Non-Clinical Opportunities in Oncology

I find that many executive recruiters are looking for physicians and other healthcare professionals who have expertise in oncology. Why? Because so much is happening in the world of oncology research. Think about all that has happened in the last few years! We've seen new biologics (targeted therapies), genetic tests, assays for oncogenes and tumor markers, novel mechanisms to detect residual disease (like circulating tumor cells), and much more! Oncology is truly an exciting area right now, especially because this is where technology and medicine are colliding to improve patient care. I encourage you to also read this: Novel Cancer Biomarkers, Oncogenes, and Targeted Therapies

First Drug for Huntington's Disease Chorea Approved by the FDA

Xenazine (tetrabenazine) is the first agent approved by the FDA for chorea in Huntington's Disease (HD). A highly selective and reversible centrally-acting dopamine depleting drug, tetrabenazine works by inhibiting a molecule known as VMAT2 (vesicular monoamine transporter 2).

Genetic testing is available for Huntington's Disease, however this gets into many ethical issues because some people don't want to get tested for HD. Well, it's great to see an agent actually approved by the FDA for this neurodegenerative disease.

Rivaroxaban submitted for FDA approval

What will happen to all those patients on coumadin (warfarin) if we get a new pill that requires no INR monitoring? Well, rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) may be that first pill in the USA. Rivaroxaban has been submitted for FDA approval. It acts by inhibiting factor Xa, so there is no INR to check since it does not work like warfarin (that inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors).

What will happen to all those Coumadin clinics out there? What about all those fingerstick INR machines? Labs processing those weekely INR checks?

There was a lot of excitement several years ago with the development of Ximelagatran (Exanta). Live toxicity ended the development of that drug in the USA.