NHS publishes guidance on PIP breast implants
Breast implants from the French company PIP (Poly Implant Prosthèse) are making headlines in the UK and Europe as worries about potential leakage of the industrial grade silicone used in their manufacture were raised in a recent French report. The English National Health Service (NHS) has produced an information page on the NHS Choices website for women who have concerns about this issue.
The US Food and Drug Administration produced an updated safety guide on breast implants in June 2011 which highlights the information women should know when considering having breast implants – find out more about the resources they offer here.
Stand Up To Cancer and Melanoma Research Alliance announce Dream Team
On 14 December 2011, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) and SU2C's scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), announced a new Dream Team dedicated to melanoma research. The team will pursue targeted therapies for patients with a melanoma subtype for which there are few treatment options &nbash; BRAF Wild-type (BRAFwf) cancer.
The Dream Team will investigate the utility of personalized target/therapy identification in patients with BRAFwt metastatic melanoma and will explore the efficacy of molecularly guided therapy involving numerous FDA-approved and investigational agents.
Clinical trials are due to start mid-2012 and the team hopes that an individualized medicine approach to the treatment of BRAFwt metastatic melanoma will not only lead to therapeutic benefit for this patient population but may also be beneficial to many other tumor and disease types.
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Therapeutic strategies for the improvement of scars
Gerd G. Gauglitz
Prime – International Journal of Aesthetics and Anti-Ageing Medicine, January/February 2012
A review of the literature pertaining to the range of treatments available to treat scar tissue, as well as a discussion on issues of anatomy, efficacy and potential side-effect profiles.
For a FREE subscription to PRIME – International Journal of Aesthetics and Anti-Ageing Medicine click here.
How psoriasis patients perceive, obtain, and use biologic agents: Survey from an academic medical center
Faranak Kamangar, Leah Isip, Tina Bhutani, Madison Dennis, Misha M Heller, Eric S Lee, Hong Nie & Wilson Liao
Journal of Dermatological Treatment, early online
The availability of new biologic agents for the treatment of psoriasis, such as the new TNF-a antagonists, provides hope for improved quality of life outcomes for the 2–3% of the population who suffer from this inflammatory skin disease. However, the way patients come to use biologics, the potential barriers they encounter, and their attitudes towards using these medications are still not well studied. This paper details a survey of 106 psoriasis patients at an academic medical center to discern patient attitudes towards biologics.
Combination of azelaic acid 5% and clindamycin 2% for the treatment of acne vulgaris
Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi, Mohamad Ali Nilforoushzadeh, Marjan Ajami, Fariba Jaffary, Nahid Aboutaleb, Mansour Nassiri-Kashani & Alireza Firooz
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 30(4), 286
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic conditions worldwide. Combinations of topical treatments seem to decrease treatment-resistance and have improved efficacy. This paper evaluates the effects of azelaic acid and clindamycin on mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
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Litt's D.E.R.M. Database aims to be the world's most comprehensive resource on dermatological reactions to drugs. The database is constantly updated with the very latest information.
Help us, help you: If you find a drug or a reaction that needs to be added to the database, then please let us know. Email the editorial team at support@drugeruptiondata.com.
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Aflibercept
On 18th November 2011 the FDA approved Eylea™ (aflibercept) to treat patients with wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans ages 60 and older.
AMD gradually destroys a person's sharp, central vision. It affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows people to see fine detail needed to do daily tasks such as reading and driving.
There are two forms of AMD, a wet form and a dry form. The wet form of AMD includes the growth of abnormal blood vessels. The blood vessels can leak fluid into the central part of the retina, also known as the macula. When fluid leaks into the macula, the macula thickens and vision loss occurs.
Other FDA-approved treatment options for wet AMD include: Visudyne® (verteporfin for injection) approved in 2000, Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium injection) approved in 2004, and Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) approved in 2006. Review and compare the adverse reactions for these drugs in the Litt's D.E.R.M.
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Generic Name
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Aflibercept
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Trade Names
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Eylea ™
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Indication
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Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration
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Class
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Fusion protein
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Pregnancy Category
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C
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Half-life
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5–6 days
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Potentially Hazardous Interactions
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None known
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Reactions
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See www.drugeruptiondata.com for a list of 35 possible adverse reactions and links to relevant references on PubMed
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Litt's D.E.R.M. is now on Twitter!
Follow us @Drug_Eruption for interesting facts on drug reactions and special offers.
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Litt's D.E.R.M. Drug Eruptions & Reactions Manual – 18th edition
By:
Jerome Z. Litt, M.D.,
Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
Now in its 18th Edition, Litt's Drug Eruptions and Reactions Manual (D.E.R.M.), is a guide to drug eruptions, adverse reactions and clinically relevant drug–drug interactions associated with over 1000 drugs. As a compilation of the continual updates from companion website www.drugeruptiondata.com, this simple, well-organised book systematically catalogues adverse reactions and contains detailed profiles for drugs listed and indexed in alphabetical order.
It is a quick, easy reference for anyone who wants an authoritative instant guide to drug reactions and interactions, whether in the office or on a hospital ward.
Special Book of The Month Offer: Save15% when you purchase this book before 29th February, 2012. Apply coupon code 15LITT18 at the checkout. Order online today!
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