Archive for June, 2008

Jun 23 2008

Breast cancer gene a culprit in prostate cancer

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Men’s Health News
Australian researchers have discovered that a mutated version of the BRCA-2 gene known to lead to breast and ovarian cancer, is also a culprit in prostate cancer in men.
Buy clomid pills The researchers from the Australian and New Zealand consortium kConFab which investigates familial breast cancer, say they suspect that as many as 2,000 Australian men possibly have the gene mutation; prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in developed countries.
The researchers say men from families where the women have high rates of breast cancer could have a four times higher risk of prostate cancer.
The scientists believe the confirmation of the link is a world first and the research will help target those men suitable for genetic testing.
The research at kConFab has been investigating families with multiple cases of breast and ovarian cancer for a decade and became aware that prostate cancer also appeared to be common in some of the families.
The families carried a mutation in the BRCA2 gene, passed from one generation to the next, and the researchers say it was this factor which prompted them to explore whether the prostate cancers were caused by the familial genetic fault.
The team discovered that a man with a genetic fault in BRCA2 has almost four times the risk of developing prostate cancer than men in the general population and the cancers were more aggressive.
The revelation could lead men from a family with multiple cases of breast or ovarian cancer, to assess their risk in much the same way women already do with breast and ovarian cancer.
Trials are apparently now underway to search for early detection biomarkers for men who carry the faulty genes.
The research is published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
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Jun 23 2008

New national ad campaign encourages men to take preventive steps in their health care

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Men’s Health News The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) joined with The Advertising Council today to launch a national public service campaign designed to raise awareness among middle-aged men about the importance of preventive medical testing.
Men are 25 percent less likely than women to have visited the doctor within the past year and are 38 percent more likely than women to have neglected their cholesterol tests (Source: AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2005). Furthermore, men are 1.5 times more likely than women to die from heart disease, cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005).
The new campaign encourages men over 40 to learn which preventive screening tests they need to get and when they need to get them. This campaign complements AHRQ’s existing efforts toward improving the safety and quality of health care and promoting patient involvement in their own health care, including the "Questions are the Answer" campaign launched with the Ad Council in March 2007 and the "Superheroes" Spanish-language campaign launched in March 2008.
"We hope this campaign will inform men about the importance of prevention and show them that they should work with their health care providers to find out what they should do to stay healthy," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
Buy generic propecia The campaign highlights the work of the AHRQ-sponsored U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention that systematically reviews the evidence of effectiveness and develops recommendations for clinical preventive services. "By taking steps to prevent disease and stay healthy, men can live longer and more productive lives," said Task Force Chair Ned Calonge, M.D., M.P.H. "Prevention is a decision that includes participating in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet and finding out which preventive medical tests are right for you."
Created pro bono for the Ad Council by McCann Erickson Detroit, the public service advertising campaign includes new television, radio, print and Web advertising featuring the theme "Real Men Wear Gowns." The lighthearted ads incorporate family as a key motivating factor for men to take a more active role in preventive health. They show the target audience that being a real man means taking care of themselves (and their health) in order to be there for their families and in the future. Ad Council research showed this was a strong motivating factor for men. To view the PSAs, visit
"Our research conducted during the development of this campaign found that despite their increased health risks men aren’t taking preventive steps and are often only visiting their doctors when they experience symptoms," said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "We are proud to continue our initiative with AHRQ with this wonderful series of PSAs designed to motivate men to take a more active role in their preventive health care.
The campaign encourages men to visit a comprehensive Web site. The site provides the recommended ages for preventive testing (as well as a list of tests), a quiz designed to test your knowledge of preventive health care, tips for talking with your doctor, a glossary of consumer health terms, and links to online resources where you can find more medical information.
Public service advertisements are being distributed to approximately 33,000 media stations nationwide this week. Per the Ad Council’s donated media model, all of the new public service advertisements will air and run in advertising time and space donated by the media.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality () is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AHRQ’s mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. AHRQ’s research helps people make more informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services.
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

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Jun 19 2008

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase II Trial For ZoraxelTM To Treat Erectile Dysfunction

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Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AMEX:RNN), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative treatments for cancer, central nervous system disorders, sexual dysfunction and other unmet medical needs, announced that the Company has initiated a Phase II clinical trial for its lead clinical compound ZoraxelTM, for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). ZoraxelTM is being developed as an orally administered, on-demand-use tablet.
Zoraxel™ Phase II trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. This multi-center trial is expected to be complete by the end of 2008.
Commenting on today’s news, Dr. Chang H. Ahn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rexahn, noted, "We are very pleased to announce the initiation of another Phase II trial. ZoraxelTM will prove itself a more effective, less toxic therapy for patients with erectile dysfunction."
About ZoraxelTM
ZoraxelTM is being developed as an immediate release tablet and has a well-established and excellent safety profile, different from current market leading PDE-5 inhibitors with many side effects (priapism, severe hypotension, myocardial infarction, sudden death, increased intraocular pressure and sudden hearing loss). Zoraxel™ is a dual neurotransmitter enhancer in the brain, and thus, acts through the central nervous system that regulates sexual functions, whereas the PDE-5 inhibitors work in the peripheral blood vessels and affect only erectile function. In the model studies, ZoraxelTM has been shown to significantly improve all three functions of sexual activity, i.e. sexual arousal, erection, and release. As such, ZoraxelTM may be a more effective ED treatment for patients who are both responsive and unresponsive to PDE-5 inhibitors.
About Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
ED is defined as the consistent inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. It is estimated to affect up to 30 million men in the United States, with 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 reporting difficulty with erectile function. By the year 2025, it is estimated that 322 million men worldwide will suffer from some degree of sexual dysfunction. Clinical management of ED has progressed substantially in recent years. The advancement of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor therapeutics quickly followed the scientific understanding of the nitric oxide (NO) signaling mechanism in erectile tissue. Adverse events affecting the vascular system have been a major concern with drugs that regulate that response. Investigations into the neurotransmission involved in penile erection, hormone actions involved in this response, and biochemical signal transduction processes within the erectile tissue, are indicative of significant areas of scientific pursuit.
About Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary technology platform to discover, develop and commercialize innovative treatments for cancer, central nervous system disorders, sexual dysfunction and other unmet medical needs. Rexahn’s compounds are designed to uniquely treat various disease states while significantly minimizing side effects in order to allow patients to regain their quality of life. For Additional information about Rexahn visit
Safe Harbor
generico cialis in linea comrare This press release contains statements (including projections and business trends) that are forward-looking statements. Rexahn’s actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, Rexahn’s lack of profitability, its auditor’s going concern qualification and the need for additional capital to operate its business to develop its product candidates; the risk that Rexahn’s development efforts relating to its product candidates may not be successful; the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of Rexahn’s product candidates; the risk that the results of clinical trials may not be completed on time or support Rexahn’s claims; demand for and market acceptance of Rexahn’s drug candidates; Rexahn’s reliance on third party researchers and manufacturers to develop its product candidates; Rexahn’s ability to develop and obtain protection of its intellectual property; and other risk factors set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof; Rexahn assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Jun 19 2008

Less educated, older men more likely to view depression negatively

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Men’s Health News
Less educated, older men are more likely to view depression negatively, while almost one in five Australians say they wouldn’t work with someone suffering depression, according to researchers from The Australian National University.
The research, published today by online open access journal BioMed Central, highlights the need for targeted programs to reduce levels of stigma attached to depression. The work was conducted by the Director of the Depression and Anxiety Consumer Research Unit at the University’s Centre for Mental Health Research (CMHR) Associate Professor Kathy Griffiths, CMHR Director Professor Helen Christensen and Professor Anthony Jorm of the University of Melbourne.
To reach the findings over six thousand Australian adults, including some with depression, answered research surveys to investigate and compare their own levels of both personal stigma - the negative attitude a person has towards depression - and perceived stigma, which describes the negative attitudes that a peson believes others have towards depression.
Lead author of the report Dr Griffiths said the findings were an important step in designing programs which de-stigmatised depression. "This is the first study to systematically investigate predictors of personal stigma among those people with high levels of depressive symptoms," she said.
"Personal stigmas were higher for males, those with less education, those born overseas and people in greater psychological distress. While our study showed that stigma is not as widespread as many members of the public think, it is still a problem. For example, as many as one in five Australians say they would not work with someone with depression.
"We already know that stigma is a leading cause of concern for people suffering from depression, but up until now not a lot has been done to examine it. Our work is critical to the successful design and targeting of programs that address the public’s negative attitudes to people with depression and help to reduce the stigma felt by those who are already depressed.
"kaufen cialis Ohne Rezept We recommend developing targeted programs to reduce these levels of stigma. A good place to start might be with men, older people, those with lower education levels and those born overseas," she said.
Dr Griffiths added that the study also revealed that attitudes towards depression differed little between regional areas and major cities.
"Interestingly, although it is often assumed that people from rural areas have more negative attitudes to mental disorders, we did not find any difference between stigma in the country and city," she said.

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Jun 19 2008

Finasteride for prostate cancer

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Men’s Health News
A comprehensive re-evaluation of the largest prostate cancer prevention study ever completed produced new findings suggesting that men and their doctors should consider a more aggressive approach that includes finasteride to prevent the development of prostate cancer.
A pathologic analysis of that same study sheds light on the significance of the cancers found in that study. Additionally, this study highlights the role of prostate specific antigen (PSA) scores in treatment decision-making. Researchers found that even those men who have a low PSA screening value can have cancer that is difficult to cure.
The two studies will be published online in advanced of the June 2008 issue of Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
The original study, the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), had randomized 18,822 men to receive either a placebo or an agent known as finasteride, currently approved to control prostate growth, for seven years. Results showed that while finasteride reduced prostate cancer risk by 25 percent, it appeared to increase development of more aggressive prostate cancer in some men. Because of this finding and concerns that tumors detected had low PSA values and might be of little risk to patients, since the study’s original publication in 2003, few doctors have recommended finasteride for prostate cancer prevention.
From a new analysis of PCPT data using advanced statistical modeling techniques and a complete assessment of prostate tissue biopsies, they concluded that these concerns are now resolved: finasteride actually reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer more than researchers had originally thought, did not increase development of more aggressive cancers, and the majority of tumors prevented were those that could spread and cause death.
These new findings suggest that men should take an "individualized" approach to prostate cancer prevention, said Ian M. Thompson, M.D., Chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, who is senior author on both studies, and was also lead author for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) on the original PCPT results paper, which was published in July 2003.
"Because we now know that men with even low PSAs can develop prostate tumors, if a man is worried about his risk, regardless of PSA score, he can take an agent that is now proven to be effective in lowering that risk," Thompson said.
Researchers looked at whether finasteride actually increased aggressive cancers in some men, and by studying biopsies and prostate gland tissue that had been removed, concluding that it did not. "Finasteride actually shrank the prostate gland, so it appeared in initial studies that more cancer was being found in biopsies of men who took the drug," said Mary Redman, Ph.D., a biostatistician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
"What that means is that the cancer took up more prostate tissue in men who were treated, and that is why it was easier to find in a biopsy. Cancer was probably missed more often in biopsies of men on a placebo drug because the prostate gland itself was larger," Redman said.
Redman found that in addition to a 25 to 30 percent reduction in prostate cancer development overall in men taking finasteride, there was no evidence that the drug increased the rate of aggressive tumors and likey decreased their rate by 27 percent.
"We think men should not be concerned about finasteride increasing their risk of these aggressive tumors" she said.
The second study examined whether the cancers detected in the men in the trial who had a low PSA level had clinically significant disease. With about 75 percent of the tumors detected on the study were classified as those which could potentially take a man’s life, researchers concluded that there is no clear-cut PSA threshold that can be considered normal.
All patients in PCPT were to have a biopsy of their prostate gland at some point during the seven-year trial, so investigators evaluated characteristics of the biopsy in relation to each man’s PSA score. Current practice is to consider a PSA score of below four as normal and above four as abnormal.
Generico cialis pillole senza ricetta What they found, according to lead author Scott Lucia, M.D., a pathologist at the University of Colorado, Denver, was that while a large majority of the participants diagnosed with prostate cancer had a PSA that was considered normal, 72 percent of all tumors diagnosed from biopsies in both treated and untreated men were considered significant. In short, the finding of significant disease couldn’t be predicted by the PSA score, he said. Most patients in the study who had a PSA score of four or less and then had prostate cancer diagnosed by a routine biopsy were found to have significant prostate cancer, while some men who had a high PSA were found to have insignificant cancer.
That doesn’t mean that the researchers support reducing the level by which PSA scoring should trigger therapeutic intervention, Lucia said. "Over 90 percent of men in the country diagnosed with prostate cancer opt for treatment, yet we also found that even at higher PSA levels, men are being treated for tumors that would not have threatened their health," he said. "This is the dilemma of PSA screening. While lower cut-off levels, those below four, increase risk of detection of insignificant disease, cure is more likely; conversely, more significant disease is detected with higher levels but at a greater risk of incurable disease."
It does mean that men need to speak with their physicians about their PSA, when they should be biopsied, and about potential use of finasteride, which can reduce their risk, so that they will make a decision that is right for them, researchers say. For example, Lucia says, a man whose family members have been diagnosed with the disease may decide to have a biopsy even though his PSA is below four. If cancer is found then may opt to undergo treatment; if cancer is not found, he may choose to use finasteride to prevent the cancer from developing. Another man may decide to put off a biopsy, regardless of PSA score, if he is worried about side effects of treatment.
"These are not easy decisions, especially when we know now that we cannot rely on what the PSA looks like it is telling us," Lucia said.
Emphasizing the importance of prevention, "if given the option of having my prostate cancer found early, getting it treated and then getting over the side effects of treatment or never getting cancer in the first place, I’d choose prevention any day," said Thompson.

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