Latest news with #FAP
USA Today
7 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
What causes colon cancer? And how do you prevent it?
Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in the U.S., but each year it claims more than 50,000 lives – in part because early symptoms can be mild and easily missed. 'Colon cancer is the deadliest cancer for men under 50 and second deadliest for women under 50,' says Dr. Heinz-Josef Lenz, professor of medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. The good news is that when it is caught early, colon cancer is highly treatable. Even better, it's largely preventable through routine screening and healthy dietary and lifestyle habits. Here's what colon cancer is, what increases your risk and how you can take steps to prevent it. What is colon cancer? Colon cancer (also sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer because it often spreads to the rectum) is a disease that begins with the formation of benign polyps in the body's large intestine, also known as the colon. Over time, these polyps can become cancerous (malignant) and spread to other areas of the body. Symptoms of more advanced stages of colon cancer usually include "abdominal pain, bloody stool, a change in bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea), anemia due to blood loss and unexplained weight loss," explains Dr. Xavier Llor, a gastroenterologist at Yale Medicine, who specializes in colon cancer prevention. "But early on," he says, "symptoms can be mild or even absent.' While individual risk factors vary, the average risk of developing colorectal cancer over one's lifetime is about one in 24 for men and about one in 26 for women, per the American Cancer Society. In case you missed: James Van Der Beek, Jenna Fischer and the rise of young people getting cancer What causes colon cancer? While exact causes can't always be known and vary widely from patient to patient, a family history of colon cancer is known to dramatically increase one's risk, says Llor. Ditto for associated inherited conditions such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis also increase risk due to ongoing inflammation in the digestive tract, explains Lenz, and type 2 diabetes may play a role as well. Age is a factor, too, as most cases of colon cancer occur in individuals over 50, but incidence among younger adults is rising. Many of the most common causes of colon cancer are thought to be related to lifestyle behaviors and dietary choices. "Diets rich in red meat such as beef, and pork – particularly if it's fried or broiled – and eating processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meat have been shown to cause colon cancer," says LLor. A lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also all contribute, says Lenz. IBD is becoming more common. What exactly causes it? How to prevent colon cancer Understanding how these factors can cause colon cancer goes a long way in helping prevent it. But even more people avoid the worst outcomes of colon cancer by getting screened early and as often as is recommended. Here are the most commonly recommended suggestions that help colon cancer be one of today's most preventable cancers. No matter how you and your doctor choose for you to get screened, what matters is doing so as soon as you reach the recommended age and then keeping up with screenings every five to 10 years, as advised by your doctor. 'If caught early,' Llor says, 'your chances of surviving colon cancer are excellent at around 90%.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can AngloGold's Cost Discipline Help It Maintain Edge Over Peers?
AngloGold Ashanti plc AU continues to navigate industry-wide inflationary pressures and manages to deliver resilient cost performance, backed by its Full Asset Potential (FAP) program and increased cost vigilance at the site level. AU reported a 4% year-over-year increase in group total cash costs to $1,223 per ounce in the first quarter of 2025. But digging deeper, the increase reflected a 5% rise in inflation across its operating jurisdictions and a 5% uptick in royalty costs linked to the higher gold prices. Overall, the company saw a 7% increase in market-driven costs. Managed operations saw a 2% year-over-year decline in total cash costs per ounce despite increases in royalties. This was driven by the inclusion of Sukari following the Centamin acquisition in November 2024 and steady performance at Siguiri. These gains were partially offset by operational challenges and a temporary plant stoppage at Iduapriem. Non-managed joint ventures experienced cost pressures, with total cash costs soaring 59% year over year to $1,325 per ounce. This was due to lower gold production, higher royalties and increased open pit volume-related operating costs at Kibali. All-in sustaining costs per ounce (AISC) for the group inched up 1% year over year to $1,640 per ounce in the quarter. At managed operations, AISC per ounce dipped 2% reflecting the positive impact of Sukari's inclusion, while AISC at non-managed joint ventures increased 37% due to weaker operational performance at Kibali. For 2025, AngloGold projects group total cash costs at $1,125-$1,225 per ounce, and AISC between $1,580 and $1,705 per ounce. Both ranges indicate a 2% increase at the midpoint from the year-ago reported levels. The company remains focused on improving its position on the cost curve, leveraging the FAP program to enhance operational efficiency and productivity offsetting inflationary impacts. Its cost management appears effective, with only a 1% rise in average real cash costs over the timeframe between first-quarter 2021 and first-quarter 2025. Its peer group, which includes major gold miners like Barrick Mining Corporation B and Newmont Corporation NEM, has seen a more than 20% spike in average real cash costs. Newmont's gold costs applicable to sales rose 16% year over year to $1,227 per ounce in the first quarter. AISC was $1,651 per ounce, reflecting a roughly 15% year-over-year increase. The rise was attributed to a decline in production due to non-core asset divestments as Newmont shifts its focus to Tier 1 assets. Barrick Mining saw a 22% sequential increase in AISC to $1,775 per ounce in the first quarter due to operational challenges, higher total cash costs per ounce and an uptick in mine site sustaining capital expenditure. Lower production due to the suspension of operations at Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto mine also contributed to the rise. AngloGold Ashanti's stock has skyrocketed 104% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's 53% growth. During this time, the Basic Materials sector has risen 13.7% and the S&P 500 has rallied 5.9%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research AU is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 9.51X, at a discount to the industry average of 12.62X. The stock has a Value Score of B. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AngloGold Ashanti's 2025 sales is $8.85 billion, indicating 52.8% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for the year's earnings is $4.99 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 125.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 sales implies 2.3% year-over-year growth. The same for earnings indicates a decline of 1.3%. EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been trending north over the past 60 days, as seen in the chart below. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research AU currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Newmont Corporation (NEM) : Free Stock Analysis Report AngloGold Ashanti PLC (AU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Barrick Mining Corporation (B) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Biodexa Announces Filing of CTA in Europe for Phase 3 Serenta Trial in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
July 14, 2025 Biodexa Announces Filing of CTA in Europe for Phase 3 Serenta Trial in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC ('Biodexa' or 'the Company'), (Nasdaq: BDRX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs, announced the filing of a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its Serenta trial in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a mostly inherited disease that, if left untreated, almost always leads to colorectal cancer. The only current treatment option is sequential resection of much of the gastrointestinal tract. A CTA is the formal regulatory submission required to obtain approval to begin a clinical trial in Europe and is similar to the Investigational New Drug (IND) application process in the United States. if approved, it would permit the Serenta trial to proceed in Europe, initially covering clinical sites in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Spain with Italy expected to be added in due course. Commenting, Stephen Stamp CEO and CFO of Biodexa said 'Following Fast Track Designation by the FDA, Orphan Drug designation in Europe and initiation of our first clinical site in the US, the filing of our CTA with EMA is the latest in a series of important milestones for our eRapa Phase 3 program in FAP. Congratulations to our team, our collaborators at Emtora Biosciences and our European CRO, Precision for Medicine. This would not have been possible without the support of CPRIT which has awarded $20 million in grant funding to support the program'. The Serenta trial (NCT06950385) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 registrational study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eRapa in patients diagnosed with FAP. The first site, in the US, is now open and actively screening eligible participants. Following the 106 day approval timeline for the CTA, it is expected the European sites will begin enrolling in the fourth quarter of this year. For more information about the Serenta trial, including eligibility criteria and specific site location, please visit About FAPFamilial adenomatous polyposis is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by the development of hundreds to thousands of colorectal polyps and a near-100% lifetime risk of colorectal cancer if left untreated. There is a significant unmet need for effective, less invasive therapies for FAP patients. FAP is characterized as a proliferation of polyps in the colon and/or rectum, usually occurring in mid-teens. There is no approved therapeutic option for treating FAP patients, for whom active surveillance and surgical resection of the colon and/or rectum remain the standard of care. If untreated, FAP typically leads to cancer of the colon and/or rectum. There is a significant hereditary component to FAP with a reported prevalence of one in 5,000 to 10,000 in the US1 and one in 11,300 to 37,600 in Europe2. Importantly, mTOR has been shown to be over-expressed in FAP polyps – thereby underscoring the rationale for using an mTOR inhibitor like eRapa to treat FAP. About eRapa eRapa is a proprietary oral formulation of rapamycin, also known as sirolimus. Rapamycin is an mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) inhibitor. mTOR has been shown to have a significant role in the signalling pathway that regulates cellular metabolism, growth and proliferation and is activated during tumorgenesis3.. Rapamycin is approved in the US for organ rejection in renal transplantation as Rapamune®. Through the use of nanotechnology and pH sensitive polymers, eRapa is designed to address the poor bioavailability, variable pharmacokinetics and toxicity generally associated with the currently available forms of rapamycin. eRapa is protected by a number of issued patents which extend through 2035, with other pending applications potentially providing further protection beyond 2035. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of TexasTo date, CPRIT has awarded $2.9 billion in grants to Texas research institutions and organizations through its academic research, prevention and product development research programs. CPRIT has recruited 237 distinguished researchers, supported the establishment, expansion or relocation of 43 companies to Texas and generated over $5.7 billion in additional public and private investment. CPRIT funding has advanced scientific and clinical knowledge and provided 7.4 million life-saving cancer prevention and early detection services reaching Texans from all 254 counties. On November 5, 2019, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to provide an additional $3 billion to CPRIT for a total $6 billion investment in cancer research and prevention. Learn more at 1. Tian et al., mTOR Signaling in Cancer and mTOR Inhibitors in Solid Tumor Targeting Therapy, Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Feb; 20(3): 755 For more information, please contact: Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC Stephen Stamp, CEO, CFO Tel: +44 (0)29 20480 180 About Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC (listed on NASDAQ: BDRX) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs. The Company's lead development programs include eRapa, under development for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer; tolimidone, under development for the treatment of type 1 diabetes; and MTX110, which is being studied in aggressive rare/orphan brain cancer indications. eRapa is a proprietary oral formulation of rapamycin, also known as sirolimus. Rapamycin is an mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) inhibitor. mTOR has been shown to have a significant role in the signalling pathway that regulates cellular metabolism, growth and proliferation and is activated during tumorigenesis. Tolimidone is an orally delivered, potent and selective inhibitor of Lyn kinase. Lyn is a member of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases, which is mainly expressed in hematopoietic cells, in neural tissues, liver, and adipose tissue. Tolimidone demonstrates glycaemic control via insulin sensitization in animal models of diabetes and has the potential to become a first in class blood glucose modulating agent. MTX110 is a solubilized formulation of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, panobinostat. This proprietary formulation enables delivery of the product via convection-enhanced delivery (CED) at chemotherapeutic doses directly to the site of the tumor, by-passing the blood-brain barrier and potentially avoiding systemic toxicity. Biodexa is supported by three proprietary drug delivery technologies focused on improving the bio-delivery and bio-distribution of medicines. Biodexa's headquarters and R&D facility is in Cardiff, UK. For more information visit Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this announcement may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of legislation in the United Kingdom and/or United States. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management's belief or interpretation. All statements contained in this announcement that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved.' Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. Reference should be made to those documents that Biodexa shall file from time to time or announcements that may be made by Biodexa in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any projections or forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or concerning Biodexa are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as may be required under relevant laws in the United States, Biodexa does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or events otherwise in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Print
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Print
Puducherry first to screen TB patients under Family Adoption Programme
'During their routine visits to adopted families, students screen the members for symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis and help them with both diagnosis of the disease and treatment,' said Dr C Venkatesh, State TB Officer of Puducherry. The National Medical Commission had in 2022 mandated the FAP as a part of the Competency Based Medical Education curriculum, requiring each medical student to adopt three to five families, once he or she joins the MBBS course. New Delhi, Jul 5 (PTI) Puducherry has become the first in the country to screen tuberculosis (TB) patients under the Family Adoption Programme, or FAP, which entails MBBS students adopting families to monitor their health conditions and give them consultation. The student follows up with the patient till the successful completion of a full course of anti-tubercular therapy, he said, adding that Puducherry, a Union Territory, has become the first in the country to include screening for TB patients under the programme. The FAP's objectives include understanding community dynamics, assessing health needs of its members, and generating data to inform and support evidence-based practices. Case finding in TB control programmes has been passive for decades, and this being a patient-initiated activity, has its own limitation, Dr Venkatesh said. Contrarily, experts now recommend active case finding which is a provider-initiated activity. Here risk groups are approached and identified, thus early diagnosis and treatment initiation are possible, he said. 'Medical colleges of Puducherry have utilised the opportunity of Family Adoption Programme, to tap these medical students as a resource to screen the adopted family members for tuberculosis,' he said. During their routine visits to allotted families, students screen the members for symptoms suggestive of TB and use a novel tool to assess the vulnerability status of the members for TB. The approach allows even the asymptomatic individuals, who are identified as moderate to high risk of developing TB, to become eligible for investigations, Dr Venkatesh said. 'Once diagnosed as positive for TB, the student accompanies the patient to the hospital and helps in linking the patient to the TB programme,' he said. The medical student provides counselling to the patient, as well as the family members, regarding respiratory hygiene, sputum disposal methods, role of nutrition, clearing myths regarding stigma and discrimination against TB patients. In addition, the student conducts contact tracing among the other family members and helps start the TB preventive therapy to eligible family members, Dr Venkatesh said. The student periodically screens the members of the allotted families for three years and ensures those with high risk are identified earlier for diagnosis. All these would not have been possible without the support of the state by provision of consumables, logistics, sputum transport, diagnostic and treatment services, Dr Venkatesh said. The first-of-a-kind low cost model has been well received in scientific forums for its scalable nature and use of medical students as a manpower for screening for tuberculosis, in regions where there is scarcity of resources, Dr Venkatesh. PTI PLB VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Biodexa Unveils "Serenta" as the Name of its Upcoming Phase 3 Study In Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
June 23, 2025 Biodexa Unveils "Serenta" as the Name of its Upcoming Phase 3 Study In Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC ('Biodexa' or 'the Company'), (Nasdaq: BDRX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs, is pleased to announce it has selected Serenta as the brand name for its upcoming phase 3 clinical study in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). In conjunction with this announcement, the company launched a dedicated website, to provide information and resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Serenta reflects Biodexa's commitment to supporting the FAP community and fostering collaboration with stakeholders. The new website offers details about the study's objectives, background on FAP, and ongoing updates as the program progresses. 'We are pleased to introduce Serenta as the identity for our planned pivotal study of eRapa in FAP,' said Gary Shangold, CMO at Biodexa. 'Our goal is to provide clear, accessible information and to engage with the FAP community as we advance this important work.' For more information, please visit About eRapa eRapa is a proprietary oral tablet formulation of rapamycin, also known as sirolimus. Rapamycin is an mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) inhibitor. mTOR has been shown to have a significant role in the signalling pathway that regulates cellular metabolism, growth and proliferation and is activated during tumorgenesis3. Importantly, mTOR has been shown to be over-expressed in FAP polyps – thereby underscoring the rationale for using a potent and safe mTOR inhibitor like eRapa to treat FAP. Rapamycin is approved in the US for organ rejection in renal transplantation as Rapamune®(Pfizer). Through the use of nanotechnology and pH sensitive polymers, eRapa is designed to address the poor bioavailability, variable pharmacokinetics and toxicity generally associated with the currently available forms of rapamycin. eRapa is protected by a number of issued patents which extend through 2035, with other pending applications potentially providing further protection beyond 2035. For more information, please contact: Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC Stephen Stamp, CEO, CFO Tel: +44 (0)29 20480 180 About Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC Biodexa Pharmaceuticals PLC (listed on NASDAQ: BDRX) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of innovative products for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs. The Company's lead development programs include eRapa, under development for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer; tolimidone, under development for the treatment of type 1 diabetes; and MTX110, which is being studied in aggressive rare/orphan brain cancer indications. eRapa is a proprietary oral tablet formulation of rapamycin, also known as sirolimus. Rapamycin is an mTOR (mammalian Target Of Rapamycin) inhibitor. mTOR has been shown to have a significant role in the signalling pathway that regulates cellular metabolism, growth and proliferation and is activated during tumorigenesis. Tolimidone is an orally delivered, potent and selective inhibitor of Lyn kinase. Lyn is a member of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases, which is mainly expressed in hematopoietic cells, in neural tissues, liver, and adipose tissue. Tolimidone demonstrates glycaemic control via insulin sensitization in animal models of diabetes and has the potential to become a first in class blood glucose modulating agent. MTX110 is a solubilized formulation of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, panobinostat. This proprietary formulation enables delivery of the product via convection-enhanced delivery (CED) at chemotherapeutic doses directly to the site of the tumor, by-passing the blood-brain barrier and potentially avoiding systemic toxicity. Biodexa is supported by three proprietary drug delivery technologies focused on improving the bio-delivery and bio-distribution of medicines. Biodexa's headquarters and R&D facility is in Cardiff, UK. For more information visit Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this announcement may constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of legislation in the United Kingdom and/or United States. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management's belief or interpretation. All statements contained in this announcement that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not anticipate', or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved.' Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause their actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein. Reference should be made to those documents that Biodexa shall file from time to time or announcements that may be made by Biodexa in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any projections or forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or concerning Biodexa are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as may be required under relevant laws in the United States, Biodexa does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or events otherwise arising.
