dimensional shear wave elastography [published online August 29, 2019]. Eur J Intern Med. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2019.08.022

The rest is here:
Liver Fibrosis, Stiffness Rates in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Methotrexate Therapy - Rheumatology Advisor

Claire King, 57, has played the role of Kim Tate in ITVs Emmerdale since 1989. The actress has been open about her almost 30-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes painful joints, as well as stiffness and swelling. The condition is something her mother Angela also has. Speaking to Mail Online in 2017, Claire revealed: I was shocked and devastated when I was diagnosed with arthritis at 30. You presume it's an older person's disease. Nowadays, I have had to give up bombing round on a race horse at 40 miles an hour but I still go for a hack. It doesnt hold me back, its manageable. Youve just got to get on with it.

The former Coronation Street star has feared the painful, chronic disease would leave her wheelchair-bound when she was first diagnosed.

The actress was told about her condition after going to the doctors with throbbing and painful fingers.

A blood test later revealed and confirmed her condition of rheumatoid arthritis

But thankfully with exercise, supplements and eating healthy, Claire has managed to keep the symptoms minimal and manageable.

Claire revealed that she is taking natural treatments and supplements thanks to her brothers recommendation.

She revealed she takes omega 3 which is a supplement that has demonstrated its ability to improve symptoms in a number of studies.

Claire who said she finds the winter months harder in terms of pain was put on hydroxychloroquine sulphate to suppress her immune system at 38 as well as meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory.

She also takes B vitamins, including vitamin B12, as it reduces homocysteine, an amino acid found in high levels in people with rheumatoid arthritis which increases pain and inflammation.

When it comes to eating for her condition, Claire said: Its must common sense, I eat healthy stuff, as unprocessed as possible.

"Keeping your weight in check is important when you have arthritis. I make sure I get enough iron, so plenty of spinach and green veg.

"There is a link between anaemia, low red blood cell levels, and rheumatoid arthritis.

"Iron helps prevent this by helping produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Exercising is also crucial for arthritis as it helps ease pain and stiffness.

It also increases the strength and flexibility, reducing joint pain and helping to combat fatigue.

I love walking, I live in the Dales so I'm out hiking every weekend.

"I'm lucky enough to have a second home in Spain with a pool so when I'm there I'm swimming every day.

"I do some stretching without fail every morning too which sets me up to feel better for the rest of the day.

"Exercise helps keep the joints mobile and just doing a little of what you can manage and what you enjoy can make a difference long-term, added Claire.

Link:
Claire King health: Emmerdale star's diagnosis I was shocked and devastated' - Express

Everyone, from family members to strangers on the subway, knows that I love to crochet. Its rare to find me without my lightweight, ergonomic hooks and a ball of yarn. This year, I completed seven shawls, four scarves, two purses, and one big blanket. I hope to finish more projects in time for Christmas.

For me, crocheting and other forms of art are much more than merely a way to pass the time. Theyve improved my quality of life since I grew up with juvenile arthritis (JA). Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I spent hours drawing or crafting while lying on the couch. My art served as both distraction therapy and a way to keep busy when I wasnt well enough to go out to play with friends.

Reflecting on my dedication to my crafts over the years, I realize its been more than a physical coping method. My hobbies also help me to deal with the emotional burden of JA. Engaging in activities that I enjoy offers me hope, benefits my mental health, and gives me an identity apart from my disease.

Hope is a powerful thing that can inspire us to work hard to achieve a goal and to maintain a positive outlook during dark times.

Ive had flares that knocked me down for days or weeks at a time. I may not have been up to crafting then, but my next project was never far from my thoughts. I would scroll through Pinterest, longing to follow the tutorials that appeared in my feed. Looking at boards full of new projects made me eager to recover. I found it easier to stick to medication and physical therapy routines when I had something to look forward to.

As I recovered from flares, I often pushed myself to work on my projects. I would start slowly, with 15-minute stretches, before building up to longer sessions. Spending time crafting and drawing helped to keep my spirits up and was probably good physical therapy, too.

Id be lying if I told you that Ive never struggled with depression. I had some dark times, particularly in my teens. Living with chronic pain made me feel isolated from others, and my usual activities, including art, became unappealing to me.

I didnt start feeling better until things changed in my life, including the introduction of a new medication regimen and counseling. I also credit my improved mental health to taking art classes. Learning how to draw improved my self-esteem, gave me confidence, and brought joy into my life. The first drawings in my sketchbook were somber, black-and-white portraits. But by the time I graduated from the course, my portfolio was filled with colorful paintings of fluffy animals, babies, and musicians. I also made a lifelong friend through the class.

Of course, hobbies are nota cure for depression or anxiety. No amount of wreath-making or crocheting can take away negative feelings. But yarn crafts, painting, and other forms of self-expression are used by therapists to help those suffering from mental health problems.

Juvenile-onset arthritis has affected me every day since childhood. While Ive learned to cope with chronic pain, the disease still affects many aspects of my daily life. Some days, its hard for me to remember that having arthritis is not who I am its just something I have.

My blog and social media accounts may be titled, The Girl with Arthritis, but Im glad that the people in my life dont call me that. My family and friends call me the artist. More recently, Ive been the girl who crochets pretty shawls and the baker. Taking pride in my favorite activities and sharing them with others have helped me to create an identity separate from JA.

Parents: Encourage your child to pursue an activity they show interest in. I genuinely believe that anyone with a chronic disease can benefit from participating in a hobby they love. While crafting happens to be my favorite thing to do, the possibilities are endless.

My friends write stories and poetry, learn computer coding, make music, scrapbook, create comics, and even play the board game Dungeons & Dragons. Find something that brings joy to your life and adapt it to suit your needs. Your child might find a supportive community through classes or clubs. Youll never know until you encourage them to follow their passions.

***

Note: Juvenile Arthritis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Juvenile Arthritis News, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to juvenile arthritis.

Elizabeth Medeiros is a young adult who has dealt with juvenile arthritis since she was a small child. However, her pain hasnt stopped her from working on a product design degree in Boston. Her passion is to create products that make life easier for the chronically ill, such as shoes and walking canes. When shes not in class, Elizabeth enjoys writing about how shes coped with arthritis at such a young age. You can find more of her writings at ArthritisGirl.Blogspot.com and on Instagram @GirlWithArthritis.

The rest is here:
Hobbies Help Me Cope with the Mental Challenges of Juvenile Arthritis - Juvenile Arthritis News

Justin Furman can no longer go for long walks along the beach.

The 30-year-old Toronto man says that during his honeymoon in Zanzibar this past summer, even something as simple as walking would hurt his knees.

Ive been dealing with [the pain] for a decade now. My wife is used to [and] sympathetic to the issue at this point, he told Global News. Its frustrating.

READ MORE: A quiet epidemic Why so many Canadians experience knee pain

Furman, like many Canadians, deals with joint pain, a problem he said started after a series of football injuries years prior.

I played until I tore my hamstring about three-quarters of the way, he continued. Now the pain is predominantly in my right knee It just feels unstable.

David Wilson, professor of orthopedics and co-director of the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, tells Global News the two common causes of joint pain are injury and arthritis.

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The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which involves degeneration of the joint tissues like cartilage and bone, he explained. People are at higher risk of osteoarthritis if they have injured their joints, are overweight, or have an occupation that puts a lot of repetitive load on the joint.

About six million Canadians have arthritis thats one in every five people and nearly 60 per cent of people with arthritis are women, according to the Arthritis Society.

The prevalence of arthritis is on the rise by 2040, 50 per cent more people will have arthritis, the organization says. People with arthritis are more likely to experience anxiety, mood disorders, poor mental health, and difficulty sleeping, compared to those without arthritis.

Arthritis can be tricky because it can be hard for some to recognize when normal aches and pains of older joints turn into osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a slow-moving disease, Wilson explained. In the hip, in particular, the symptoms can come and go as well.

Many people are surprised to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis, especially if they are in their 30s or 40s, he noted.

However, there are more and more cases of osteoarthritis in these younger age groups, he said. A diagnosis of osteoarthritis can make a young person feel old, but it is the first step to coming up with a plan for managing or treating joint pain caused by this disease.

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Anna Weigt-Bienzle of Toronto was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 22.

She tells Global News almost all of her joints were impacted.

Its also a symmetrical disease, so if my right wrist joint is hurting, the left is likely to be affected as well.

Some days its debilitating and others I hardly notice it. Mornings can be challenging since thats when I tend to experience the most stiffness in my joints, so I try to wake up a littler earlier to give my body extra time.

And when you have a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, so much of your everyday life begins to change.

Having to go to work for the first time with my cane at 26 was a definite hit to my pride, she continued.

Ive had a flare-up on a date where my TMJ [the joint that connects the jaw to the skull] was inflamed and I could hardly open my mouth, which made eating nearly impossible, not to mention an end-of-night kiss.

Another time, Weigt-Bienzle had a flare-up in her knee during a party in an apartment without an elevator. A friend had to carry her down the stairs.

She says coming to a proper diagnosis took two years.

I was bounced around between several doctors and given various diagnoses, including lupus, Parkinsons and MS before they were able to figure out it was rheumatoid arthritis.

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Besides taking medication, she also practises yoga three times a week to manage the pain.

I make sure to walk frequently and utilize my standing desk intermittently at work, she explained. With joint pain it can be challenging to move at times, but the longer you stay still, the worse it is.

Wilson says as soon as you feel any type of pain, talk to your family doctor.

They are best equipped to assess the cause of pain, understand your specific health situation and where joint pain fits in, and recommend how to manage it, he said. If the pain is from osteoarthritis, there are effective treatment options, including physical therapy, weight loss, medication and joint replacement.

Furman says he went to see a doctor as soon the pain started. He had several MRIs and was told he had a torn meniscus.

I was instructed to deal with the pain as long as I could.

In the meantime, he manages his pain with off-the-counter drugs like Advil and Robaxacet.

Generally, just have to give the knees a rest every so often, he said.

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READ MORE: It was like getting my life back New knee replacement protocol helps patients go home sooner

Before you take any type of medication, Wilson says talk to your doctor first.

If you have osteoarthritis, you will likely have to manage it for years, and a doctor should be part of all decisions on long-term use of any medication, he said.

Some prescription medications are designed to reduce the side-effects that become a concern with long-term use of pain medication.

He adds that people can also discuss natural remedies and supplements with their doctors. Many of the claims made for them are optimistic and unsubstantiated by solid research.

Exercise can also be helpful.

READ MORE: How arthritis sufferers can reduce inflammation through food

There is a structured osteoarthritis education and exercise program that has been rolled out in five provinces called GLA:D, Wilson said.

GLA:D has been shown, he adds, to reduce pain and increase physical activity.

Best of all, exercise doesnt have the risks of medication and surgery.

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2019 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Excerpt from:
Some days its debilitating: When joint pain takes over your life - Global News

OBJECTIVE:

To define the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults with a history ofjuvenile arthritis(JA) METHODS: We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination 2007-2014 Surveys. Two comparison groups were identified: 1) random sample withoutarthritis, and 2) respondents with reported rheumatoidarthritis(RA). Coronary artery disease was defined as yes to survey questions: Have you ever been told you had congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina/angina pectoris, heart attack, or stroke? Potential confounders for CAD included age, gender, race, smoking status, and any component of metabolic syndrome.

There were 232 respondents who reported JA; 1,028 randomly selected withoutarthritis; and 1,105 who reported RA. In simple logistic regression, the JA group had a three -fold increased odds of CAD compared to those withoutarthritis(odds ratio (OR): 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-4.8, p<0.0001). Controlling for confounders, the odds of CAD in JA continued to be increased (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 4.7-10.5, p=0.002). When comparing the JA and RA groups, in simple logistic regression, the JA group had a lower odds of CAD (OR 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9, p=0.03). Controlling for confounders, there was no significant difference in odds of CAD between groups (OR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.5-1.3, p=0.4).

Adults with a history of JA have a higher risk of CAD compared to adults withoutarthritis. Providers should be aware of the increased risk of CAD in adults withjuvenile arthritisand aggressively screen these patients for modifiable risk factors.

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Coronary Artery Disease in Adults with History of Juvenile Arthritis - DocWire News

In AML, the role of ecotropic virus integration site-1 (EVI1) expression is debated. To date, results of studies have been mixed with only some studies demonstrating EVI1 expression related to poorer survival. In a meta-analysis published in the Annals of Hematology, researchers set out to uncover the predictive capability of this marker.

As a malignant disorder in hematology usually with a poor prognosis, AML needs an accurate prediction of prognosis to indicate protocoling the appropriate therapy regimens for patients hoping for survival improvement, wrote authors, led by Xia Wu, Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan Province. Molecular markers increasingly play an utmost significant role in the diagnosis and risk stratification of AML.

In the current meta-analysis, Wu et al. mined 11 studies for 4767 AML patients with intermediate cytogenetic risk (ICR), according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), International System for Human Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN), or European leukemia network (ELN) guidance. The findings indicated that EVI1 expression negatively impacted OS (HR = 1.73, 95%CI 1.432.11) and event=free survival or EFS (HR = 1.17, 95%CI 1.051.31). Furthermore, EVI1 was a negative predictor of prognosis in patients with normal cytogenetics (NC) and younger patients (< 60 years).

Importantly, the investigators noted that due to location, altered EVI1 most often accompanies 3q26 rearrangements. However, it remains to be elucidated whether increased EVI1 expression is related to AML outcomes in those without 3q mutations. On a related note, higher levels of EVI1 may affect AML subgroups differently, which, according to the authors, is of utmost significance for clinical physicians.

In other findings, EVI1H expression was rarely found with NPM1, FLT3-ITD and DNMT3A mutations. Wu et al point to these mutations and mutations as avenues of further research.EVI1 is a transcription factor on chromosome 3. It was first discovered two decades ago in murine models. It has stem cell specific expression patterns and mediates growth of hematopoietic stem cells, and plays a role in AML, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and CML.

The investigators suggested that the findings of the current study could assist clinicians with risk stratification and treatment decisionsespecially because most patients are NC.

EVI1, which also goes by MECOM, encodes a 145 kDa-unique zinc finger that attaches with DNA. This transcription factor is hypothesized to interfere with granulocyte and erythroid cell differentiation, as well as promotion of megakaryocyte breakdown, to aid with the differentiation and proliferation of hematopoetic stem cells.Several drug targets for EVI1 have been suggested such those involved in leukemogenesis and stem cell maintenance. Examples include the transcription factor Pre-B Cell leukemia Homeobox 1 (PBX1) and Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN), which is a tumor suppressor gene. However, none of these targets have proven related to EVI1-deregulated AML.

Per the authors the current study had several limitations. First, most studies in the meta-analysis were observational and not randomized-controlled trials. Second, the sample contained cases of therapy-related AML and secondary AML, which have a worse prognosis and could thus confound results. Third, limited OS data precluded the ability to study AML patients without 3q alterations. Fourth, the studies were highly heterogeneous in a clinical sense.

Reference

Wu X et al. Prognostic significance of the EVI1 gene expression in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: a meta-analysis. Annals of Hematology. 2019 Sep 3. doi: 10.1007/s00277-019-03774-z.

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The Prognostic Importance of EVI1 Expression - Cancer Network

Findings further validate Cell Pouch and therapeutic cell performance in Type-1 diabetes

LONDON, ONTARIO October 16, 2019 Sernova Corp. (TSX-V:SVA)(OTCQB:SEOVF)(FSE:PSH), a clinical- stage regenerative medicine company, is pleased to announce the detection of enduring levels of C-peptide (measured up to 30 days and ongoing), a biomarker of transplanted beta cell insulin production, in the bloodstream of a fasting patient in its ongoing Phase I/II Cell Pouch(TM) US clinical study of type-1 diabetes. The detection of fasting C-peptide in the bloodstream of our first patient, in addition to Sernovas recent announcement of glucose-stimulated C-peptide and other early efficacy indicators, demonstrate a normalizing response of the Cell Pouch therapeutic cells to the bodys varied need for insulin production. This is an important step forward and evidence of ongoing islet engraftment within the Cell Pouch.

Along with the preliminary safety and early indicators of efficacy, I am excited that we are observing C-peptide levels in the patients bloodstream after recent transplant, not only following stimulation with a meal but also when the patient is fasting. These findings represent progress in clinical outcomes and evidence of enduring islet survival and function within Sernovas Cell Pouch, said Dr. Piotr Witkowski, Director of Pancreatic, and Islet Transplant Program at the University of Chicago and study principal investigator. We look forward to reporting ongoing results in additional patients as the trial progresses.

The entry criteria of Sernovas clinical study require patients to be C-peptide negative upon enrolment. C- peptide measured in the bloodstream is a biomarker of insulin and is widely used as a measure of insulin production by islet cells. C-peptide is typically measured following overnight fasting (fasting C-peptide) and during a glucose tolerance test (glucose-stimulated C-peptide). Together these measures provide an index of the patients ability to control blood glucose through their production of insulin.

With the goal of improved blood glucose control and stabilization of fluctuating blood sugar levels commonly experienced in people with type-1 diabetes, a normalizing response can also decrease the likelihood of life threatening hypoglycemic unaware events, a key efficacy measure in the Sernova trial.

Sernovas clinical trial is continuing active recruitment and enrollment of study participants and further results will continue to be reported as the study progresses.

ABOUT SERNOVAS CLINICAL TRIAL

Sernova is conducting a Phase I/II non-randomized, unblinded, single arm, company-sponsored trial, to assess the safety and tolerability of islet transplantation into the companys patented Cell Pouch in participants with diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness. The secondary objective is to assess efficacy through a series of defined measures. Importantly, patients enrolled in Sernovas clinical trial are incapable of producing C- peptide prior to implantation of Sernovas Cell Pouch and therapeutic cells.

Eligible subjects are implanted with Cell Pouches. Following development of vascularized tissue chambers within the Cell Pouch, subjects are then stabilized on immunosuppression and a dose of purified islets, under strict release criteria, transplanted into the Cell Pouch.

A sentinel pouch is removed for an early assessment of the islet transplant. Subjects are followed for additional safety and efficacy measures for approximately six months. At this point, a decision is made with regards to the transplant of a second islet dose with subsequent safety and efficacy follow up. Patients will be then further followed for one year to assess longer-term safety and efficacy.

For more information on this clinical trial, please visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03513939. For more information on enrollment and recruitment details please visit http://www.pwitkowski.org/sernova.

ABOUT SERNOVAS CELL POUCH

The Cell Pouch is a novel, proprietary, scalable, implantable macro-encapsulation device designed for the long- term survival and function of therapeutic cells. The device is designed to incorporate with tissue, forming highly vascularized tissue chambers for the transplantation and function of therapeutic cells which then release proteins and hormones as required to treat disease. The device along with therapeutic cells has been shown to provide long-term safety and efficacy in small and large animal models of diabetes and has been proven to provide a biologically compatible environment for insulin-producing cells in humans.

ABOUT SERNOVA CORP.

Sernova Corp is developing regenerative medicine therapeutic technologies using a medical device and immune protected therapeutic cells (i.e., human donor cells, corrected human cells and stem-cell derived cells) to improve the treatment and quality of life of people with chronic metabolic diseases such as insulin- dependent diabetes, blood disorders including hemophilia, and other diseases treated through replacement of proteins or hormones missing or in short supply within the body. For more information, please visit http://www.sernova.com

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Sernova Confirms Enduring Levels of Fasting C-Peptide in Bloodstream of First Patient in its Phase I/II Clinical Trial for Type-1 Diabetes - BioSpace

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2019) - Sernova Corp. (TSXV: SVA) (OTCQB: SEOVF) (FSE: PSH), a clinical stage regenerative medicine company, has reported findings that further validate Cell Pouch and therapeutic cell performance in Type-1 diabetes. The Cell Pouch is a novel implantable device, that is transplanted with therapeutic cells such as insulin producing islets.

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The device is designed to incorporate with tissue, forming highly vascularized tissue chambers for the transplantation and function of therapeutic cells which then release proteins and hormones as required to treat disease. The Cell Pouch, along with therapeutic cells, has been shown to provide long-term safety and efficacy in small and large animal models of diabetes and has been proven to provide a biologically compatible environment for insulin-producing cells in humans.

Sernova reported the detection of enduring levels of C-peptide, measured up to 30 days and ongoing, in the bloodstream of a fasting patient in its ongoing Phase I/II Cell Pouch US clinical study of type-1 diabetes. This is an important step forward and evidence of ongoing islet engraftment within the Cell Pouch, as patients enrolled in Sernova's clinical trial have been incapable of producing C-peptide, prior to implantation of Sernova's Cell Pouch and therapeutic cells.

Dr. Piotr Witkowski, Director of Pancreatic, and Islet Transplant Program at the University of Chicago and study principal investigator, stated: "Along with the preliminary safety and early indicators of efficacy, I am excited that we are observing C-peptide levels in the patient's bloodstream after recent transplant, not only following stimulation with a meal but also when the patient is fasting. These findings represent progress in clinical outcomes and evidence of enduring islet survival and function within Sernova's Cell Pouch. We look forward to reporting ongoing results in additional patients as the trial progresses."

The entry criteria of Sernova's clinical study require patients to be C-peptide negative upon enrolment. C-peptide, a biomarker of insulin and widely used as a measure of insulin production by islet cells, is typically measured following overnight fasting and during a glucose tolerance test. Together these measures provide an index of the patient's ability to control blood glucose through their production of insulin.

With the goal of improved blood glucose control and stabilization of fluctuating blood sugar levels commonly experienced in people with type-1 diabetes, a normalizing response can also decrease the likelihood of life threatening hypoglycemic unaware events, a key efficacy measure in the Sernova trial.

Sernova's clinical trial is continuing active recruitment and enrollment of study participants and further results will continue to be reported as the study progresses.

For more information on this clinical trial, please visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03513939. For more information on enrollment and recruitment details please visit http://www.pwitkowski.org/sernova.

Sernova Corp is developing regenerative medicine therapeutic technologies using a medical device and immune protected therapeutic cells, such as human donor cells, corrected human cells and stem-cell derived cells, to improve the treatment and quality of life of people with chronic metabolic diseases. These diseases include insulin-dependent diabetes, blood disorders including hemophilia, and other diseases treated through replacement of proteins or hormones missing or in short supply within the body.

For more information, please visit the company's website http://www.sernova.com, contact Dominic Gray, Corporate Communications, at 519-858-5126 or email dominic.gray@sernova.com.

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InvestmentPitch Media Video Discusses Sernova Corp's Further Validation of Cell Pouch and Therapeutic Cell Performance in Type-1 Diabetes - Video...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Magenta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MGTA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel medicines to bring the curative power of stem cell transplant to more patients, today announced the appointment of Jan Pinkas, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President, Translational Sciences. The Company also announced that Mike Cooke, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, will leave Magenta to pursue other opportunities.

We have made tremendous progress at Magenta, with two clinical programs in multiple trials and with our targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for patient preparation advancing toward the clinic, said Jason Gardner, D. Phil., Chief Executive Officer and President, Magenta. Jan is an expert drug developer who will provide critical translational input and help us accelerate the advancement of our programs as we work to make cures possible for more patients.

Magenta is uniquely positioned as the only company taking a comprehensive approach to unlocking the power of stem cell transplant medicine, said Dr. Pinkas. I am very excited to be part of the team that is building and expanding upon this foundational and innovative work to bring potentially transformative therapies to patients.

Dr. Pinkas is a seasoned scientist with deep expertise in leading drug development programs, specifically ADCs. Prior to joining Magenta, he was Head of Translational Research & Development at Immunogen, where he led nonclinical and translational research and development-related activities for all programs in discovery through late-stage clinical development. Dr. Pinkas earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Johns Hopkins University and his doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

As Magenta has evolved into a clinical-stage company with a robust pipeline of preclinical assets, Mike has made tremendous contributions. He has built a world-class research organization and advanced our pipeline. Mike and I agreed that now, with a well-established Magenta research platform that is generating strong conditioning ADCs, validated targets, and discovery biology, it is the right time for Mike to explore other opportunities. We wish him well in his new adventure and will always be grateful for his scientific contributions, added Dr. Gardner.

I am very proud of Magentas rapid progress since our launch three years ago, and I am particularly proud of the cutting-edge scientific work that has come from our platform, said Dr. Cooke. I am confident that the scientific groundwork we have laid will help ensure that Magenta achieves its vision to transform the lives of many patients.

About Magenta TherapeuticsHeadquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Magenta Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel medicines for patients with autoimmune diseases, blood cancers and genetic diseases. By creating a platform focused on critical areas of unmet need, Magenta Therapeutics is pioneering an integrated approach to allow more patients to receive one-time, curative therapies by making the process more effective, safer and easier.

Forward-Looking StatementThis press release may contain forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. The use of words such as may, will, could, should, expects, intends, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, projects, seeks, endeavor, potential, continue or the negative of such words or other similar expressions can be used to identify forward-looking statements. The express or implied forward-looking statements included in this press release are only predictions and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation risks set forth under the caption Risk Factors in Magentas Registration Statement on Form S-1, as updated by Magentas most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although Magenta believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, except as required by law, neither Magenta nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements included in this press release. Any forward-looking statement included in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Magenta Therapeutics Appoints Jan Pinkas as Senior Vice President, Head of Translational Sciences and Announces Transition of Chief Scientific Officer...

Mediating systemic health

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is an important circulating lipid mediator that is derived from the metabolism of cell membranes. Its diverse homeostatic roles, particularly in immunology and vascular biology, can go awry in numerous diseases, including multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and fibrosis. The centrality of S1P signaling has led to the development of several drugs, including two approved for treatment of multiple sclerosis. In a Review, Cartier and Hla discuss the current understanding of how one mediator can carry out so many signaling roles in different tissues, how these become dysregulated in disease, and efforts in drug development to target S1P signaling.

Science, this issue p. eaar5551

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a product of membrane sphingolipid metabolism, is secreted and acts through G proteincoupled S1P receptors (S1PRs) in vertebrates. S1PR isoforms mediate complex cellular actions either alone or in combination in most organ systems. This stable lysolipid circulates as a complex with protein chaperones that not only enables aqueous solubility but also helps facilitate specific modes of receptor signaling. However, differential concentration gradients of S1P are normally present in various compartments and are perturbed under disease conditions. The abundance of circulatory S1P and the high expression of S1PRs in exposed cellsthat is, vascular and hematopoietic cellsposes a key question of how this signaling axis is regulated. This question is of clinical relevance because the first S1PR-targeted drug, fingolimod, has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis since 2010. Recent findings from basic research as well as insights gleaned from clinical and translational studies have enriched our understanding of how this simple lysolipid evolved as a complex regulator of multiple physiological systems and, when dysregulated, contributes to numerous diseases.

Extracellular spatial gradients of S1P, demonstrated by using S1P reporters, are tightly regulated and control fundamental processes such as hematopoietic cell trafficking, immune cell fate, and vascular integrity. The gradients are formed through location-specific function of metabolic enzymes, S1P transporters, and chaperones. Such physiological S1P gradients are altered in diseases, thus contributing to conditions such as inflammation, autoimmunity, and vascular dysfunction. S1P complexed to chaperone proteinsfor example, high-density lipoproteinbound apolipoprotein Mmediate distinct modes of receptor activation, resulting in biased receptor signaling and specific biological outcomes. S1PRs are also regulated tightly through endocytic mechanisms and receptor modulators that enhance or inhibit signal strength and duration. Various signaling mechanisms of this simple lysolipid mediator has helped reveal its multiple actions in the immune system, which include adaptive immune cell localization in various compartments (egress versus retention), fate switching, survival, and activation that influences both cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In the cardiovascular system, high expression of multiple S1PR isoforms in various cell types regulate development, homeostasis, and physiology. Current S1PR-targeted drugs that aim to tame autoimmunity exhibit considerable cardiovascular-adverse events. In the central nervous system (CNS), widespread application of S1PR-targeted drugs in autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases has stimulated research that revealed the broad but poorly understood effects of S1P signaling in neurodevelopment, the neurovascular unit, neurons, and glia. Furthermore, in addition to the involvement of pathological S1P signaling in acute ischemic conditions of various organs, chronic dysregulated S1P signaling has been implicated in fibrotic diseases of lung, heart, liver, and kidney.

Considerable challenges remain to fully harness the new knowledge in S1P pathobiology to translational utility in clinical medicine. Approaches that mimic S1P chaperones, S1P neutralizing agents, modulation of transporters, biased agonists and antagonists of S1PR isotypes, and sphingolipid metabolic enzyme modulators provide viable pathways to therapy. Focusing on the immune system, such approaches may widen the autoimmunity therapeutic landscape and provide new directions in cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. For cardiovascular diseases, ischemic conditions as well as chronic heart failure are likely candidates for future translational efforts. Although further work is needed, S1P-targeted approaches may also be useful in regenerative therapies for the aging and diseased myocardium. The CNS-targeted efforts may cross into neurodegenerative diseases, given the success with S1PR-targeted drugs in reducing brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis. Other potential applications include approaches in pain management and neurodevelopmental disorders. Such strategies, although challenging, are greatly helped by findings from basic research on S1P pathobiology as well as pharmacological and clinical insights derived from the application of S1P-targeted therapeutics.

Extracellular S1P gradients created by transporters, chaperones (ApoM+HDL), and metabolic enzymes (LPP3) interact with S1PRs on the cell surface. Receptor activity, transmitted by means of G proteins, is regulated by multiple mechanisms, including -arrestin coupling, endocytosis, and receptor modulators. The resultant cellular changes influence multiple organ systems in physiology and disease.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a metabolic product of cell membrane sphingolipids, is bound to extracellular chaperones, is enriched in circulatory fluids, and binds to G proteincoupled S1P receptors (S1PRs) to regulate embryonic development, postnatal organ function, and disease. S1PRs regulate essential processes such as adaptive immune cell trafficking, vascular development, and homeostasis. Moreover, S1PR signaling is a driver of multiple diseases. The past decade has witnessed an exponential growth in this field, in part because of multidisciplinary research focused on this lipid mediator and the application of S1PR-targeted drugs in clinical medicine. This has revealed fundamental principles of lysophospholipid mediator signaling that not only clarify the complex and wide ranging actions of S1P but also guide the development of therapeutics and translational directions in immunological, cardiovascular, neurological, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases.

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Sphingosine 1-phosphate: Lipid signaling in pathology and therapy - Science Magazine

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKT) (Rocket), a leading U.S.-based multi-platform gene therapy company, today announces data presentations at the upcoming European Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ESGCT) 27th Annual Congress taking place October 2225, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain. Presentations at this years meeting include four oral presentations and one poster presentation related to Rockets lentiviral pipeline programs for Fanconi Anemia (FA), Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD), Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD), and Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO).

Details for Rockets oral and poster presentations are as follows:Title: Towards Haematopoietic Stem Cell-Targeted Gene Therapy of Infantile Malignant OsteopetrosisSession Title: Skeletal Muscle & Bone Gene TherapySession Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019Session Time: 5:30 PM 7:30 PM CESTRoom: 116-117

Title: Gene Therapy for Patients with Fanconi AnaemiaSession Title: Gene Therapy Clinical Trials IISession Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019Session Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM CESTRoom: 113-117

Title: First Steps of a Lentiviral Gene Therapy Clinical Trial for Pyruvate Kinase DeficiencySession Title: Blood DiseasesSession Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019Session Time: 2:45 PM - 4:45 PM CESTRoom: 211

Title: Broad Applicability of NHEJ-Mediated Gene Editing to Correct Mutations in a Variety of Fanconi Anaemia GenesSession Title: New Approaches in Gene EditingSession Date: Friday, October 25, 2019Session Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CESTRoom: 113-115

Title: Stable Transduction of Long-Term HSCs Under Optimized GMP-Conditions for the Gene Therapy of LAD-I PatientsSession Title: Poster Session IISession Date: Thursday, October 24, 2019Session Time: 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM CESTPoster Number: P228

Full results from the ESGCT presentations will be available online at the conclusion of the presentation: https://www.rocketpharma.com/esgct-presentations/

About Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKT) (Rocket) is an emerging, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class gene therapy treatment options for rare, devastating diseases. Rockets multi-platform development approach applies the well-established lentiviral vector (LVV) and adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) gene therapy platforms. Rocket's first two clinical programs using LVV-based gene therapy are for the treatment of Fanconi Anemia (FA), a difficult to treat genetic disease that leads to bone marrow failure and potentially cancer, and Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I), a severe pediatric genetic disorder that causes recurrent and life-threatening infections which are frequently fatal. Rockets first clinical program using AAV-based gene therapy is for Danon disease, a devastating, pediatric heart failure condition. Rockets pre-clinical pipeline programs for bone marrow-derived disorders are for Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) and Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO). For more information about Rocket, please visit http://www.rocketpharma.com.

Rocket Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsVarious statements in this release concerning Rocket's future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, Rocket's expectations regarding the safety, effectiveness and timing of product candidates that Rocket may develop, to treat Fanconi Anemia (FA), Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I), Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD), Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO) and Danon disease, and the safety, effectiveness and timing of related pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, may constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should not place reliance on these forward-looking statements, which often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "will give," "estimate," "seek," "will," "may," "suggest" or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of those terms. Although Rocket believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Rocket cannot guarantee such outcomes. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, without limitation, Rocket's ability to successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of such products and pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, its gene therapy programs, the pre-clinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not support further development and marketing approval, the potential advantages of Rocket's product candidates, actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of its product candidates, Rocket's and its licensors ability to obtain, maintain and protect its and their respective intellectual property, the timing, cost or other aspects of a potential commercial launch of Rocket's product candidates, Rocket's ability to manage operating expenses, Rocket's ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and new business initiatives, Rocket's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales and distribution of product candidates, the outcome of litigation, and unexpected expenditures, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Rocket's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All such statements speak only as of the date made, and Rocket undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Rocket Pharmaceuticals Announces Upcoming Presentations at the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Congress - Business Wire

As Biotechnology businesses, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SPPI) and Provention Bio Inc. (NASDAQ:PRVB), are affected by compare. This especially applies to their profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings and valuation.

Valuation and Earnings

Table 1 highlights Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Provention Bio Inc.s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Profitability

Table 2 provides us Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Provention Bio Inc.s return on equity, net margins and return on assets.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Provention Bio Inc. has shares held by institutional investors as follows: 75.6% and 6.3%. Insiders held 1.3% of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. shares. On the other hand, insiders held about 7.2% of Provention Bio Inc.s shares.

Performance

Here are the Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Half Yearly, Yearly and YTD Performance of both pretenders.

For the past year Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. had bearish trend while Provention Bio Inc. had bullish trend.

Summary

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. beats Provention Bio Inc. on 5 of the 9 factors.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops and commercializes oncology and hematology drug products. The company markets six drug products, including FUSILEV for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and rescue after high-dose methotrexate therapy in osteosarcoma, and to diminish toxicity and counteract the effects of impaired methotrexate elimination and of inadvertent overdosage of folic acid antagonists; FOLOTYN, a folate analogue metabolic inhibitor to treat patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL; ZEVALIN injection for patients with follicular non-Hodgkins lymphoma; MARQIBO, a sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposome-encapsulated formulation for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia; BELEODAQ injection for patients with relapsed or refractory PTCL; and EVOMELA for use as a conditioning treatment prior to autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma patients. It is also developing ROLONTIS for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia; QAPZOLA for intravesical instillation in post-transurethral resection of bladder tumors in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; and POZIOTINIB for treating breast and lung cancer. The company sells its drugs through a direct sales force in the United States; and through distributors in Europe. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has licensing and development agreement with Cell Therapeutics, Inc.; license agreement with Merck & Cie AG, Sloan-Kettering Institute, and Cydex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; development and commercialization collaboration agreement with Allergan, Inc.; collaboration agreement with Nippon Kayaku Co., LTD.; licensing and collaboration agreement with Onxeo DK; and co-development and commercialization agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Company. The company was formerly known as NeoTherapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2002. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada.

Provention Bio, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics and cutting-edge solutions to intercept and prevent immune-mediated diseases. Its products candidates include PRV-031 teplizumab and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that is in Phase III clinical trial for the interception of type one diabetes (T1D); PRV-6527, oral CSF-1R inhibitor, which is in Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of Crohn's disease; PRV-300, anti-TLR3 mAb, which is in Phase 1b clinical trial for the treatment of ulcerative colitis; PRV-3279 for the treatment of lupus; and PRV-101, a multivalent coxsackie virus vaccine for the prevention of acute Coxsackie Virus B Vaccine and the prevention of the onset of T1D. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Oldwick, New Jersey.

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Comparing of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SPPI) and Provention Bio Inc. (NASDAQ:PRVB) - MS Wkly

As Biotechnology businesses, Trillium Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIL) and Cidara Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTX), are affected by compare. This especially applies to their risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, earnings and valuation, institutional ownership.

Valuation and Earnings

In table 1 we can see Trillium Therapeutics Inc. and Cidara Therapeutics Inc.s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Profitability

Table 2 has Trillium Therapeutics Inc. and Cidara Therapeutics Inc.s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Institutional investors held 40.67% of Trillium Therapeutics Inc. shares and 69.6% of Cidara Therapeutics Inc. shares. Insiders held 0.26% of Trillium Therapeutics Inc. shares. Insiders Comparatively, held 1.5% of Cidara Therapeutics Inc. shares.

Performance

Here are the Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Half Yearly, Yearly and YTD Performance of both pretenders.

For the past year Trillium Therapeutics Inc.s stock price has bigger decline than Cidara Therapeutics Inc.

Summary

On 6 of the 9 factors Trillium Therapeutics Inc. beats Cidara Therapeutics Inc.

Trillium Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, develops therapies for the treatment of cancer. The companys lead program is TTI-621, a SIRPaFc fusion protein that acts a soluble decoy receptor preventing CD47 from delivering its inhibitory signal, which is in Phase I clinical trial for advanced hematologic malignancies and solid tumors therapy. Its product candidates also include TTI-622, an IgG4 SIRPaFc protein for combination therapy; bromodomain inhibitor; and epidermal growth factor receptor antagonist, which are in preclinical development stage, as well as undisclosed immuno-oncology targets that are in the discovery Phase. The company was formerly known as Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. and changed its name to Trillium Therapeutics Inc. in June 2014. Trillium Therapeutics Inc. was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada.

Cidara Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel anti-infectives for the treatment of various diseases. Its lead product candidate is CD101 IV, a novel molecule in the echinocandin class of antifungals for the treatment and prevention of serious, invasive fungal infections. The company also develops CD201, a novel bispecific antimicrobial immunotherapy for the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections, including those caused by pathogens harboring the mcr-1 plasmid. In addition, it develops a proprietary immunotherapy technology platform Cloudbreak, which is designed to create compounds that direct immune system to attack and eliminate bacterial, fungal or viral pathogens. The company was formerly known as K2 Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. in June 2014. Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2012 and is based in San Diego, California.

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Comparing of Trillium Therapeutics Inc. (TRIL) and Cidara Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:CDTX) - MS Wkly

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Technavio has been monitoring the global diabetic neuropathy drugs market since 2016 and the market is poised to grow by USD 866.72 million during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of about 6% during the forecast period. Request Free Sample Pages

Read the 135-page research report with TOC on "Diabetic Neuropathy Drugs Market Analysis Report by Mechanism of action (calcium channel alpha-2-delta ligand, SNRIs and TCAs, and others), by Geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW), and Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2023."

The market is driven by the approval of new drugs and the presence of a strong drug pipeline. In addition, the development of novel biologics to treat diabetic neuropathy is anticipated to further boost the growth of the diabetic neuropathy drugs market.

Market vendors are increasingly focusing on the development of disease-modifying drugs to treat diabetic neuropathy due to its growing prevalence. The market is witnessing an increase in the number of approvals of drugs such as LYRICA CR extended-release tablets. These drugs are used to manage neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In addition, there are several drugs that are in the last-stages of the pipeline. VM202 is an investigational therapy that is currently in Phase III clinical trials. Thus, approval of such new drugs and the presence of a strong drug pipeline is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

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Major Five Diabetic Neuropathy Drugs Market Companies:

Pfizer Inc.

Pfizer Inc. is headquartered in the US and owns and operates businesses under various segments such as innovative health and essential health. The company offers LYRICA and NEURONTIN. LYRICA is used to treat diabetic nerve pain.

Novartis AG

Novartis AG is headquartered in Switzerland and manufactures products through several business segments such as innovative medicines, sandoz, and alcon. The company offers Tegretol, which is an anticonvulsant medication used in the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. is headquartered in the US and has business operations under various segments, namely pharmaceutical, medical devices, and consumer. The company offers NUCYNTA, which is an opioid analgesic used to treat diabetic neuropathy pain.

Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company is headquartered in the US and offers products through business segments such as human pharmaceutical products and animal health products. The company offers CYMBALTA, which is used to treat neuropathic pain.

DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED

DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED is headquartered in Japan and offers products through business segments such as innovative pharmaceuticals business and generic business. The company offers Tarlige, which is used to treat peripheral neuropathic pain.

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Diabetic Neuropathy Drugs Mechanism of Action Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2023)

Diabetic Neuropathy Drugs Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2023)

Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

Related Reports on Health Care are:

Pericarditis Drugs Market Global Pericarditis Drugs Market by product (NSAIDs, colchicine, and others) and geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW).

Blepharitis Drugs Market Global Blepharitis Drugs Market by product (steroids and antibiotics) and geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW).

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Diabetic Neuropathy Drugs Market 2019-2023 | Evolving Opportunities with Pfizer Inc. and Novartis AG | Technavio - Business Wire

Anxiety is a common response to an increasingly demanding society and work culture. We are surrounded by physical and mental stressors that may impact the body in ways that mirror peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

For caregivers and patients suffering from familial amyloid polyneuropathy, it is important to be aware of how stress affects peripheral neuropathy symptoms and to distinguish the differences in bodily reactions to these stressors.

The symptoms of stress may be similar to those of peripheral neuropathy. That includes the constricting of blood vessels due to hyperventilation and seemingly hyperactive nerve activity.

Patients who are prone to anxiety attacks must be aware of how their hands, feet, and arms are feeling. The constriction of blood cells caused by hyperventilation may increase tingling and burning sensations in the peripheral nerves. Patients and caregivers should be aware of how reduced blood flow due to hyperventilation may impact existing peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Anxiety may also cause increased nerve reactions in the body. The increase in nerve firings may cause cramps and symptoms similar to nerve damage. As these symptoms may feel similar to those caused by peripheral neuropathy, caregivers and patients must be diligent in having both topical treatments and stress-relieving exercises readily available.

Breathing exercises may help patients relax during times of increased stress. During hyperventilation, patients should breathe in deeply, holding each breath for a few seconds and then slowly breathing out for seven to 10 seconds. This exercise helps patients relax their bodies and may help to reduce the effects of hyperventilation caused by anxiety.

Spending time with loved ones helps patients distract themselves from stressors that may cause anxiety. Being around people whose company a patient enjoys may help increase feelings of happiness. Activities may include spending time with children, traveling with family, or spending holidays together.

My mother-in-laws preferred method of battling anxiety and depression is by spending time with her loved ones. She is rooted in her family. The time spent with them provides her with a sense of purpose and a distraction from her bodily pains. They are her support center when she needs it.

Massage therapy may help patients relax their bodies and reduce the impact of peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Relaxing the body is an effective way to mitigate the effects of anxiety. When pursuing massage therapy, caregivers need to understand their patients thresholds for touch. Applied pressure may cause increased pain and essentially negate the desired outcome for massage therapy.

Massage therapy may include self-administered massages, professional massages, and foot massages. The ultimate goal for patients pursuing massage therapy for anxiety is to relax the body while providing a mental distraction that reduces the symptoms.

What are some ways that you reduce stress or anxiety? Please share in the comments below.

***

Note: FAP News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of FAP News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

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How Caregivers and Patients Can Manage Bodily Responses to Stress - FAP News Today

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There has recently been an increase in need for Pain Medicine Experts to perform Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs) and act as Expert Witnesses in the San Francisco Bay Area. To fill the demand, California Medical Evaluators (CME) has added several pain medicine expert witnesses to its network of board-certified and highly competent doctors.

A Pain Medicine IME is performed by a board-certified pain medicine expert who uses his/her expertise to evaluate the physical condition of an individual who sustained an injury outside of the workplace. Pain Medicine Experts focus on the evaluation, treatment and prevention of pain. Conditions that pain medicine experts treat include chronic pain, arthritis, back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and headaches.

One of the most common conditions treated by pain medicine experts is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which is a condition that usually affects one limb, most often occurring after an injury. It is characterized by excessive or prolonged pain and changes in temperature, swelling and skin color in the affected area. CRPS is not easily identifiable, which makes it necessary to have a pain medicine expert evaluate any individual who believes he or she may suffer from the condition.

California Medical Evaluators has over 150 medical experts in all specialties available for IMEs and Expert Witness Testimony throughout the state of California. Dr. Joseph Sclafani and Dr. Mikiko Murakami are two of CMEs newest Pain Medicine Experts in the San Francisco Bay Area. Both are highly experienced with all types of spine, nerve, joint and muscle pain, including CRPS, cervical radiculopathy, rotator cuff tendonitis, low back issues, and peripheral neuropathy such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

For more information about California Medical Evaluators or to request a pain medicine expert, visit calmedeval.com.

About California Medical Evaluators

California Medical Evaluators (CME) is a leading provider of Med-Legal Practice Management services to physicians who perform Qualified Medical Examinations (QMEs), Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and medical expert witness engagements. CMEs broad network of qualified physician experts perform over 5,000 medical-legal examinations annually. Founded in 2010 by physicians, CME has become a leader in QME practice management, while also providing IME services, fitness for duty evaluations, and disability evaluations for the legal and insurance industries. More information about CME can be found at CalMedEval.com or by calling (888)-853-7944.

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California Medical Evaluators Grows its Network of Pain Medicine Experts in the San Francisco Bay Area - Business Wire

Research at the Roslin Institute is focusing on identifying genes linked with fat production and muscular development in pigs, with a view to producing leaner animals or more meat from fewer animals.

The team aims to grow cells that can be used to produce muscle and fat in the laboratory tohelp identify specific variants of genes in pigs that are linked with generating leaner or fatter meat.Eventually, the researchers say thiswould create the potential for such genes to be bred out, leading to leaner pigs which produce more meat.

Thousands of genes are potentially involved in the production of fat and muscle, which means it is difficult to carry out this research with cells taken from live pigs. The team is instead carrying out work, in collaboration with an industry partner, to generate a laboratory model of pig muscle.

Their partner, Stemnovate, will provide expertise in stem cells and 3D tissue engineering. The company was funded by Innovate UK in support of advancing organs on silicon chip systems, which seek to simulate artificial organs for study in the lab.

Instead of periodically having to obtain muscle tissue from pigs, we want to be able to grow stem cells for long periods in culture, and use them whenever we need to produce muscle in the lab, says Xavier Donadeu, group leader at the Roslin Institute.

It will be an exciting project the ability to grow muscle cells in the lab and engineer for production is highly valuable for the potential industrial applications, saysRuchi Sharma,CEO, Stemnovate

The project has recruited a PhD student who will work in the Roslin Institute and undertake a three-month work placement with Stemnovate in Cambridge.The studentship is funded by the East of Scotland Bioscience doctoral training partnership, supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Source: Roslin Institute, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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Stem cell studies look toward producing leaner pigs with more meat - National Hog Farmer

Stem cell therapy, which All Blacks prop Owen Franks used to help fix a damaged shoulder, is raising hopes of a whole range of medical breakthroughs.

But there's a way to go before the medical establishment is convinced.

In late 2017, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner ScottGottliebhad this to say:"We're at the beginning of a paradigm change in medicine with the promise of being able to facilitate regeneration of parts of the human body, where cells and tissues can be engineered to grow healthy, functional organs to replace diseased ones; new genes can be introduced into the body to combat disease; and adult stem cells can generate replacements for cells that are lost to injury or disease."

REGEN CELLULAR

Dr Hassan Mubark takes blood from All Blacks prop Owen Franks.

Yet, as an indication of how far there is still to go, the FDA has also warnedpeople in the USagainst "unscrupulous providers" offering stem cell products that were unapproved and unproven.

READ MORE:*Rugby World Cup 2019: All Black Owen Franks thrown a stem cell lifeline*Owen Franks hits back at critics following omission from Rugby World Cup squad*Stem cell therapy for All Black Israel Dagg as he hits comeback trail with Crusaders*Experimental stem cell treatment shows results for Waikato woman with MSA Cerebella*Stem cell clinics accused of taking advantage of patients*Reported stem cell treatment could give hope to Michael Schumacher

"Researchers hope stem cells will one day be effective in the treatment of many medical conditions and diseases," it said, thenadded: "Stem cells have been called everything from cure-alls to miracle treatments. But don't believe the hype."

Looking at just the area of deteriorating joints, it's easy to see how stem cell therapies, if they deliver on the promise,could make life much better for many people with osteoarthritis who are in pain and have restricted movement.

Last week, Otago University researchers predictedthe number of knee replacement surgeries needed for osteoarthritis would increase from around 5000 a year in 2013 to abut9000 in 2038.

AP

Former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher received devastating head injuries in a ski accident six years ago. Last month it was reported he has undergone stem cell treatment in Paris.

Osteoarthritis is the area where ReGen Cellular,the clinic where Franks had the therapy, has done most of its work in the past two to three years, although ithas recently expanded its services to include a range of diagnosed auto-immune conditions, among them rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes.

ReGensaid 55 per cent of its patients were aged over 60, 35 per cent were 40-60 and 10 per cent were sports-based.

Theclinic usesPure Expanded Stem Cell (PESC) therapy, which involves taking 40 grams - about a teaspoon - of fat from around a patient's stomach. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)in that sample are then multiplied in the clinic's Queenstown laboratory for about eight weeks. At the end of that process 100 million to 200 million cells have been produced.

Otago University

Otago University, Christchurch regenerative medicine research team have invented a bio-ink - a gel-like substance mixed with human stem cells - to be used with a bio-printer to make human body parts. Video shows the printer using bio-ink to make a body part.

For the treatment of osteoarthritis, between 50m and 100m stem cells are injected into larger joints, with 25m to 50m into smaller joints. ReGen said the therapy provided immediate pain reduction and increased mobility. MRI scans showed cartilage could and did regenerate.

ReGendescribedMSCs as the cells that "wake up damaged or lazy cells". Slightly more technically, Nature.com said MSCs wereadult stem cells present in multiple tissues, including the umbilical cord, bone marrow and fat.MSCscan self-renew by dividing and can differentiate into multiple tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle and fat cells, and connective tissue.

ReGen director of patient care Marcelle Noble said the clinic believed its treatments, if offered early enough, would save the public health system hundreds of millions of dollars through lessened replacement surgeries, and would save ACC millions of dollars in lengthy rehabilitation programmes.

The treatment for two knees was half the price of one knee replacement surgery within the public health system, she said. ReGen advertises osteoarthritis treatment for a single joint at $12,500 and for two joints at $15,000.

GETTY IMAGES

Former All Black Israel Dagg had stem cell therapy for an injured knee, but in the end had to give the game away because of the injury.

So far mainstream funding hadnot been offered for the therapy, Noble said. But the clinic had a "big breakthrough" earlier this year when two insurers in New Zealand accepted patients'PESC therapy claims. In July, ACC accepted consultation by ReGen's chief medical officer Dr Hassan Mubark.

ReGen only had data for the past five years on the success of its therapy, but the fact patients were returning to have other areas of their body treated was an indication of how people feltthe therapy was improving their quality of life, Noble said.

Globally, "massive" R&D spending was going into stem cell research. More therapies would become available and stem cell treatment would become "commonplace".

At any one time ReGen had 50-75 patients' cells growing in its incubators, Noble said. Of the patients treated, 40 per cent hadailments in therknees, 30 per cent in their hips, 20 per cent in their shoulders. The final 10 per cent were for sports and other issues, including problems with tendons, muscles, cartilage tears, fingers, elbows, ankles and hands.

SUPPLIED

Dr Ron Lopert undergoing part of the PESC treatment.

The first patient to undertake ReGen's PESC therapy was retired GP Dr Ron Lopert, who lives in Tauranga.

For five to 10 years, he had beengetting aches and pains in his hips after playing sport, and the problem was becoming more noticeable, he said. In 2013 he had an x-ray that showed he had moderate to severe osteoarthritis in both hips,more severein his right hip.

He stopped playing all sports and started researching different forms of treatment. Ideally, he wanted to be able to get some of his own cartilage back and reverse the osteoarthritis. It seemedPESCshould do that.

In 2015, aged 61, he had the therapy, with stem cells being injected into each hip joint.Within weeks henoticed an improvement in the range of motion and a decrease in pain, Lopert said.Some of that was just the anti-inflammatory component of stem cell injection, but he thought he also received a longer term benefit from cartilage regeneration.

SUPPLIED

Dr Lopert on his recent travels. He says he has much less hip pain.

He put the success of the procedure at75 per centin terms of symptoms and function, and100 per cent when it came to avoiding invasive surgery."I opted for a much more natural treatment where my own tissue is regenerating, instead of a metal prosthesis," Lopert said.

He was not sure all the improvement came from the stem cell treatment. As well as avoiding overuse of the joints, which meant he hadn't returned to playing sport, he had also switched to an anti-inflammatory diet.

His left hip continued to have hardly any symptomsbut he had started noticing the "odd twinge now and then" in his right hip.

"The vast majority of days it's fine provided I'm just walking and doing ordinary things. On the odd occasion I might carry something heavy, then I would notice it the next day and it (right hip) would stay painfulintermittentlyfor the next couple of days," Lopert said.

Sean Gallup

In this picture from February, German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks through a microscope at brain organoids grown from stem cells.

Some of his stem cells had been retained after the treatment, and he was booked in for a follow-up injection for his right hip at the end of October.

He expected the therapy would become a "go to" treatment, and would become an early intervention for osteoarthritis. But more independent research was needed to confirm the success of the treatment. "The evidence is slowly building up but there needs to be more before the Government will accept it," Lopert said.

In his case, he thought there had been cartilage regeneration in his hips, but that was based on his symptoms. "It would have been nice had I had MRI scans before and after the injection for objective evidence," he said.

From the perspective of the medical establishment, the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association said it supported a position statement on stem cell therapy produced by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.

That paper, approved in mid-2018,noted stem cell therapy was a "rapidly advancing" area, but many proposed stem cell therapies were experimental and not yet proven. It did not support surgeons administering stem cell therapy outside of an ethically approved registered clinical trial.

"Whilst there may be scope for innovative treatment in the future, currently, the clinical effectiveness and safety of stem cell therapies remain scientifically unproven," RACS said.

In this country, an ACC spokesperson said ACC did not have an official position on stem cell therapy for the treatment of injuries. An internationally standardised evidence-based healthcare approach was used to help ACC decide how it covered injuries and funded treatments.

Dr HassanMubark, ReGen's chief medical officer, was a healthcare provider contracted to ACC in the specialty of rheumatology, and ACC had funded consultation fees with Mubark, the spokesperson said. Those consultations were for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes and did not need prior approval from ACC.

ACC had to consider legislative criteria when deciding whether to fund any particular treatment. There would be many reasons why ACC might decide to fund a client to see a rheumatologist for an opinion on the diagnosis and possible management of their condition. That would not commit ACC to funding any proposed treatment but would provide the client and ACC with information to help decision-making.

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Stem cell therapy helped Owen Franks but there's still plenty to prove - Stuff.co.nz