New compound offers attractive therapeutic candidate for autoimmune inflammatory diseases

Scientists from Leiden University Medical Center have found a DNA marker that is associated with early stage carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer. The invention concerns a DNA marker that is methylated in tumor cells. More

A new way to increase the numbers of mobilized stem cells

Mobilization of stem cells in individuals is currently used for collecting stem cells which can be used to therapeutically intervene in disease processes in the human body. Since a number of years, cytokine mobilized stem cells have become the primary source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and progenitor cells (HPC) for transplantation in humans.

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New Microneedle Applicator Device

Scientists at Leiden University have developed and produced an electronic device to apply microneedle arrays to the skin. Microneedles are designed to be painless whilst overcoming the natural barrier function of the skin that is located in the outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum (SC). Ideally, the microneedles penetrate the SC and reach the viable epidermis in order to deliver the injected substance, which will then reach the blood vessels that reside in the dermis through further diffusion.

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Novel compound offers new treatment approach for ovarian cancer

A novel compound against ovarian and other cancers has been isolated from the leaves of an Australian native plant belonging to the family of Compositae. This family is known for its natural products, including sesquiterpene lactones (SLs). To date great interest is shown for the potential of SLs as anti‐cancer agent. Different fractions of the crude plant extract were tested in vitro against ovarian cancer cell lines and other cancer cell lines. Fractions with clear cytotoxic effects were selected and further analysed. A compound could be isolated by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR and ESI mass spectrometry.

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A diagnostic marker for early cancer detection

Early stage diagnostics of cancer is important, because patients who are treated for cancer at an early stage have a higher chance on survival. The found marker has a high specificity and sensitivity and can be included in or developed into DNA methylation kits that are used for non-invasive detection of (pre-symptomatic) cancer such as fecal DNA testing. The found marker has been tested in a collection of samples and the presence of the marker was validated in all tumor tissues.

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Using a lamellar structure as a delivery system, the Sulidin® Nimesulide LPS gel provides enhanced percutaneous penetration of Nimesulide and reduced yellow staining on the skin. LPS Technology worldwide patents are pending.