This is a great example of the positive power of clinical trials… A vaccine for swine flu – which the World Health Organization has recently deemed a worldwide pandemic – is being tested in clinical trials by Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis. If things go well, the vaccine could be available for use in four months. Other great news today is about the success of a potential cancer vaccine as well as improvements for a gout treatment…

AFP – Swine flu vaccine ready for clinical trials – AFP – Swiss drugs firm Novartis says it has completed a first batch of vaccine for pre-clinical trials and aims to make a version available in about four months. … See all stories on this topic

There is some fascinating and potentially breakthrough news about cancer treatment vaccine trials that was reported in the National Cancer Institute Bulletin. Recent trials could reshape the field of cancer research and the quest for a cure. Whatever is accomplished is no doubt a long way off but it’s worth keeping your eyes on. I’ll continue to keep you informed as this topic develops but here is the lead on a new story…

Treatment vaccines that boost the immune system’s response to tumors may have important clinical benefits for patients with various types of cancer, according to results from several clinical trials presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Orlando.

To many in the field, the findings represent an emergence of sorts for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Treatment vaccines have been the subject of intense study for more than 2 decades, but they have produced little in the way of FDA-approved cancer treatments. That could change based on the recent clinical trial results…

A reporter for the Cleveland Plain Dealer participates in three clinical trials for post-cancer treatments and finds the experience uplifting, empowering and thoroughly positive. It’s a great story to read and enjoy so enjoy!

Participation in clinical trials empowering for reporter in fight – The Plain Dealer – cleveland.com – Cleveland, OH, USA – The Web site ClinicalTrials.gov gives easy access to information on clinical trials for a wide range of diseases and conditions. … See all stories on this topic

A story on CBS News on October 26, 2008 about the “Perils of American Health Care” offers insight into what could be a new and disturbing phenomenon regarding clinical trials taking place because of the bad economy. The story by Rita Braver profiles a woman with a young child. After losing her job and her [...]