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Researchers find more evidence that malaria drug could help combat cancer, and that breaks from treatment could improve results

Scientists investigating the cancer-fighting properties of artesunate – a drug commonly used to treat malaria – have found early evidence that combining it with an existing cancer drug has the potential to make each drug more effective than when used alone.

Research News

 

Researchers put physician assistants under the spotlight

Researchers at Kingston University and St George’s, University of London are undertaking the first major study into the role of UK physician assistants, a new breed of healthcare professional.

St George’s professor takes up council seat for global lymphoedema research group

Peter Mortimer, professor of dermatological medicine at St George’s, has been appointed to the Lymphatic Research Foundation’s Scientific/Medical Advisory Council.

Chronic disease care poorer in nursing and residential homes under GP target scheme

The quality of chronic disease care under the GP pay for performance system is poorer for residents of care home than those living in the community, according to a new study.

Research into life-threatening heart condition backed with £1.4million grant

Researchers are launching a new clinical trial into a rare heart condition, with a £1.4million grant from the British Heart Foundation and funding from the Marfan Trust. The research into Marfan Syndrome will look at a potentially life-saving treatment, in a trial involving 500 patients, led by the team from Royal Brompton Hospital with St George’s and research support from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).

Chemical compound screening could lead to new cancer drug treatments

St George’s researchers and partners are using a new technique to screen chemical compounds for cancer-fighting properties, with the aim of finding new drug treatments.

Breakthrough holds promise of helping to stop premature birth

Researchers have identified a new way of suppressing uterine muscle contractions, which could lead to novel treatments to help stop premature birth.

Multi-million euro project launched to prevent and treat heart disorder

A major €12 million, St George’s-led project has been launched to improve the care of patients in Europe with the heart condition atrial fibrillation.

Study confirming statin-diabetes link finds NICE-recommended drug is not best for patients on high doses

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, but this risk is outweighed by the protection they offer against coronary events such as heart attack and stroke, confirms a new large-scale study. The same study also showed that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)-recommended statin does not protect against coronary events as effectively as an alternative statin amongst patients taking high doses.

New discovery throws light on blood pressure regulation

Researchers have discovered that a protein found in the walls of blood vessels plays a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure; a discovery that could one day lead to new treatments for people with high blood pressure.

First approval for production of an anti-HIV antibody in plants

UK regulators have approved Europe’s first clinical trial of an antibody produced from genetically modified (GM) plants. This landmark decision sets the stage for the testing in humans of an anti-HIV product made from modified tobacco plants.

Researchers find early evidence that TB jab could help fight cancer

Scientists have found a potential new mechanism to stimulate the body’s own ability to fight cancer using Baculillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) – the germ commonly used to inoculate against tuberculosis (TB).

New score can tell doctors how long cancer patients have left to live

A new scoring system can more reliably predict whether patients with advanced cancer are likely to survive for “days”, “weeks” or “months” finds a study published today.

Gene mutation shown to cause leukaemia and lymphoedema

Researchers have discovered a gene that when mutated can cause lymphoedema (swollen limbs due to a failure of the lymph system), immune abnormalities, deafness and leukaemia.

Reasons why women request caesarean sections need to be explored more by clinicians

Clinicians need to explore the reasons behind why women request a caesarean section rather than counsel women about the risks says a new review published today (17 October) in The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (TOG).

MRC awards SGUL team 2.6million for trial of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis drugs

A group of St George’s researchers has been awarded £2.6million by the Medical Research Council (MRC) to conduct a trial of two new drug treatments for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.

Ultraviolet rays believed to prevent chickenpox spreading

Ultraviolet rays help prevent the spread of chickenpox, meaning people in milder climates are more at risk of catching the disease, according to new research.

Penicillin doses for children should be reviewed, say experts

A team of scientists and clinicians, led by researchers at King’s College London and St George’s, University of London, are calling for a review of penicillin dosing guidelines for children, that have remained unchanged for nearly 50 years.

Shorter malaria treatment proven as effective in treating seriously ill children as standard course

A shorter anti-malaria treatment is as effective in treating seriously ill children as the standard regimen, according to new research.