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 Canziaids@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