FDA approves a novel anti-rejection medication for kidney transplant recipients.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Belatacept (Nulojix, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company) on June 15th, 2011, for the prevention of acute rejection in adult patients who have had a kidney transplant.

This novel biologic agent is a fusion protein composed of the Fc fragment of a human IgG1 immunoglobulin linked to the extracellular domain of CTLA-4. It is an antagonist of the B7 ligands, B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86), present on antigen-presenting cells. The CD80 and CD86 are essential precursors to the initiation of "signal 2" in the three-signal transplant model of T-cell activation, This antagonistic effect results in the inability to produce effector cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, and results in inhibition of T-cell activation.It is given in 30-minute intravenous infusions.

Belatacept is approved for use with corticosteroids and the immunosuppressant agents basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil.

For more information visit: http://www.nulojix.com/hcp/index.aspx

A Rare Case of Kidney Failure Due to Diazoxide Toxicity – Discussion

A Rare Case of Kidney Failure Due to Diazoxide Toxicity – Discussion.

View more presentations from Raj Kiran Medapalli, MD, MPH..

Separate the public and private persona: Physicans should employ a “dual-citizenship” approach while using social media.

I had the pleasure of listening to a talk on utilizing online resources and social media such as blogs, wikis, Facebook and Twitter for educating medical students and residents yesterday by Dr. Kenar Jhaveri, the founder of Nephron Power.

Online resources are indeed playing an increasing role in educating future doctors in the US and abroad. However, it is imperative that physicans take appropriate precautions while utlizing these resources to maintain confidentiality, honesty, and trust in the medical profession. Drs. Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA and Bradley H. Crotty, MD, recently published an excellent article in Annals of Internal Medicine which puts forth guideline for maintaining professionalism in the digital age. among other things they recommend a "dual citizenship" approach of separating the personal and professional persona and taking a pro-active approach to managing one's online presence. I highly recommend reading this article.

Ref: Arash Mostaghimi, MD, MPA, and Bradley H. Crotty, MD.Professionalism in the Digital Age. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154:560-562.