Biomedical Review Letter, Volume 1

Mammography is still the proven standard for breast screening however other modalities are finding their place in diagnosis.

Despite important advances in the prevention of coronary heart disease, atherosclerotic vascular disease continues to be the major cause of death and disability in the western world. Lipid-lowering therapy has been shown in multiple trials of primary and

New 64 slice CT machines are capable of creating detailed images of coronary arteries. This article examines when it is appropriate to use and which patients stand to benefit the most.

There are approximately 750,000 strokes in the Unites States per year, a quarter of which are caused by carotid occlusive disease.  The development of carotid atherosclerotic plaque results from both genetic and environmental influences.  Patients with greater degrees of carotid stenosis are at higher risk of ischemic stroke compared to those with less occlusive disease. 

After a JAMA report in Oct 05 noted gastric bypass as not as safe as previously thought. The Lap-banding proceedure may become an become a more prominate procedure.

All cancers are “genetic” because they arise from mutations in somatic cells and are referred to as either sporadic or inherited. Sporadic cancers are new cellular mutations confined to a particular tissue and are thought to be related to cumulative effec

All cancers are “genetic” because they arise from mutations in somatic cells and are referred to as either sporadic or inherited. Sporadic cancers are new cellular mutations confined to a particular tissue and are thought to be related to cumulative effec

Disc Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a surgical treatment with uncertain outcomes. There are a number of difficulties in treating back pain with a fusion or total disc replacement. New devices hope to address some of the immobility issues o

Radiofrequency is a relatively new, minimally invasive technique for treating tumors. It has been effective for pain control due to skeletal metastases, and is being used as a palliative method in the management of tumors for which surgery is not likely to be curative, such as liver metastases. However, in the management of osteoid osteoma- the first tumor to which it was applied- it has proven to be curative and represents the preferred and definitive treatment for most patients with this painful bone tumor.

Conivaptan (Vaprisol®)
Manufacturer: Astellas Pharma
FDA Approved Indications: Treatment of euvolemic hyponatremia (e.g. SIADH, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, pulmonary disorders, etc.) in hospitalized patients. It is not indicated for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure.

This report examines the adoption of Coronary CT Angiography by physicians and medical centers. Last year, companies began rolling out 64-slice CT machines capable of imaging plaque in coronary arteries.

Currently available antiarrhythmic drug treatments suffer from both limited efficacy and the potential to cause life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. There are various treatments aside from drugs, such as cardioversion and remodeling electrical pathways. Due to the increased recognition of the risks associated with AF, efforts to better understand AF and to develop safer and more effective treatments for this arrhythmia have accelerated over the past decade.

In the near future, genetic testing will probably be an integral part of risk models and prediction, medication selectionand managemnt of patients' cardiovascular disease. Genetic testing is currently not indicated for the majority of common cardiovascular diseases.

Today, shoulder replacement surgery is somewhat commonplace and can provide dramatic improvement in quality of life in terms of pain relief and restoration of function. While replacement of the hip and knee remains many times more frequent (~ 500,000 of each in the United States alone) than shoulder replacement (~80,000 world wide annually), the improvement in quality of life is often considered equal or better by patients.

Many physicians who were once skeptical of the merits of weight loss surgery are now optimistic about its benefits. Patient demand for bariatric surgery is growing considerably due to rising prevalence of obesity, growing awareness of the treatment procedures, and frustration with the lack of successful non-surgical treatments for the long-term control of obesity. Many physicians who were once skeptical of the merits of weight loss surgery are now optimistic about its benefits.

Abatacept (Orencia®)
Manufacturer: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
FDA Approved Indications: To reduce signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, slowing the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs, such as methotrexate or TNF antagonists. Abatacept may be used as monotherapy or concomitantly with DMARDs other than TNF antagonists.

Nelarabine (ArraAnon®)
Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline
Labeled FDA Approved Indications: Treatment of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma whose disease has not responded to or has relapsed following treatment with at least two chemotherapy regimens. This use is based on the induction of complete responses. Randomized trials demonstrating increased survival or other clinical benefit have not been conducted.

This report is focused on the analysis of the market for genetic testing as it relates to hereditary cancers, namely breast, ovarian and colorectal cancers. An analysis performed by Dorland Healthcare Information estimates the United States market for this testing was $510 million in 2005, with forecasted growth to $665 million in 2010, representing a compound growth rate of 6% during the forecast period.


The complete report is available here for individual purchase or with a subscription. The complete report is 63 pages and addresses additional details to consider. Also included are the supplements on: the market forecast; companies active in genetic testing, service, competing and complementary technologies; adoption by selected medical centers.

Lenalidomide (Revlimid®)
Manufacturer: Celgene
Labeled FDA Approved Indications: Treatment of patients with transfusion-dependant anemia due to low- or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality with or without additional cytogenetic abnormalities.