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Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (”Oncolytics”) (TSXONC, NASDAQONCY) announced that the Cancer Therapy Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center (CTRC) has started patient enrolment in a U.S. Phase 2 clinical trial using intravenous administration of REOLYSIN(R) in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with metastatic melanoma. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Devalingam Mahalingam, M.D., Ph.D., MRCP(UK), MRCP(I), clinical investigator in GI/thoracic oncology and drug development at the CTRC.

“We have seen some very encouraging results in our clinical trials using REOLYSIN in combination with other therapies in metastatic melanoma patients,” said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. “For example, of nine evaluable melanoma patients treated intravenously in our combination REOLYSIN and chemotherapy trials, five had stable disease or better (two partial responses and three stable disease).

“In our local administration REOLYSIN and radiation studies, all of the evaluable melanoma patients (10) had stable disease or better in the target lesion, (three partial responses, one significant minor response and six stable disease). These results, combined with preclinical work demonstrating that in vivo combination treatment resulted in markedly reduced tumour growth compared to single agent treatments, provided the rationale for our collaborators to explore a Phase 2 combination study for patients with metastatic melanoma.”

“Today, few effective treatment options exist for patients with advanced malignant melanoma,” said Dr. Mahalingam. “We welcome this collaboration with Oncolytics, and are excited to have started patient enrolment for this Phase II investigatorinitiated study at the CTRC. We are hopeful this novel agent will continue to show promising results.”

The trial (REO 020) is a single arm, openlabel, Phase 2 study of REOLYSIN given intravenously with paclitaxel and carboplatin every three weeks. It is anticipated that up to 43 patients will be treated in the study.

Eligible patients include those with metastatic, malignant melanoma who have failed one or more prior therapies, or those who are not considered to be a candidate for standard, firstline treatment.

The primary objective of the Phase 2 trial is to measure the objective response rate (partial response (PR) and complete response (CR)) to the treatment combination. The secondary objectives are to assess progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the treatment regimen in the study population, to assess disease control rate (CR + PR + stable disease (SD)) and duration in the study population, and to assess the safety and tolerability of the combination treatment.

This trial is part of a broad preclinical and clinical collaboration with the CTRC that will involve up to five, openlabel, Phase 2 studies exploring the use of REOLYSIN in combination with chemotherapy for various cancer indications.

About Melanoma

Cancer of the skin is the most common of cancers, probably accounting for at least half of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 68,720 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the United States during 2009, and 8,650 people will die from the condition. Unlike many other common cancers, melanoma widely occurs in younger as well as older people. Occurrence rates continue to increase with age and are highest among those in their 80s, but melanoma is not uncommon in those younger than 30, and in fact is one of the more common cancers in adolescents and young adults.

About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.

Oncolytics is a Calgarybased biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses as potential cancer therapeutics. Oncolytics clinical program includes a variety of Phase 1/2 and Phase 2 human trials using REOLYSIN, its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, alone and in combination with radiation or chemotherapy.

The Cancer Therapy Research Center (CTRC) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is one of the nations leading academic research and treatment centers, serving more than 4.4 million people in the highgrowth corridor of Central and South Texas including Austin, San Antonio, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. CTRC is one of a few elite cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Cancer Center, and is one of only three in Texas. A world leader in developing new drugs to treat cancer, The CTRC Institute for Drug Development (IDD) is internationally recognized for conducting the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug trials program in the world, and participates in the clinical and/or preclinical development of many of the cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food Drug Administration.

This press release contains forwardlooking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forwardlooking statements, including the Companys expectations related to the U.S. Phase 2 combination REOLYSIN/paclitaxel and carboplatin clinical trial for patients with metastatic melanoma, and the Companys belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN as a cancer therapeutic, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those in the forwardlooking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of REOLYSIN as a cancer treatment, the tolerability of REOLYSIN outside a controlled test, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Companys ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals and uncertainties related to the regulatory process. Investors should consult the Companys quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forwardlooking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forwardlooking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forwardlooking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Diabetes UK Care Events team is expanding its programme with a new event for young adults with Type 1 diabetes.

The first Young Adult Support Weekend (13 to 15 November 2009) offers a chance for young people aged 18 to 25 to meet others, join in discussion groups, talk to healthcare professionals and find out more about issues such as going away to university, discrimination at work, travelling, alcohol, driving, sex and relationships.

A chance to meet and share experiences

“The new weekends will be a great opportunity for young people to meet others and share their experiences,” said Susie Reilly, Head of Care Events at Diabetes UK.

Peer support

“Just as with our existing support holidays and weekends, peer support has proven to be invaluable to attendees.

Informal education sessions

“The informal education sessions by specialist healthcare professionals will also provide a safe environment for people to learn more about diabetes, diabetes management and the care they are entitled to.”

Where and when?

The first weekend will be from 13 to 15 November 2009 at the Sachas Hotel, Manchester, and costs £130 per person.

Accommodation, meals, snacks, seminars, professional healthcare support and the comedy club trip and casino themed night are all included in the price. A bursary is available.

Find out more

While most women experience minor pain during menstruation, for others, the pain can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities and require medication. New research to be presented at the 2009 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition will reveal initial findings of safety surrounding a new device that may more effectively treat menstrual pain.

“The goal of our study was to find a better way to treat menstrual cramps,” said Giovanni M. Pauletti, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Cincinnati and the studys presenter as well as past chair of AAPS National Biotechnology Conference Planning Committee. “Existing oral medications cause significant gastrointestinal side effects for women, creating additional discomfort while alleviating menstrual pain. Results from our Phase I clinical trials show that this new vaginal device safely delivers at least 10times more drug to the uterus as a tablet of equivalent dose.”

The study, which was sponsored by UMD, Inc., a Cincinnati drug delivery company, and conducted at Womens Health Research, Inc. involved 18 study participants, aged 1845 years with menstrual cycles between 2530 days. During the midfollicular phase of the first menstrual cycle (days 711), nine study participants received an oral dose of 10 mg of ketorolac (Toradol®), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication; while nine women received a tampon coated with 10 mg of ketorolac. During the second menstrual cycle, each subject received the opposite treatment. The results of the study demonstrated that the medication administered vaginally does not cause significant side effects but accumulates more efficiently in the desired uterine tissue than using the oral medication.

“While still early in our research, this study shows promising results which may help pave the way for new treatment options for women,” said Pauletti. “Phase II clinical trials will study efficacy of the treatment to assess whether the drug concentration is effective in reducing pain.”

Over 8,500 individuals from the field of pharmaceutical research are expected to attend the 2009 AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition, which will be held Nov. 812 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. During the meeting, scientists from around the world will have the opportunity to present new research, methods and technologies as they relate to the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

Source
Jennifer Bender

The standard explanation for what causes Alzheimers is known as the amyloid hypothesis, which posits that the disease results from of an accumulation of the peptide amyloid beta, the toxic protein fragments that deposit in the brain and become the sticky plaques that have defined Alzheimers for more than 100 years.

Billions of dollars are spent yearly targeting this toxic peptide but what if this is the wrong target? What if the disease begins much earlier, fueled by a natural process? Reporting in the current edition of the journal Neurobiology of Aging, UCLA professor of psychiatry George Bartzokis argues just that and says that a better working hypothesis is the “myelin model.”

“The greatest promise of the myelin model of the human brain is its application to the development of new therapeutic approaches,” Bartzokis said.

Like insulation around wires, myelin is a fatty sheath that coats our nerve axons, allowing for efficient conduction of nerve impulses. It is key to the fast processing speeds that underlie our higher cognitive functions and encoding of memories.

But the lifelong, extensive myelination of the human brain also makes it uniquely vulnerable to damage. The myelin models central premise is that it is the normal, routine maintenance and repair of myelin throughout life that ultimately initiates the mechanisms that produce degenerative diseases like Alzheimers. That is, the amyloidbeta peptide and the tau peptide, which is also implicated in Alzheimers, as well as the signature clinical signs of the disease, such as memory loss and, ultimately, dementia, are all byproducts of the myelin breakdown and repair processes.

“The pervasive myelination of our brain is the single most unique aspect in which the human brain differs from other species,” said Bartzokis, who is a member of the Laboratory of Neuro Imaging in the UCLA Department of Neurology and a member of UCLAs Brain Research Institute. Myelin is produced by oligodendrocytes, specialized glial cells that themselves become more vulnerable with age.

Bartzokis notes that myelination of the brain follows an inverted Ushaped trajectory, growing strongly until our 50s, when it very slowly begins to unravel as we age. The myelin that is deposited in adulthood ensheaths increasing numbers of axons with smaller axon diameters and so spreads itself thinner and thinner, Bartzokis said. As a result, it becomes more susceptible to the ravages of age in the form of environmental and genetic insults and slowly begins to break down faster than it can be repaired.

The exclusive targeting of the amyloidbeta peptide for many years is understandable because the same genes and enzymes involved in controlling myelination and myelin repair are, ironically, also involved in the production of amyloidbeta proteins. Bartzokis point is that the amyloid beta may actually develop as a result of the natural process of the repair and maintenance of myelin.

“So the breakdown that leads to Alzheimers and other agerelated brain diseases, such as Parkinsons, may begin much earlier, before the formation of the protein deposits that are used to define these diseases,” Bartzokis said.

Most drugs being developed for Alzheimers are targeting amyloid beta, but little if any clinical improvement is being seen. This is, according to Bartzokis, “similar to cleaning up a house thats been flooded by water but never repairing the actual pipe that created the flood.

“For drug development then, the targets should be much further upstream, earlier in the process before the AB plaques even develop,” he said.

Instead of focusing on reducing amyloid beta, Bartzokis argues, the myelin model suggests entirely different approaches to treatment and prevention of Alzheimers disease that precede plaque formation. With modern brain imaging technology, clinicians could track the dynamic changes taking place in the brain and intercede well before any signs of Alzheimers are seen.

“With earlier intervention,” Bartzokis said, “we could reduce and potentially eliminate the increasingly catastrophic burden of dementia on the individual and their family, the health care system, and our society.”

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the RCS Alzheimers Foundation and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The author reports no conflicts of interest.

The UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences is part of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, an interdisciplinary research and education institute devoted to the understanding of complex human behavior, including the genetic, biological, behavioral and sociocultural underpinnings of normal behavior, and the causes and consequences of neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition to conducting fundamental research, the institute faculty seeks to develop effective treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders, improve access to mental health services, and shape national health policy regarding neuropsychiatric disorders.

Source University of California, Los Angeles

In a speech at a private event on Friday, first lady Michelle Obama urged women to push for health reform, saying that President Obamas plan would help achieve “true equality” for women, the Washington Post reports. Speaking to about 140 health care industry and womens group representatives, Obama called the current health system “a status quo that is just unacceptable” and tied efforts to change it with the battle for womens rights, according to the Post.

Obama, a former vice president in the University of Chicago hospital system, said, “In many states, insurance companies can still discriminate because of gender. And this is still shocking to me.” She added, “These are the kind of facts that still wake me up at night, that women in this country have been denied coverage because of preexisting conditions like having a [caesarean] section or having had a baby” or being a domestic violence survivor (Gerhart, Washington Post, 9/19). “For two years on the campaign trail, this was what I heard from women, that they were being crushed, crushed by the current structure of our health care,” she said (Babington, AP/Atlanta JournalConstitution, 9/18).

Women often pay more than men of the same age for the same level of insurance coverage under individual policy plans. One study found the disparity can be as high as 48%, the Post reports. A similar study in 2008 by the National Womens Law Center found that only 10 states prohibit gender rating (Washington Post, 9/19).

Using personal stories to illustrate her point, Obama said that women are “disproportionately affected by this issue because of the roles we play in our families.” She said, “Women are affected because of the jobs we do in this economy. … Women are more likely to work parttime, or work in small businesses, jobs that dont always provide health insurance,” adding, “Women are affected because in many states, insurance companies can still discriminate because of gender.”

She pledged that under the Obama administrations health plan, “insurance companies will no longer be able to drop your coverage when you get too sick, or refuse to pay for the care you need, or set a cap on the amount of coverage you can get.” She continued, “And it will limit how much they can charge you for outofpocket expenses. Because getting sick in this country shouldnt mean that you go bankrupt.” She also noted that because of the higher premiums that women often are charged, “more than half of women report putting off needed medical care because they cant afford it” (Henderson, Politico, 9/18).

Obama called on the events attendees to “mobilize like youve never mobilized before” to help educate others about the presidents health reform plan. “No longer can we sit by and watch the debate take on a life of its own,” the first lady said, adding, “It is up to us to get involved, because what we have to remember is that now more than ever, we have to channel our passions into change” (Rhee, Boston Globe, 9/19).

Marcia Greenberger, founder and copresident of NWLC, said, “Putting this effort into the long context of struggles that womens organizations have made was very moving and very true.” She added, “She made the case, I have to say, in a way that I thought was more compelling than I ever had heard it made before” (Washington Post, 9/19).

Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Womens Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Womens Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

Following the announcement by the Department of Health (DH) on the H1N1 vaccination programme for front line workers that stated “those pharmacists and their clinical staff…who have regular clinical contact with patients and who are directly involved in patient care as part of their pharmacy practice will be eligible for the vaccine”.

The NPA has written to PCTs urging them to move swiftly to make arrangements for community pharmacists and pharmacy staff to be offered the vaccine.

John Turk said

“Pharmacists and their staff are in daily contact with those who are sick, elderly or are immunocompromised and their carers. They are vital to ensuring that the supply of medication to those who have long term or acute conditions continues throughout the pandemic. Pharmacies are the first port of call for many of those needing treatment for the symptoms of flu or other self limiting conditions. It is clear that PCTs should include community pharmacists and pharmacy staff in H1N1 vaccination programmes for frontline workers and we look forward to prompt implementation within all PCT areas.”

And adds

Diabetes has so many costs to your health, your emotions, and of course, your wallet. The October issue of Diabetes Forecast, the consumer magazine of the American Diabetes Association, features ten ways to save some money and improve your health. With a little knowhow, you can save some big bucks on screenings, supplies, and preventive treatments. Here are a few of the costcutting ideas Diabetes Forecast recommends

Head to a Health Fair or EXPO Hospitals, universities, churches, towns, and community groups often set up health fairs to provide a wide range of screenings and health information. Health expos offer even more by bringing together medical experts and exhibitors for screenings, seminars, workshops, and demonstrations.

Get Screened Staying on top of your health and preventing diseases or their complications before they become major problems makes a significant impact on your budget. Besides regular examinations by your health care team, you often can get screened for different conditions at clinics, pharmacies, and local health departments, among other places.

Attend a Cooking Demonstration Want to make sure youre getting the most out of your meals? Need a little extra inspiration to get back on track? Stop by a cooking demonstration at a farmers market or grocery store.

Flex That “Flexible” Spending If you have a flexible spending account through your benefit program at work, you can use the money you set aside (before tax is withheld) on a variety of nonreimbursable medical costs, from copays to overthecounter medications and supplies.

Try these moneysaving tricks to help manage diabetes and other things that cause your health care costs to creep up. Best of all, many of these proactive moves may keep you healthier, too!

The October issue also brings you information about “Cracking the Case” A federal jury finds diabetes discrimination at the FBI. Veteran lawman Jeff Kapache had heard from FBI field agents that he would be a great addition to the bureau, sowhen he applied and was denied a job, he knew something was up. It wasnt the grueling physical exams, tough aptitude tests, or extensive interviews that kept him from landing the job it was his diabetes. Learn how Kapche fought this discrimination and, after seven years of legal battles, finally won his lawsuit against the FBI.

More in the newest issue of Diabetes Forecast

Diabetes at 100 mph Catching up with race car driver Charlie Kimball about his type 1 diabetes
Antioxidants Sifting through the hype about the value of antioxidants, in foods and in supplements
Topping It Off Need a little help in adding flavor to your dishes? The secret is in the sauce!

Diabetes Forecast has been Americas leading diabetes magazine for more than 60 years, offering the latest news on diabetes research and treatment to provide information, inspiration, and support to people with diabetes.

Source

Reactions were mixed on Wednesday to Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (DMont.) release of his panels health reform bill, the Washington Post reports. Although House Democratic leaders and some liberal groups were critical of the measure, some influential players particularly industry groups “held their firepower,” according to the Post. The muted reaction from industry which has been highly critical of the House bills and another Senate bill is perhaps the “best evidence” that the Finance Committee bill has a positive future, according to the Post. In an attempt to quell attacks from interest groups, the Obama administration has agreed to several deals in which the health industry would make financial concessions in exchange for the prospect of new customers. The Baucus bill takes a similar approach (Connolly, Washington Post, 9/17).

House Democratic leaders said that although they are pleased to see the Senate moving forward, they feel that Baucus plan makes too many conservative concessions. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) said in a statement that the House reform bill (HR 3200) “clearly does more” than Baucus bill “to make coverage affordable for more Americans.” Pelosi also reiterated her support for a public health insurance plan option to provide competition with private insurers, a proposal that is not included in the Senate Finance Committee bill. House Ways and Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel (DN.Y.) said that he is “pleased to see movement, any movement out of the Senate,” adding that “[w]e cannot do anything unless we have something come out of Senate.” Rangel said his staff has been working to blend all three House health reform bills (Roth, CQ Today, 9/16).

Abortion Coverage Under Finance Committee Bill

The Senate Finance Committee bill would prohibit federal funding for abortion except in cases of rape, incest or endangerment to the womans life, the AP/MSNBC reports. The bill would prevent abortion coverage from being included in a minimum benefits package in proposed health insurance “exchanges” where consumers could shop for coverage. The plans in the exchange could include offer abortion coverage as long as no government subsidies paid for it. Instead, abortion coverage would be funded through member premiums, which would be segregated from federal money (Werner/AlonsoZaldivar, AP/MSNBC, 9/16).

Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Womens Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Womens Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has “carved out a much different position” on health care reform than other prominent antiabortionrights groups, most of which have “spent the last month pummeling Democratic health care reform proposals over abortion coverage,” according to U.S. News & World Report columnist Dan Gilgoff. For several decades, USCCB supported universal health care on the argument that health care is a basic human right. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of USCCBs Secretariat for ProLife Activities, said, “We think the right to have basic health care is corollary to the right to life,” adding, “And that society has some obligation to help provide it.”

According to Gilgoff, the groups antiabortionrights stance and support for universal health care have helped make the bishops and the Catholic community in general a “key swing constituency” in the health reform debate. If President Obama and congressional Democrats are able to address the Catholic Churchs concerns on abortion coverage in the health overhaul, the bishops could become a “powerful ally” in the fight for reform, Gilgoff writes. Conversely, if lawmakers are unable to calm the bishops fears, the churchs opposition to health reform could “help bring down the whole effort,” he says.

USCCB has become increasingly vocal in recent weeks in its claims that Democrats proposals would include governmentfunded abortion. In an August letter to House members, Justin Rigali Philadelphia archbishop and head of USCCBs Committee on ProLife Activities claimed that the House health reform bill (HR 3200) is “seriously deficient” in maintaining the status quo on federal abortion policy. The letter also called a proposed ban on federal funding for abortion in health reform “an illusion.” USCCB recently launched a Web site on health reform that emphasizes its concerns about abortion. Several other Catholic groups, including Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Health Association, have placed disclaimers on their sites noting that although they have not backed a specific proposal, they remain committed to “health reform that respects the life and dignity of every person, from conception to natural death.”

About 20 House Democrats, led by Rep. Bart Stupak (DMich.), have warned party leaders that they will not support health reform legislation in its current form because of abortionrelated issues. Meanwhile, some progressive Catholics object to the House bill because it gives the HHS secretary authority to decide if abortion services should be covered under the public plan option. The bishops also want subsidized health plans for lowincome workers to include a separate rider for participants who want abortion coverage. Gilgoff reports that abortionrights supporters likely will object to such a rider because many women who already have insurance that covers abortion services would lose the coverage.

Some liberal Catholic advocates claim that the churchs concerns about abortion in health reform are distracting people from the larger message of providing universal health care. Gilgoff claims that passing health reform legislation despite the objections of Catholics and USCCB “would have political costs.” However, “opposing the final health care reform plan on abortion grounds could have political consequences for the church, too,” he adds (Gilgoff, U.S. News & World Report, 9/14).

Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Womens Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Womens Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

Hazelden, a nonprofit organization, and the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center (PRC) both leaders in the research and development of evidencebased practices have announced a partnership to develop a variety of resources for the mental health and addiction treatment industries. These resources, including curricula, books, multimedia tools, and staffdevelopment trainings, will be published under a new “Dartmouth PRCHazelden” imprint.

This groundbreaking collaboration between Hazelden and the Dartmouth PRC was born from the success of a project between Hazelden and Dartmouth Medical School the 2008 publication of the Cooccurring Disorders Program, the first comprehensive, evidencebased program for the treatment of nonsevere cooccurring disorders. This exceptional program has been adopted by several organizations, including the U.S. Navy and the Adult Mental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

The new joint venture between Hazelden and the Dartmouth PRC will launch with the fall 2009 release of A Guide for Living with PTSD Perspectives for Professionals and Their Clients, a video on the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Future products will compose a continuum of evidencebased resources for working with those who have a mental health disorder or cooccurring addiction and mental health disorders, including an updated, expanded, and serviceable version of the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment program, which will feature a new relapse prevention component. These products and trainings will be designed to serve a broad range of professionals, including counselors, social workers, nurses and psychiatrists who work in mental health agencies, the military, treatment centers, corrections departments, state governments, and industry associations.

“The partnership between Hazelden and Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center is a milestone for the mental health and addiction communities,” says Robert E. Drake, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Dartmouth PRC. “With our combined expertise, we are able to bring professionals in a wide variety of settings relevant, researchbased resources for treating clients with mental health and addiction disorders. Together, we are committed to providing comprehensive programs and evidencebased tools for helping people identify their disorders, get the help they need, and sustain healthy, fulfilling lives.”

Source
David Corriveau