HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-13 October 2008-The IMF Recognizes Nobel Prize Winner(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) - supporting research and providing education, advocacy, and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers,

Dr. Montagnier who is best known for his role in discovering the virus that causes AIDS, has also contributed to new lines of research related to multiple myeloma - he attended the very first IMF scientific advisors retreat, and participated in an IMF round table at the VII International Myeloma Workshop in Stockholm.

"Dr. Montagnier has helped advance our research into the role of viruses in multiple myeloma," said Brian G.M. Durie, M.D., chairman and co-founder of the IMF. "We thank him for his time and insights, and for his advanced equipment and expertise that have led to new discoveries helping us understand the root causes and improve early detection of myeloma."

In a release, the company noted that Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of cells in the bone marrow that impairs production of blood cells. Specifically, Dr. Montagnier has helped advance efforts to develop molecular diagnosis of myeloma by Dr. Durie and his research partner Howard Urnovitz, Ph.D., CEO of Chronix Biomedical. They were looking specifically at the intriguing role played by segments of RNA, a chemical relative of the genetic molecule DNA, that circulate in the blood of myeloma patients. Dr. Montagnier named their discovery "voyager RNA."

"We continue to thank Dr. Montagnier for his thoughts and vision on this important project that could lead to 21st century personalized medicine for myeloma patients," said Dr. Urnovitz. "We also whole-heartedly support this worldwide endorsement of his contributions to science and medicine."

Dr. Durie in conjunction with Chronix Biomedical will be publishing work on the use of circulating genetic material as an early sign of cancer cell re-emergence. Dr. Montagnier currently serves as director for the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention in Paris.

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