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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and MedImmune announced that they have initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial of IPI-504 in combination with Taxotere(r) (docetaxel) in patients with advanced solid tumors. IPI-504, the companies' lead heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, is currently in clinical development for a number of solid tumor cancers. Enrollment for this new study has commenced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y., with additional sites expected to be added as the study progresses.

In a study that may be reassuring to older men taking testosterone in hopes of combating the aging process, Dutch researchers reported Tuesday that the hormone supplements did not cause any ill effects in healthy men. Tens of thousands of American men are on testosterone despite long-standing concerns about long-term use, with some experts fearing it could fuel the growth of prostate cancer and possibly raise the risk of stroke and heart attack. Scientific evidence on testosterone's ability to preserve or restore age-related losses of sex drive, muscle mass and memory also has been mixed.

Prostate cancer can be held back for up to eight years by an early short course of hormone treatment, research has shown. Given alongside radiotherapy, it can help men with potentially aggressive cancer to live longer, said scientists. Just four months of hormone therapies which lower levels of testosterone or block its effect had a dramatic effect when given at an early stage before and during standard radiotherapy. In 40% of trial patients who received the "neoadjuvant" hormonal therapy there was a delay of up to eight years in the time it took for cancer to spread to their bones.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and MedImmune announced that they have initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial of IPI-504 in combination with Taxotere(r) (docetaxel) in patients with advanced solid tumors. IPI-504, the companies' lead heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, is currently in clinical development for a number of solid tumor cancers. Enrollment for this new study has commenced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y., with additional sites expected to be added as the study progresses.

A new study estimates the U.S. pharmaceutical industry spends almost twice as much on promotion as it does on research and development, contrary to the industry's claim. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry spent 24.4% of the sales dollar in 2004 on promotion, versus 13.4% for research and development, as a percentage of US domestic sales of US$235.4 billion. The study's findings supports the position that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is marketing-driven and challenges the perception of a research-driven, life-saving, pharmaceutical industry.

Forgiveness may be good for your health, according to the Mayo Clinic. Holding a grudge appears to affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In one study, people who focused on a personal grudge had elevated blood pressure and heart rates, as well as increased muscle tension and feelings of being less in control. When asked to imagine forgiving the person who had hurt them, the participants said they felt more positive and relaxed and thus, the changes dissipated. Other studies have shown that forgiveness has positive effects on psychological health, too.

Gassiness: It's embarrassing, bothersome and -- yes, smelly. Sometimes, changing diet can clear the air. Temporarily avoiding certain foods can help identify causes of gassiness. Dairy products, some vegetables, too much fruit sugar and carbonated beverages can sometimes cause the problem.

When a celebrity suffers a fatal sports-related head injury, it hits the national news; when the average person does, it may hit the local newspaper. Both hit home and are equally devastating and often preventable tragedies.