Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
New Recommendations for Testing Diabetes Drugs
December 18, 2008
In the wake of safety questions over GlaxoSmithKline's Avandia, FDA is recommending more rigorous testing of diabetes drugs for heart attack and stroke risk. The new recommendations are effective immediately, reports the Wall Street Journal, and they suggest that clinical trials should be redesigned with heart attack and stroke risk assessment in mind, and that any cardiovascular events that occur during the trial should be reviewed by independent, blinded cardiologists. Another recommendation is that the trials include older and sicker patients who should then be followed for a longer period of time.