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Also In Global Health News: Developing Country Agriculture; MDR-TB In Pakistan, HIV/AIDS Funding In Ghana; Rwandan Religious Groups Fighting Disease;
Oxfam Calls On G8 Leaders To Increase Agriculture Investment In Developing Countries
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The Dangers Of Stimulant Chewing Gum
A case report written by Dr Francesco Natale and his colleagues, from the Second University of Naples and Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy, reports on the dangers of stimulant chewing gums containing caffeine. The report published in this week÷´s edition of The Lancet describes the story of a teenage boy hospitalized after excessive consumption of this type of product. The authors warn about the high risks of stimulant chewing gums that are widely available to children.
News of the day
N.D. Judge Vows To Act Quickly On Challenge To State Ultrasound Law
North Dakota Judge Douglas Herman failed to issue a temporary injunction on Thursday to prevent a state law from going into effect that requires abortion clinics to offer women the chance to view ultrasound images 24 hours prior to obtaining an abortion, the AP/Bismarck Tribune reports. Judge Herman promised to issue an opinion "as soon as possible" on the constitutional challenge to the state law, which is set to take effect on Aug. 1. The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the challenge, arguing that it creates an unnecessary burden on a woman"s right to an abortion.The group also said that a provision in the law is confusing and that the state"s only abortion provider is unsure how to comply. According to the AP/Tribune, the provision in question reads: "The auscultation of the fetal heart tone must be of a quality consistent with standard medical practice in the community." Suzanne Stolz, an attorney for CRR, said the bill"s language could require the Red River Women"s Clinic -- the only abortion clinic in the state -- to offer women the chance to hear audio of the fetal heartbeat in addition to the ultrasound image. She added that the clinic "cannot afford to guess what the law means and hope that it is right."Assistant Attorney General Douglas Bahr said that the law requires the clinic only to offer the option of an ultrasound, not provide one. He added that most people understand that an ultrasound includes both images and audio and that he does not "know why the clinic doesn"t feel it can offer this to the patient." Cass County state"s attorney Birch Burdick, a co-counsel with Bahr, said that although some of the language in the law is "a little confusing," he would not prosecute clinic officials if they make an attempt to apply the law until the judge rules.Tammi Kromenaker, the director of the clinic, said, "We"re disappointed that we did not get an injunction today but we felt that some of our questions were answered," adding that the clinics had offered women the option of viewing an ultrasound for the last 18 months (Kolpack, AP/Bismarck Tribune, 7/31).
Mental Health

Enzon Commences Phase II Trial Of PEG-SN38

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENZN) announced that it has opened its first Phase II trial for PEG-SN38 (EZN-2208), its novel proprietary cancer compound. The trial is open at multiple centers throughout the United States for patients diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. "We are pleased to have the first PEG-SN38 Phase II trial open in early summer as promised," said Jeffrey H. Buchalter, Enzon"s chairman and chief executive officer. "We are encouraged by the safety profile in the Phase I trials and are looking forward to this next phase of development." Two Phase I studies were conducted evaluating different dosing schedules of PEG-SN38. The dose limiting toxicity was febrile neutropenia. No cumulative toxicity was reported. A recommended Phase II dose was established in April 2009. "We are very excited to have played a key role in the Phase I testing of this novel cancer compound and are very interested to see its continued development," stated Dr. Anthony Tolcher, a leading principal investigator in the Phase I trials from START (South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics) in San Antonio, Texas. On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Enzon will host a conference call with two of its clinical investigators to discuss PEG-SN38. Dr. Anthony Tolcher, who has experience in the Phase I trials, will participate on the call. Additionally, Dr. Richard Goldberg of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the lead principal investigator in the Phase II trial, will be available to provide their perspective and answer questions on PEG-SN38. About PEG-SN38 SN38 is the active metabolite of the widely used cancer drug irinotecan (also CPT-11), marketed as Camptosar® in the U.S. Although unmodified SN38 is 1,000 times more potent than CPT-11, it has not been converted into a viable drug candidate because of its insolubility. Using Enzon"s proprietary PEGylation technology, the Company developed PEG-SN38 (EZN-2208), which results in a compound with excellent pharmaceutical properties as shown in animal models: increased solubility, higher exposure, and longer half-life than unmodified SN38. Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


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