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AUSTRALIA of proteins, called chemokines, that guide resting cells through the blood Look out for these and into lymph node tissue can upcoming Issues Australian Make ‘unlock the door’ and allow HIV to Breakthrough on HIV’s enter and set up a silent or ‘latent’ Infectious Grip infection.” Prof Lewin said understanding 2010 how the virus achieved this should Australian scientists revealed the most complete picture of the way speed up the development of new October Diagnostic Technology and more potent treatments for HIV, Revolution in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) maintains its infectious grip that could possibly block the virus November Medicinal Plants on the body, pointing to new ways from establishing latency while also to combat it. targeting its more active presence in December Waste Watch The -based research the body. has explained how the virus hides Professor Brendan Crabb, dormant versions of itself in a Director of the , said reservoir of cells out of the reach of the breakthrough was a long time conventional treatments but still able coming and heralded the beginning to “wake up” in the future, posing a of a new chapter in the fight major hurdle to any total cure for against HIV and Acquired immune HIV. deficiency syndrome (AIDS). “We “Once HIV gets into these (the global scientific community) cells, the virus can then go to sleep,” have been working on HIV for close Co-Head of the Burnet Institute’s to 30 years and it’s really only now Center for Virology and Director that we’re beginning to see that a of The Alfred’s Infectious Diseases cure for HIV might be achievable Unit, Professor Sharon Lewin said. and needs to be a major scientific “These silently infected cells are not priority,” Professor Crabb said. cleared by anti-HIV drugs or the The research was a collaborative immune system (meaning) once a effort involving scientists from the patient stops the anti- HIV drugs, Burnet Institute, The Alfred, Monash the virus can then wake up and gets University of Australia, University of going again. Montreal, Canada and the Westmead “Understanding this mechanism Millennium Research Institute in will enable new treatment options Sydney. to be developed which could block latent infection.” The research is Australian Researchers published in the journal Proceedings Developing New Dengue of the National Academy of Science. Vaccine Prof Lewin said it had remained a mystery as to how the virus gained access to the body’s resting CD4-T cells and how it could then lie hidden for years despite prolonged treatment with anti- HIV drugs. “Our team of researchers has now identified the path by which the virus can infect resting CD4-T cells and establish latency,” Prof Lewin said. “We have shown that a family

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Australian researchers are trailing Michael Inouye, studied around 500 new gene for myopia (long or short a new dengue vaccine that would volunteers from Finland, looking at sightedness), new genes affecting help avoiding the scourge of the how cholesterols in the blood stream glaucoma risk, and a gene that causes potentially deadly fever. activate circulating immune cells. optic nerve hypoplasia, which is one It had taken 10 years to develop Constructing biological of the leading causes of blindness in the vaccine which was now one networks of genes that move in children. step away from becoming licensed concert they were then able to “One of the major causes to fight the virus that causes severe identify a network of genes affecting of glaucoma is decreased cornea fever, vomiting, headaches and joint levels of cholesterol in the blood. thickness,” said project leader, Dr pain, the Institute for Child Health “For all intents and purposes these Stuart MacGregor from QIMR’s Research’s Peter Richmond said. genes look like an inflammatory Genetics and Population Health “Researchers have engineered it network and appear reactive to high- Division. “Our research is the first to so that you can get protection from density lipoprotein, triglycerides identify a gene that influences cornea the four main strains of dengue from and apolipoprotein B; all of which thickness.” the one vaccination - so that will stop are predictors of downstream The team also investigated the you getting dengue at all, we hope,” cardiovascular disease,” he said. relationship between intraocular he said. The discovery marks an pressure and glaucoma, and “This has been studied both in important milestone in the discovered a number of genes that children and adults and this is what understanding of biological networks, influence the pressure in the eye. we call phase three, the last stage hopefully paving the way for “This type of work can lead to of the clinical trial,” Dr. Richmond researchers to identify multiple genetic tests that can analyze the added. levels of potential intervention for risk of blindness, and help doctors cardiac disease. Dr Inouye began to monitor people who may have Heart Attack Genes the study at the UK’s Wellcome a higher risk of conditions such as Discovered Trust Sanger Institute in the UK glaucoma,” MacGregor said. finishing it this year at the Walter The findings were part of an and Eliza Hall Institute. Researchers international study in collaboration from Finland’s National Institute for with Professor David Mackey’s Health and Welfare, the University research team from the Centre for of Helsinki and Leiden University Eye Research Australia. Meanwhile, Medical Centre in The Netherlands the QIMR was last week inducted also took part. into the Queensland Business Funding for the study was Leaders Hall of fame. provided by the Wellcome Trust, Governor of Queensland the Australian National Health and Penelope Wensley presented the Medical Research Council and the award to Professor John Hay AC, Finnish Academy. The full results Chair of QIMR Council, at a A team of Australian and European of study appear in the journal PLoS ceremony held at the Plaza Ballroom, Scientists have identified a gene Genetics. Brisbane and Convention Centre. An network which appears to be the initiative of QUT’s School of Business, main culprit in the hardening of Australian Researchers Find the State Library of Queensland and arteries and heart attacks. Hardening Blindness Genes the Queensland Library Foundation, of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, the Hall of Fame celebrates leading occurs when cholesterol builds up Studies of twins conducted at the businesses and business leaders who on the walls of arteries, triggering an Queensland Institute of Medical have enhanced the state’s reputation immune response in the body which Research (QIMR) have revealed a and its economy. leads to more build up. number of genes that appear to affect “QIMR’s induction is in A research team, led by eyesight. recognition of a distinguished Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Data was collected from over contribution to community wellbeing (WEHI) postdoctoral fellow Dr 1000 pairs of twins, revealing a through world-class medical research

6 ■ Volume 14 > Number 10 > 2010 www.asiabiotech.com Bioboard and commercialization,” said Future Risks for Child Cancer meaning the drug killed the cancer Professor Hay upon receiving the Survivors Seven Times Higher cells it was targeting and was rapidly award. cleared from the body’s tissues. Survivors of childhood cancer in Other patients were slow responders, Innovative Spinal Surgery Australia face more than seven in which case the drugs remained Performed at Austin Health times the risk of dying of cancer in present for longer, and had time to later life. They are also at nearly five damage other cells or processes. Doctors at Austin Health performed times the risk of being affected by a “We will be able to . . . tailor individual therapies, with the ground-breaking surgery to remove second cancer. ultimate goal of reducing late effects,” a large tumor dangerously wrapped However, the first study of Dr Ashton said. around a patient’s spine. Australian childhood cancer survivors David Ceravolo, 47 year-old has shown they face a different set of father of three, had as little as risks compared with cancer survivors Triggers Found on Asthma 3 weeks left before becoming a in the US and Europe, with survivors Risk paraplegic. Dr Gerald Quan, an here more likely to develop bone and orthopedic surgeon, knew time was thyroid cancers, and melanomas. Children with a dry night cough, The authors of the research, of the essence, given the severity of eczema or who wheeze with exercise published in the Medical Journal of Mr Ceravolo’s chondrosarcoma, a have more than eight times the risk of Australia, said the results showed rare form of cartilage cancer. asthma attack under anesthetic. The childhood cancer survivors needed The cancer, resistant to situation can be fatal if corrective to keep a close watch on their health. chemotherapy and radiation, had drugs fail. “This is a starting point to evaluate The same factors put affected returned after a previous operation, these problems, in a population children at four times the risk of their this time growing more rapidly that’s growing as a result of the vocal cords locking up while under and aggressively in and around Mr improvements in treatment we’ve sedation, a situation that requires the Ceravolo’s spine. Dr Quan and his seen over the past few decades,” said prompt use of muscle-relaxing drugs team performed two life-saving lead author Lesley Ashton, head of to allow air back into the lungs. operations over the course of four the molecular epidemiology groups The findings - the result of days, giving Mr Ceravolo time to at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australian research involving recover in between. Australia. nearly 10,000 children undergoing Roughly the size of an orange “Previous research has shown operations at a Perth hospital - and located in the middle of his there’s an underlying genetic basis suggest doctors can more accurately chest, the tumor had wrapped itself for the way patients respond to predict which children are at highest around Mr Ceravolo’s spine and was cancer treatments. This same genetic risk for bad reactions by asking pushing on the spinal cord. Dr Quan variation is likely to contribute to whether they share these risk factors. cut through two ribs to extract the these long-term effects of cancer The research also indicates tumor from Mr Ceravolo’s spine, therapy. This is an area we are that a child who has recently had a at the same time removing two interested in pursuing.” cold or another airway infection is vertebrae on which the spine was For the research, conducted at increased risk for an anesthetic attached to prevent the cancer from in collaboration with the Sydney reaction for only two weeks returning. Mr Ceravolo’s spine is now Children’s Hospital, records for afterwards - the first time doctors supported by two metal rods screwed nearly 900 childhood cancer have had a clear idea of how long into his spine, and a titanium cage survivors treated at the hospital from the post-infectious danger period replacing the two missing vertebrae. 1972 to 1999 were matched with lasts. Serious adverse events are Dr Quan said Mr Ceravolo other databases to work out how extremely rare among children under has every chance of being cured many patients remained alive for at anesthetic. of cancer. “I owe him my life” said least five years afterwards, and which The research, published in the Mr Ceravolo.This innovative spinal developed further cancers. British medical journal The Lancet, surgery performed at Austin Health Dr Ashton said some patients showed that 1392, or 15 per cent, is the first of its kind in Melbourne. responded rapidly to cancer drugs, of the 9297 children for whom full

www.asiabiotech.com Volume 14 > Number 10 > 2010 ■ 7 Bioboard data was available had respiratory Institute. Professor Crabb, head of adverse events during or soon after the institute’s laboratory, their operations. said: “We’re effectively down to one However, pediatric anesthetist last drug, artemisnin, and resistance Britta von Ungern-Sternberg, who (to it) is emerging.” ran the study at Perth’s Princess Almost half the world’s Margaret Hospital for Children, said population is exposed to malaria, most of these events were minor which causes more than 800,000 and transient and only a tiny sub- deaths a year and kills more children group experienced lasting harm. “It’s under five than any other infectious pinpointed the risk factors - how microbe. “There’s no vaccine, so drug we can predict the children who therapy, whether as preventative or are going to have complications,” cure, remains an absolutely crucial she said. tool to control malaria,” Professor Andrew Davidson, staff Crabb said. anesthetist at the Royal Children’s That is why the international Following the quick spread of Hospital in Melbourne, said it was “a team’s report, published in the journal anthrax to more new districts, the significant study because it has really Science, has been widely welcomed Bangladeshi government announced crystallized a lot of the previous by experts. Professor Crabb said it a red-alert across the country and ‘maybes’ about which children are was particularly significant that the formed committees in all the 64 likely to get complications”. team had teased out the mechanism districts to coordinate all efforts of by which parasites developed anthrax prevention and treatment. One-dose Malaria Killer Drug laboratory-induced resistance to The government also formed a NITD609. national coordination committee The tide may be turning in the quest “Knowing the molecular basis of to contain anthrax outbreaks in the for new anti-malaria drugs with the drug resistance greatly helps in the country. discovery of a novel compound that process of making the most effective Anthrax is a highly contagious kills the disease-causing parasites use of the drug,” he said, adding that disease, usually transmitted in people with one dose. was vital as there was no malaria through contact with meat, blood or Known as spiroindolone vaccine. skin of a herbivorous animal that has NITD609, the drug kills both been infected. strains of the malaria parasite in BANGLADESH laboratory tests and trials with mice. CHINA It also works faster than existing 589 People Confirmed to be infected drugs, reducing the opportunity for by Anthrax in Bangladesh parasites to develop resistance. With 4 new cases detected, a Banned Chemical Found in “This is very timely,” said total of 589 people in Bangladesh China Cosmetics Melbourne-based molecular biologist have been confirmed to be infected Brendan Crabb, director of the Burnet by anthrax so far, according to Hair care products made by a Bangladesh’s Institute of Chinese cosmetics company have Epidemiology, Disease Control been found to contain a banned and Research (IEDCR) under the chemical, exposure to which may country’s Ministry of Health and cause chest pain, accelerated heart Family Welfare. rate and severe allergic reaction. According to IEDCR, 12 The Zhejiang food and drug districts out of 64 in the country have administration, a local drug watchdog, found anthrax infected casessince the has launched an investigation into disease first broke out in Sirajganj the Zhangguang 101 Co. Ltd. after district, 134 km northwest of capital its products meant for export to Dhaka. Singapore and Hong Kong were

8 ■ Volume 14 > Number 10 > 2010 www.asiabiotech.com Bioboard found to contain Minoxidil, a banned the process of obtaining approval therapy combats tumors in patients ingredient, the China Daily reported. from FINRA to trade under its with hepatocellular carcinoma Minoxidil was earlier used new name with a new symbol, (HCC), commonly known as primary to treat high blood pressure, but announced that it has signed an liver cancer, who cannot be treated studies found that it also stimulated Exclusive Distribution Agreement with surgery, and are awaiting an hair growth and slowed balding. (“Agreement”) with a world leader organ transplant. However, it can also have a number in precision glass technology which As the exclusive distributor of side effects, including chest pain, can be utilized to manufacture high in the Greater China Region, fainting, accelerated heart rate and precision radioactive glass spheres Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh severe allergic reactions. It was later that emit alpha, beta or gamma of this new form of liver cancer banned in China. All suspected radiation, either individually or in treatment, PharmaHub believes that products have been pulled from combination, for the treatment of the therapy offers a solution to the shelves in Singapore and Hong Kong, malignant tumors of the liver. problem of malignant liver cancer in officials said. T h e A g r e e m e n t g i v e s Southeast Asia where approximately “So far, no products in the PharmaHub the exclusive right three-quarters of the cases of liver mainland market have been found to market in China, Hong Kong, cancer worldwide are found. China, to contain the banned chemical,” Taiwan and Macau (“Greater China alone, has the highest number of Zhangguang 101 said, adding that the Region”), Singapore, Malaysia, and liver cancer patients worldwide, investigation was a “normal process”. Bangladesh this innovative liver approximately one-half of the world The company said an alcohol cancer treatment which is similar to HCC population, with more than solution that contained Minoxidil a FDA-approved liver cancer therapy. 350,000 new cases diagnosed each was accidentally mixed with the PharmaHub is a global year, a number that is expected by products and that it did not add the pharmaceutical HUB that specializes Management to continue to rise in banned chemical deliberately. in the identification, licensing, the coming years. As projected by Earlier in March, hair cream development and commercialization IMS Health, China will become the products made by Zhangguang of pharmaceutical and healthcare world’s third-largest pharmaceutical 101 were found to contain the products and technologies that its market by 2011, growing by more carcinogenic chemical, lentine. management believes could make a than 20% annually. Oncology is significant difference to patients and among the top five therapy classes in China PharmaHub Corp. society worldwide. PharmaHub’s China, which recorded a staggering Introduces A ‘Magic Bullet’ corporate goal is to create maximum 27% compound annual growth rate Liver Cancer Therapy value from existing intellectual (“CAGR”) from 2005-2009 and properties and technologies of its is poised to achieve similar gains China PharmaHub Corp. global partners by utilizing its broad- through 2015. (“PharmaHub”), which has recently base of knowledge, understanding merged with World Wide Relics and resource allocation ability in INDIA (OTC Bulletin Board: WRLC) the pharmaceutical and healthcare which has changed its name to industries. China PharmaHub Corp, and is in The FDA-approved version of BARC Develops this “magic bullet” cancer therapy has Radionuclides for Inoperable already improved the quality of life Cancers, Arthritis and offered longer life expectancy with minimum side effects for many In a breakthrough which may pave patients suffering from inoperable the way for an effective treatment liver cancer in the United States. The of inoperable cancers, scientists at procedure is now used routinely in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre more than 43 clinical centers in 27 (BARC) have developed promising states, and was recently approved for radio pharmaceuticals, which they coverage by two of the largest health claim can be used for curing skin insurers in the United States. The and liver tumors besides alleviating

www.asiabiotech.com Volume 14 > Number 10 > 2010 ■ 9 Bioboard rheumatic arthritis. three isotopes have better scope for “Research carried out in BARC wider use and hence were pursued in collaboration with few hospitals in by BARC, he said. the country has shown Lutetium-177 Lu-177 is presently considered (Lu-177), Yittrium-90 (Y-90) and as an excellent radionuclide for use in Phosphorus-32 (P-32) as very in-vivo therapy owing to its favorable effective therapeutic radionuclides nuclear decay characteristics. Lu-177 (radio pharmaceuticals) that can decays with a half-life of 6.73 days be used in the treatment of cancers by emission of Beta particles with of liver, skin and in non-cancerous maximum energies of 497 keV (78.6 maladies such as rheumatic per cent), 384 keV (9.1per cent) and arthritis and hemophilia,” Dr 176 keV (12.2per cent) to stable Meera Venkatesh, Head, Radio Hafnium (Hf-177). pharmaceuticals Division said. The half-life of a radioisotope Five leading manufacturers Lu-177, with great potential describes how long it takes for half announced the formation of Vaccine in treatment of neuro- endocrine the atoms in a given mass to decay. Manufacturers’ Association (VAM) tumors, has advantages like shorter Some isotopes decay very rapidly which will work as the mouthpiece range of tissue penetration making it and therefore, have a high specific of the Indian vaccine industry. an ideal candidate for radiotherapy of activity and others decay at a much A representative told a news smaller, soft tumors. It also has both slower rate. conference that they would urge gamma and beta emitting properties, “The physical half-life of Lu- the government to increase public enabling it to be used in imaging 177 is adequately long for supply healthcare aid which is currently one studies, as well as for treatment, to places far away from the reactors percent of the GDP and to add new Venkatesh said. without appreciable decay loss. vaccines to the list of vaccines under India is leading in conducting Besides, it can be produced with the national immunization program. research using Lu-177 based radio sufficiently high specific activity The association, which has pharmaceuticals in the world. Y-90 with excellent radionuclide purity brought together Bharat Biotech, and P-32 have also proved to be to almost 100 per cent using the Biological E, Panacea Biotech, Serum effective in the treatment of liver moderate flux research reactors such Institute and Shantha Biotechnics, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and skin as Dhruva, available in our country,” will urge the government to add new cancer respectively, she said. Venkatesh said. vaccines to the program. Dr V Venugopal, Director, “This isotope available from Krishna Ella, President of VAM Radio pharmaceuticals Division Radiochemistry and Isotope said, and CMD of Bharat Biotech, pointed of BARC is being used for the BARC has been engaged over the last out that the number of vaccines preparation of Lu-177 DOTA-TATE 50 years in distributing radioisotopes in India’s national immunization and treatment of cancer patients Molybdenum-99, Iodine-131, program remained at five since 1975 suffering from neuro-endocrine Samarium-153 for a variety of while countries like Brazil with less tumors for the past two and a half medical applications. Since 1989, population had 15 vaccines in their years, at five hospitals across India,” these isotopes are being supplied national programs. she said. by BARC through the Board of The vaccine manufacturers Radiation & Isotope Technology pointed out that while they were (BRIT), the unit of Department Vaccine Makers to Lobby exporting vaccines for measles to 140 of Atomic Energy, dealing with for Higher Immunization countries the same were not being commercial aspects of radiation and Coverage utilized in India. radioisotope supply, he said. ‘The immunization coverage in In-vivo (inside human body) Vaccine manufacturers in India India is 50 to 53 percent, which is therapy using radio pharmaceuticals formed a pressure group to lobby much lower than even the African has been growing in the world. for increasing the immunization countries who have achieved the Among the long list of potential coverage in India, which is lower than UN Millennium Development Goal therapeutic radionuclides, the above even in the African countries. with a coverage of 80 percent,’ said

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S.S. Jadhav, executive director, Serum people worldwide have joined forces blindness in Asia. Institute of India Limited. Even a from opposite sides of the globe. “An extreme shortage of cornea small country like Bangladesh has “An extreme shortage of cornea tissue available for transplant is a 95 percent immunization coverage, tissue available for transplant is a worldwide problem,” said Professor he said. worldwide problem” Donald Tan, Medical Director of The vaccine manufacturers said In a move that builds on a both the Singapore Eye Bank and the low coverage was despite the fact legacy of innovation in treatment of the Singapore National Eye Centre, that most of the vaccines produced corneal blindness, the Singapore Eye internationally acclaimed for its by them cost less than the price of Bank and the Singapore National corneal transplantation program, and a cup of tea. They pointed out that Eye Centre will engage consulting for leadership in corneal blindness 90 percent of their business came services from SightLife eye bank prevention through the stewardship from exports while only 10 percent in Seattle, WA (United States) to of the Asia Cornea Society. of their vaccines were used in India. achieve these three local and regional “SightLife is a global leader in India is presently spending $100 objectives: eye banking with a dedicated team million on vaccine purchase, which is 1) Increase long-term capacity of experts to support eye bank much lower than $175 million spent of the Singapore Eye Bank to recover development around the world. We by a small country like Pakistan. enough tissue to meet 100% of local want to work with the best partners The manufacturers suggested need for sight-restoring transplants, in building local and regional capacity that India spend 10 percent of the and to further develop its education to meet this crucial need.” Professor healthcare budget on vaccines to and training initiatives as a centre for Tan is also the President of both Asia ensure that every child is vaccinated excellence in eye banking in Asia. Cornea Society and the Association and to save millions of lives from 2) Build on the already proud of Eye Banks of Asia. infectious diseases. The association tradition of cornea donation in “We are honored at this would urge the government to Sri Lanka by establishing a model opportunity to join efforts with strengthen vaccine research and national eye bank in that country, the Singapore Eye Bank and the delivery mechanism. the National Eye Bank of Sri Lanka. Singapore National Eye Centre, and Stating that bureaucratic and The Sri Lankan people are known with colleagues of such international political interference was hindering throughout the world for their the efforts to increase immunization service to others through faith-based reputation in the ophthalmology coverage and the growth of the cornea donation at the end of life. field as Professor Tan,” said Monty vaccine industry, the association 3) Grow the Association of Eye Montoya, President of SightLife. demanded autonomy to the Drugs Banks of Asia (an association formed “Partnerships like this are by far Controller General of India (DCGI), with the Asia Cornea Society) in its the most effective way to end the Central Research Institute (CRI), ability to offer services that support unnecessary corneal blindness for Kasauli, and the National Institute member needs and reduce corneal 10 million people worldwide.” for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC).

Singapore

Singapore and Seattle Eye Banks Collaborate to Increase World Supply of Tissue for Sight-Restoring Corneal Transplants

Leaders in the fight to eliminate curable corneal blindness that brings unnecessary misery to 10 million

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Doctors Discover Tamiflu- P&G Partners A*STAR to partnership marks a significant Resistant H1N1 Superbug Strengthen R&D Presence in milestone in the evolving relationship Singapore between P&G and A*STAR. We A team of Singapore doctors has are glad to have strengthened found a mutant H1N1 virus resistant Procter & Gamble (P&G) and the P&G’s R&D activities in Singapore to Tamiflu - the antiviral drug used to Agency for Science, Technology and and excited of A*STAR’s role in treat it. The superbug was detected Research (A*STAR) entered into a jumpstarting P&G’s innovation in a sample from a previously healthy strategic partnership to jumpstart ecosystem here.” He added: “A*STAR offers a 28-year-old female patient, at Tan P&G’s innovation expansion in spectrum of world class capabilities Tock Seng Hospital. Singapore and strengthen P&G’s in the RIs that are aligned to industry The mutant strain developed R&D presence in Singapore. This needs and look forward to working within two days of exposure to the Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) signed by the with P&G to make Singapore Asia’s drug. Doctors said less than one per two organizations comes ahead of the Innovation Capital.” cent of flu is currently resistant. opening of P&G’s new Innovation Ms Deb Henretta, Group But they added clinicians should Center, which is expected to be President - Asia, P&G, welcomed consider resistance when patients completed by late 2013. the agreement: “I am delighted who are seriously ill with flu fail T h e t h r e e - y e a r M R C A that we are deepening our existing to respond to treatment for H1N1. builds on the existing cooperation relationship with A*STAR and That’s because the strain can evolve between P&G and A*STAR which expanding its scope. The MRCA almost overnight. began in 2006. It will set the stage marks an important milestone in Researchers noted that anti-viral for more cutting-edge market P&G’s journey to establish Singapore drugs should be given only when innovations. The initial focus of the as a hub of innovation; I am confident necessary as they have limited benefit collaborative research will be on that with this agreement, along in mild infections. developing Transformative Platform with P&G’s forthcoming Innovation Tan Tock Seng Hospital senior Technologies (TPT) for chemicals, Centre here, Singapore will indeed consultant in laboratory medicine bio, smart products and packaging, as become home to innovation that Timothy Barkham said: “As with all well as process development, to aid touch and improve the lives of antimicrobial medicines, we should new product development for a wide consumers across Asia and the not give patients anti-viral drugs range of product categories in which world.” unless it is really necessary, in order to P&G is active, and in particular C o m m e n t i n g o n P & G ’ s preserve them for patients who really consumer care. strengthened presence in Singapore, need them”. He noted that antivirals The research agreement, which Mr Bruce Brown, P&G’s Chief are likely to be most effective in involves the participation of all Technology Officer said: “We severe flu but are of limited benefit 14 A*STAR research institutes welcome this strategic partnership and four consortia and centre, with A*STAR in Singapore. This in mild infections. will provide opportunities for new strategic partnership builds on The research was supported A*STAR researchers to accelerate our current successful relationship by three A*STAR institutes: the collaborations with P&G researchers and allows us to pursue broader and Experimental Therapeutics Centre based locally in Singapore as well as deeper collaboration opportunities. (ETC), the Genome Institute overseas. The areas of research will This should allow P&G to team of Singapore (GIS), and the include biotechnology, molecular up with the unique innovation Bioinformatics Institute (BII). , chemistry, high performance capabilities made available through ETC developed the method computing and materials. The MRCA A*STAR to develop new technologies used to chart the evolution of drug will also provide P&G with access to and innovations that will improve the resistance in the influenza virus, research services and facilities at lives of our consumers.” while GIS provided the technology Singapore’s research hub – Biopolis The previous joint research to sequence the viral genome and BII and Fusionopolis. projects between P&G and A*STAR compared the mutant to previous Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman included materials research with resistant strains to confirm its novelty. of A*STAR said: “This strategic A*STAR’s Institute of Materials

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Research and Engineering (IMRE), UGT1A1*28. Patients carrying to variants of UGT1A1 such as and computational modeling for two copies of the variant forms of UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28, the consumer care products with the the UGT1A1 gene have got low HSA Pharmacogenetics Advisory Institute of High Performance amounts of the enzyme in the liver Committee has recommended Computing (IHPC). and are unable to detoxify the SN-38 updates to package inserts for effectively. High levels of the latter Inrinotecan. This follows similar NCCS-led Study Helps metabolite can lead to severe toxicity mandates by US Food and Drug Doctors to Better Identify such as low white blood cells (which Administration in 2005 and Japan’s Treatment for Colorectal are important defense mechanism in Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Cancer Patients the body) and severe diarrhea. Agency (PMDA) in 2008. With data from the NCCS and New findings on effect of Uridine other participating institutions, the OTHER REGIONS EUROPE Diphosphate Glucuronosyl HSA Pharmacogenetics Advisory Transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) which Committee reviewed the distribution breaks down Irinotecan (also known of these polymorphisms in our local Gene Therapy Success for as CPT-11) suggests that patients ethnic groups, namely, Chinese, Anemia Patient carrying two defective copies of Malay and Indian populations. The the same allele, UGT1A1*28 or frequency of UGT1A1*6 was similar In a rare success for the much- UGT1A1*6 may be susceptible to in all three Asian ethnic groups headlined vision of gene therapy, increased risk of severe neutropenia at approximately 1%. However, scientists said on Wednesday they and diarrhea when given a common the frequency of UGT1A1*28 had corrected flawed DNA in an dose of the drug was approximately 13% in Indians 18-year-old man suffering from a A research finding by scientists compared with 2% to 4% in Chinese debilitating form of anemia. The at the National Cancer Centre and Malays. Similar to studies done unnamed patient received a gene Singapore has helped doctors to abroad, the genotype distribution of that corrected a blood disorder better identify the suitability of their UGT1A1 in Indians are similar to known as beta-thalassemia and three patients to receive the anti-cancer Caucasians, while the Chinese has years on, his health is “remarkable” agent, Irinotecan (also known as similar distribution as the Japanese. and his quality of life good, they said. CPT-11) which is widely used in the Patients carrying this defective Beta-thalassemia occurs when treatment of colorectal cancer. genetic constitution in the UGT1A1 a patient is unable to produce As a result of their findings, gene can have higher levels of the enough beta-globin, a component the Health Sciences Authority has cytotoxic metabolite of Irinotecan, in hemoglobin, which is used by directed that Irinotecan’s package SN-38 which is approximately red blood cells to transport oxygen insert be updated. Also, this has 100- to 1000-fold more active than around the body. The body’s organs, led to several oncologists sending Irinotecan. deprived of sufficient oxygen, can their patients’ blood samples to the These findings suggest that be badly damaged without regular, Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory certain ethnic groups (eg. Indians) and lifelong, blood transfusions. at NCCS for genetic tests prior to may be more susceptible to The alternative treatment is bone patients receiving Irinotecan. increased toxicity when administered marrow transplant, but only a small The NCCS team, led by Associate Irinotecan and that prior testing of minority of patients have access to Professor Balram Chowbay, has their UGT1A1 genetic constitution this because of difficulties in finding found that genetic polymorphisms can aid in the selection of a right dose the right type of donor. in the UGT1A1 gene can affect the to match the individual’s metabolic Reporting in the science journal way Irinotecan’s active metabolite, capacity and hence alleviate the risk Nature, doctors led by Philippe SN-38, is detoxified in the liver. The of toxicity. Prof Balram’s laboratory Leboulch of Harvard Medical UGT1A1 gene exists in two different has started providing these genetic School, used a virus as a “Trojan forms, normal (called the wild-type) tests to patients being treated with horse” to deliver a slice of DNA into and the homozygous variant form. irinotecan at NCCS. cells which corrected for the flawed The latter exists as two different With evidence to suggest beta-LCR gene. defective alleles, UGT1A1*6 and that Irinotecan toxicity are linked “At present, approximately

www.asiabiotech.com Volume 14 > Number 10 > 2010 ■ 13 Bioboard three years post-transplantation, the Investigations into these failures research associate. For their study, biological and clinical evolution is have focused especially on the the scientists screened mutations remarkable and the patient’s quality virus used to deliver the gene, in 18,000 protein-encoding genes of life is good,” they said. The patient, amid suspicions that the vector - in ovarian clear-cell tumors from who had been receiving blood even if disabled - may unleash an eight patients at Johns Hopkins and transfusions since the age of three, uncontrolled response from the institutions in Japan and Taiwan. last received donated blood in June immune system. They purified the cancer cells and 2008, a year after the operation. evaluated genes from those cells as Leboulch sounded a note of caution, NORTH AMERICA well as from normal cells found in the saying that the Trojan horse, a type of same patients’ blood or uninvolved virus that is called a lentivirus, may tissues. have altered the function of a gene Researchers Find Genes Among the eight tumors, the that controls the behavior of blood Linked to Ovarian Cancer researchers found 268 mutations stem cells. in 253 genes, or an average of 20 As a result, there has been a Researchers said Wednesday they mutations per tumor. They then mild expansion in the number of have identified two new genetic identified ARID1A mutations in these cells. At present, the increase mutations linked to the deadliest 57 per cent of 42 tumors of 34 is benign, but in theory it could be a types of ovarian cancer, which additional ovarian clear-cell cancer prelude to leukemia, which is a factor may play a key role in suppressing patients. PPP2R1A mutations were for doctors deciding whether to use tumours. found in 7.1 per cent of the tumors. the therapy on other patients. Gene Scientists at the Johns Hopkins In a separate study published Kimmel Cancer Center hope their therapy burst onto the medical scene in the New England Journal of research will help develop treatments in the late 1990s, offering the allure Medicine and focusing on ARID1A, and drugs that will better target of blocking or reversing inherited Canadian researchers led by David ovarian clear-cell carcinoma, which disease. Huntsman of the British Columbia accounts for about 10 per cent of So far, though, successes have Cancer Agency came to similar cancers that start in the cells on the been few, limited to single-gene conclusions. surface of the ovaries. The disease disorders - as opposed to complex They found the gene was mutated mainly affects women aged 40 to 80 multi-gene disorders that account in both ovarian clear-cell carcinoma and resists chemotherapy. for the commonest diseases - and and another type of ovarian tumor Writing in the journal Science, they have been carried out under a team of researchers led by Bert linked to endometriosis, a condition tightly-controlled lab conditions. Vogelstein named the two genes in which cells that usually line the They include six children, blighted as ARID1A and PPP2R1A, which uterus grow in other areas, often on by a retinal disease called Leber’s have not been previously linked to the ovaries. congenital amaurosis and two adults ovarian cancer. “They may provide “Overall, 46 per cent of with a so-called myeloid disorder, a opportunities for developing new patients with ovarian clear-cell disease of white blood cells. biomarkers and therapies that carcinoma and 30 per cent of those But there have also been target those genes,” said Nickolas with endometrioid carcinoma setbacks, including the tragic death Papadopoulos, an associate professor had... mutations in ARID1A,” the of an 18-year-old US volunteer, of oncology at Johns Hopkins. researchers said, noting they did not Jesse Gelsinger, in 1999, and the ARID1A mutations were identified find the mutation in other types of development of cancer among two in more than half of tumours studied. ovarian tumors. French children treated for “bubble “This gene may play a significant They said the gene was also baby” syndrome, a chronic lack of role in this type of cancer,” noted suspected of playing a role in certain immune defences. Sian Jones, a Johns Hopkins types of breast and lung cancer. 

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