| |
||
| The LAM Foundation is pleased to share this exciting news: BWH Center for LAM Research and Clinical Care awarded $1 million grant from Department of Defense. BOSTON, MA—The Center for LAM Research and Clinical Care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) has been awarded a $1 million plus, four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs to fund their work on lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). This work will be performed in partnership with the Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD.LAM is a rare lung disease that affects women almost exclusively. In LAM, the normal lung tissue is progressively destroyed. LAM can also occur in women with a genetic syndrome called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), which causes tumors in different parts of the body, such as the skin, brain and kidneys. LAM usually affects healthy, non-smoking, young women, according to Elizabeth Henske, MD, director of the Center for LAM Research and Clinical Care. Symptoms, such as shortness of breath, often begin in the late 20s, and can worsen with pregnancy. LAM can lead to lung collapse, oxygen dependency, the need for lung transplantation, and even death in young adulthood. The center will use the funds to conduct a phase I clinical trial to determine the safety of a combination of two drugs to treat patients with LAM. The drugs that will be tested are hydroxychloroquine and sirolimus. Patients will be given different doses of the medications to find out which are deemed safe and efficacious. In addition to determining safety, the researchers will evaluate effects of the drug combo on patients’ lung function, exercise capacity, kidney tumor size and quality of life. Independently, hydroxychloroquine and sirolimus treat different conditions. Sirolimus is an immunosuppression drug that is given after organ transplantation, while hydroxychloroquine is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. “This will be the first time that this drug combination has been tested in women with LAM,” said Henske. “We will learn whether the combination of [these] two drugs is safe in women with LAM. In our work in the laboratory, we have seen that this combination of drugs is more effective than either drug alone in models of LAM.” Henske also added, “This DOD Clinical Trial Award would not have been possible without the LAM Foundation’s and Adler Foundation’s support of our laboratory-based autophagy research. We’re very excited to have this opportunity to make a difference in LAM. And so grateful for your support.”
|
||
LAM awarded $ 1 million grant
Artificial lung mimics real organ’s design and efficiency
An artificial lung built by Cleveland researchers has reached efficiencies akin to the genuine organ, using air – not pure oxygen as current man-made lungs require – for the source of the essential element.
Use in humans is still years away, but for the 200 million lung disease sufferers worldwide, the device is a major step toward creating an easily portable and implantable artificial lung, said Joe Potkay, a research assistant professor in electrical engineering and computer science at Case Western Reserve University.
One man’s amazing medical journey, all captured on film
In 2005 Jim Ray Cooper was told that was dying of an advanced lung disease and that he had less than half a year to live. At that time, he was suffering with severe breathlessness and pain and was terrified that he was going to suffocate to death as his lung disease worsened. This short film (13 minutes) tells the real life story of Jim Ray Cooper and his experiences during the last six years of his life with advanced lung disease.
Dry Mouth Relief
Almost everyone’s mouth is dry sometimes. But if you feel like you have cotton in your mouth constantly, it may be time for treatment. Dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia, occurs when you don’t have enough saliva, or spit, in your mouth.
Feeling stressed can trigger dry mouth temporarily. But a persistently dry mouth may signal an underlying disease or condition, so it’s important to see your doctor, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates products that relieve dry mouth.
Harmonica Therapy
Harmonica therapy is a very recent and exciting phenomenon, which has been in existence for less than eight years. There are at least a handful hospitals and health care establishments, mostly in the East and mid-East regions, where harmonicas are being used to treat or cure certain breathing problems, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema,and other breathing-related conditions.
Cold or Flu? Know the Difference
Taken from the Center of Disease Control
Q: What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
A: The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types Continue reading →
IMMUNOTHERAPY BREAKTHROUGH FOR CANCER PATIENT TREATMENT
CHICAGO – Immunotherapy, a growing therapeutic option in the fight against cancer, made a giant leap forward this weekend with the release of clinical trial results of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company’s ipilimumab. The results, reported by Dr. Steven O’Day at the Continue reading →
First Ever 100% Silicon Oxygen Cannula for COPD and Long – -Term Oxygen Patients
First commerically available 100% silicon oxygen cannula. Long term oxygen therapy patients now have a new alternative cannula that is non-allergic, soft even in very cold weather, doesn’t stink of plastic, and is guaranteed to last at least one year. Continue reading →
