New MS drug rituximab shows promise for multiple sclerosis

Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc.’s cancer drug Rituxan (rituximab) reduced brain lesions in multiple sclerosis patients. – A drug therapy, using rituximab, dramatically reduced the number of inflammatory lesions that form along nerve fibers in brains of multiple sclerosis patients, revealed by researchers recently.

Occupational cancer risk in fruit and veg growers, hairdressers

New research by staff at the University’s Centre for Public Health Research show occupational cancer risk in fruit and veg growers, hairdressers and sewing machinists. – Increased risk of cancer for occupational groups including hairdressers, sewing machinists, field crop and fruit and vegetable growers, reported by New Zealand researchers. Occupational cancers account for 330 deaths in New Zealand each year, about five per cent.

Researchers discover a pathway to turn off immune system

The research could lead to development of new drugs that turn off the immune system in patients with autoimmune diseases ? such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. – University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a new way to turn genes off in human T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight infections. Turning off genes, through a process known as mRNA decay, is important for regulating the body’s immune response after fighting infection.

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