Webcast from NIH Office of Research on Women's Health
Symposium on Family Hormonal Health
Webcast: NIH, Friday, October 29, 2004 Pituitary tumors are not
rare and occur in nearly 20% of adults, worldwide. Although clinically
significant, many of these tumors go undiagnosed for years. The abnormal
hormone production caused by these tumors has severe and debilitating
effects on growth, reproductive and sexual function, and neuroimmune
function. Therefore, the purpose of this symposium is to increase
awareness and scientific understanding of the all-encompassing nature of
pituitary disorders in order to increase earlier diagnosis, disseminate
knowledge of state of the art treatments, and pique interest in novel
scientific study of the pathophysiology of these disorders and their
many ramifications.
Speakers included:
- Vivian W. Pinn, M.D.
- Yvonne Maddox, Ph.D.
- Captain Mohamed K. Shakir, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.R.C.P.
- Ian McCutcheon, M.D.
- Sylvia Asa, M.D., Ph.D.
- George P. Chrousos, M.D.
- Alan Rogol, M.D., Ph.D.
- Phil Gold, M.D.
- Sharmyn McGraw, Bram Levy and Robert Knutzen
- Edward Oldfield, M.D.
- Marc R. Blackman, M.D
- James Segars, M.D.
- Janet A. Schlecte, M.D.
- Edward Laws, M.D., Ph.D.
- Shereen Ezzat, M.D.
View this Webcast (7 hours, 21 minutes)
Webcast: ENDO 2004: from Controversies in the Treatment of Obesity to the differential diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome or Thyroid Cancer, ENDO Webcast includes a diverse array of the clinical symposia presented at ENDO 2004. This easy to view format includes slide graphics. This requires Real Player, avaliable free from http://www.real.com
Discovery Health aired Sam's show, "Mystery Diagnosis", Monday, November 15, 10PM EST. Upcoming viewings will be Nov. 19, 5AM EST and Nov. 21, 7PM EST, all on Discovery Health. More info here »
Endocrine Society Urges NIH to Delay Public Access Plan
CHEVY CHASE, Md., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Endocrine Society today asked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to delay implementation of its plan to enhance public access to scientific research. While The Endocrine Society supports the concept of open access, it cannot support the NIH's proposal, as it raises several concerns and questions that must be addressed before any new policy can be applied.
In a letter sent to NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., The Endocrine Society shared several concerns regarding the NIH plan.
"We not only support free access to literature," writes Endocrine Society President Anthony Means, Ph.D., "we have invested our financial resources in developing and implementing definitive Web technology to accomplish this."
The Society currently makes all accepted manuscripts from its four peer- reviewed journals immediately available, without charge, to the public through its Web site. All of the Society's final published content also becomes available, free-of-charge, after 12 months.
The Endocrine Society's letter notes that the NIH plan duplicates existing resources; uses an untested publishing model; and leaves several unanswered questions regarding costs and measurements. The Society also conveys disappointment that in developing its plan for public access, the NIH failed to consult with established members of the scholarly publishing community, many of whom have advocated for NIH funding increases in recent years.
"The Endocrine Society is gravely concerned about the effect this wholesale shift in policy will have on the publishing models of the scholarly publishing community," notes the letter.
While the NIH calls for publicly funded scientific research to be freely available after six months, it has not shared the methodology and data used to establish this timeframe. A majority of journal publishers have determined that a 12-month free access policy is more sustainable than a six-month policy. The Endocrine Society also points out the NIH's failure to provide information about how it will assess the effectiveness of its policy and monitor its impact on stakeholders.
"We urge the NIH not to implement this proposal until sufficient data are collected to gauge the impact -- economic and otherwise -- of such a policy," said Dr. Means who offered to work with the NIH to revise their plan.
"We suggest there are other models that the NIH can use to promote open availability of scientific information and manage its research portfolio, and we would be happy to be part of a process to develop such models."
Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 11,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at http://www.endo-society.org
SOURCE The Endocrine Society
CO: Endocrine Society; NIH; National Institutes of Health
ST: Maryland
SU: EXE
Web site: http://www.endo-society.org
http://www.prnewswire.com
11/12/2004 10:22 EST
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Olympic skater Scott Hamilton has a Pituitary Tumor
11/11/2004, 11:23 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — World champion figure skater Scott Hamilton was diagnosed Thursday with a benign brain tumor, his publicist said.
Hamilton, 46, underwent a biopsy at The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, and doctors expected to release him from the hospital by Friday.
Hamilton has a slow-growing, non-cancerous tumor in the region of the pituitary gland, said Dr. Gene Barnett, chairman of the clinic's brain tumor institute. Hamilton's publicist, Michael Sterling, said the skater has had vision problems in recent weeks.
"We will be working with him on a treatment plan moving forward," Barnett said.
Hamilton was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1997 and treated with surgery and chemotherapy.
Hamilton, who lives in Los Angeles, is a four-time U.S. national champion, a four-time world champion and the 1984 Olympic gold medalist. He is now a skating show producer.
From http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/national/index.ssf?/base/national-33/1100233751241850.xml&storylist=national
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Growth Hormone Therapy May Reduce Morbidity, Mortality in Hypopituitary Adults
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Aug 02 - In hypopituitary adults not treated with
growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy, mortality rates are significantly
increased compared with that of the normal population, according to a research
project in Sweden. With GH replacement, however, overall mortality is not higher
than normal.
Because of conflicting results in studies of patients with pituitary disease
treated with GH, Dr. J. Svensson, at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Goteborg,
and colleagues compared outcomes of two cohorts of patients with those of the
background population.
The first included 1411 hypopituitary adults (mean age at baseline 56.9 years)
treated in-hospital between 1987 and 1992 who were followed until the end of
1994. During this period, the use of GH replacement therapy was not routinely
used in Sweden.
Their risk ratio for death, compared with the general population, was 3.80 (p <
0.001). Death from cancer was increased nearly 4-fold as well (p < 0.001), with
death due to cancer of the colon and rectum particularly high (risk ratio, 5.33,
p < 0.001). The number of myocardial infarctions was increased (p < 0.01), as
was the risk of cerebrovascular events (p < 0.001).
The second, prospective cohort study is ongoing, and includes 289 hypopituitary
adult patients (mean age 47.6 years at baseline) being treated with GH
replacement. This group did not differ significantly from the norm in mortality
rates or in the rate of malignancies. The occurrence of myocardial infarctions
was lower than would be expected (p < 0.05).
Although the two study cohorts are not fully comparable, "the present results
could suggest that GH replacement therapy reduces mortality in hypopituitary
adults," Dr. Svensson's group maintains.
There was an increased rate of cerebrovascular events even among those treated
with GH therapy, the authors note, "demonstrating that factors other than GH in
the overall treatment have an important effect on the outcome in this patient
group."
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:3306-3312
Serono and Nautilus Biotech Sign Worldwide Agreement to Develop and Commercialize a
Next-Generation Growth Hormone
GENEVA, Switzerland and PARIS, France, November 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Serono (virt-x:
SEO and NYSE: SRA) and protein evolution company Nautilus Biotech (Private)
announced today that they have signed an agreement under which Serono and
Nautilus will work together to develop the next-generation of human growth
hormone, with improved biological, pharmacological and clinical profiles. This
improved version of human growth hormone would allow less frequent injections of
this therapeutic protein which is currently administered daily.
Under the terms of the agreement, Serono will receive an exclusive license to
develop the next-generation human growth hormone and an exclusive option to
license exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize
improved variants of the protein generated by Nautilus's rational evolution
technology, a process mimicking natural evolution. In return, Nautilus will
receive an initial fee and potential milestone payments related to development
progress, regulatory submissions and approvals. If a new version of growth
hormone is successfully developed and registered worldwide, and Serono exercises
its option right, the aggregate amount of these payments could reach Euro 19
million. Nautilus will also receive undisclosed royalties on sales of the
improved protein.
"Serono has a long-term commitment to people with endocrine and metabolic
disorders requiring growth hormone treatment", said Tim Wells, Senior Executive
VP Research of Serono. "We believe that the rational evolution technology of
Nautilus represents a promising approach to generate growth hormone variants
with great potential to deliver improved patient care."
"Serono has an impressive track record in the development and marketing of
protein therapeutics," said Manuel Vega CEO of Nautilus Biotech. " We are
confident that in Serono we have found a strong and committed partner to fully
exploit the power of our protein improvement technology and to develop this new
product as a competitive improvement to currently marketed alternatives. This
agreement with Serono, a world leader in protein pharmaceuticals, validates our
strategy and business model in the area of biopharmaceuticals".
Serono forward-looking statements
Some of the statements in this press release are forward looking. Such
statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of
Serono S.A. and affiliates to be materially different from those expected or
anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
based on Serono's current expectations and assumptions, which may be affected by
a number of factors, including those discussed in this press release and more
fully described in Serono's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2004. These factors include any
failure or delay in Serono's ability to develop new products, any failure to
receive anticipated regulatory approvals, any problems in commercializing
current products as a result of competition or other factors, our ability to
obtain reimbursement coverage for our products, and government regulations
limiting our ability to sell our products. Serono has no responsibility to
update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect
events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
About Serono
Serono is a global biotechnology leader. The Company has eight biotechnology
products, Rebif(R), Gonal-F(R), Luveris(R), Ovidrel(R) /Ovitrelle(R), Serostim(R),
Saizen(R), Zorbtive(TM) and Raptiva(R). In addition to being the world leader in
reproductive health, Serono has strong market positions in neurology, metabolism
and growth and has recently entered the psoriasis area. The Company's research
programs are focused on growing these businesses and on establishing new
therapeutic areas. Currently, there are approximately 30 ongoing development
projects.
In 2003, Serono achieved worldwide revenues of US$2,018.6 million, and a net
income of US$390.0 million, making it the third largest biotech company in the
world. Its products are sold in over 90 countries. Bearer shares of Serono S.A.,
the holding company, are traded on the virt-x (SEO) and its American Depositary
Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (SRA).
About Nautilus Biotech
Nautilus is focused on improving and developing next generation protein
pharmaceuticals. Using its proprietary and unique technologies, Nautilus has
generated a pipeline of improved therapeutic protein molecules with single amino
acid substitutions; and has IP claims on 20 improved cytokines. Long lasting
interferon alpha and interferon beta, presently in preclinical development, are
Nautilus' lead molecules. Nautilus Biotech is a privately owned, VC backed
company, founded in late 1999. More about Nautilus: www.nautilusbiotech.com
SOURCE Nautilus Biotech
CO: Nautilus Biotech
ST: France, Switzerland
SU: CON JVN
http://www.prnewswire.com
11/15/2004 01:30 EST
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NIH News
National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 15, 2004
CONTACTS:
Jennifer Wenger
301-402-1663
jwenger@niaid.nih.gov
NIAID LAUNCHES EXPANDED FLU WEB SITE FOR THE MEDIA
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, today launched its updated Web site on influenza research for members of the media and general public. Titled "Focus on the Flu," the Web site spotlights cutting-edge NIAID-supported research; graphics that
illuminate concepts important to understanding influenza research, such as reverse genetics and antigenic shift and drift; health-related facts sheets;
recent NIAID publications and Congressional testimony; and other flu resources.
The Web site is available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/FocusOn/Flu04.
NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies. Press releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NIH News
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, November 15, 2004
CONTACT: NIAID Press Office 301-402-1663 niaidnews@niaid.nih.gov
NIAID LAUNCHES INFLUENZA GENOME SEQUENCING PROJECT
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced a joint influenza genome sequencing project with several scientific partners. The project will help researchers understand how flu viruses evolve, spread and cause disease. According to its leaders, it has the potential to minimize the impact of annual flu outbreaks and to improve scientific knowledge of the emergence of pandemic flu viruses.
NIAID's collaborators include the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) of the NIH National Library of Medicine; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN; the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health in Troy, NY; the
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC; and The Institute for
Genomic Research (TIGR) in Rockville, MD.
The sequencing effort, to be conducted in part by the NIAID Microbial Sequencing Center at TIGR, will reveal complete genetic blueprints of thousands of known human and avian influenza viruses. NIAID will rapidly make this sequence information publicly available through GenBank(r), an international, searchable online database funded by NIH, and the NIAID Bioinformatics Resource Center, a Web-accessible collection of genetic sequence information accompanied by data analysis tools.
"Influenza viruses present formidable scientific and public health challenges because they undergo continual genetic changes that enable them to evade the
body's immune response and sometimes become more virulent," says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIAID. "This project not only provides a valuable resource for current influenza researchers, it also will attract investigators from other fields. We anticipate that these data will be used to recognize patterns of genetic changes and illuminate important questions such as how avian influenza viruses adapt to infect humans."
"Our goal is to provide scientists with the infrastructure they need to uncover potential targets for new vaccines, therapies and diagnostics against influenza," says Maria Y. Giovanni, Ph.D., who oversees the NIAID Microbial Sequencing Centers initiative. "Putting influenza sequence data in the public domain will help epidemiologists and other researchers improve their understanding of the overall molecular evolution of influenza viruses and the genetic factors that determine their virulence."
"This project is the influenza-virus equivalent of the human genome project," says Robert G. Webster, Ph.D., professor of virology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude has a repository containing more than 12,000 avian influenza viruses collected over the past 27 years and will be the site for the sequencing of their genomes.
Despite annual vaccination programs, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized in the United States each year because of influenza, according to CDC. Influenza-related deaths average nearly 36,000 annually. Of increasing concern in Asia, avian influenza strains such as H5N1 continually mutate as they circulate among poultry, sometimes developing the ability to infect humans. Scientists are worried that such an avian virus could eventually mutate enough to be able to spread from person to person, resulting in a fast-moving, global pandemic.
David J. Lipman, M.D., director of NCBI, says that the whole genome sequence
data generated by the influenza genomics project will be important references for researchers who study how influenza viruses cause disease, conduct global surveillance of influenza activity, and assist in the selection of the most appropriate virus strains to include in the annual influenza vaccine. The sequence information will provide a larger and more representative sample for influenza than previously available to the public. The project will also enhance pandemic preparedness efforts by publishing genomic sequences of emerging avian influenza viruses, allowing scientists worldwide to analyze the strains and begin development of vaccines against them.
Dr. Giovanni notes that NIAID is working with collaborators who have well- defined collections of human and avian influenza viruses. "Their expertise will help us prioritize, select and obtain strains so we can offer a library of viral sequences that will be critically important to the scientific community."
The NIAID Microbial Sequencing Centers initiative funds the production of genome sequences that researchers can use to learn how an organism's genetic instructions drive it to cause disease. For more information on the Centers, visit http://www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/genomes/mscs/default.htm.
NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at http://www.niaid.nih.gov.
This NIH News Release is available online at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/nov2004/niaid-15.htm
High-Dose Steroids Up Heart Disease Risk Greatly
Mon Nov 15, 5:53 PM ET Health - Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treatment with high doses of medicinal steroids (aka, glucocorticoids) more than doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, new research suggests.
Many people have to take steroid drugs -- for example, by inhaler to treat asthma or in lotion form for skin allergies, while others need to take the drugs by injection or as pills to treat inflammatory condition like arthritis.
These agents are known to produce side effects, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar levels, which can lead to heart disease. Glucocorticoids given by injection or in oral form (termed systemic therapy) confer a higher risk of side effects, while non-systemic therapy using inhalers and lotions has a lower risk -- but the actual risk had not been quantified.
To investigate, Dr. Thomas M. MacDonald, from the Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, Scotland, and colleagues compared cardiovascular events among 68,781 glucocorticoid users and for 82,202 non-users.
At the start of the study, none of the subjects had been hospitalized for heart disease or stroke. Over the study period a period, the rate of cardiovascular events in the glucocorticoid group was 23.9 per 1000 persons per year -- higher than the rate of 17.0 per 1000 per year seen in the non-user group.
For participants who took the highest doses of glucocorticoids, the rate was much higher -- 76.5 per 1000 persons per year, the researchers report in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
However, most of the danger was tied to systemic therapy. "Most patients exposed to glucocorticoids received only non-systemic glucocorticoids, and these prescriptions were not associated with a measurable increase in rates of cardiovascular disease," the team points out.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, November 16, 2004.
From http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=594&e=9&u=/nm/20041115/hl_nm/heart_steroids_dc
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New
Book Confronts Testosterone Issues
Wellness Doctor Helps Men and Women Take Charge of Their Hormone Health
MONTEREY, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 6 million U.S. men suffer
from testosterone deficiency. It jeopardizes not only sexual and reproductive
health, but also the cardiovascular system, bone and muscle strength, memory
and emotional well-being. And increasingly, younger men are at risk.
What can men (and the women who love them) do to avoid this condition? And how
can those who've been diagnosed improve their quality of life? Preventive
medicine expert, Abraham Kryger, M.D., examines these issues in his
groundbreaking new book, "Listen to Your Hormones, a Doctor's Guide to Sex,
Love and Long Life".
According to Dr. Kryger, the key culprits are estrogen-like manmade chemicals
that permeate our air, water and food supply.
"The link is undeniable," said Dr. Kryger. "I've seen first-hand how synthetic
chemicals can disrupt endocrine and reproductive systems. They threaten our
fertility, our intelligence -- our very survival. But there's help for those
with low testosterone, and hope for others who want to minimize toxic
exposure."
Based on current medical and environmental evidence, "Listen to Your Hormones"
cuts through the hype and confusion about the vital role that testosterone
plays in key bodily functions. It explains the consequences of ignoring
hormone imbalances, and charts a course for men who must navigate the
uncertain waters surrounding testosterone therapy.
More than a clinical analysis, the book reveals insights from real-world
cases, and offers a blueprint for action. It suggests practical ways to
assess, monitor, manage and improve male health. And it reinforces those ideas
with extensive research.
Available immediately at a suggested retail price of U.S. $24.95, the book can
be ordered online at www.sexloveandhormones.com or by phone at 831-373-4406.
It is also in-stock at select bookstores. Digital versions of each chapter are
expected to be available soon.
About the Author
Dr. Kryger is a wellness pioneer who has been at the forefront of research on
hormones, nutrition and complementary medicine for 30 years. A board-certified
family practitioner and preventive medicine specialist, Dr. Kryger heads a
full-time private practice in Monterey. He has guided thousands of patients to
optimal health by combining traditional medicine with the use of nutraceutical
supplements and bioidentical hormones.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link. Abraham Kryger, MD, DMD http://www.profnet.com/ud-public.jsp?userid=500664
SOURCE Wellness MD Publications
CO: Wellness MD Publications
ST: California
SU: PDT
Web site: http://www.wellnessmd.com
http://www.prnewswire.com
11/16/2004 05:00 EST
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We welcome your articles, letters to the editor, bios and
Cushing's information. Submit a Story or Article to
either the snailmail CUSH Newsletter or to an upcoming email
newsletter at
http://www.cushings-help.com/newsletter_story.htm
| Newest
Bios: |
| To add or
edit your bio,
please click here » |
|
Dee Dee |
Dee Dee is not yet diagnosed. |
Minnesota |
|
Jody E |
Jody's mother had Cushing's Syndrome with pheochromocytomas and had a bilateral adrenalectomy (BLA) in 1968. Jody has been diagnosed so far with bilateral multinodular adrenal hyperplasia. |
Tacoma, WA |
|
Elizabeth |
Elizabeth was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was given regular cortisone injections. Several years later, she learned she had a pituitary tumor. In 1972, she had her adrenal glands removed. She was left with an egg-sized "empty sella where her huge pituitary tumor atrophied on its own. |
Wildwood, suburb of St. Louis, MO |
|
Merlenna
H |
Updated
Merlenna will have adrenal surgery Dec 1. |
currently living in Dixon, California
but plans to move back to Hawaii |
|
Michael B |
Michael B was first diagnosed with Cushing's in 1979 and had a bilateral
adrenalectomy in 1980. In 1983 the symptoms reoccurred and he had a
third adrenal removed in 1983. He then developed Nelson's syndrome and had his pituitary (plus tumour) removed, followed by another pituitary surgery then 5 weeks of radiotherapy. |
Leixlip, Co. Kildare, Ireland |
|
Rochelle |
Rochelle had breast cancer before her Cushing's diagnosis. She has had her pituitary gland removed. |
Salt Lake City, UT |
• If you've been diagnosed with Cushing's, please
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