Cancer Treatment » Cancer

A new research shows “Resveratrol” in red wine stops breast cancer cells from growing

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:21:15 +0000

Breast cancer can affect women and even men of all ages. It is an extensive disease in which cells in the breast tissue separate and grow without normal control.

A team of researchers at University of Calabria in Italy suggests that “Resveratrol” the healthy ingredient found in red wine can stop breast cancer cells from growing by blocking the growth effects of estrogen.

Resveratrol found in the skin of red grapes and in other fruits can prevent the female hormone oestrogen and is able to counteract the malignant progression. It proves to be a useful treatment for the women with breast cancer whose tumors eventually develop resistance to hormonal therapy.

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Sebastiano Ando was involved in the research and said, “Resveratrol is a potential pharmacological tool to be exploited when breast cancer become resistant to the hormonal therapy.”

During the research, several breast cancer cell lines expressing the estrogen receptor were used to test the effects of resveratrol. Some of the cells were treated with resveratrol and some cells were left untreated to compare. The reduction in cell growth was fund in treated cells which was due to a drastic reduction of estrogen receptor levels caused by resveratrol.

Researcher’s stated that Red wine is beneficial to our health but that does not mean people should start using red wine or resveratrol supplements as a treatment for breast cancer. It is recommended that all men and women over the age of 20 should perform a breast self-exam once a month to detect any problems as early as possible.

Research: Number Of Male Breast Cancer Cases Are on Rise and Needs More Awareness

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:36:17 +0000

Male breast cancer is rare and for only about 1% of all breast cancers. According to new research done, the five year survival rates reported for male breast cancer by stage are poor as compared to breast cancer in a woman.

Awareness of male breast cancer is low and many of them don’t even realize that they are at risk. When they do get the disease, it is often at more advanced stage. This reveals that men are at risk and needs more awareness.

A lump beneath the nipple is the most common symptom and infiltrating is the most common type of male breast cancer.

The cause of the male breast cancer has not been fully characterized, but the cancer risk in men is increased by elevated levels of estrogen, previous radiation exposure and a family history.

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Dr Valerie Speirs who did a research at University of Leeds said, “Pinpointing an exact cause for this increase is difficult. Lifestyle changes over the latter decades of the 20th century, leading to increased obesity, physical inactivity and development of a binge drinking culture may be contributing factors. Some of the same inherited genetic changes that increase the risk of women developing breast cancer are also thought to influence risk in men.”

Another study reveals men actually had a better chance of survival than women but the issue is men’s lack of knowledge about the disease.

Dr. Mikael Hartman (a professor at the National University Cancer Institute in Singapore) says, “We believe that men present later due to limited awareness of the disease, so that men who develop a breast lump delay seeing their doctor longer than a comparable woman would with similar symptoms.”

“The outcomes of men have improved over time, but not to the same extent as for women”, he added. The study concluded: Men need to get the right information, treatment and emotional support.

Treating Early Stage Breast Cancer with Herceptin and Chemo

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:30:45 +0000

UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center research shows that treatment with a combination of the molecularly targeted drug Herceptin and significantly increases survival in women with early stage breast cancer.

According to Dr. Dennis Slamon whose laboratory and clinical research led to the development of Herceptin, the drug Adriamycin which is commonly used as a mainstay to treat breast cancer should be avoided as it cannot treat early stage breast cancer effectively and can cause permanent heart damage.

“We are encouraged that the survival advantages found in this study have been maintained and continue to be significant. I believe there’s room for even further improvement, “said Dennis Slamon.

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The study compared the standard therapy of Adriamycin and which was followed by Taxotere (ACT), the same regimen plus one year of Herceptin (ACTH) and a regimen of Taxotere and Carboplatin with one year of Herceptin (TCH).

He said this is done for the first time in population of breast cancer patients that overall survival has been measured a little more than five years.

HER-2 positive breast cancer is more aggressive, it also results in a poor prognosis and shorter survival. For women with HER-2 positive breast cancer Herceptin is proved to be effective.

The study was conducted with the motive to find the , but it also measured overall survival and safety including cardiac toxicities, pathologic, molecular markers and quality of life. This study also suggests that the present and future is clearly brighter for patients with HER-2 positive breast cancer.

Study: Bone drug “zoledronic acid” could prevent and treat bone loss in breast cancer patients

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:22:47 +0000

A study reveals that Zoledronic acid bone drug protects against the bone damaging side effects of certain breast cancer medications like aromatase inhibitors. Zoledronic acid is an injectable drug belonging to a class of drugs called bisphosphonates with trade names Aclasta, Blaztere Inj Vial, Cytozol Vial, Zifonate Vial, Zobone, Zolasta Vial, and Zoldonat Vial. It is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for conditions including osteoporosis and bone complications of cancer.

Zoledronic acid which is primarily used for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women is also used for Paget’s disease and osteoporosis caused by steroid treatment. It reduces the amount of calcium released from the bones into the blood. Patients who are allergic to this drug, suffering with paralysis condition, during pregnancy and lactation should avoid this drug.

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Many postmenopausal women with are routinely treated for several years with aromatase inhibitors which can cause bone loss and fractures. Adam Brufsky did a five-year study called “Z-FAST” to see if the bone drug zoledronic acid could prevent and treat bone loss in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. During this study, the investigators observed significant and progressive increases in bone density of women who initiated zoledronic acid.

Dr. Adam Brufsky said, “This study shows that bone loss from aromatase inhibitors can be prevented long term with a safe and effective drug that prevents osteoporosis.”

The most common side effects of zoledronic acid are fever, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, arthralgia and pain in hands and feet.

Researchers identified p38-gamma molecule to check aggressive breast cancer

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:15:32 +0000

Researchers at the University Of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a specific molecule (p38-gamma) that affects the ability of cells to spread or metastasize to distant parts of the body.

They found that the p38-gamma molecule controlled how quickly and easily a cancer cell moved and if it (p38-gamma) was inactivated, cells flattened out and changed from fast motion to an ineffective movement.

Sofia Merajver, author leading the study said, “Normal motion is commonly seen in aggressive cancers, which is why it’s very important to understand what the key switches are for this motion.”

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From previous study Merajver found that the cancer gene RhoC promotes aggressive metastasis and following that pathway her team now identified the p38 molecule that controls the cells to make them so aggressive. The p38 molecule is found in particular p38-gamma, has several different types and is highly expressed in aggressive breast cancer.

According to the researchers, identification of p38-gamma in provides a strong target for potential new therapies and they will be able to develop a drug that targets only p38-gamma without affecting other pathways, making it more tolerable for patients.

Sofia Merajver says, “We do have targeted therapies in the clinic, but the total burden of disease that they ameliorate is still relatively minimal. The reasons may not necessarily be that they are not good drugs, but simply that we don’t understand how they work, because we don’t understand the biology in sufficient detail. That’s why studies like this are so important in advancing drug development.”

Breast Cancer Prognosis

admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:04:11 +0000

A prognosis is an estimate of rate for the patients with similar classification. It is usually calculated as an average number of years a patient can survive for. The classification and the prognosis for breast cancer generally depend on its stage, grade, recurrence of the disease, the age of the patient and health of the patient.

The five stage of the breast cancer highly affects the prognosis.

• Stage 0 - in situ. No tumor is regional lymph nodes and no distant metastases. The five-year survival for Stage 0 is 99%.

• Stage I - Tumor is less than or equal to 2 centimeters, No tumor is regional lymph nodes, No distant metastases. The five-year survival for Stage I is 92%.

• Stage IIA – There are three sub-stages of tumor in Stage IIA:

1. No evidence of primary tumor, metastases to movable ipsilateral nodes, No distant metastases.

2. Tumor is less than or equal to 2 centimeters, metastases to movable ipsilateral nodes, No distant metastases.

3. Tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters, No tumor is regional lymph nodes, No distant metastases.

The five-year survival for Stage IIA is 82%.

• Stage IIB - There are two sub-stages of tumor in Stage IIB:

1. Tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters, metastases to movable ipsilateral nodes, No distant metastases.

2. Tumor is over 5 centimeters, No tumor is regional lymph nodes, No distant metastases.

The five-year survival for Stage IIB is 65%.

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• Stage IIIA - There are four sub-stages of tumor in Stage IIIA:

1. No evidence of primary tumor, metastases to fixed ipsilateral nodes, no distant metastases.

2. Tumor is less than or equal to 2 centimeters, metastases to fixed ipsilateral nodes, No distant metastases.

3. Tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters, metastases to fixed ipsilateral nodes, no distant metastases.

4. Tumor is over 5 centimeters, metastases to movable or fixed ipsilateral nodes, no distant metastases.

The five-year survival for Stage IIIA is 47%.

• Stage IIIB - There are two sub-stages of tumor in Stage IIIB:

1. Tumor extends to , any nodal involvement, no distant metastases.

2. Any primary tumor involvement, metastases to ipsilateral internal mammary nodes, no distant metastases.

The five-year survival for Stage IIIB is 44%.

• Stage IV - Any primary tumor involvement, any nodal involvement, distant metastases. The five-year survival for Stage IV is 14%.

The researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre have identified 16 new genes connected with breast cancer. The focus of the team’s future research is to provide better prognostic information about breast cancer.

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:58:33 +0000

Breast cancer cannot be detected with the naked eye always and the symptoms vary from person to person. Changes to your breasts like change in breast skin texture, skin rash, skin dimpling, new lumps and bumps found always may not be the result of breast cancer. It may be the result of non-cancerous conditions like your age, hormonal changes, an infection or a cyst.

To know whether a lump, bump, skin rash or skin dimpling is or cancerous, you will need help from your medical professionals for a clear diagnosis. Generally, this process of diagnosis takes time and involves many different kinds of tests.

Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)

If you are over 40 years of age and if you experience any breast changes, you should visit your doctor. Breast self-exam should be part of your monthly health care routine. If any irregularities are found, a mammogram and ultrasound should also be done by a doctor to clarify the problem.

A radiation oncologist at Forrest General Hospital’s Cancer Center, Dr. Naim Salloum encourages women to do monthly self breast exams and have a yearly examination.

He says, every women at age of 40 should start having a mammogram every year. Early detection helps saving lives.

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Mammograms

A mammogram is the standard screening and early detection for breast cancer and can help detect 85- 90% of all breast cancers, even before you can feel a lump.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

It can be used as a complementary test that reveals different details of your breast health than a mammogram.

Elastography

Elastography is a new technology for imaging breast tissue which can find a cancerous lump without a biopsy.

Pathology Tests

A sample of tissue or fluid is taken and tested by a pathologist if needed.

Tissue Tests

A very small tissue sample from your breast is removed for test and is examined under a microscope for cancer.

Genetic testing

and are human genes linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

The treatment options for women include a lumpectomy or mastectomy which depends on knowing characteristics like the size and appearance of the cancer, its growth and signs of spreading to nearby healthy tissues, hormones or genetic mutations.

Once you understand your condition you can consult your doctor and make better decisions. If the breast cancer is found and diagnosed early, the better are the chances of beating it.

Breast Cancer Introduction

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:54:20 +0000

Breast cancer is the third lead cause of death and is fairly common in women as well as in men. It can be treated early and properly if identified at early stage. Breast cancer is a “malignant neoplasm of the breast,” it occurs when a malignant tumor originates in the breast and may metastasize to other parts of the body.

The female breast is made up mainly of lobules, ducts and stroma. Most commonly breast cancer arises in the cells that line the ducts and are called as ductal cancers. Some begin in the cells of milk producing lobules that line the lobules and are called as lobular cancers, while a small number start in other tissues and are very uncommon.

Breast cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and begin to grow in lymph nodes (Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells). If it spreads to lymph nodes, then there is a higher chance of the cells to go into the and spread to other sites in the body.

Breast cancer is frequently recognized if a hard lump is found in the breast, with bloody discharge from nipples, flaking and peeling of nipples, oedema and indurations of skin over breast, dimpling and retraction of nipples.

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BREAST LUMPS

• Benign breast lumps - Most breast lumps are not cancerous but some may still need to be sampled and viewed under a microscope to prove that they are not cancer.

• Fibrocystic changes - Most breast lumps turn out to be fibrocystic (fibrosis and cysts) changes which can cause breast swelling and pain. Women may feel her breasts to be lumpy and may also notice a clear or slightly cloudy nipple discharge.

• Fibroadenomas or intraductal papillomas - Other benign breast lumps like fibroadenomas or intraductal papillomas are abnormal growths, but are not cancerous and do not spread outside the breast to other organs. Women suffering with these conditions are on higher risk of developing breast cancer.

BREAST CANCER TERMS

• Carcinoma - Nearly all breast cancers are carcinomas and it describes a cancer that begins in the lining layer of organs like the breast.

• Adenocarcinoma - Cancers starting in glandular tissue (ducts and lobules of the breast) are often called adenocarcinomas.

• Carcinoma in situ - It defines an early stage of cancer. The cancer cells that remain confined to ducts are called as ductal carcinoma in situ and cells that remain confined to the lobules is called as lobular carcinoma in situ. The cells have not grown into deeper tissues in the breast or spread to other organs in the body.

• Invasive carcinoma - It defines the cancer that has already grown beyond the layer of cells where it started. Invasive carcinomas are either invasive ductal carcinoma or invasive lobular carcinoma.

• Sarcoma - It defines the cancers that start in connective tissues such as muscle tissue, fat tissue or and is very rare in breast cancer.

Breast cancer if detected early can be treated with many preventive programs like regular Breast Self Examination and yearly Mammography. Breast cancer society is a great source of information for breast cancer awareness.

Biocancell drug BC-819 for pancreatic cancer has obtained US FDA fast-track approval

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 06:57:20 +0000

Biocancell Therapeutics Ltd. is dedicated to develop cancer treatments and aims to provide alternative cancer treatments that offer strong therapeutic efficacy combined with a lack of side effects. These treatments are suitable for over 40 types of cancer and also include treatments for advanced stage ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

BC-819 has obtained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fast-track approval for locally-advanced pancreatic carcinoma. It works to destroy cancerous cells as well as it is effective in removing existing cancerous growths and keeping patients clear of new growths.

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BioCancell is focusing on the development of its BC-819 and two BC-819-based delivery approaches have been developed.

• The first BC-819 approach is for bladder cancer wherein DTA-H19 is mixed with a transfection agent for bladder instillation.

• The second BC-819 approach is for advanced stage cancers such as pancreatic, ovarian and liver carcinomas in which plasmid DNA is injected directly into the tumor or instilled into the peritoneal cavity.

Different routes of administration are employed with respect to combination therapy and according to tumor type. It has also shown significant advantages for treating the cancer that depend on a genetic correction strategy.

Biocancell is readying a Phase IIb clinical trial of BC-819 to test its safety and efficacy when given in conjunction with Gemcitabine (the standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer) in patients with locally-advanced pancreatic cancer.

The clinical trial will be done at multiple medical centers in Europe, Israel and the U.S and is expected to include 100 patients. Half of patients will be treated with Gemcitabine alone while others will be treated with the combination of BioCancell’s BC-819 and Gemcitabine.

An interim analysis is planned after the recruitment of the first 18 patients which will help to determine the appropriate dose of BC-819 for rest of patients. The objective of trial is to find overall survival and response rate.

Pancreatic Cancer Prevention

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:57:21 +0000

Pancreatic cancer has been increasing in frequency there are no reliable screening tests or cures and the median age at is around 70 years. Early detection and prevention of the disease is by far the best course of action for which is essential to understand its causes and risk factors.

The risk factors for pancreatic cancer include diet, occupation, physical activity, anthropometrics, hormones, cigarette smoking, prior chronic diseases, medications, genetics and so on.

• Cigarette smoking - Cigarette smoking have consistently been associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

• Family history of pancreatic cancer - A person having family history of pancreatic cancer or suffering from diseases like chronic pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus are at higher risk.

• Keeping healthy weight - Poor general diet, obesity and relative physical inactivity can be risk factors in some cancers.

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• Cyclooxygenase-2 - Levels of (COX-2) and protein were induced by treatment with tumor-promoting phorbol esters, the results of which suggests that COX-2 may be a target for the prevention or treatment of pancreatic cancer.

• Healthy diet - Consuming vegetables and fruits may help protect against cancer of the stomach, esophagus, lung, pancreas and colon as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, diverticulosis and cataracts.Vegetables like carrots, green vegetables, and tomatoes have provided with evidence in preventing or reducing pancreatic cancer specifically.

• Vitamins B12, B6, folate and D - Vitamins B12, B6 and folate can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer when consumed in food. Intake of 300 to 449 international units (IU) of vitamin D helps to lower risk of pancreatic cancer by 43% (taking too much vitamin D may be harmful).

• Aspirin - People take aspirin to lower their chances of having a heart attack and stroke. University of Minnesota researchers found the low dose (81 mg) of aspirin unlike ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory may also be a defense against pancreatic cancer.

Kancera’s ROR technology a breakthrough for pancreatic cancer

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:33:07 +0000

Kancera founded in 2010, develops cancer treatments of the future. Currently, it is running two projects one is to develop a treatment for Leukemia and other is targeting cancer’s abiliy to generate energy in order to survive.

Kancera has already reported that its existing ROR technology has generated active compounds that attack cancer cells of patients 25 times more selectively than the most commonly used . Now, in collaboration with scientists at the Karolinska Institute it has identified active compounds that can effectively kill pancreatic cancer cells.

Co-founder of Kancera’s, Professor Håkan Mellstedt of Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital presented the basis for further development of Kancera’s ROR technology. The success of exisiting technology has helped to develop drug candidates for the purpose of attacking solid hard to treat tumors like pancreatic and prostate cancer via ROR-1 and ROR-2 in a shorter period than normally possible.

“Kancera’s new research is now focused on intensified development of active compounds that attack ROR-1 and ROR-2 and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of these in Kancera’s hiT systems which are based on tumor cells and stem cells from patients,” he said.

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The CEO of Kancera AB, Thomas Olin says, “The fact that Kancera’s ROR technology gives the company an advantage over competitors in the ROR-2 area and for solid tumors is supported by the fact that we have already successfully developed the first active compounds.”

How is ROR targeted drug safer and more effective than chemotherapy used to treat cancer?

ROR consists of of two receptors ROR-1 & ROR-2 and family of proteins that gives cells signals for growth and survival of receptors. It also plays a role in the growth and spread of cancer cells. ROR receptors are not active in healthy cells but generates a survival and development signal in tumor cells. So there are more chances for a drug that targets ROR to attack a tumor much more forcefully than the healthy tissue.

Kancera started the development of drugs that attack ROR containing solid tumors and reported that the amount of activated ROR in aggressive cancer cells from pancreas is high and that active compounds against ROR effectively kill those cells within 48 hours from the start of the experimental treatment.

”The path towards a new treatment that effectively kills an incurable cancer is long and challenging and it requires comprehensive and systematic development. Success is far from certain, but as we now see the possibility of a breakthrough drug against a malevolent cancer the company experiences a rush of adrenalin”,said Thomas Olin.

Professor Håkan Mellstedt added, ”The effect of Kancera’s active compounds is surprisingly strong given the difficulty in treating pancreatic cancer. During the spring of 2012, we know whether Kancera’s active compounds kill pancreatic cancer cells in animal studies as effectively as in the experiments. This could pave the way for a preparatory development for the clinic.”

Consuming sugary soft drinks could boost pancreatic cancer risk

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:44:50 +0000

A link between sugary soft drinks and pancreatic cancer is found in the study conducted for 14 years in Singapore which followed more than 60,000 men and women.

During the study period conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota there were 140 death cases of pancreatic cancer. This research also took into account other factors such as smoking, age, weight and intake of red meat and found that people who consumed two or more sugary soft drinks a week nearly double the risk of developing the deadly pancreatic cancer as compared with people who did not.

Dr Mark Pereira senior author of the study said, “The high levels of sugar in soft drinks boosted insulin levels, which can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.”

Pancreatic cancer is 11th most common and deadly forms of the disease and the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients is only 5%. Dr Pereira stands by his research saying lots of insulin is secreted when you consume these beverages in high volumes and insulin has been shown to promote the growth of cancer cells. Whereas, 100% surety is given saying fruit juice does not increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

According to experts eating and drinking more sugary food increases your blood sugar level which affects the amount of the work done by pancreas. Specially, women are warned to restrict the amount of sugary food as it makes their bones weaker, stimulates the growth of the pancreas leading it to cancer.

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Ian Olver, the CEO Professor of Cancer Council Australia says, “The research from the University of Minnesota shows an association between drinking soft drinks and getting pancreatic cancer but it can’t demonstrate that one causes the other, further research is needed.”

The following are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, while some of which may not even occur until the tumor has reached the point where it is inoperable.

pain or discomfort in the upper part of abdomen
loss of appetite
weight loss
a yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes or the eyes
dark urine and clay-colored stools
fatigue
weakness
nausea
vomiting
back pain
blood clots
depression
diarrhea
sleeping disorders
indigestion

The study is based on the theory that sugar fuels tumors while in another study too much intake of aspirin was also indicated as a risk factor in developing pancreatic cancer.

People with diabetes, people who are obese and people with a family history of the disease are also at greater risk. The bottom line is that limiting the consumption of sugary soft drinks can help in maintaining health which in turn will reduce risk of many types of cancer and other serious diseases.

Beating pancreatic cancer with nutrition – 2

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:29:21 +0000

• Broccoli – Broccoli contains SULFORAPHANE that has the cancer-protective properties and causes cancer death.

• Tomato – Tomato contains LYCOPENE that is a powerful antioxidant for fighting cancer. A study done at Harvard provides a link between health benefits of tomato products and decreased risk of prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung and .

• Carrot – Carrot contains a compound called FALCARINOL having anti-cancer benefits that suppresses cancer cell growth.

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• Red onions – The SULPHUR of red onions is helpful to slow down and prevent cancer cell and tumor growth. Sulphur of red onions is also the main ingredient in leading alternative cancer treatments DMSO and MSM.

• Garlic – Natural Killer cells are the most powerful infection fighting cells in the white cell arsenal that kill cancer cells, viruses, fungus and bacteria. Garlic has been clinically shown to restore these Natural Killer cell functions.

Nutrition is an important part in beating cancer. Dietitian’s suggestions are always towards increasing vegetable and fruit intake for better health including benefits against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, diverticulosis and cataracts.