Aug 28, 2009

How to determine Hoax emails, posts, etc.

It came to my attention this morning by the way of another one of the many hoaxes that go around and around the internet, that I needed to post about how anyone can find out if what you receive is truthful, or a down right hoax. I am speaking of posts, emails etc. that talk about some poor child and you need to sign to help them, and pass on, or about how to get something "free", some of the ones that you are emailed to sign a petition about something that sounds odd, etc.

Here is what you can do:
This morning I received an email about how to know if you have a "2 way mirror" in a room, like in a hotel, dressing room, public restroom. Well, at first I thought it was great information, then it dawned on me to do a search on Google just to see if I could verify the information. I immediately got a hit on "snopes.com" that this information is just another one of the hundreds that go around in emails especially that are plain hoaxes. We get an entire realm of these types of emails especially. People put them out there, then if we don't check we begin forwarding them to everyone in our address books. Well, that is what spammers want to us do. It ties up the internet with millions of emails going through, slows things down, and crashes some servers.

So, the next time you get an email, that talks about getting money, about something you think is really too good to be true, even those talking about some poor girl that is sick and you need to sign and forward etc... you can either Google it, or go directly to snopes.com and verify if it is legitimate or a plain hoax. There are many going around that are simply hoaxes. This will save you from sending around emails and wasting your time and your friends time, plus get rid of the lies that circle around the world online.

It is a huge issue, and if we are diligent about checking up on certain items, we can nip many of these falsehoods in the bud.

Rhia

Here is the URL:

Aug 11, 2009

New Lupus First Ever Medication on the Horizon for FDA Approval

I have been following this new medication and its clinical trials. It is in the last phase and will be submitted to the FDA this coming Fall for approval. They are hoping to be able to start giving it to patients by the end of 2010! I hope sooner. Here is the article I received, and a couple of URL's about this latest innovation in medicine. Nothing like it has ever existed and Lupus has never had "its own medication". All of the current medications are used for other autoimmune illnesses and they find they work somewhat on Lupus patients in some ways also.

Talk about exciting news for Lupus sufferers! I am definitely ready!
Here is the article - from my North Texas Chapter of Lupus Foundation!
Dear Lupus Supporter,
This is a historic day for all people living with lupus. It has been 40 years since man landed on the moon, but July 20, 2009 will be remembered as the day when a breakthrough in lupus may have occurred.

Human Genome Sciences (HG and GlaxoSmithKline announced that their drug, BENLYSTA™, which was developed specifically to treat lupus, was successful in reaching the primary endpoint and most of the secondary endpoints in the first of two pivotal Phase III trials. The 52-week study was innovative in its design. Carefully selected patient participants coupled with a new patient responder index were key factors in the successful result. The drug was generally well tolerated.

The trial is the largest double-blinded, randomized Phase III trial ever completed in lupus. The FDA has required the company to complete two such trials and the data from the second trial will be announced in November. Should this trial confirm the results of the 52-week study, HGS and its partner, GlaxoSmithKline, will submit an application to the FDA for approval to market BENLYSTA.
Following are FAQ's for your review:
Frequently Asked Questions
BENLYSTA ™
(Formerly Lymphostat-

1. What is BENLYSTA?
BENLYSTA is a human monoclonal antibody that is being investigated as a potential new treatment for lupus. A monoclonal antibody is a type of protein made in the laboratory that is developed to find and attach to only one type of substance in the body.

2. How does BENLYSTA work?
BENLYSTA is a human monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and blocks the biological activity of B-lymphocyte stimulator, or BLyS® (pronounced bliss), a naturally occurring protein which was discovered by scientists at Human Genome Sciences (HG. Elevated levels of BLyS prolong the survival of B cells which can contribute to the production of autoantibodies - antibodies that target the body's own tissues. Previous studies have shown that BENLYSTA can reduce autoantibody levels and help control autoimmune disease activity.

3. Who developed BENLYSTA?
BENLYSTA is being co-developed by Human Genome Sciences (HG and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

4. What clinical research has been conducted on BENLYSTA?
HGS released Phase II clinical trial results for BENLYSTA in June 2006. The results demonstrated that it significantly reduced disease activity versus a placebo in patients with clinically active lupus, and appeared generally safe and well-tolerated.
In July 2009, HGS announced positive top-line results from the Phase III clinical trial, BLISS-52, which will continue to be analyzed. Results from the Phase III BLISS-76 clinical trial are expected to be released in November 2009. The design of the two trials is similar, but the duration of therapy in the two trials is different, 52 weeks for BLISS-52, and 76 weeks for BLISS-76.The BLISS-52 study was conducted primarily in Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe, and BLISS-76 is being conducted mostly in North America and Europe.

5. What are the results of the BLISS-52, Phase III BENLYSTA study?
The study demonstrated thatlupus patients who were treated with BENLYSTA had improvement in overall disease activity without clinically significant flare-ups in one or more isolated organs when compared to patients who received the placebo (inactive agent). The patients receiving BENLYSTA also were able to reduce their intake of steroid medications. The study is the largest ever to be completed for lupus and the first Phase III (late stage) trial of a new biologic immune therapy for lupus to succeed in meeting its primary endpoint and most of its secondary endpoints.

6. If BENLYSTA is approved by the FDA, what does it mean for people with lupus?
While clinical trials are still ongoing, assuming success, BENLYSTA could represent a breakthrough in the treatment of lupus. If approved, BENLYSTA could be the first drug approved to treat lupus in more than 50 years AND would bethe first drug developed specifically for lupus since the disease was discovered more than a century ago!

7. What makes BENLYSTA different from other lupus treatments?
BENLYSTA could be the FIRST FDA-approvedmedication specifically designed for the treatment of lupus. Current medications are borrowed from other diseases and conditions and some are used off-label, which means they were never approved by the FDA for lupus. These drugs include high doses of steroids, antimalarial medications, immunosupressive drugs, and organ-rejection drugs - many which have serious and devastating side effects.

8. When will the drug be available for patients?
More information on this issue will be available after the results of BLISS-76, a longer-term Phase III clinical study, are released this fall. The results from the BLISS-52 study and the BLISS-72 study will be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review. The review process can take anywhere from six months to several years to complete. ONLY after receiving FDA approval will the drug be available to patients.

9. What side effects have been found with BENLYSTA?
In earlier Phase II studies, BENLYSTA has shown no increase in overall or serious side effects or infections. More information will be available on this issue as the data continues to be analyzed along with the results for the BLISS-76 clinical study which are expected to be released in November.

10. Are there other treatments being researched for lupus?
There are several promising treatments in the near-term pipeline. More companies are involved in lupus research and there are more potential new therapies being investigated than ever before.

11. Why has it taken so long to find a treatment for lupus?
Lupus is a complex disease. It can affect multiple organ systems and symptoms can range in severity from one day to the next. And it can affect each person differently with varying responses to treatment. The complexity presents challenges in evaluating potential new therapies. With each research study, regardless of the outcome, there are new discoveries that help pave the way for new therapies.
More information will be available about this drug as it enters the FDA approval
Here are the URL's where you can find more information out about Benlysta!
I hope this brings hope to all that suffer with Lupus, the caregivers, the spouses and families as it has to myself, my husband and my family!
I will keep you posted! Rhia