R and D News

Study confirms suspicion of different variants of Hodgkin lymphoma

Genetic differences helps to explain why Europeans experience higher malaria mortality than Africans

It has long been known that ethnic Europeans have a much higher risk of dying from serious malaria infection than ethnic Africans. New research from SSI shows that Europeans have up to 75% greater risk of developing cerebral malaria than Africans, and the reasons are genetic.

Intercell and Statens Serum Institut (SSI) progress vaccine clinical development to fight Tuberculosis

The combination of SSI’s novel tuberculosis subunit vaccine candidate and Intercell’s proprietary IC31® adjuvant enters Phase II clinical trial in HIV-positive individuals. First results expected in 2013, a second Phase II study is planned for 2012.

Is endometriosis associated with inflammatory bowel disease?

In a nationwide Danish study published in the international journal ‘Gut’, researchers from Statens Serum Institut report that women who have been hospitalised with the gynaecological disease endometriosis more frequently than expected develop chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The specific cause is yet unknown, but perhaps the diseases share a common aetiology, or perhaps the increased prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease is caused by hormone therapy as treatment of endometriosis.

Patients with severe muscular dystropy have increased risk of developing cancer

Compared with the general population, patients with the disease myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD; a form of muscular dystrophy characterised by neuromuscular disorder, attacking face, feet, hands and neck) have an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly of the brain, ovaries, colon, and uterus. However, also the risk of cancer in other organs seems increased.

Vaccine Targeting Latent TB Enters Clinical Testing

Statens Serum Institut and Aeras today announce the initiation of the first Phase I clinical trial of a new candidate TB vaccine designed to protect people latently infected with TB from developing active TB disease. One-third of the World’s People Have Latent TB.

Low prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver disease among Greenlanders chronically infected with hepatitis B virus

In Greenland, 5-10% of the population are hepatitis B surface carriers, reflecting chronic hepatis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is low. This discrepancy is now investigated in a large population-based cohort study recently published in the JNCI by researchers from Statens Serum Institut.

When do children's permanent teeth erupt? New Danish study finds answers in the genome

A large international study led by researchers at Statens Serum Institut has identified 4 gene variants affecting the timing of permanent tooth eruption in children.

The Danish National Research Foundation establishes new research center at Statens Serum Institut

Danish National Research Foundation has initiated contract negotiations on the establishment of 11 new Centers of Excellence. One of the selected centers is the Center for Non-Specific Effects of Health Interventions (CENSEI), led by Christine Stabell Benn, Statens Serum Institut.

BCG vaccination at birth may have beneficial, non-specific effects on the survival of low-birth-weight children

Researchers from the Bandim Health Project, Statens Serum Institut, report in a randomised study of 2,320 low-birth-weight children in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, that early BCG vaccination at birth may improve the survival chances of these children in the neonatal period.