dmcanzi@watserv1.waterloo.edu (David Canzi) (02/08/90)
Medical News for Week Ending January 28, 1990 Copyright 1990: USA TODAY/Gannett National Information Network Reproduced with Permission --- Jan. 22, 1990 --- AIDS DRUG TESTS ARE PROMISING: Initial tests of a new AIDS vaccine called HGP-30 that may protect against the virus' strains and block progress in those already infected are encouraging, reports a George Washington University Medical Center team. Findings: Several of the 24 non-infected males getting HGP-30 are developing antibodies to an AIDS virus protein as well as specially primed immune system T-cells. --- Jan. 23, 1990 --- FDA OK'S LOWER AZT DOSES: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a label change for the anti- AIDS drug AZT, dropping doses to 600 milligrams a day, or half the previous dosage. The change follows results of a recent National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases study that showed the lower dose to be as effective as the old one, while it cuts down the likelihood of severe adverse reactions. --- Jan. 26-28, 1990 --- COMPOUND INHIBITS AIDS ENZYME: Test-tube studies on a synthetic compound has shown to inhibit protease, an enzyme essential for replication of the AIDS virus, reports Friday's Science. Scientists at Upjohn and SmithKline Beecham reported similar results; a marketable drug is years away. AZT, the only approved anti-AIDS drug, inhibits another enzyme called reverse transcriptase. (From the USA TODAY Life section.) TESTS START ON AIDS THERAPY: A new AIDS therapy that removes, activates and returns virus-killing white blood cells to the patient is being tested in Pittsburgh. Goal: To empower patients' cells to suppress the replication of the human immune deficiency virus, and to fight opportunistic infections like pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Center for Disease Control Reports ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Thursday January 18, 1990 International Course in Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology for HIV and AIDS CDC, the Global Programme on AIDS of the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Agency for International Development will cosponsor a course for public health and medical officials, primarily from developing countries, who are responsible for monitoring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in their countries. The course will be held August 13-31, 1990, in Atlanta. It will include surveillance methods for HIV infection and notification systems for AIDS reporting, as well as basic epidemiologic skills for investigating risk factors and unusual occurrences of HIV infection and disease and for monitoring and evaluating surveillance and intervention programs. The course will be taught in English. Applications are due March 30, 1990. Course announcement and application forms are available from International Activity, Division of HIV/AIDS, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC, Mailstop G29, Atlanta, GA 30333; telephone (404) 639-2060; FAX (404) 639-2029; TELEX 549571 CDCATL; Dialcom 132:PHF50202. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Dental News ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Dental News from the American Dental Association CPR rules updated Because of concerns about infection control, new national guidelines say laymen can skip the mouth-to-mouth phase of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to avoid possible transmission of the AIDS virus from victim to rescuer or vice versa. The guidelines, issued by a committee of the American Heart Association and published in JAMA, update previous CPR recommendations issued in l985 by suggesting that anyone attemption CPR should first try compressing the victim's chest before resorting to blowing air into the person's mouth. The guidelines emphasize that there are no known cases in which the AIDS virus has been transmitted through CPR. But they note that "a theoretical risk" of transmission does exist. Such a risk would be greatest if either the rescuer or the victim had a cut in or around the lips or mouth, or other injuries that could result in exchange of blood during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Food & Drug Administration News ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Lower Dose of AZT P89-5 Food and Drug Administration FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brad Stone - (301) 443-3285 Jan. 16, 1990 (Home) -- (703) 892-0468 HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved a change in the labeling for the anti-AIDS drug zidovudine, or AZT. The new labeling recommends administering the drug at long-term regimen of 600 milligrams a day -- half the previously recommended dose. This long-term regimen may be intiated after a patient has received one month of zidovudine therapy at a dose of 1200 mg a day. The lower dose reflects results from a dose comparison study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases indicating that this dose was as effective as higher dose regimens in prolonging survival and reducing the frequency of opportunistic infections, and was less likely to produce severe adverse reactions. However, the effectiveness of the lower dose in improving the neurologic dysfunction associated with AIDS virus infection is unknown. Zidovudine is the only therapeutic agent approved by FDA for use against the AIDS virus, although other agents are under study. Secretary Sullivan said, "Today's announcement means that fewer patients may have to discontinue AZT therapy because of serious side effects." HHS Assistant Secretary for Health James O. Mason, M.D., Dr.P.H., also noted that the lower dose for zidovudine would reduce treatment costs. "Since the new approved dose will require only half the amount of zidovudine used at the previously recommended dose, the cost of zidovudine therapy should be halved for many patients," Dr. Mason said. Although zidovudine is the only drug that has been shown to be effective in prolonging the lives of people who have severe symptoms of AIDS virus infection, it can inhibit the production of red blood cells, thereby causing severe anemia. Zidovudine can also reduce white blood cell counts to the extent that the drug's use has to be discontinued. The study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases compared two groups of 262 patients -- one group taking 1500 mg of zidovudine a day, and the other group on 600 mg a day. After more than two years, the patients in the low-dose group tolerated their zidovudine regimen better than patients in the high-dose group, without any apparent loss of efficacy. Nearly half of the patients in the high-dose group had to discontinue their treatment at that dosage due to serious adverse reactions, compared to only a quarter of the patients in the low-dose group. Some physicians may already be prescribing reduced dosages, since preliminary findings from this study were announced in July 1989. The clinical data from this study became sufficently collected and analyzed in Nov. 1989, and were submitted to FDA in the form of a supplemental new drug approval application on Dec. 18, 1989, by the drug's manufacturer, the Burroughs Wellcome Co. of Research Triangle Park, N.C. FDA's approval of a new recommended dose for zidovudine, which applies to both the capsule and syrup forms of the drug, does not prevent physicians from prescribing the drug at higher or lower dose levels when warranted. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Volume 3, Number 4 January 28, 1990 +------------------------------------------------+ ! ! ! Health Info-Com Network ! ! Newsletter ! +------------------------------------------------+ Editor: David Dodell, D.M.D. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center 10250 North 92nd Street, Suite 210, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4599 USA Telephone +1 (602) 860-1121 FAX +1 (602) 285-3670 [Attn: David Dodell] Copyright 1990 - Distribution on Commercial/Pay Systems Prohibited without Prior Authorization International Distribution Coordinator: Robert Klotz Nova Research Institute 217 South Flood Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73069-5462 USA Telephone +1 (405) 366-3898 The Health Info-Com Network Newsletter is distributed weekly. Articles on a medical nature are welcomed. If you have an article, please contact the editor for information on how to submit it. If you are intrested in joining the distribution system please contact the distribution coordinator. E-Mail Address: Editor: FidoNet = 1:114/15 Bitnet = ATW1H @ ASUACAD Internet = ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org LISTSERV = MEDNEWS @ ASUACAD anonymous ftp = vm1.nodak.edu (Notification List/ftp = hicn-notify-request@stjhmc.fidonet.org) Distribution: North America Australia/Far East Europe FidoNet = 1:19/9 David More George Cordner Usenet = krobt@mom.uucp FidoNet = 3:711/413 Fidonet Internet = krobt%mom@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu 2:23/105 -- David Canzi
aids@squid.cs.ucla.edu (Support Account for SCI.MED.AIDS) (02/08/90)
Medical News for Week Ending January 28, 1990 Copyright 1990: USA TODAY/Gannett National Information Network Reproduced with Permission --- Jan. 22, 1990 --- AIDS DRUG TESTS ARE PROMISING: Initial tests of a new AIDS vaccine called HGP-30 that may protect against the virus' strains and block progress in those already infected are encouraging, reports a George Washington University Medical Center team. Findings: Several of the 24 non-infected males getting HGP-30 are developing antibodies to an AIDS virus protein as well as specially primed immune system T-cells. --- Jan. 23, 1990 --- FDA OK'S LOWER AZT DOSES: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a label change for the anti- AIDS drug AZT, dropping doses to 600 milligrams a day, or half the previous dosage. The change follows results of a recent National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases study that showed the lower dose to be as effective as the old one, while it cuts down the likelihood of severe adverse reactions. --- Jan. 26-28, 1990 --- COMPOUND INHIBITS AIDS ENZYME: Test-tube studies on a synthetic compound has shown to inhibit protease, an enzyme essential for replication of the AIDS virus, reports Friday's Science. Scientists at Upjohn and SmithKline Beecham reported similar results; a marketable drug is years away. AZT, the only approved anti-AIDS drug, inhibits another enzyme called reverse transcriptase. (From the USA TODAY Life section.) TESTS START ON AIDS THERAPY: A new AIDS therapy that removes, activates and returns virus-killing white blood cells to the patient is being tested in Pittsburgh. Goal: To empower patients' cells to suppress the replication of the human immune deficiency virus, and to fight opportunistic infections like pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Center for Disease Control Reports ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Thursday January 18, 1990 International Course in Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology for HIV and AIDS CDC, the Global Programme on AIDS of the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Agency for International Development will cosponsor a course for public health and medical officials, primarily from developing countries, who are responsible for monitoring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in their countries. The course will be held August 13-31, 1990, in Atlanta. It will include surveillance methods for HIV infection and notification systems for AIDS reporting, as well as basic epidemiologic skills for investigating risk factors and unusual occurrences of HIV infection and disease and for monitoring and evaluating surveillance and intervention programs. The course will be taught in English. Applications are due March 30, 1990. Course announcement and application forms are available from International Activity, Division of HIV/AIDS, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC, Mailstop G29, Atlanta, GA 30333; telephone (404) 639-2060; FAX (404) 639-2029; TELEX 549571 CDCATL; Dialcom 132:PHF50202. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Dental News ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Dental News from the American Dental Association CPR rules updated Because of concerns about infection control, new national guidelines say laymen can skip the mouth-to-mouth phase of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to avoid possible transmission of the AIDS virus from victim to rescuer or vice versa. The guidelines, issued by a committee of the American Heart Association and published in JAMA, update previous CPR recommendations issued in l985 by suggesting that anyone attemption CPR should first try compressing the victim's chest before resorting to blowing air into the person's mouth. The guidelines emphasize that there are no known cases in which the AIDS virus has been transmitted through CPR. But they note that "a theoretical risk" of transmission does exist. Such a risk would be greatest if either the rescuer or the victim had a cut in or around the lips or mouth, or other injuries that could result in exchange of blood during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Food & Drug Administration News ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Lower Dose of AZT P89-5 Food and Drug Administration FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brad Stone - (301) 443-3285 Jan. 16, 1990 (Home) -- (703) 892-0468 HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved a change in the labeling for the anti-AIDS drug zidovudine, or AZT. The new labeling recommends administering the drug at long-term regimen of 600 milligrams a day -- half the previously recommended dose. This long-term regimen may be intiated after a patient has received one month of zidovudine therapy at a dose of 1200 mg a day. The lower dose reflects results from a dose comparison study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases indicating that this dose was as effective as higher dose regimens in prolonging survival and reducing the frequency of opportunistic infections, and was less likely to produce severe adverse reactions. However, the effectiveness of the lower dose in improving the neurologic dysfunction associated with AIDS virus infection is unknown. Zidovudine is the only therapeutic agent approved by FDA for use against the AIDS virus, although other agents are under study. Secretary Sullivan said, "Today's announcement means that fewer patients may have to discontinue AZT therapy because of serious side effects." HHS Assistant Secretary for Health James O. Mason, M.D., Dr.P.H., also noted that the lower dose for zidovudine would reduce treatment costs. "Since the new approved dose will require only half the amount of zidovudine used at the previously recommended dose, the cost of zidovudine therapy should be halved for many patients," Dr. Mason said. Although zidovudine is the only drug that has been shown to be effective in prolonging the lives of people who have severe symptoms of AIDS virus infection, it can inhibit the production of red blood cells, thereby causing severe anemia. Zidovudine can also reduce white blood cell counts to the extent that the drug's use has to be discontinued. The study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases compared two groups of 262 patients -- one group taking 1500 mg of zidovudine a day, and the other group on 600 mg a day. After more than two years, the patients in the low-dose group tolerated their zidovudine regimen better than patients in the high-dose group, without any apparent loss of efficacy. Nearly half of the patients in the high-dose group had to discontinue their treatment at that dosage due to serious adverse reactions, compared to only a quarter of the patients in the low-dose group. Some physicians may already be prescribing reduced dosages, since preliminary findings from this study were announced in July 1989. The clinical data from this study became sufficently collected and analyzed in Nov. 1989, and were submitted to FDA in the form of a supplemental new drug approval application on Dec. 18, 1989, by the drug's manufacturer, the Burroughs Wellcome Co. of Research Triangle Park, N.C. FDA's approval of a new recommended dose for zidovudine, which applies to both the capsule and syrup forms of the drug, does not prevent physicians from prescribing the drug at higher or lower dose levels when warranted. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Volume 3, Number 4 January 28, 1990 +------------------------------------------------+ ! ! ! Health Info-Com Network ! ! Newsletter ! +------------------------------------------------+ Editor: David Dodell, D.M.D. St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center 10250 North 92nd Street, Suite 210, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4599 USA Telephone +1 (602) 860-1121 FAX +1 (602) 285-3670 [Attn: David Dodell] Copyright 1990 - Distribution on Commercial/Pay Systems Prohibited without Prior Authorization International Distribution Coordinator: Robert Klotz Nova Research Institute 217 South Flood Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73069-5462 USA Telephone +1 (405) 366-3898 The Health Info-Com Network Newsletter is distributed weekly. Articles on a medical nature are welcomed. If you have an article, please contact the editor for information on how to submit it. If you are intrested in joining the distribution system please contact the distribution coordinator. E-Mail Address: Editor: FidoNet = 1:114/15 Bitnet = ATW1H @ ASUACAD Internet = ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org LISTSERV = MEDNEWS @ ASUACAD anonymous ftp = vm1.nodak.edu (Notification List/ftp = hicn-notify-request@stjhmc.fidonet.org) Distribution: North America Australia/Far East Europe FidoNet = 1:19/9 David More George Cordner Usenet = krobt@mom.uucp FidoNet = 3:711/413 Fidonet Internet = krobt%mom@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu 2:23/105 -- David Canzi <^>v Via SCI.MED.AIDS => AIDSNEWS gateway / aids@cs.ucla.edu