New Products & Services

Molecular test helps predict PCa recurrence

Yonkers, NY-The Prostate Px test from Aureon Laboratories applies a proprietary integrated algorithm to patient histologic, molecular, and clinical data to predict the likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Using stored patient tissue, the program generates a risk report within 1 week of testing. The report provides a score for both the probability of PSA recurrence and clinical failure. According to the manufacturer, the Prostate Px accurately predicted PSA recurrence in 94% of post-prostatectomy patients who developed PSA recurrence within 5 years and predicted clinical failure in 89% of patients who developed metastases within 5 years.

For more information, visit http://www.aureon.com/.

Whitehouse Station, NJ-Aprepitant (Emend) from Merck & Co. has received FDA approval for use in combination with other antiemetic agents to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients who are receiving highly emetogenic and moderately emetogenic courses of chemotherapy. Approval was predicated on the findings of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of 866 patients with breast cancer receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. In it, a significant number of patients who received aprepitant with their chemotherapy reported neither vomiting nor the need for other therapies in the week following chemo compared with those receiving the standard regimen (51% vs. 42%, p=.015).

For more information, visit http://www.merck.com/.

Catheter guidelines issued for urologic nurses

For more information, visit http://www.suna.org/.

Needle guidance system aids US-guided procedures

Kalona, IA-CIVCO Medical Solutions' new needle guidance system, Ultra-Pro II, is designed for use with SonoSite's P10/8-4 and P17/5-1 transducers in tissue biopsy, fluid aspiration, and catheter placement. Designed to increase the productivity of ultrasound-guided procedures, the system combines a reusable single-angle biopsy bracket in 2.8-cm and 5-cm biopsy depths and a disposable snap-on needle guide to ensure technique consistency with a shorter learning curve, increased patient safety, and reduced procedure time. Ultra-Pro II has a large, quick-release tab for easy needle detachment during puncture procedures.

For more information, visit http://www.civco.com/.

Book helps MDs resolve ethical practice dilemmas

Philadelphia-Ethical Choices: Case Studies for Medical Practice (2nd ed.), published by the American College of Physicians, applies ethical principles to daily medical practice in the context of common clinical situations and demonstrates medical ethics in action. This 188-page soft cover volume, edited by Louis Snyder, JD, presents a case history, commentary, references, and an annotated bibliography of current information for each of 28 ethical topics. The book was developed under the auspices of the ACP Ethics and Human Rights Committee, and is part of an ongoing series.

For more information, visit http://www.acponline.org/.