news 2018

Buruli ulcer is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) resulting in debilitating skin lesions, disabilities and stigmatisation. The current antibiotic treatment is long and has severe adverse side effects. Researchers from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) together with colleagues from Singapore have discovered a highly effective compound against Buruli ulcer which has the potential to become a powerful alternative to the existing treatment options.

Buruli ulcer is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) resulting in debilitating skin lesions and disabilities. The current antibiotic treatment is long and has severe adverse side effects. Researchers from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), which is associated with the University of Basel, together with colleagues from Singapore have discovered a highly effective compound against Buruli ulcer.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic worm infection affecting 250 million people globally. The current prevalence thresholds for preventive chemotherapy of intestinal schistosomiasis are based on the Kato-Katz method using stool samples. A new more sensitive point-of-care urine test is now available in particular for settings with low prevalence.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic worm infection affecting 250 million people globally. The current prevalence thresholds for preventive chemotherapy of intestinal schistosomiasis are based on the Kato-Katz method using stool samples. A new more sensitive point-of-care urine test is now available in particular for settings with low prevalence.

A widely used diabetes medication combined with an antihypertensive drug specifically inhibits tumor growth - this was discovered by researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum two years ago. In a follow-up study, recently published in "Cell Reports", the scientists report that this drug cocktail induces cancer cell death by switching off their energy supply.

Taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, or statins, as a preventive measure can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study by the University of Zurich now shows that this measure is recommended too often, as current guidelines fail to take into account the risks of side effects. Even healthy people who don't suffer from a cardiovascular disease are prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins, if they meet certain risk criteria.

Stem-cell transplantation is an effective form of therapy to fight leukemia. In many cases, however, the transferred immune cells of the donor also attack the recipients' healthy tissue ' often with fatal consequences. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now identified a molecule that plays a key role in this process.

Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of a receptor that controls the release of calcium from bones. The receptor is now one of the main candidates for developing new drugs to treat osteoporosis. Knowing the receptor's blueprint will be instrumental for designing drugs that could even help to rebuild bones.

An antibiotic called thanatin attacks the way the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is built. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now found out that this happens through a previously unknown mechanism. Thanatin, produced naturally by the spined soldier bug, can therefore be used to develop new classes of antibiotics.

Nicolas Thomä's group at the FMI has joined forces with the group of Benjamin Ebert at Harvard's Broad Institute to show how thalidomide analogs mediate degradation of many more proteins than previously anticipated. These proteins - zinc finger transcription factors - play a role in cancer and developmental diseases but are difficult drug targets.

Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) In collaboration with colleagues from the ETH Zurich, researchers at the University of Bern have for the first time investigated a substance found in liverwort, which resembles THC. The psychoactive substance, which is consumed as a "legal high", also exerts analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, which might be superior to that of THC.

Roche's Alecensa (alectinib) significantly reduced the risk of disease worsening or death as a first-line treatment in Asian patients with ALK-positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer Head-to-head phase III study of Alecensa versus crizotinib in Asian patient population showed a reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death by 78% Alecensa lowered the risk of tumour spread or growth in the brain or central nervous system

Drug-releasing textiles could, for instance, be used to treat skin wounds. Empa researchers are currently developing polymer fibers that can be equipped with drugs. The smart fibers recognize the need for therapy all by themselves and dose the active ingredients with precision and accuracy. For the «Self Care Materials» project, fibers are produced from biodegradable polymers using various processes.

Breadth of data at ECTRIMS underpins Novartis' relentless commitment to decoding the science of multiple sclerosis (MS) and decreasing the patient burden 33 abstracts from the leading MS portfolio include data for Gilenya (fingolimod), and investigational drugs siponimod (BAF312) and ofatumumab (OMB157)   New research will be presented on neurofilaments, a biomarker for MS that can be detected in the blood and could reimagine the way treatments

Roche to present five-year OCREVUS (ocrelizumab) efficacy and safety data in relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) at ECTRIMS Data reinforce importance of early initiation and continuation of OCREVUS treatment New analyses highlight the need for active treatment in underrepresented populations, such as primary progressive MS (PPMS) patients with more advanced disability and relapsing MS (RMS) patients of African descent Roche

From a sample of over 10,000 adults, 62% are worried that they may develop Alzheimer's disease and 91% believe the solution to tackling diseases lies in medical research   79% are willing to take part in medical research but three-quarters (75%) have no idea how to get involved   This World Alzheimer's Month, in association with Alzheimer's Disease International, Novartis, Amgen and Banner Alzheimer's Institute are raising awareness about how to

A team of eight EPFL students has come up with a portable biosensor that can measure the amount of vancomycin in a patient's blood stream, enabling doctors to better control the dosage and reduce harmful side effects.

Hemlibra prophylaxis significantly reduced bleeds compared to no prophylaxis Hemlibra is the first medicine to demonstrate superior efficacy to prior factor VIII prophylaxis based on a statistically significant reduction in treated bleeds in an intra-patient comparison Hemlibra is currently under Priority Review by the FDA for people with haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors Roche today announced that pivotal data from the phase III HAVE

Two receptors in the spinal cord and the right experimental drug: Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a new approach that suppresses itch. In a series of experiments in mice and dogs they successfully alleviated different forms of acute as well as chronic itch. For the latter, current treatment options are very limited.

EPFL neuroscientists have identified a brain mechanism that is linked to aggression and violent behavior, potentially forming the basis for treating aggression in several psychiatric disorders. violence, which, needless to say, are destructive to both individuals and societies worldwide: death, disease, disability, and numerous socioeconomic problems can often be traced back to aggressive behavior.