Hemoglobin A1c is certainly not a new test, but it has just been shown to predict more accurately the onset of diabetes complications such as heart disease or stroke, than current required testing such as a fasting glucose test.

We finally have clinical confirmation of something we have been suspecting scientifically for a long time now: there are significant interactions between some depression meds and tamoxifen.

We can actually quantify these with testing for CYP2D6 enzyme activity. We know for the last few years that women metabolize tamoxifen to the active form through this liver enzyme system, but 10% of women lack enough activity in the enzyme to do the chemical reaction.

The 1960s brought flower power and also the invention of Tamoxifen.  Tamoxifen reduced breast cancer recurrence by 50%, and women everywhere rejoiced.

Salt Lake City April 8 2009 -- Myriad Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that the FDA has approved an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to begin a Phase 1 clinical study with its Hsp90 inhibitor MPC-3100 for the treatment of cancer. The clinical development plan for MPC-3100 is designed to expedite the drug candidate through the clinical development path. The Phase 1 trial will assess the safety and pharmacokinetics profile of MPC-3100.

In case you were wondering researchers have now isolated a possible explanation on how cranberry juice helps out in bladder infections: it makes the bacteria less sticky. Researchers used bacteria in a Petri dish to discover which chemical in the juice unsticks the bacteria. The idea is that "stickyless" bacteria have a harder time latching on to the bladder wall to create the infection. Of course the ultimate goal is to make a pill derived from the active substance in cranberry juice which is a laudable goal but what's wrong with simply drinking cranberry juice every day or as-needed?

FDA: Need more clarity on genomics of clot drug I think this is a good sign that some rationality is present at FDA. The story is that FDA is asking the manufacturer of a popular clot-reducing medicine Plavix for more information. Seems the efficacy data is not as robust as it should be and the FDA has reason to suspect that the reason is patient hereditary variability in drug metabolism. This is shaping up to be the year of pharmacogenomics but progress is slow and limited to certain drugs.

Fetal stem cells okayed for stroke research in UK. I usually don't cover stories that report the START of a trial mostly the COMPLETION of a trial but this one was too good to pass up. The idea here is that scientists will inject embryonic stem cells into the damaged brains of stroke victims and "see what happens." I can't wait to see what they will find. We are standing on the cusp of a major new way to practice medicine: the stem cell era. I call it "stemical" medicine as opposed to "chemical" medicine which is what we practice today.

In the "wow" department looks like scientists might be able to regenerate teeth from stem cells within the next ten years. While the research is early now prominent researchers are quoted as predicting the end of periodontal disease and loss of teeth soon. I have the suspicion that many areas of medicine will be radically altered by stem cell research. Why would anyone have to visit a dentist or oral surgeon if stem cells could be used to regenerate teeth? Or a cardiologist if stem cells could regenerate heart muscle?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical typically used in making plastic stronger. It is also utilized in sealing food cans baby bottles water bottles some food containers CDs and dental sealants and prevents liquid leaking out of bottles. It actually persuades a group of proteins that defend cancer cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy. BPA falls under the “some concern” categories. BPA has been in the news recently because of its probable health vulnerability.

Psychological disorders are complex and the number of treatments available in the United States continues to grow but virtually all medications used to treat depression are metabolized by two enzymes in the liver: CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. Your genes are the main factor determining the level of these enzymes-if you have too much of the enzyme you process the medication too quickly too little of the enzyme and the medication builds up in your bloodstream potentially causing adverse reactions or side effects.