[SUBJECT]


	NEWS SITES


			New York Times AstraZeneca's Lung Cancer Treatment Gets FDA Nod

	(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved AstraZeneca Plc's combo treatment for a form of lung cancer in previously untreated patients, the drugmaker said on Monday. (Reporting by Aakash Jagadeesh Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) Read more


			LA Times 'I don't want to get sick. But if I die, I die': Florida retirees grapple as coronavirus cases soar

	Gone are the weekly bingo games at Temple Beth Am. Gone too are the daily shuttles around the golf course and the Friday bus trips to the mall. A vast game room, typically full of bridge players, is locked up. "Nothing," said Carol Friedman, a 70-year-old resident of Wynmoor, a South Florida retirement community of 9,000 residents, just a few miles from the ocean shore. "Can't do nothing now. Everyone just sits here bored." "I don't want to get sick," Friedman continued with a shrug, as she complained of dried-up tips from her job at the on-property restaurant after it switched to takeout. Read more


			LA Times Terrence McNally, Joe Diffie are among celebrities who have died from coronavirus

	First the coronavirus outbreak shuttered entertainment venues and events around the world. And now it is starting to claim the lives of artists, entertainers and other celebrated figures. Here is a list of notable names among the tens of thousands of COVID-19 deaths worldwide. Sadly, it will be updated regularly, as will the tally of celebrities who are testing positive for the novel coronavirus. "Timing is everything in the theater, and Terrence McNally, a Broadway maestro who exuded eternal gratitude for the life the stage had given him, knew the importance of making a meaningful exit," wrote Times critic Charles McNulty in his appreciation. Read more


			NBC News Nurse: 'I'm powering through'

	John Prine at the Americana Honors & Awards show last year. Singer-songwriter John Prine is in critical condition after apparently contracting coronavirus, his family said Sunday. In a statement, Prine’s family said the legendary country and folk singer was hospitalized Thursday night after suddenly developing COVID-19 symptoms. Prine, 73, was intubated on Saturday. “This is hard news for us to share,” his family said. “But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. Read more


			NBC News Drugs donated to feds as possible COVID-19 treatment

	Health insurers Cigna and Humana are now waiving patient cost-sharing on all treatment for coronavirus, including hospitalizations and ambulance transfers, for their insured members and employer plans. “Our customers with COVID-19 should focus on fighting this virus and preventing its spread,” said David Cordani, Cigna president and CEO, in a statement, adding “while our customers focus on regaining their health, we have their backs.” The insurers said the waiver applies to all medical costs related to the treatment of coronavirus, including FDA-approved medications and vaccines when they become available. Read more


			NBC News Two large health insurers waive coronavirus treatment costs

	Health insurers Cigna and Humana are now waiving patient cost-sharing on all treatment for coronavirus, including hospitalizations and ambulance transfers, for their insured members and employer plans. “Our customers with COVID-19 should focus on fighting this virus and preventing its spread,” said David Cordani, Cigna president and CEO, in a statement, adding “while our customers focus on regaining their health, we have their backs.” The insurers said the waiver applies to all medical costs related to the treatment of coronavirus, including FDA-approved medications and vaccines when they become available. Read more


	JOURNALS


			Dove Press Biodegradable Polymers for Gene-Delivery Applications \| IJN

	Gene therapy has emerged as a new and efficient modality to combat inherited and acquired diseases, such as genetic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and diabetes mellitus.1–6 In gene therapy, therapeutic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene molecules are capable of altering defective genes, modifying missing genes, and silencing mutated genes.7–9 With an increasing understanding of illness-causing genes, gene therapy has become a new hope for treating various currently incurable diseases.10 However, the fragile nature of therapeutic genes has significantly hampered the applicability of gene therapy.2,7 For example, naked therapeutic genes readily lose their original bioactivity via s... Read more


			Dove Press Overexpression of Progerin Results in Impaired Proliferation and Invas

	Xiao-Ting Hu, Hao-Chang Song, Hui Yu, Zu-Chun Wu, Xin-Guang Liu, Wei-Chun Chen Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Aging Research, Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China Correspondence: Wei-Chun Chen; Xin-Guang Liu Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Aging Research, Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China Tel +86759 22896026 Email chenwchun@126.com; xgliu64@126.com Purpose: The accumulation of progerin (PG) in patients is responsible for the pathogenesis of Hutchinson... Read more


			PubMed [Effect of Silencing FMOD on Proliferation and Migration of H322 Cells and Its Mechanism]. - PubMed - NCBI

	To investigate the regulation of fibromodulin (FMOD) on proliferation, adhesion and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cell line H322, and discuss its action mechanism. H322 cells were randomly divided into control group, small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing FMOD ( FMOD siRNA) group and control siRNA (Con siRNA) group. FMOD siRNA and Con siRNA were transfected into H322 cells. The cell viability of each group was detected by CCK-8 method. The adhesion ability of cells was detected by fluorescein diacetate (FDA) fluorescent staining. Read more


	FINANCE SITES


			Seeking Alpha JF's DD Nuggets: Calithera Biosciences (CALA) - Jonathan Faison

	Shares of Calithera Biosciences (CALA) have finished flat performance-wise since my initial post from February of 2019. Shares in the red by 15% in 2020 and have lost over half their value during the past three years. The stock caught my interest again after listening to management's presentation at SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference, which reminded me of an oppportunity to participate in the lucrative targeted oncology theme and key data catalysts expected before the end of the year. Calithera is targeting tumor metabolism pathways to block cancer growth via taking advantage of cancer-specific nutrient dependencies. Read more


			Seeking Alpha Verastem Oncology: An Undervalued KRAS Oncology Play

	Results from this Phase 1 study of the above combination in solid tumors are expected in the first half this year. The promise of the combination of CH5126766 and Defacitinib combination was shown by a preclinical model of KRAS mutant+ ovarian cancer, where this combination achieved tumor regression. The target market for the CH5126766 +Defacitinib combination is huge, since approximately 30% of all human cancers are driven by KRAS mutations. Verastem Oncology (VSTM) was founded in 2010 and is based in the Boston area (Needham). The company has an FDA-approved product, Copiktra. Read more


			This is Money AP News in Brief at 12:04 a.m. EDT

	WASHINGTON (AP) - Bracing the nation for a death toll that could exceed 100,000 people, President Donald Trump on Sunday extended restrictive social distancing guidelines through April, bowing to public-health experts who presented him with even more dire projections for the expanding coronavirus pandemic. It was a stark shift in tone by the president, who only days ago mused about the country reopening in a few weeks. From the Rose Garden, he said his Easter revival hopes had only been "aspirational." The initial 15-day period of social distancing urged by the federal government expires Monday and Trump had expressed interest in relaxing the national guidelines at least in parts of the country less afflicted by the pandemic. Read more


			This is Money Coronavirus lockdowns give Europe's cities cleaner air

	BRUSSELS, March 30 (Reuters) - Air pollution has decreased in urban areas across Europe during lockdowns to combat the coronavirus, new satellite images showed on Monday, but campaigners warned city-dwellers were still more vulnerable to the epidemic. Cities including Brussels, Paris, Madrid, Milan and Frankfurt showed a reduction in average levels of noxious nitrogen dioxide over March 5-25, compared with the same period last year, according to the Sentinel-5 satellite images. That coincides with lockdowns in many European countries which have curbed road transport - the largest source of nitrogen oxides - and slowed output at gas-emitting factories. The new images, released by the European Space Agency (ESA) and analysed by the non-pro... Read more


			This is Money Today in History, 30/3

	HIGHLIGHTS IN HISTORY ON THIS DATE 1406 - On his way to France, James I of Scotland is captured at Flamborough Head and imprisoned by King Henry IV of England. 1842 - Ether is reputedly used as anaesthetic for first time, by Dr Crawford Long in the United States. 1856 - The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Crimean War and guaranteeing the integrity of Ottoman Turkey. 1867 - US Secretary of State William Seward reaches agreement with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for $US7.2 million. 1870 - The 15th amendment to the US Constitution, giving black men the right to vote, is ratified. 1942 - World War II food rationing is introduced in Australia for tea, sugar and butter. 1950 - Death of Leon Blum, French statesman who wa... Read more


			This is Money John Prine in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms

	NEW YORK (AP) - The family of John Prine says the singer-songwriter is critically ill and has been placed on a ventilator while being treated for COVID-19-type symptoms. A message posted on Prine's Twitter page Sunday said the "Angel from Montgomery" singer has been hospitalized since Thursday and his condition worsened on Saturday. "This is hard news for us to share," Prine´s family added. "But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. Read more


			This is Money Japanese comedian Ken Shimura dies from coronavirus

	TOKYO, March 30 (Reuters) - Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who had been hospitalised after being infected with the new coronavirus, has died, becoming the first Japanese celebrity to die of the virus. His death, late on Sunday, set off widespread grief among fans. Shimura, 70, one of Japan's best-known comedians with a career dating back to the early 1970s, reportedly had lung cancer surgery in 2016. He developed a fever and respiratory problems on March 19 and was hospitalised, media said. Dominating the television comedy scene in the 1970s and 1980s, one of his best-known acts was a clueless feudal lord with a face painted white with thick black eyebrows. Fans took to social media to lament his death, which some said should serve to h... Read more


			Yahoo Finance Japanese comedian Ken Shimura dies from coronavirus

	TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who had been hospitalised after being infected with the new coronavirus, has died, becoming the first Japanese celebrity to die of the virus. His death, late on Sunday, set off widespread grief among fans. Shimura, 70, one of Japan's best-known comedians with a career dating back to the early 1970s, reportedly had lung cancer surgery in 2016. He developed a fever and respiratory problems on March 19 and was hospitalised, media said. Dominating the television comedy scene in the 1970s and 1980s, one of his best-known acts was a clueless feudal lord with a face painted white with thick black eyebrows. Fans took to social media to lament his death, which some said should serve to highlight what ... Read more


			Yahoo Finance Coronavirus lockdowns give Europe's cities cleaner air

	By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Air pollution has decreased in urban areas across Europe during lockdowns to combat the coronavirus, new satellite images showed on Monday, but campaigners warned city-dwellers were still more vulnerable to the epidemic. Cities including Brussels, Paris, Madrid, Milan and Frankfurt showed a reduction in average levels of noxious nitrogen dioxide over March 5-25, compared with the same period last year, according to the Sentinel-5 satellite images. That coincides with lockdowns in many European countries which have curbed road transport – the largest source of nitrogen oxides - and slowed output at gas-emitting factories. The new images, released by the European Space Agency (ESA) and analyzed by the non-p... Read more


			Yahoo Finance John Prine in critical condition with COVID-19 symptoms

	NEW YORK (AP) — The family of John Prine says the singer-songwriter is critically ill and has been placed on a ventilator while being treated for COVID-19-type symptoms. A message posted on Prine's Twitter page Sunday said the “Angel from Montgomery” singer has been hospitalized since Thursday and his condition worsened on Saturday. “This is hard news for us to share,” Prine’s family added. “But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. Read more


			Yahoo Finance The Week Ahead In Biotech: Clinical Readouts, COVID-19 News Flow In Focus Amid Continuing Uncertainty

	After starting the week ended March 28 on the backfoot, biotech stocks recovered through the week. Activity in the space remained light, although coronavirus (COVID-19) news flow continued to dominate. Here are the key catalysts that may impact biotech stocks in the unfolding week. Conferences Most conferences stand cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a few have opted to go ahead with virtual conferences. The American College of Cardiology or ACC's, 69th Annual Scientific Session together with the World Congress of Cardiology, or WCC, Virtual Conference - ACC.20/WCC Virtual: March 28-30 See Also: Abbott Labs To Launch Point-Of-Care Test That Can Detect Coronavirus Within 5 Minutes PDUFA Dates The FDA is set to rule on AstraZ... Read more


	PHARMA SITES


			AstraZeneca Imfinzi approved in the US for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer

	AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been approved in the US as a 1st-line treatment for adult patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) in combination with standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapies, etoposide plus either carboplatin or cisplatin (platinum-etoposide). The approval by the Food and Drug Administration was based on positive results from the Phase III CASPIAN trial showing Imfinzi in combination with SoC platinum-etoposide demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) versus SoC alone. SCLC is a highly aggressive, fast-growing form of lung cancer that typically recurs and progresses rapidly despite initial response to chemotherapy.1,2 Dave Fredricks... Read more


	SOCIAL MEDIA


			Twitter Angela Passmore : 29/03/2020 21:53:16

	👏Almonertinib Approved in China for <em>EGFR</em> T79M+ NSCLC ⁦@EgfrUk⁩ ⁦@CR_UK⁩ ⁦@NICEComms⁩ Read more