news archive genetic news - September 14, 2003

September 14, 2003

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Pharmexa reports progress in US breast cancer trial Preliminary results with HER-2 AutoVac(TM) Protein vaccine are expected before the end of the year.
-	First gene therapy product to gain FDA orphan drug designation for pancreatic cancer Epeius Biotechnologies Corporation today announced that the FDA has approved REXIN-G, the world's first tumor-targeted injectable gene therapy vector, as an orphan drug for pancreatic cancer.
-	Lasker Award honors Rockefeller University biochemist for pioneering studies of gene activation Robert G. Roeder, Ph.D., a biochemist whose research has led to major advances in understanding how human genes are switched "on" and "off," is this year's recipient of the highly prestigious Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.
-	Brain cells found to hold key to growth of certain breast cancers The ability of some breast cancers to grow rapidly and tenaciously may be the result of a survival strategy borrowed from brain cells.
-	Targeting transcription: New insights into turning genes on Using a new approach to developing artificial transcription factors, Anna Mapp and coworkers have gained important insights into the workings of gene-activating transcription factors.