Category Archives: Oncology

Pharma R&D and patient advocacy to discuss patient involvement in clinical research at Patients as Partners® Europe 2024

NEW YORK, NY, United States, 12-Mar-2024 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — The Conference Forum today announced the launch of the 8th annual Patients as Partners® Europe meeting, taking place May 14-15, 2024, at Plaisterers’ Hall, in London, England. Patients as Partners® Europe offers an unparalleled opportunity to hear from pharma R&D and patient advocacy on how patient involvement gets done to drive greater efficiencies and inclusivity in clinical research with better outcomes.

“Patients as Partners Europe brings advocates and sponsors together in a unique forum focused on improving collaborations that result in meaningful impact for patients,” said 2024 co-chair, Victoria DiBiaso, MPH, Global Head, Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi.

The 2024 keynotes and featured speakers include:

  • Patient Advocate Keynote Derek Stewart, OBE on understanding mental health support in clinical research
  • Patient Advocate Keynote Sarah Zenner Dolan, a former biotech executive on navigating clinical trials as a patient
  • GSK’s Andrew Garvey, Global Patient Advocacy Lead, on what has been working, and what has not, in GSK’s effort to advance patient engagement in clinical trials
  • Pfizer’s Patrick Gallogly, Medical Advisor, Pfizer, on the learnings generated from an industry-first LGBTQ+ oncology advisory board
  • Lundbeck’s Anders Lassen, Senior Director, Patient Insights, on using patient-centric integrated evidence approaches to inform drug development decisions
  • Boehringer Ingelheim’s Annie Gilbert, Global Patient Advocacy Lead, on the pilot program bridging the communication gap by sending trial updates to patients
  • Ipsen’s Oleksandr Gorbenko,​​​​​​​ Global Patient Affairs Director, Neurosciences, on how Ipsen partnered with patient advocacy to create robust patient experience mapping
  • AstraZeneca’s Lisa Kerr, Senior Director, R&D Patient Science, on creating a measurement strategy and business investment case to scale patient-centric R&D approaches
  • Astellas’ Stephen Head, Senior Director, Patient Partnerships, on instilling conscious awareness of the patient into everyday work practices
  • Prostate Cancer Research’s David James, Director of Patient Projects, on demystifying and diversifying clinical trials to engage underserved communities

“Patients as Partners® Europe presents case examples on how patient involvement in clinical research can accelerate medicine development, how it can improve better access, inclusivity and diversity,” said Valerie Bowling, Executive Director.

Key topics to be addressed include:

  • ​​​​The future of patient-informed research
  • Understanding patient preferences in decentralized clinical trials
  • Advancing health equity and diversifying clinical trials to engage underserved communities
  • The patient experience data landscape and returning patient data
  • Turning patient insights into action
  • Mapping and measuring patient engagement
  • Patient burden-reducing solutions and technologies
  • Regulatory requirements and patient engagement in drug development

The 2024 meeting is co-chaired by ​​​​​​​Sanofi’s Victoria DiBiaso, MPH, Global Head, Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation; Patient Advocate, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Alfred Samuels; and Parexel’s Rosamund Round, VP, Patient Engagement.

About Patients as Partners® Europe:
Patients as Partners® Europe is co-produced with patients, industry, academia, government and nonprofit organizations to establish a well-rounded program that addresses the needs of all stakeholders seeking to implement and advance patient involvement, access and diversity across the entire clinical development continuum. To learn more about Patients as Partners and access the full agenda, visit PatientsAsPartnersEU.com.

About the Conference Forum:
The Conference Forum is a life science industry research, conference development and marketing firm. The company brings the full spectrum of executives together to share ideas and information on how to advance efficient medicine development and delivery, patient diversity and access. They produce trusted conferences, webinars, podcasts, digital editorial and provide marketing services. To learn more, visit theconferenceforum.org.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

LIDBREE™ receives marketing authorization in the United Kingdom

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., U.S.A. / BUDAPEST / STOCKHOLM, 5-Aug-2020 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — Palette Life Sciences AB (‘Palette’) with Gedeon Richter Plc. (‘Richter’), today announced that as a part of a decentralised regulatory procedure including thirty European Union Economic Area member states, Palette and Richter received national marketing authorization for LIDBREE™ in the United Kingdom (UK). The product is a novel, proprietary thermo gelling intrauterine formulation that can provide significant pain relief during common gynecological procedures.

LIDBREE’s marketing authorization is based on compelling data from clinical trials and investigations of sensory innervation in the reproductive area. In a pivotal clinical trial, LIDBREE treatment was associated with a significant reduction of pain and discomfort in women undergoing gynecological interventions.¹

“Our research group has detected pain nerves superficially throughout the uterus, which enable the use of local pain relief in many gynecological procedures such as insertion of an intrauterine device and sampling biopsies from the cervix and/or from the uterus – procedures that are currently routinely performed today without pain relief. LIDBREE is a novel gel containing the local anesthetic lidocaine which adheres to the mucosal tissue upon application to provide excellent analgesic effect”, says Gunvor Ekman-Ordeberg, MD PhD Professor at Karolinska Institute and founder of the LIDBREE program. “The gratification of observing the culmination of over 40 years of research into clinical practice via a new, simple, and effective treatment is a great privilege to share with all of my colleagues.”

In October 2017, Richter and Palette signed an agreement to commercialise LIDBREE, a novel innovative proprietary pain relief pharmaceutical formulation, in Europe and in certain other markets.

“We are very pleased with the approval of LIDBREE in the UK, it is a great accomplishment from everyone involved.  This is an important milestone and allows us to address a significant unmet medical need in women’s health. We look forward to supporting LIDBREE’s product launch through our partner Gedeon Richter and pursuing additional markets, such as the U.S., in collaboration with future regional partners.” says Helena Jansson, Managing Director at Palette Life Sciences AB.

“We’ve been expecting this regulatory development and we are looking forward to successfully introduce LIDBREE to all of the territories covered by our agreement in order to further improve the quality of life of women experiencing pain during their gynaecological interventions,” stated Tibor Horváth, Commercial Director of Gedeon Richter Plc.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Palette Life Sciences unveils an online resource aimed at paediatric urologists, parents and caregivers in the UK dealing with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., U.S.A. / STOCKHOLM SWEDEN, 4-Aug-2020 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — Palette Life Sciences, a fully integrated global life sciences company dedicated to improving patient outcomes, today announced the launch of Deflux.com/UK as part of its global expansion. Deflux.com/UK is a best-in-class online resource developed specifically for healthcare practitioners in the United Kingdom, as well as parents and caregivers managing children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). VUR, sometimes referred to as urinary or bladder reflux, is a serious paediatric urinary condition in which urine flows from the bladder through one or both ureters toward the kidneys.

Deflux.com/UK features important information about VUR, including symptoms, causes, risk factors and treatment options, such as Deflux®. Comprised of hyaluronic acid (HA) and dextranomer polysaccharides to form a gel, Deflux is a minimally invasive biocomopatible treatment for VUR. Endoscopic treatment with Deflux takes about 15 minutes in a day procedure setting, and generally allows the child to go back to normal activities the next day.

Deflux.com/UK also provides physicians with access to the Deflux Learning Center, a leading global education platform that features information and training for paediatric urologists and their peers who treat VUR as well as other paediatric urology conditions. The Deflux Learning Center includes clinical articles, educational videos and webinars, brochures, downloadable tools and The PedSpace podcast series, created for and presented by paediatric urology healthcare professionals.

“Deflux is an effective, minimally-invasive treatment option that many caregivers simply aren’t aware of,” said Dr. Marie-Klaire Farrugia, Consultant Paediatric Urologist and Clinical Director for Paediatric Surgery at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. “My personal long-term experience with Deflux has proven its effectiveness and safety in reducing VUR and preventing UTI recurrence, thus avoiding use of long-term antibiotics. It is my hope that the new website initiative, which includes helpful resources for both physicians and caregivers, will help raise awareness and utilisation of this treatment option.”

“The entire Palette commercial team is excited to launch Deflux.com/UK, which we believe will help elevate the standard of care for VUR patients in the UK,” said Rich Low, Head of Marketing, Palette Life Sciences. “Deflux.com/UK will serve as a truly valuable resource for caregivers, providing critical information to paediatric urology healthcare professionals through the Deflux Learning Center, and to caregivers, connecting them to highly-trained specialists who provide high quality care.”

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Palette Life Sciences expands distribution network across Europe

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / SANTA BARBARA, CALIF., USA, 15-Jun-2020 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — Palette Life Sciences, a fully integrated global life sciences company dedicated to improving patient outcomes, today announced global distribution expansion for two of Palette’s products, Deflux and Solesta. The expansion provides commercial access to more than 20 countries through five distributors around the globe, while adding direct sales in four additional countries: Cyprus, Greece, Hungary and Portugal.

KEBOMED, a leading European distributor of medical devices and equipment, will distribute the products in France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. Stratarium Sarl, will commercialize the products in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland leveraging their urology focused subsidiary, RA DistributionCJ Medical, a UK-based distributor of innovative technologies specializing in surgical and medical devices, will distribute the products in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Grifols, one of the leading companies in the production and sale of plasma-derived medicines and a top distributor of a broad range of products within their country will cover Spain, and GP Dermal, a specialist with deep ties across urology and pediatric call points will serve as the distributor in Italy and Malta.

“This enhanced distribution network allows Palette to ensure our customer and patient needs are adequately met across Europe,” said James Leech, Head of Corporate Development at Palette Life Sciences. “We have selected strong partners with deep experience and relationships in the urology and pediatric setting who will help us serve the product and education needs of physicians and hospitals. Palette and its network of partners are making significant investments within local markets to improve physician access to Palette resources, best management and treatment practices, and renewed product training.”

For more information or to place an order, please contact a Palette Life Sciences representative at eusales@palettelifesciences.com. Contact information for product orders or inquires by distributor are as follows:

KEBOMED: ordre@kebomed.dk
Stratarium Sarl: deflux-solesta@stratarium.com
CJ Medical: office@cjmedical.com
Grifols: jose.sagales@grifols.com
GP Dermal: luigi.galandini@gpdermal.com

SOURCE: EuropaWire

First Rhenium-SCT® (Skin Cancer Therapy) treatment in Germany done by Dr. Lutz-Hendrik Holle

HANAU, Germany, 4-Oct-2019 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — OncoBeta®, a Medical Device Company specialized in innovative epidermal radioisotope therapies for Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancers (NMSCs), announced today, that Dr. Lutz-Hendrik Holle, Medical Director of the interregional professional association for nuclear medicine in Hanau, has accomplished the first Rhenium-SCT® (Skin Cancer Therapy) treatment in Germany. This state-of-the-art technology of local radionuclide therapy offers a painless and non-invasive treatment option for patients with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (BCC and SCC) and the interregional professional association for nuclear medicine Hanau is the first center in Germany that offers the Rhenium-SCT®.

With approximately 50.000 outpatient examinations annually, the interregional professional association for nuclear medicine Hanau is one of the biggest nuclear medicine service providers in Hesse. The offered services include a variety of different modern treatment and diagnostic methods. The key argument for the expansion of the spectrum was that the Rhenium-SCT® is a new, painless and highly efficient treatment option that also delivers excellent cosmetic results. Besides being a painless alternative to other procedures, the Rhenium-SCT® also allows the treatment of numerous NMSC lesions consecutively in a single session, which was already realized during the first treatment in Hanau. This has also attracted international attention so that an American patient travelled to Hanau for the treatment.

“This therapy is particularly suitable for tumor localizations where good cosmetic results are to be achieved. The fact that the treatment is completely painless and can be performed in just one session is a great advantage”, says Dr. Lutz-Hendrik Holle, Medical Director of Nuclear Medicine in Hanau.

“We are very happy and proud to be able to offer our revolutionary treatment to patients in Germany now. The interregional professional association of nuclear medicine in Hanau is an excellent partner for NMSC patients in the fight against NMSC”, said Shannon D. Brown III, CEO and Managing Director of OncoBeta® GmbH. “Unfortunately, Germany is one of the countries that has experienced a drastic increase in newly diagnosed NMSC cases in recent years. Our highly qualified team strives to provide physicians and patients with a non-invasive and affordable solution to treat NMSC, while focusing on the needs of the patient.”

The global incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers has been drastically increasing over the past decades. Depending on the source, it is estimated that there are over 5 million non-melanoma skin cancer cases reported globally each year. In certain analyzed areas of Germany there was an increase in the incidence between the year 2005 and the year 2014 by about 30%1. To serve the increasing medical need for innovative therapies in this field and to improve the quality of patients’ lives, OncoBeta® GmbH has developed its innovative Rhenium-SCT® which only require a single application in most of the cases, applied in one single session with excellent aesthetic outcomes.

Via EPR Network
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2019 Red Herring North America Top 100 Winner: New recognition of OncoBeta’s success in developing and providing an innovative therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer patients

Pasadena, CA, U.S.A., 6-Jul-2019 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — OncoBeta®, a Medical Device Company specialized in innovative epidermal radioisotope therapies for Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancers (NMSCs), announced today, that it was honored as a Red Herring Top 100 North America Award winner recognizing the continent’s most exciting and innovative private technology companies. After being recognized with the Red Herring Top 100 Europe Award earlier this year, this is now the second recognition obtained by Red Herring.

The winners, celebrated at a special awards ceremony at the Westin Pasadena hotel, have been chosen from thousands of entrants, whittled down to hundreds making the trip to California. The ceremony, led by Red Herring chairman Alex Vieux, was preceded by two days of keynote speeches, discussions and finalist presentations.

Companies were judged by industry experts, insiders and journalists on a wide variety of criteria including financial performance, innovation, business strategy, and market penetration. Winners ran the gamut of verticals, from FinTech and Marketing to Security, IoT, and many more industries.

Red Herring’s editors have been evaluating the world’s startups and tech companies for over two decades. It gives them the ability to see through the industry’s hype to pick firms that will continue on a trajectory to success. Brands such as Alibaba, Google, Kakao, Skype, Spotify, Twitter and YouTube have all been singled out in Red Herring’s storied history.

“2019’s crop of Top 100 winners has been among our most intriguing yet,” said Vieux. “North America has led the way in tech for so many years, and to see such unique, pioneering entrepreneurs and companies here in California, which is in many ways the heartland of the industry, has been a thrilling experience.”

“What has excited me most is to see so many people forging niches in high-tech and cutting edge sectors,” added Vieux. “Some of the technical wizardry and first-rate business models showcased here at the conference has been fantastic to learn about. We believe OncoBeta® embodies the drive, skill and passion on which tech thrives. OncoBeta® should be proud of its achievement – the competition was incredibly strong.”

“Being named as one of the Red Herring’s Top 100 North America award winner in addition to the Top 100 Europe is a great honor for us.” states Shannon D. Brown III, CEO of OncoBeta®. “The spirit of the award aligns perfectly with our team’s mission in the fight against non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) with the Rhenium-SCT®.”

The complete list of the 2019 Red Herring North America Top 100 Winners can be found here in alphabetical order: https://www.redherring.com/2019-rhna-top100-winners/

Red Herring’s press release is available online at https://www.redherring.com/red-herring-2019-top-100-north-america-winners-press-release/

SOURCE: EuropaWire

The interregional professional association for nuclear medicine in Hanau has become the first treatment center in Germany to offer the Rhenium-SCT® (SCT= Skin Cancer Therapy)

GARCHING N. MUNICH, Germany, 13-May-2019 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — OncoBeta® GmbH, a commercial stage Medical Device Company specialized in innovative epidermal radioisotope therapies for Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancers (NMSCs), is pleased to announce that the interregional professional association for nuclear medicine in Hanau now offers the Rhenium-SCT ® (SCT= Skin Cancer Therapy) as the first treatment center in Germany.

With approximately 50.000 outpatient examinations annually, the interregional professional association for nuclear medicine Hanau is one of the biggest nuclear medicine service providers in Hesse. The offered services include a variety of different modern treatment and diagnostic methods which are state-of the art in science and technology.

“Offering NMSC skin cancer patients a highly efficient, painless, innovative therapy with excellent aesthetic results was the driving reason to establish this treatment method in our clinic,” says Dr. med. Lutz-Hendrik Holle, Medical Director of Nuclear Medicine in Hanau.

“We are delighted that our innovative skin cancer therapy Rhenium-SCT® is now being offered by the Nuclear Medicine in Hanau and we are looking forward to this collaboration”, states Shannon D. Brown III, CEO and Managing Director of OncoBeta® GmbH. “For us, this is an important step to offer the treatment method in addition to Italy, South Africa and Australia now also in Germany. In order to provide our treatment to as many skin cancer patients as possible, it is of course our goal to offer the availability of the therapy nationwide in Germany in the future.”

The global incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers has been drastically increasing over the past decades. Depending on the source, it is estimated that there are over 5 million non-melanoma skin cancer cases reported globally each year. In Germany the number of newly diagnosed patients is about 200,000 annually and it is assumed that this number increases within the next years. To serve the increasing medical need for innovative therapies in this field and to improve the quality of patients’ lives, OncoBeta® GmbH has developed its innovative Rhenium-SCT® which only require a single application, applied in one single session with excellent aesthetic outcomes.

If interested, patients and doctors can either contact the interregional professional association for nuclear medicine in Hanau directly or OncoBeta® GmbH.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

University of Pretoria Prof. Mike Sathekge is First in South Africa to Treat Non-Melanocytic Skin #Cancer Patients with Rhenium-SCT®

Garching n. Munich, Germany, 26-Nov-2018 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — OncoBeta® GmbH, a commercial stage Medical Device Company specialized in innovative epidermal radioisotope therapies for Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancers (NMSCs), announced today that Prof. Mike Sathekge from the University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital Nuclear Medical department and his clinical team has treated the first non-melanocytic skin cancer patients in South Africa with the innovative Rhenium-SCT® skin cancer treatment System. This next-generation radionuclide therapy technology applied by the nuclear medicine physician offers a new singles session, painless treatment for patients suffering from Basal Cell – and Squamous Cell Carcinomas (BCCs and SCCs).

The global incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers has drastically increased over the few past decades. Depending on the source, it is estimated that there are over 5 million non-melanoma skin cancer cases reported globally each year. Approximately 80% of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas with South Africa having one of the highest incidence rates in the world.

Prof. Mike Sathekge and his team at the University of Pretoria, Steve Biko Academic Hospital are focused on providing patients with personalized care using state-of-the-art technology that can deliver high-precision therapy and diagnostics with minimal side effects. The specialized team of experts in the nuclear medicine and medical physics, work closely with other disciplines within the university hospital, referring physicians, and other institutions, to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment for their specific type of cancer.

Martin Magwaza, CEO of Tautomer (PTY) LTD Oncobeta®’s distribution partner for the Rhenium-SCT® in Africa, is dedicated to providing South Africans with new innovative and effective therapies across the continent, coordinating with representatives from all levels of government and state for the health care landscape.

“The start of the Rhenium-SCT® in South Africa is a significant milestone in the international expansion of our ground-breaking treatment for BCCs and SCCs.,” said Shannon D. Brown III, CEO and Managing Director of OncoBeta® GmbH. “Our vision of bringing a revolutionary affordable skin cancer therapy to physicians and patients all over the world has come one step closer today”.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Prof. Lucien Abenhaim: There is an incredible challenge for the sustainability of health systems across the world

Prof. Lucien Abenhaim

LONDON, Dec-3-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — On December 5-6, 2017, 200 high-level experts from government, academia, biopharmaceutical developers and patient organisations convene in London (UK) to address the mounting challenge of accessibility and patient access to high-value, high-cost medical therapies.

The not-for-profit executive forum is organised by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and analytica|LASER, a global research consultancy, to investigate topical questions around drug policy, global health systems sustainability and innovation funding through a combination of case studies, panel sessions, and roundtables. Delegations are registered from over 70 public and private organisations, including the World Health Organization, as well as health systems representatives from Belgium, England, Estonia, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the United States and Wales. Multiple patient organisations support the meeting to ensure that the patient voice is reflected in all deliberations.

“Access to life-saving drugs is not a new challenge. The paradigm of accessibility was changed completely in the face of the deadly HIV epidemic. This time, however, accessibility concerns almost every domain of medicine such as cancer, auto-immune diseases and rare diseases. We must act now,” says Prof Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and former head of UNAIDS.

“There is an incredible challenge for the sustainability of health systems across the world”, says Prof. Lucien Abenhaim, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Chairman of Analytica Laser. “It is critical that drug developers and health system engage on actionable proposals that address concerns around value, cost and overall access to innovation for the patients who need it. We are at an inflection point – the paradigms of the 1990’s can no longer guide us,” he adds.

The main plenary on December 6th features scheduled remarks by over a dozen authorities in the field, including Professor Baron Peter Piot (Director, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and former Head, UNAIDS), Dr. Olivier Brandicourt (Chief Executive Officer, Sanofi), Dr. Sarah Garner (World Health Organization), Prof. Dominique Le Guludec (President, French HAS), Sir Andrew Dillon (Chief Executive, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence UK) and Dr. Harold Paz (Chief Medical Officer, Aetna). The plenary is preceded by a scientific seminar on December 5th which gathers globally renowned academics to explore new frontiers on the methodology for the appraisal and valuation of high-value medicines.

Please contact the organisers for more information on the programming and media access, or refer to www.accessibility-symposium.org

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) can now more reliably detect early stages of inflammation

GERMANY, Mar-30-2017 — /EPR HEALTHCARE NEWS/ — Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the most common inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Globally, more than 4 million people suffer from recurring inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. To date, non-invasive methods have not been able to detect these forms of IBD reliably. Researchers at the University Hospital Erlangen (Germany) have now shown for the first time how Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) can more reliably detect early stages of inflammation when compared with other non-invasive diagnostic methods. These results have recently been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Evaluating the inflammatory activity of the intestines early and accurately helps to prevent complications associated with IBD and guide an optimal therapy regime. Currently, doctors frequently rely on an invasive endoscopy procedure to assess the intestinal mucosa of patients with IBD. Additionally, non-invasive imaging methods are increasingly used in the clinic. For example, ultrasound allows clinicians to examine the structure, thickness and blood perfusion of the intestinal wall with changes in perfusion patterns indicating an onset of inflammation.

“With the MSOT procedure, we additionally use laser light, by which we can detect inflammation earlier than previously possible with ultrasound”, explains Prof. Dr. Maximilian Waldner, Professor at the University Hospital Erlangen. “The earlier we detect signs of an upcoming flare – i.e., a change in blood content – the quicker we can react and start a preventive treatment”. The MSOT technology was developed by iThera Medical in Munich, and was first used on IBD patients last year.

The researchers of the University Hospital Erlangen have recently published their results in the renowned New England Journal of Medicine. “We examined 108 patients with Crohn’s disease using the MSOT technology and compared the results to established non-invasive diagnostic procedures as well as endoscopy and histology”, says Prof. Waldner. “We were able to demonstrate that hemoglobin values in the tissue measured with MSOT indicate very accurately the inflammatory activity in the intestines. The method appears to be superior to other non-invasive procedures, as MSOT for the first time was able to detect even low levels of inflammation without having to perform endoscopy”.

Dr. Ferdinand Knieling, a physician at the University Hospital Erlangen, adds: “We are hoping that this principle can be applied to many applications and, in particular, also be used to enable safe evaluations of children and adolescents. With this new examination method, many of the currently invasive procedures might become obsolete.”

In optoacoustic imaging, the physician scans the intestines transabdominally through the skin, applying pulsed laser light in the near-infrared region. The energy of the light absorbed in tissue is converted into acoustic signals which are then acquired by an ultrasound detector. Christian Wiest, CEO of iThera Medical, comments: “MSOT is a new diagnostic imaging modality that can detect changes in tissue composition associated with a variety of diseases, without the use of contrast agents. The technology has already been applied in other clinical feasibility studies, e.g. for the detection of melanoma metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes or for the assessment of suspicious breast lesions”.

The results of the IBD study at the University Hospital Erlangen were published on March 30th 2017 in the New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 376, Issue 13, pg.1292-1294).

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Coalition For The Advancement Of Brachytherapy

The Coalition for the Advancement of Brachytherapy (CAB) has reviewed recent media reports stemming from a study originally presented in December 2011 by physicians associated with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study compared the efficacy of whole breast irradiation (WBI) to accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), including the use of brachytherapy to treat select patients with early stage breast cancer. CAB believes that the methodology used in the MD Anderson study is misleading as it utilizes a Medicare billing claims database that does not include patient risk stratification data and therefore is not appropriate to use to compare outcomes and toxicities of ABPI to that of whole breast irradiation (WBI).

The treatments examined utilize different methodologies for delivering radiation therapy following surgery for the treatment of breast cancer. APBI delivers a targeted radiation therapy to select low risk patients over a five-day period. Whereas WBI delivers a broader radiation therapy whereby the entire breast is treated over the course of 30-40 days. The conclusions reached regarding the relative efficacy of the two forms of treatments are based completely on a retrospective study of insurance billing claims. This retrospective study fails to take into account key patient clinical characteristics, including, but not limited to pathology and staging, which determine risk assignment of a patient. Further, the billing code data was collected from patients treated from 2000 through 2007. Since that time, advances in brachytherapy product design, physics planning and delivery of dose have led to greater precision and accuracy of radiation treatment with improved outcomes.

CAB contends that it is impossible to draw any meaningful comparisons or conclusions without taking into consideration patient risk assessments. Counter to the findings in the MD Anderson study are multiple peer-reviewed publications available supporting the safe and effective use of APBI in appropriately selected patients. The safety and effectiveness of APBI is further supported by the fact that the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) reaffirmed its Consensus Statement in 2011 endorsing the use of APBI in appropriately selected patients. The ASTRO APBI Consensus Statement was originally issued in 2009 based on an exhaustive search of the available medical literature in combination with expert opinion and public comment.

More recent data from a trial comprising over fourteen hundred breast cancer patients, presented on May 5, 2012 at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Annual Meeting, found that APBI is equally effective, if not more effective, in preventing local breast cancer recurrence than WBI. * This trial’s findings not only contradict the MD Anderson data in finding that tumor control in the breast appears to be similar for APBI and WBI, but suggest that disease control at the initial tumor site may be better with APBI.

Michael Krachon, CAB Chair notes, “The MD Anderson study is by no means sufficient to condemn a promising procedure like APBI brachytherapy. As we await results of the randomized NSABP-B39 Phase III Trial comparing WBI to APBI, physicians should be mindful of the many positive peer-reviewed publications analyzing the efficacy and toxicity associated 2 1455 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20004 with APBI brachytherapy. The technique has been endorsed by ASTRO in appropriately selected patients, and physicians must take into account the clinical presentation of the patient and their own clinical judgment in the safe and appropriate use of this treatment modality.”

For more information contact: Richard White, Roberti + White at (202) 624-0395

Via EPR Network
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International Masters Publishers, Inc., On Behalf Of Its Collection Of Health And Well-Being Products Has Made A Donation To Rocking The Road For A Cure, Inc.

International Masters Publishers, Inc., on behalf of its collection of Health and Well-being products has made a donation to “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc.” — a non-profit organization founded to provide free education and support services for women and men going through the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Reflecting their strong commitment to providing valuable health information, International Masters Publishers, Inc. (IMP) recently announced its continuing support for breast cancer research and wellness programs through its contribution to the community-based non-profit organization “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc.”

Founded by Dawn Frey after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, “Rocking the Road for a Cure, Inc” provides free support services aimed to enhance the coping skills of those in treatment, and expand the support networks that have proven so essential to their quality of life. These services include:

• Homebound Yoga, Reiki and massage
• Medical case management assistance
• Homebound Recreational Therapy
• Beauty consultations
• Nutrition advice and services

“We are proud to support the great work done by Rocking on the Road for a Cure, Inc.”, says Dilenia Chireno, IMP Spokesperson, “their programs use many of the same approaches to self-empowerment we cover in our collections, so it’s really an excellent fit for us. We are so proud to be part of this important and worthwhile cause.”

In addition to its generous corporate donation, IMP will also offer some customers of The Complete Guide to Natural Healing and Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit the opportunity to make an additional donation by contributing a portion of the proceeds it receives from these two products to this great cause.

Via EPR Network
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The Facts About Heart Disease

  • Heart Disease has been the number 1 killer in the US every year since 1900 with the exception of 1918.

  • At least 250,000 Americans die of heart attacks each year before they reach the hospital.

  • Every 34 seconds someone in the US dies from Heart Disease.

  • Heart Disease can be avoided with good nutrition.
If you are as little as 10 pounds overweight you are at risk forHeart Disease.Chronic Diseases cost the US economy 1.3 trillion dollars annually and this could reach 6 trillion by the middle of the century.

Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease for you and your loved ones. Over and over again I hear success stories of how people who have used our science based, nutritional products to lose weight. But not only do they lose weight but they are lowering their cholesterol levels, stabilizing blood pressure and sugar levels and are getting off of medications they have been taking for years. We have had people say they have gotten rid of allergies, migraines, joint pain and more. Good Nutrition allows your body to heal. (individual results vary). You can gain weight, lose weight, or maintain weight with our products. Our products do come with a guarantee.

My mother and father have both had open heart surgery. It is not a fun thing to go through. The thought of having your breast bone broken in half and raised in vertical position for hours is not a pretty picture to me. I do not wish to ever need this surgery and I am here to help you, in hopes that you do not ever need it as well.

Good Nutrition affects everything:

  • health

  • energy

  • organs

  • cells

  • vitality

  • skin

  • quality of life

The American Medical Association has said that 70% of medical conditions are diet related.

Here are a few common diseases that may be prevented with proper diet and or maintaining a healthy weight.

Cancer: breast, uterus, cervix, colon, esophagus, pancreas, kidney and prostrate
Coronary Heart Disease, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, hypertension
Idiopathic Intacraial hypertension, stroke, cataracts
Osteoarthritis, skin, gout, phlebitis
Gynecologic Abnormalities, abnormal menses,infertility, poly cystic ovarian syndrome
Gall Bladder Disease
Pulmonary Disease
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Hypo ventilation Syndrome
Severe Pancreatitis
Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

If you truly want to feel good and enjoy quality of life you need to get started with Core Nutrition. Once you receive your Core Nutrition, I will send you a personalize your program DVD (FREE), I will give you personalized coaching on a regular basis (FREE) to help you achieve your wellness goals, and you will receive a FREE Wellness Evaluation. A Wellness Evaluation will help you learn better dieting habits as well as give you a better understanding about where you are at with your health and wellness. We will be able to determine what your goals are and come up with some recommendations that will help you be able to enjoy a better quality of life.

Once you get started with our Core Nutrition or Weight Loss Program you may find that you are saving money on your prescriptions plus doctor and hospital bills. You may even be earning more money because you are missing work less and are able to work longer hours.

Via EPR Network
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Field Fisher Waterhouse has recovered compensation for the cost of a claimant’s hospice care in a case that is though to be the first of its kind

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW), the full service European law firm, has recovered the value of the hospice care that was required by a claimant. This is thought to be the first case of its kind, with most hospices generally exclusively funded by charitable donations. As part of the settlement, the firm was able to recover £12,500 to be paid over to the hospice.

The case arose out of the death of a 64 year old man due to mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, in December 2007 after spending his final days being cared for in a North London Hospice dedicated to cancer patients.

Through his life the man suffering from the cancer had worked as a carpenter, painter and labourer. In 1963, whilst employed as a painter for J Murphy & Sons Ltd, he was exposed to asbestos dust whilst sanding down and filling in walls in prefabricated housing containing asbestos. He was then exposed to further asbestos when working for the same company at a factory in Dagenham, cleaning debris from the guttering on roofs made from corrugated asbestos.

In August 2005 he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer on the lining of one of his lungs. He was eventually admitted to the hospice where he spent the last month of his life.

Rodney Nelson-Jones, partner in the Asbestos Claims Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse, was instructed to claim compensation on behalf of the man’s family. The firm was able to recover £170,000 from J Murphy & Sons Ltd, £12,500 of which is being paid to the hospice which provided him with care worth over £400 a day.

This is thought to be the first time that compensation has been recovered for a patient’s hospice care, which is usually funded by charitable donations. It has long been possible to recover compensation for the value of care provided by relatives but FFW’s innovation has been to extend this principle to charitable care provided by hospices. The firm plans to continue to claim the cost of hospice care in future mesothelioma cases.

Rodney Nelson-Jones commented: “We are delighted to have been able to secure extra funding for the hospice. Hospices do a wonderful job and rely on charitable donations to provide much needed palliative care for cancer patients. We hope that this case will mean that they are now provided with an additional source of funding.”

About Field Fisher Waterhouse
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP is a full-service European law firm with offices in Brussels, Hamburg and London. With 119 partners, over 200 other lawyers and nearly 300 support staff, FFW assist a wide range of international clients, advising across a full range of legal issues.

The main areas of practice are corporate and commercial, IP and technology, banking and finance, regulatory and real estate. Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP also have particular expertise in competition & EU law, dispute resolution, employment, asbestos and mesothelioma claims, personal injury cases and clinical negligence, public sector and tax.

Via EPR Network
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