MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'amd'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:20:52 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768246&cid=t_126584_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FwCO2OFhmr2I%2F Earlier this week, the long-awaited results of a head-to-head trial comparing two different drugs marketed by Roche’s Genentech unit were leaked. The upshot? The older Avastin cancer med is about as effective as Lucentis in treating a form of age-related macular degeneration. The significance? Avastin is not approved to treat the eye afflication, but is widely used off-label and costs up to $50 injection. Lucentis is approved to treat AMD, but costs an eye-popping $2,000 for an injection. The results, which are now available in The New England Journal of Medicine (read the abstract), placed Roche in a tight spot. The drugmaker is in the unenviable position of having to justify the cost of one of its drug that generates a significant revenue, but is not proven to be any more effective... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768246 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:29:25 +0100 4768246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762934&cid=t_126584_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FohIUuwRLw4k%2F The results of an eagerly anticipated clinical trial are leaking out and early indications are that the Avastin cancer med is about as effective as Lucentis in treating a form of age-related macular degeneration, The New York Times writes. And while there are some caveats - full results will not be disclosed until Sunday - the message is that execs at Roche and its Genentech unit may find themselves in a quandary. Why? Avastin is an older med approved to treat various cancers, but not the eye afflication that is common among the elderly. However, many docs have successfully used the drug on an off-label basis, especially since the price tag is low - up to $50 for injection. By comparison, Lucentis is approved to treat AMD, but costs $2,000 for an injection. And Genentech sells both drugs. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762934 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:04:56 +0100 4762934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294634&cid=t_126584_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmacular-degeneration-and-a-healthy-lifestyle%2F2010.12.26 We now have another condition that may be prevented by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and abstaining from smoking: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Macular degeneration causes a loss of central vision and makes it difficult to recognize faces and read small print. The macula degenerates with age and severe macular degeneration causes blindness. Treatment is costly and doesn’t work very well. A new study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology looked at 1,313 women aged 55 to 74 years. They reviewed their diet and exercise habits. Eating a “healthy diet” meant 3.5 servings of fruit and vegetables, 2.3 servings of dairy, 2.7 ounces of meet and 3.5 servings of grain a day. Exercise habits and smoking history were also monitored. (more…) *This ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294634 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 01:00:00 +0100 4294634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134257&cid=t_126584_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3vRiI0mzjQc%2F In an effort to promote Lucentis for treating age-related macular degeneration, Roche’s Genentech is offering a confidential rebate to retinal specialists who may otherwise use Avastin, which is another med sold by the same biotech. Why bother? Avastin is not approved to treat AMD, but many docs believe it is equally effective. Then there’s price - $20 to $30 an injection versus $2,000 for Lucentis. What kind of rebates? These are offered based on volume and increased use. For volume, they range from 0.25 percent to 1.5 percent of wholesale cost, according to The New York Times. One example in a document obtained by the paper: using 600 vials a quarter yields a $8,775 rebate. Added use offers rebates from 1 percent to 1.5 percent - another 0.01 percent usage qualifies for a 1 p... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134257 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:35:03 +0100 4134257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082330&cid=t_126584_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FJycNCO0uTsg%2F Nobody likes a conundrum, but that’s what Roche may face now that a new paper found that both Lucentis and Avastin were no riskier for treating age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, than two other therapies, including Pfizer’s Macugen. The paper, which was published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, reviewed nearly 147,000 Medicare beneficiaries who received treatment for AMD in 2005 and 2006, and who were tracked through 2007 for heart attacks, strokes and bleeding (see the abstract). Here is the issue: Roche owns Genentech, which sells both Lucentis and Avastin, although only Lucentis is approved by the FDA to treat AMD. Nonetheless, the Avastin cancer med is used off-label by many ophthalmologists because it is much cheaper - about $1,950 versus $30 per dose. Genentech h... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082330 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:15:30 +0100 4082330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3729848&cid=t_126584_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwhat-does-your-hair-color-say-about-your-health%2F photo: Thinkstock We all love our hair. (Or we hate it.) We preen over it for way too long in the morning, we spend months deciding on a new cut or color, and definitely think our luscious locks add to our feminine wiles. But apparently, our hair can even alert us to possible health risks. Check out what your natural hair color could say about your well being, courtesy of Women’s Health: Blondes You’re at risk for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an eye condition that can lead to blindness. Eat food rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, like kale, spinach, and snow peas. Blondes are also at the highest risk for melanoma. Make sure you wear a full-spectrum SPF 30, and wear a hat in direct sunlight. Check out some of our favorite eco-friendly hats here. Brunettes Y... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3729848 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:49:48 +0100 3729848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048198&cid=t_126584_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fyiee59OlFEk%2F Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease associated that affects the central vision – in the middle of your eye. You can have wet AMD or dry AMD. People with AMD lose the sharpness in the center by affecting the macula, the part of the eye that provides you with fine details. Someone with AMD has a dark whole in the center of the vision, but can see peripherally, along the edges. AMD affects people as they age and is listed as the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 65 years and older. There is no cure for AMD, but treatment can slow down the vision loss. Sometimes, the progress of AMD is very gradual, maybe not even noticeable at first, so it’s essential that it be detected by an eye care professional. Unfortunately, eye exams are not often on the priorit... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048198 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:01:15 +0100 3048198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2408455&cid=t_126584_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6977 , U.S. Melanoma Rates Increasing Rapidly strWebsiteID = window.document.location.toString();strSplitWeb = strWebsiteID.split("/")strWebsiteID = strSplitWeb[2];document.write(”“); from the Malaysian Medical Resources VIDEO: DASH Diet Reduces Heart Failure Risk in Women, Cognitive Function Linked to AMD (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2408455 Thu, 14 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2408455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240988&cid=t_126584_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6312 strWebsiteID = window.document.location.toString();strSplitWeb = strWebsiteID.split("/")strWebsiteID = strSplitWeb[2];document.write(”“); from the Malaysian Medical Resources VIDEO: Supplements May Reduce AMD Risk Among Women, Antihypertensive Drugs Benefit Dialysis Patients, Healthy Living Habits Can Help Prevent Cancer (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240988 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2240988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2169826&cid=t_126584_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6128 VIDEO: Insulin May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression, Cataract Surgery Does Not Increase AMD Risk, Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk strWebsiteID = window.document.location.toString();strSplitWeb = strWebsiteID.split("/")strWebsiteID = strSplitWeb[2];document.write(”“); from the Malaysian Medical Resources VIDEO: Insulin May Slow Alzheimer’s Progression, Cataract Surgery Does Not Increase AMD Risk, Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2169826 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2169826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1190016&cid=t_126584_158_f&fid=36021&url=http%3A%2F%2F3genfamily.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F30%2Ffive-easy-steps-to-shrink-your-risk-of-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd%2F A Good Friend Remembered A good friend of ours died the third week of December. We just received a note from his daughter responding to our holiday card. Unfortunately, it never reached him. We sent cards every year even though we were never quite sure our friend could read the card. AG, now in his 60’s, had worked with my husband some years ago. Macular degeneration wiped out his sight, and his ability to make a living as a computer programmer. His vision problems were already underway when he attended our wedding 20 years ago. He soldiered on, working from home and adapting his life to his condition. When his vision decreased to the point that he could not drive, he rode his bicycle for shopping and errands. AG amazed me with insistence on doing things for himself. He was determine... 3GenFamily Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1190016 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:29:18 +0100 1190016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=687107&cid=t_126584_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fforbes-and-genetic-part-3the-genes.html So after that long and drawn out search I am most interested with the genes that these guys chose and why they chose them. I am surprised this article wouldn't have been written by a scientist or maybe a clinician. They would probably be in a better position to say how these gene polymorphisms/tests will perform.Complement Factor H LOC387715; In people with bad copies of these genes, chances of macular degeneration progressing from an early, mild form to a severe one increase 10-fold to almost 50%, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Ok so this is true. There is another gene HTRA1 that should have been included. Together these two gene polymorphisms increase your risk of AMD by 40 fold! Also there should have been some mention of the fact that there is ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=687107 Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:16:00 +0100 687107