Contents New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope for Bowel Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the Treatment of Lung & Thyroid Cancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Large Colorectal Lesions Removed Without Surgery with the Help of High-Tech Robotic Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Supramolecule Engineered to Fight Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . 23 A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 First Non-Chemotherapy Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Pancreatic Cancer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 China’s Med-Tech Benefits the World with its Non-Invasive Treatment for Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ii
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Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Cancer Survivor, A Record Breaker Cyclist, Sets Upon a New Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Breaking – Cancer Research Finds Malaria Protein As a Method of Diagnosing Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Breast Cancer Drug Proves Promising in Phase III Clinical Trials. . . . . . . . . . 47 New Chemical Found That Can Cause Self-Destruction in the Brain Cancer Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Emerging Hopeful Glioblastoma Treatments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Researchers Explore Gene Therapy to Treat Endometrial Cancer. . . . . . . . . 55 New Treatment to Prevent Pleural Mesothelioma Recurrence. . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Safe Amount of Alcohol to Drink Is Zero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Why You Should Start Drinking Chamomile Tea Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Cholesterol-Lowering Drug, Statin, Can Better Blood Cancer Treatments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Nivolumab Receives FDA Accelerated Approval for Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Prevent Colon Cancer with These Six Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Additional Inhibitor Could Reduce Brain Cancer Resistance to Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
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Adelaide Researchers Looking for Better Treatment for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Innovative Genetic Testing Service to Help Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Cancer-Targeted Immunotherapy for Offering Protection Against Metastases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years. . . . . . . . . . . 86 Benefits of Having Carrots Everyday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 A Recent Ground-Breaking Study Could Minimize the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Experimental Dog Treatment Could Save Human Lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Clubbed Nails May Indicate Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Avoiding Getting Tattoos Lowers Cancer Risk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Carol Neufeld’s, A Cancer Fighter, Inspirational Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 China approves Breakthrough Therapy Drug for Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . 114 Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer Treatment. . . . 116 Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein. . . . . . 118
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Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI in Combination Drugs for Colorectal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Know About the Too Good-to-be-True Health Benefits of Turmeric. . . . . . 122 Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Studies Suggest Aspirin Keeps Colorectal Cancer Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . 134 Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients! . . . . . . . . . . 136 Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 New Drug Puts Cancer Cells in Permanent Suspension. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Protein That Inhibits Breast Cancer Suppression Finally Blocked. . . . . . . . 148 Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Leads to Complete Remission of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 University Of Toledo Professor Working On Cutting Edge Cancer Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo. . . . . 154 CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma. . . . . . . . . 156 FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 And 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Drinking More Water can Help in Reducing Bladder Infections in Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 ‘Death Cap’ Mushroom Could Aid in Cancer Fight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
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Genetic testing: Not a One-and-Done Deal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 New Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise For Patients With Her2-Positive Cancers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Surgeons at Pennsylvania “Light Up” Tumors for Boosting the Chances of Mesothelioma Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Taming Pediatric Leukemia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Top Do’s & Don’ts for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Nanoparticles, High Tech Weapons Fighting Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 HPV Vaccine Removes Dozens of Tumors from Patient With Advanced Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Cancer Cells Engineered to Trigger a Death Switch in Other Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Prostate Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sarcomas and More Cancer Types Now Linked to Lynch Syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Discovery Blocks Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Tumor Growth. . . . . . 197 Nanoparticles can Help Battle Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
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Study Spares Breast Cancer Patients from Unnecessary Chemotherapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Long-term Study Reveals Lower Cancer Incidence from Vegetable and Fruit Diet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 New FDA Approved Drug Enters Leukemia Fight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Cancer Treatment by Targeting Telomeres & Telomerase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Turmeric Can Cure Stomach Cancer: According to JNU Study. . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Modified Poliovirus Helps Treat Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 How To Minimize The Risks Of Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 XTANDI Treatment for Prostate Cancer Gets FDA Approval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Prevent Ovarian Cancer with Aspirin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 “Promising” Treatment Trial Gives New Hope for the Deadliest Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Vaccination for Hepatitis B Might Help in Preventing Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Newly Identified Biomarker Could Pave the Way for Personalized Bladder Cancer Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Kidney Cancer Cure via Protein Targeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 New Study Could “Pause & Reverse” Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
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New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 When People Care There is HOPE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Blood Tests can Help in Predicting the Treatment for Patients with Prostate Cancer: Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Merck’s Keytruda on Its Way to Dealing with Head & Neck Cancer Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 New Peptide Drug Targets Liver Cancer from Within. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Oral Bacteria – a Breakthrough Passage in Weight Loss, Cancer Treatment, and Overall Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 How Your Diet Feeds Pancreatic Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 FDA Issues Breakthrough Therapy Designation for LENVIMA. . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Possible Male Breast Cancer Signs You Should Be Aware of . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Could Wart Vaccines Really Treat Skin Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Cancer Cannot Take Away Who You Are!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?. . . . . 279 New Vaccine Completely Removes Cancer in Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Therapies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Early Age Drinking May Lead To Aggressive Prostate Cancer Later In Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Combination of Molecules Found to be Effective in the Treatment of Cancer in Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 viii
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Scientists Discovered a Drug Target for Neurodegenerative Diseases & Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Red Meat May Not be as Bad as We Have Been Told – You decide!. . . . . . . 297 Primary Tumors Found to Inhibit Secondary Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Stem Cells Could Be an Effective Drug Delivery Tool for Brain Cancer in Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Metabolic Differences in Kidney Tumors Could Help Better Treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Top Ways to Give Your Brain a Boost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Eating Broccoli While Pregnant Could Help in Preventing Breast Cancer in Child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Switchable CAR-T Cells Target Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. . . . . . . 309 FR900359, Discovered from Plants to Reduces Tumor Growth in Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 Saving Healthy Cells in Brain Cancer Treatment, Synthetically. . . . . . . . . . 313 New Treatment Discovered to Fight Melanoma Better Than Traditional Vaccine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Discovery of New Metal-Based Inhibitor May Improve Treatments for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Could E. Coli Treatment Cure Crohn’s Disease?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 A Tumor Suppressor – BRCA Associated Protein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 New Treatment for Hairy Cell Leukemia Approved By the FDA. . . . . . . . . . . 325 New Drug Can Help in Fighting Liver Cancer with Fewer Side Effects. . . . . 327 The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Treatment Might Help in Reducing the Risk of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Contents
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Head and Neck Trial with NBTXR3 Nanoparticles Shows Promise. . . . . . . . 335 Zika Virus Offers Promise for Treating Fatal Brain Cancer As Per a Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 This Week in Oncology News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Top Health Benefits of Cinnamon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Breaking Treatment Displays Promising Results in Fighting Bladder Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 Cutting Edge Radiotherapy Machine Introduced in the U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Vaccine to Possibly Treat Head and Neck Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361 New Bladder Cancer Drug Shows Impressive Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Japan Approves New Treatment for Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. . . . . 365 New Vaccine to Possibly Treat Incurable HPV-Related Cancers. . . . . . . . . . 367 Imfinzi Can Help To Fight Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 Pediatric Osteosarcoma Drug Receives Orphan Drug Designation. . . . . . . 371 The Prognostic Importance of Antigen 45 (CT45) in Extending Life of an Ovarian Cancer Patient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 Fighting Pancreatic Cancer! There is HOPE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 FDA Approved for Leukemia! – Copiktra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 Kevin Schwartzel saved the Life of Johnny Sawyer Dyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
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Two Leading Cancer Immunotherapy Researchers Receive the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 Benefits of Antioxidants for the Overall Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 First Case of Complete Immunotherapy Response for Kidney Cancer Patient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389 Genetic Tumor Mapping Could Save Countless Lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 Amazonian Plant Could Have Miraculous Anticancer Properties. . . . . . . . . 393 Milk Could Restore Gustatory and Olfactory Sensations to Chemo Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 New Drug Enhances the Harvest of Bone Marrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397 Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 Categories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
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Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Breakthroughs, Colorectal Cancer
New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer
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new research by the researchers from Queen’s University Belfast might be able to change the outcome of survival in patients with bowel cancer across the world. The study is considered first of its kind and has been funded by The Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast via Tom Moran Scholarship. The therapeutic treatment could target and decimate bowel cancer cells. It can improve the survival rate for patients diagnosed with very poor survival outcome. The research includes the examination of gene signatures to investigate Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), which is a stress-response pathway pertaining to a bunch of cells. This UPR could be utilized to treat bowel cancer in cases in which patients have become resistant to treatments or have a poor survival outcome.
New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer
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The study focused on two groups of these bowel cancer patients after a year of their diagnosis, one of which did well as compared to the other which had a poor outcome. They focused on the human gene, Braf, consisting of a protein called B-Raf. It sends a signal from the cell surface for cell growth and survival. When this gene is mutated, it makes these cells cancerous. Braf mutants are not as aggressive as other cancerous cells but the catch is that they do not get treated well by conventional cancer therapies and treatments. However, a cellular process has been discovered by the researchers that might be exploitable to the cause. As per Dr. Nicholas Forsythe, the lead researcher, the aggressive biology of these cancers can be utilized against them. UPR is a pathway that enables cells to survive through stressful periods. However, this pathway is hijacked by highly stressed cancer cells for their survival. The researchers were able to overload this process by stressing the cells to such a point that they killed themselves (apoptosis), by the use of a specific drugs combination. Hence, the unique research is good news for patients with bowel cancer. This research has paved way for more clinical trials testing the effectiveness of such drug agents to enhance survival outcome of patients with BRAFMT colorectal cancerous tumors. A pursuit for synthesizing new drugs based on this study is underway.
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New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer
Blood Cancer, Bone Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research, Colorectal Cancer, Leukemia Cancer, Melanoma
New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!
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cute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is one of the most aggressive forms of cancers, harming bone marrow and causing it to produce abnormal myeloblasts. Little innovation has arrived regarding its treatments, given its variety and amount of proteins causing cancerous cells to rapidly multiply and preventing them from chemotherapy treatments. However, researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem might have come up with a dose of hope. The researchers have established a new biological drug which acts as a cluster bomb. The molecule has been developed by manipulating a cancer cell chemically which succeeds in attacking multiple leukemic proteins in a go, taking away leukemic cells’ ability to activate
New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!
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more proteins in order to escape or evade given therapy. It destroys oncogenes as well as activates P53 (a tumor suppressor gene). Mice injected with acute leukemia showed 50 percent of cure rate. The drug portrayed dramatic changes right after a single dose. According to the researchers, almost all the signs of leukemia vanished overnight in the mice. There were mice with leukemia as well as those injected with human leukemia. Researchers claim that the drug worked on even the most aggressive type of human leukemia. AML has been treated with chemotherapy and stem cell injections so far. This new drug comes in a pill form. It can cover the work of 3-4 other drugs which enables the patients to avoid additional therapies and their intense side effects. The phase 1 clinical study of this drug is hoped to be started at the start of 2019. The drug is projected to take 2-3 years before it can be commercialized. Researchers are now working on how to extend the use of this drug for other types of cancers like melanoma, lymphoma, colorectal and multiple myeloma cancers.
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New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Breakthroughs, Colorectal Cancer
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope for Bowel Cancer Patients
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onstant hard work had been continued by researchers to increase the age limit for the patients suffering from bowel cancer. The basic aim was to increase the number of survivors and to create a ray of hope in patients all over the globe. Finally, the researchers got what they were looking for! Late Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast through Tom Moran Scholarship aided a project which aimed to invent a therapy for bowel cancer patients, improving their lives and increasing their chances of survival. It had never been done before. A research project was established where two groups of patients were formed. The focus was to find out how a bunch of cells respond to
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope
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stress. Gene signatures were determined and this kind of response was called as Unfolded Protein Response. Then this response was thought to treat bowel cancer. In a study it was confirmed, that an end UPR pathway aids a cell to fight with stress period. It was also seen that highly stressed cancer cells used the UPR for survival. There was a need to be wise now. Apoptosis is the self-death of cells which was the need here. Dr. Forsythe gave an idea that cancer cells can also be stressed by combining some drugs in a specific proportion and survival for cancer cells would come to an end. It was apoptosis. The Braf gene was the leader both in treating cancer and causing cancer. It contained a protein called as B-Raf which could help in signal transmission from the cell surface which is the basic agenda for survival. Similarly, mutations cause cancer and B-Raf mutants are not easy to be diagnosed by conventional methods. Finally, researchers at Queen’s University discovered a cellular process to kill cancer cells by keeping in view the aggressive nature of cancer cells. Research is still being carried out to bring up chances for survival of more and more people suffering from bowel cancer and colorectal tumors. Drugs are being designed for better survival of cancer patients.
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Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Colorectal Cancer
P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth
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nder the supervision of Professor Ute Moll, a team of researchers from the Department of Pathology at Stony Brook University School of Medicine showed that ablating a certain protein could translate into reduced tumor growth with colorectal cancer (CRC). Genetic manipulation is one of the procedures that are currently at the forefront in terms of cancer treatments. Designing targeted solutions that are more efficient and safer for patients is one of the methods that is hoped to significantly improve outcomes and general health in cancer cases. In CRCs, the disease creates certain mutations, and approximately sixty percent of times it is linked with the p53 gene, creating an alteration for mutp53 R248Q by exchanging Arginine (R) for
P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth
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Glutamine (Q). Ablating the gene resulted in stopping tumor growth and reduced tumor invasiveness for about fifty percent of patients. The international team found that the treatment was, in fact, halting Stat3 activation, a known cancer marker. Dr. Moll remarked that “We discovered that in p53-mediated colorectal cancer driven by the most common mutant form of p53, there is an exploitable tumor dependence on continued expression of the mutant protein for the tumors to thrive”. Furthermore, the use of a molecular drug 17AAG on Hsp90, another enzyme that is associated with p53, displayed similar effects in inhibiting tumor progression. The article concludes by saying: “data suggests that this and similar p53 mutants represent actionable drug targets responsive to treatment by removal, for example with Hsp90 inhibitors”. These findings suggest that, in the near future, genetic treatments could be employed to stop cancer even before it has time to develop. In the United States alone, more than 140.000 new CRC cases are discovered each year.
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P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth
Breakthrough FDA Designation, Lung Cancer, Thyroid Cancer
LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the Treatment of Lung & Thyroid Cancers
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he United States FDA (Food & Drug Administration) recently granted the Breakthrough Therapy Designation to LOXO-292 for the treatment of lung & thyroid cancers. LOXO-292 is a RET inhibitor that is used for the treatment of the individuals having metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC (Non-small Cell Lung Cancer). The drug is given to the patients who might require systemic therapy and might be having the disease progression after the platinum-based chemotherapy along with an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or PD-L1 (an anti-programmed death ligand 1) therapy. The LOXO-292 is also for the treatment of the patients having RETmutant medullary thyroid cancer – requiring systemic therapy and
LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation
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having disease progression after the prior treatment and still might not have an acceptable alternative option for the treatment. The LOXO-292 drug was designed with the purpose of inhibiting the native RE signaling along with anticipating the acquired resistance processes that could otherwise restrict the activities of the given therapeutic approach. The activation of the RET point mutations contributes to around 60 percent of medullary thyroid cancer. Both RET-mutant and RET-fusion cancers are mainly dependent on the single-activated RET kinase for the overall proliferation & survival. This dependency is referred to as “oncogene addiction.” Oncogene addiction is responsible for rendering such kinds of tumors highly susceptible to the respective small-molecule inhibitors that could be targeting the RET.
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LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation
Colorectal Cancer
Large Colorectal Lesions Removed Without Surgery with the Help of High-Tech Robotic Systems
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very year, around 140,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with colorectal cancer – a malignant form of cancer that develops from a small polyp into tumor over the passage of time. The screening process with the help of colonoscopy helps in the detection & removal of the polyps – as such aiding in both the early detection & prevention of colorectal cancers. However, when the polyps become too large or difficult to get rid of by colonoscopy, surgery is required. In the latest technological advancement, the innovative robotic system can now help in the removal of the colorectal lesions without the involvement of any surgery. With the collaboration between the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and the Division
Large Colorectal Lesions Removed Without Surgery with the Help of High-Tech Robotic Systems
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of Colorectal Surgery at NYU Langone Health has been the firstever center in New York to make use of the revolutionary Flex Robotic System inside the gastrointestinal tract. While working together, the leading colorectal surgeon named Mitchell Bernstein and gastroenterologist named Seth A. Gross, were able to remove a massive, premalignant colorectal lesion inside a woman. The woman after the removal of the colorectal lesion was discharged later on the same day itself. This is the first time that a high-tech robotic platform has been incorporated in the process of gastrointestinal endoscopy. This gives the hope for future robot-aided surgeries in the effective treatment of major diseases and ailments – all across the world.
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Large Colorectal Lesions Removed Without Surgery with the Help of High-Tech Robotic Systems
Breaking Cancer Research
Supramolecule Engineered to Fight Cancer
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he battle against cancer is becoming more and more high-tech, as scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital create a molecule that can disable cancer cells.
The field of immunotherapy is currently buzzing, with new discoveries and advancements happening seemingly every day. A new ally is currently showing a lot of promise in laboratory trials and is expected to make an important contribution of its own. Named AK750, the synthesized molecule is highly complex and has a dual action. One of the reasons why cancer is so difficult to tackle is because it can hide from the immune system, by signaling a certain pathway, CSF-1R. This starts a process which “polarizes tumor-associated macrophages from an antitumor M1 phenotype to a pro-tumorigenic M2 phenotype”. At this stage, antibodies just don’t recognize the
Supramolecule Engineered to Fight Cancer
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abnormal cells as a danger. A second clever ploy that cancer uses is to signal the protein alpha (SIRPα) receptor on macrophages to effectively tell them not to attack. AK750 works by inhibiting both processes, CD47–SIRPα and MCSF– CSF-1R signaling, revealing the tumor cells and enabling the body to fight the disease. Estimates from the World Health Organization put cancer as the second cause of death worldwide. It’s not only a medical problem but also an economic burden and a social issue. This new wave of biological therapies presents a number of advantages over traditional courses of cancer treatment. They are less toxic to the body and cause fewer side effects, compared to both standard chemotherapy and radiation. Overall, they appear to also be more efficient, but so far are capable of working only on certain types of cancer. As with every new experimental treatment, a lot more testing is required before it can be marketed to the general public.
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Supramolecule Engineered to Fight Cancer
Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention, Stomach Cancer, Uterine Cancer Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention, Stomach Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?
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ove those fiber-rich, blood sugar-friendly, hormone-booster vegetables? Good for you! This is because the healthy cruciferous vegetables are known to be forming an integral part of healthy lifestyles adopted by a majority of the world’s fit population. The cruciferous vegetables obtain their name after the cross shape of the petals that they grow in. Some of the most common examples of the cruciferous vegetables that are grown across the world include cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, kale, arugula, Brussels sprouts, Bok choy, turnips, and collard greens.
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?
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How can Cruciferous Vegetables Help in Fighting Cancer? Cruciferous vegetables out there are known for providing several nutritional benefits along with prevention of various diseases including cancer. In a recent study, it was found that the individuals who were in the habit of consuming more cruciferous veggies had the lowest risks of developing breast cancer. Cruciferous veggies are also known to be effective in reducing the overall risks of other hormone-based cancers including cervical and endometrial cancers. Researchers believe that this could be linked to the presence of a hormone-balancing compound that is found in the cruciferous vegetables referred to as “Indole-3Carbinol.” In various other studies, the consumption of cruciferous vegetables has also been linked with the reduction in the risks of developing other types of cancers including lung, stomach, rectal, and colon cancer. In addition to being a great source of antioxidants, the cruciferous veggies also contain a compound known as “glucosinolates” – that could be the key factor in fighting cancer. With this finding, it can be highly effective in including a cruciferous vegetable-rich diet every day to reduce the overall risks of developing cancer.
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Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?
Healthy Lifestyles, Kidney Cancer, Prevention
Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis
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major bio marker of kidney disease can help in predicting the “clear cell kidney cancer” – the most common form of kidney cancer – several years before the actual diagnosis. The KIM-1 (Kidney Injury Molecule -1) could be detected in blood & urine which is generally present at lower volumes in individuals with healthy lifestyles. The KIM-1 turns out to be a vital and highly useful biomarker for predicting any major kidney injury. In a recent study that was published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research by BWH Investigators, explored that fact that whether or not a blood test can help in detecting the higher levels of KIM-1 in the patients who might develop the risks of developing kidney cancer – after around 5 years. The results
Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis
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of the study reveal that KIM-1 biomarker helped in substantially distinguishing between those who had the risks of developing kidney cancer and those who did not. The early detection of kidney cancer could be life-saving in several ways. It can also help in the prevention of kidney cancer effectively. The scientists claim that they can cure kidney cancer when it will be detected at an early stage. Kidney cancer, however, turns out to be asymptomatic and several patients who have kidney cancer have usually developed the advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. The results of the study reveal that with further refinement in the tests, KIM-1 is known to have the potential of identifying the patients with early stages of curable kidney cancer in an effective manner.
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Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis
Breaking Cancer Research, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma
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ombining encorafenib (Braftovi) with binimetinib (Mektovi) has yielded better results than any other form of treatment for advanced melanomacurrently on the market.
A phase 3 COLUMBUS trial showed that patients put on a course of encorafenib at 450 mg a day and binimetinib at 45 mg twice daily (COMBO450), had up to 39% improved outcome compared to any previous treatments. The overall survival rate went up, from 16.9 months to 33.6 months, and median progression-free survival (PFS) from 7.3 months to 14.9 months. These very promising results prompted a quick FDA approval. It seems that the superior effectiveness lies within their ability to target the BRAF mutation, common in most cases of melanoma. The gene provides information for protein formation within cells and is also
New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma
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responsible for helping with cell growth and division. Unfortunately, when the BRAF mutation occurs, it can cause normal cells to become cancerous. The genetic defect has been studied intensely in recent years and was the basis for another wave of cancer drugs from 2010, with vemurafenib and dabrafenib (Tafinlar), though less impressive. The new duo of Braftovi and Mektovi is also safer and better tolerated. As with most serious medication, there are some possible side effects, including fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and pain. While melanoma is one of the less common types of cancer, it is one of the more deadly. There are about 130.000 new cases each year worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and the rate of incidence is climbing. Find out more about this treatment at their page here.
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New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma
Breast Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention
Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip
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ost people drink green tea just as a warm beverage or as a supplement for their weight loss diet, but in fact, it has a multitude of health benefits, and you should take advantage of them right away. If you are not a morning person and require a cup of coffee to get your day started, you will be happy to hear that green tea also has considerable levels of caffeine, just slightly less. The trade would additionally help you with a number of natural antioxidants that improve skin condition, get rid of toxins in the body and generally boost the immune system. Green tea, or Camellia sinensis, is already proven to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. It also does a great job
Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip
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at protecting the heart by reducing low-density lipoprotein (more commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol”) and increasing highdensity lipoprotein (the so-called “good cholesterol”) thanks to its rich composition. One of the more important interactions is connected to one particular polyphenol, catechin epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) responsible for cell replication and known to slow blood vessel formation around tumors causing tumor cell death. EGCG has shown to relieve radiation-induced dermatitis for patients suffering from breast cancer and be effective against acute radiation-induced esophagitis in lung cancer. Similarly, Epigallocatechin (ECG) is linked with disrupting leukemic cells from multiplying. A number of studies are suggesting potential cancer preventive properties, most notably for liver and colorectal types. Green tea supplements and extracts are used for therapy in several post-radical treatments. Other noteworthy applications include improving mental function, preventing tooth decay, and even lowering the risk of Alzheimer or dementia. While it is generally considered safe, taken in high doses it can cause difficulty sleeping and irritability. One cup a day could provide so many health benefits that it just seems wrong not to do it.
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Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer, Cancer Technology
Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells
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he idea of “Magic Bullet” is an old medical concept given by a German Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich in 1900. The concept is to develop a medicine that can eliminate all tumor cells quietly without harming normal cells, from any place they might be situated in. Researchers from MU (University of Missouri), have come up with such a specialized technique. The study evaluates the workings of smart nanoparticles known as aptamers. Aptamers can bind to specific targets along with any therapeutic drug attached to them. The concept can be used to target cancer cells. Burke-Aguero, working in the Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology in MU, explains that molecules are three-dimensional, and they can have certain small patches attached to them like a
Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells
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molecular Velcro, so that if these molecules come across another molecule with just the right shape and Velcro patch, it can stick against it quite snugly. He further adds that some aptamers can attach this way to those proteins which are abundant on the surface of certain tumor cells and not on normal cells. In this way, these aptamers bind to those proteins and are recycled into the tumor cells themselves along with whatever drug or payload you attach with the aptamer. Testing this concept, in the latest study, such nanoparticles were engineered along with a fluorescent cargo that imitated and visualized the interaction of a cancer-targeting drug. When these aptamers were placed among target cancer cells as well as non-target cells, the fluorescent cargo was found to be attached to malignant cancer cells, meaning that aptamers reached their successful target cells. The cargo used is ten times larger than the molecular size investigators conventionally work with, according to Burke-Aguero. He says that more ways are open for manufacturing larger cargos which could be used to target various tumor cells in multiple ways. There are other hurdles to cope up with, such as long-term effects of these aptamers, or other physical aspects that can hamper the way of these drugs from reaching the target cells, for example, the structure of tumors can be poorly vascularized or dense, says Scott Verbridge from Virginia Tech’s School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. However, Burke-Aguero, calls the study an important milestone in an important journey to make nanoparticle drug delivery more controllable and effective. Hopefully, these aptamers will prove beneficial to be loaded with therapeutic drugs for targeting cancer.
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Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells
Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer
A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer
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recent study with a new drug combination has been conducted involving half of ovarian cancer and a third consisting of lung cancer patients, who had established resistance to chemotherapy. A total of 4,227 women had passed away in the UK in 2016 due to ovarian cancer and 35,260 patients from lung cancer. Professor Paul Workman from ICR says that such drug combinations could help tackle adaption, drug resistance and evolution of cancer. In the study, a drug called vistusertib has been combined with chemotherapy that has succeeded in stalling the way cancer cells tend to resist treatment and spread and grow. The result in the early stages of study exceeded the expectations so much that now a phase 2 trial of the study is taking place. Dr. Susana Banerjee from The
A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer
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Royal Marsden deems this option as very encouraging as no other alternative is available for women with relapsed ovarian cancer. In the large trial of the study, 140 women suffering from relapsed ovarian cancer participated and were given paclitaxel (standard chemotherapy) in combination with vistusertib. Researchers from The Royal Marsden, ICR and other 9 such centers have tested the combination on forty patients with squamous non-small lung cancer and 25 women with high-level ovarian cancer. All these patients had standard chemotherapy resistance. Initially, the tolerance of the drug combination was tested and only a few side effects were observed. 52% ovarian cancer patients along with 35% lung cancer patients had 30% of their tumors shrunken. The growth inhibited for 5.8 months on average. A previous study had found that ovarian cancers resisting chemotherapy possessed a higher level of p-S6K molecule that increased cancer cell growth. In the current study, patients were given paclitaxel (80mg/ m2) with vistusertib (50mg) twice a day for three days over 6 weeks. Vistusertib successfully canceled the mentioned function of p-S6K by targeting the protein, mTOR1 and 2, which activates it. Hence cancer cells stopped growing and resisting treatment, surprising researchers with effective results. This exciting news has given a lot of hope for patients who have grown resistant to standard treatments. Hopefully, this may pave way for more effective treatment for such patients.
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A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer
Brain Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain
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elanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that can be deadlier if it encroaches into the brain. If it reaches the brain, less than twenty percent of patients survive for more than a year with traditional treatment. However, a recent study with a new drug combination comes with hope for such patients and had proven to increase their lifespans for more than a year for 82% of such patients. The drugs involved in the combination are ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo), also the part of the class known as checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs work to activate the immune system which shrinks the brain tumors in turn in many melanoma patients. It served to prolong the life of 94 patients from 28 medical centers situated in the United States. New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain
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Enabling the immune system of a patient to fight against cancer by such checkpoint inhibitors can lead to long term remissions from severe forms of cancer, like lung and kidney cancer as well as melanoma. Such a technique is called as immunotherapy. It may not work in every case but when it does, it may show wonders. Dr. Hussein A. Tawbi, the first author of this study, calls it great news that may help many melanoma patients and other patients in general. He suggests that this drug combination should be made part of initial treatment for such melanoma patients and that these drugs should also be put under test for patients with other types of cancer that have reached the brain. According to his estimate, 200,000 patients emerge per year alone in the U.S. who develop brain tumors projecting from other types of cancer. The results are not applicable for Glioblastoma or any brain cancer that has started with in the brain first. Dr. Tawbi mentions that studies with drug combinations are underway which can help such patients as well.
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New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain
Blood Cancer, Non-hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer
First Non-Chemotherapy Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer
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harmaceutical giants AbbVie, Janssen and Genentech have combined their efforts to offer a new therapy course involving a combination of drugs meant to help people suffering from Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM). The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Imbruvica (ibrutinib) and Rituxan (rituximab) combo in the treatment of a rare and incurable type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that affects B cells. Patients now have a less taxing alternative to the current standard treatment – chemotherapy. In a press release, the Head of Clinical Development, Thorsten Graef, M.D., Ph.D. said: “We are pleased to have IMBRUVICA approved, both as a single agent and combination therapy with rituximab, to provide an additional efficacious treatment option for people living with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia”. The decision comes as a result of extensive research culminating with a very revealing clinical trial. 150 participants were administered daily
First Non-Chemotherapy Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer
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oral doses of 420mg Ibrutinib and intravenous Rituximab, 375 mg/ m2 in two 4-week cycles. At 30 months after the initial session, the progression-free survival (PFS) rate for ibrutinib–rituximab was 82% compared to 28% with placebo–rituximab. Significant increases in hemoglobin level were also observed. The most frequent side effects experienced by patients were: bruises (37%), pain (35%), hemorrhage (32%), diarrhea (28%), rashes (24%), arthralgia (24%), nausea (21%), and hypertension (20%). Imbruvica blocks a protein called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), responsible for the survival and spread of malignant B cells. Rituxan binds to the CD20 antigen of B-cell tumors and then employs the body’s natural defenses to attack and kill them. According to the presentation abstract, the Imbruvica – Rituxan combination “should be considered a standard therapeutic option for patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia”.
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First Non-Chemotherapy Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer
Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Non-hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer, Skin Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!
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his recent treatment option works by supporting and boosting the body’s natural immune system in the fight against cancer.
In spite of sustained efforts from every national health institution and even international groups, like the World Health Organization, lung cancer continues to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide. A general lack of awareness, the tendency to ignore the first signs of disease and, for some, just the thought of having to undergo chemotherapy, all contribute to making the malignancy even more terrible. Fortunately, a new form of treatment has been shown to be more effective and improve survival rates compared to the current options, while at the same presenting fewer negative effects.
Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!
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Immunotherapy helps existing antibodies either block an abnormal protein in the cancer cell or bolster their ability to locate and neutralize the affected cells. Scientists found that lung cancer was exploiting a certain immune checkpoint, PD-L1, to escape detection. By using an inhibitor like Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), the body’s immune system became better at fighting back. Studies revealed that Pembrolizumab immunotherapy could increase median survival rates from one to 2.5 years and above. Another advantage is fewer less impactful side effects. While chemotherapy is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, hair loss and low blood count, the most common reactions for Keytruda were rash, fatigue, and thyroid gland dysfunction. Immunotherapy is also faster, with sessions taking only half an hour every three weeks compared to chemotherapy, which can require three or four hours. So far, the treatment has exhibited the best results for non-small cell lung cancer, but is being recommended for other forms of cancer where it presented significant positive results, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), melanoma and urothelial cancer. Pembrolizumab/Kaytruda is an FDA approved the drug and is slowly becoming a standard treatment.
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Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!
Breast Cancer, Cancer Cures, Colorectal Cancer, Leukemia Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Stomach Cancer
How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?
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cientists have found that certain mutations are most commonly found in the cells of some typical types of cancers. As such, finding the specific mutations in the cells can help in diagnosing the particular type of cancer. By testing the cells for the purpose of mutation can be used after the diagnosis process for seeing how the particular cancer is responding to the given treatment. As a result, genes have been found to be useful as an effective cancer cure in the coming times.
Genes & Cancer Prognosis In some specific cancers, gene changes of particular sorts can be used for predicting which patients are likely to have better or worse
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outcomes. This fact can help in guiding the overall intensity of the treatment. For some typical cancers, the tests that observed the expression (activity) of several genes at once could be useful in the prediction of cancer and cancer cure. Such tests, referred to as “gene expression panels,” are usually performed on the cancer samples. These tests are available for several types of cancers including prostate, breast, and colon cancers. The subsequent tests can help in predicting which patients are more likely to have the cancers return after the treatment.
Genes & Cancer Treatment There are certain drugs that have been developed for targeting some of the specific gene changes in particular cancers. Usually, such drugs target the protein made by the presence of an abnormal gene (not the gene itself). The drugs that aim at targeting the gene mutations can turn out useful in a wide number of cancer cures including non-small lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and even melanoma. There are several researchers out there who are very hopeful about the future of cancer treatment with the help of genes.
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How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Technology, Pancreatic Cancer
Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Pancreatic Cancer?
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s per a recent report, it has been found that patients with pancreatic cancer have only 7 percent chances of surviving after the diagnosis of the fatal disease for more than five years. This figure as stated by Elliot K. Fishman – a leading researcher & radiologist at the John Hopkins Hospital is the lowest rate for any cancer. In the latest findings, the John Hopkins Hospital researchers have come up with the observation that the technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep Machine Learning can be utilized for changing the statistic of the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Deep learning has become a major part of the modern technologydriven world. Several industries across the world are making use of this revolutionary technology towards developing high-end automated solutions.
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Utilizing the same, Fishman at the John Hopkins Hospital aims at spotting pancreatic cancer sooner than the ongoing human efforts by making use of the GPU-accelerated deep learning Artificial Intelligence to the task of combating cancer. Fishman is assisting in the training of the deep learning algorithms for spotting minute textural changes to the pancreas tissues along with the nearby organs. These changes seem to be the first-ever signs of pancreatic cancer. Deep learning methods can be used for earlier diagnosis of cancer. Fishman estimates that nearly third of the cases as observed by him could be detected around 4 to 10 months earlier with the help of this breakthrough technology. The ability to optimize the overall analysis of each study is one of the primary goals of the project. It is something that the researchers believe that they can accomplish positively. The main aim of the project is to change the trajectory of the treatment of pancreatic cancer and ultimately, the rate of patient survival.
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Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Pancreatic Cancer?
Alternative Cancer Treatments, Cancer
China’s Med-Tech Benefits the World with its Non-Invasive Treatment for Cancer
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t the recent China Expo 2018 held in Chongqing, China – a high-tech focused ultrasound system for the treatment of cancer tumors was developed by the nation. This research of treatments for cancer has gained interest from all over the world. The all-new ultrasound system referred to as the “Haifu Knife” comes with the specialized feature – it can help in treating cancer tumors present on the soft tissues without even cutting the body open or invading the body with a laparoscope. Therefore, the given revolutionary med-tech by China is termed to be completely noninvasive for the treatment of cancer. The system makes use of the principle of focalizing the ultrasound just outside the body onto the target tumor cancer cells inside the body. As China’s Med-Tech Benefits the World with its Non-Invasive Treatment for Cancer
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such, this non-invasivemedical technology is able to produce a higher temperature of around 65-100 degrees Celsius at the focalized point. This, it tends to induce the irresistible and spontaneous necrosis of the tumors without damaging the surrounding tissues. Peng Xiang – the European Manager of the International Department of Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology Ltd, demonstrated the working of the ultrasound machine. As the machine causes no significant injury to the skin & the surrounding tissues, the operation would require no sterilized operating room. In addition to this, there is no requirement for general anesthesia except for minimal analgesia during the treatment. A surgery that took place with the Haifu Knife equipment at the reputed HUMT Hospital of Barcelona University, Spain took around only 15 minutes for ablating the cancer tumor of 4.5cm dimension – as per the doctor who performed the surgery. Given the significance of the particular non-invasive treatment for fighting cancer, the world can look up with new hopes in the field of effective cancer treatment.
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China’s Med-Tech Benefits the World with its Non-Invasive Treatment for Cancer
Breast Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer
Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer
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ound in Indian sub-continent, Neem is an herb used for medicinal purposes. Its use is common in traditional medicine and Ayurveda. It has important anti-oxidants such as nimbin and azadirachtin, which boost its medicinal uses. Its color could range from pale yellow to green. Its essential oil can be obtained from its fruit and seeds by solvent extraction, cold pressing technique or steam distillation. Majorly its benefits can be antiseptic, antihistamine, antioxidant, antifungal, antipyretic. Could all these factors help prevent cancer? The answer is maybe because one of the most import benefits of this herb is that it prevents cancer. The high content of antioxidants in neem neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and any sort of cell damage. It may be a beneficial tool against different types of cancer such as prostate cancer and breast cancer. The most noticeable function of Neem Oil is that it reverses the formation of malignant tumors, reducing the ability of the cancer to spread. It also could help in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and rheumatoid Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer
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arthritis. It may help reduce inflammation caused in any affected muscle and tissues. Neem oil is anti-microbial; hence it may help in boosting the performance of the immune system, cancelling out any serious types of infections. Moreover, it prevents ulcer formation in the stomach because it regulates the pH level of the stomach. Loss of appetite is a common side effect after any surgery, a prolonged infection or any other illness, causing the patient to lose weight and lead to poor absorption of the nutrients. Neem oil is an excellent form of an appetizer that can enhance a patient’s appetite and help in gaining weight. However, certain side effects should be kept in mind. Consuming Neem Oilinternally is capable of irritating respiratory tract. Its consumption in large quantity could lead to bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn and nausea. Sudden huge intake can lead to rapid reduction in sugar levels of the blood. Pregnant women should not ingest it as it can trigger menstrual flow, causing a miscarriage. Men with fertility issues should avoid its use. Hence, using Neem Oil in suitable quantity could serve to be beneficial for not only preventing cancer but many other forms of diseases. Gaining your GP’s advice is also necessary.
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Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer
Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer
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ot a single type of immunotherapy is available or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating brain cancer. None of the trials have borne good clinical results. However, recently in a research at Duke University, a breakthrough discovery has been made which may turn the tables around. Peter E. Fecci, M.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program at the Department of Neurosurgery in Duke University. He reveals the key information regarding the research; researchers have found that the most integral parts of the immune system known as T-cells which disappear from the immune system in brain cancer, were found hidden in the bone marrow of the patients. If we return these T-cells to their respective places, immunotherapy can work better against brain cancer. Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer
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Cancer tends to take upon the body’s immune system, causing T-cell dysfunction which needs to be activated to reboot immune system. GBM (glioblastoma) in particular is very immune suppressive tumor; T-cell are actually missing in the body. Previously, it was thought it occurred due to radiation or chemotherapy or maybe steroids whereas it is discovered now that patient had an immune system of an older person way before getting any treatment. T-cells were looked for in the blood and spleen, but there weren’t any there as well as the lymphoid organs appeared shrunken – an eccentric symptom to take place. Researchers then examined the bone marrow, for the reason that maybe T-cells were not being produced enough but what they found was surprising. Not only were the T-cells present in the bone marrow, they were five times more than they should be. This was observed in all the patients and mice who had brain cancer. The case is not specific to brain cancer, be it lung cancer or breast cancer or melanoma, the shrinkage of the spleens was only because T-cells were hiding in the bone marrow. The problem of the dysfunction was in T-cells; they were getting rid of the receptor called S1P1 which would normally get them out of the bone marrow. Researchers devised a way with a genetic alteration that caused these receptors to stick with T-cells in mice; T-cells managed to get out and the immune system activated quite well against the brain tumors. The discovery is a big step forward, hopefully paving way for an FDA approved immunotherapy for brain cancer.
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Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer
Hope Stories
Cancer Survivor, A Record Breaker Cyclist, Sets Upon a New Challenge
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ames Golding has survived cancer, not only once but twice. And neither time did he let go of his strong will. After battling cancer for the first time, he took part in a charity ride to celebrate the first anniversary of being cleared off from cancer. In that ride, he was involved in a car accident which he survived back in 2010. After going through cancer twice, Golding set on a cycling spree and succeeded in breaking the world record of total distance covered in seven days through cycling by crossing 1,766.2 miles. This is one of the most incredible achievements. Golding now is set upon a new challenge, he is taking part in a big biking ride for charity. The ride would include 1.136 km long route of the OVO Energy tour of Britain, extending from Wales up to London. The charity ride will be taken alongside Phil Jones, who is the managing director of technology giant Brother UK. One day before the professionals get into the saddle, Golding and Jones will complete every stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain. The starting point of the route is Pembrey Country Park situated in Wales, continuing till
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London within eight days. It will begin on first September and call into Warwickshire on the way. The aim of the charity ride is to raise 50,000 pounds, depositing the funds in Dave Rayner Fund. It is a voluntary organization that aims to support young riders from Britain whose goal is to race abroad. Golding tells that the ride and charity target was Phil’s idea as he and his company were turning fifty this year. Golding considers Phil as a great friend who has guided him in a lot of decisions regarding business and in the pursuit of his goals. The most important thing for Golding is that he gets to ride his bike which he believes has steered him out of difficult situations. Golding believes he is fortunate, he has beaten cancer twice, his second child was born this year whereas he was told having a kid would be an impossibility for him. He vigilantly follows his dream of supporting young people with their goals. Our hero was also named “Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Birmingham Awards” earlier this year, after having raised threemillion pounds for charity!
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Cancer Survivor, A Record Breaker Cyclist, Sets Upon a New Challenge
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer
Breaking – Cancer Research Finds Malaria Protein As a Method of Diagnosing Cancer
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reaking – cancer research finds malaria protein as the key to diagnosing cancer, in a recent study. The scientists around the world keep researching new ways to diagnose and treat cancer effectively towards improving the overall survival rates of the patients – all around the world. In an attempt towards this direction, a team of researchers has found malaria protein as the key to diagnosing cancer in its early stages. A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen discovered the new method of detecting cancer. The findings of the research were posted in Nature Communications that explained how the specific malaria protein has the capability of detecting the early-stage cancer cells found in blood.
Breaking – Cancer Research Finds Malaria Protein As a Method of Diagnosing Cancer
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The particular malaria protein has been found to stick to the cancer cells in the blood samples – making it simpler to diagnose cancer in its early stages. The team of researchers hopes that this method can be immensely useful in effective cancer screenings in the coming future. The development of effective cancer blood tests has been increasingly difficult until now. To top it all, the large number of different types of cancers makes it even more difficult to come across the single biomarker that can be used in detecting all of them at once. The specific malaria protein – referred to as “VAR2CSA”, acts like a magnet to the tumor cells and thus, grips onto any cell that is found to harbor the targeted sugar molecule. The research has already yielded some amazing results. By making use of the malaria protein, the researchers have been able to retrieve as many as 9 cancer cells in the period.
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Breaking – Cancer Research Finds Malaria Protein As a Method of Diagnosing Cancer
Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Drug Proves Promising in Phase III Clinical Trials
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omen who have been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer – carrying the BRCA1 & BRCA2 gene mutations, an experimental cancer drug can help in improving the overall survival rates. The BRCA mutations are usually linked to enhancing the risk for aggressive ovarian cancer & breast cancer. The drug, namely “talazoparib,” is known for working by blocking the enzyme known as PARP (Poly ADP ribose polymerase). Thus, the drug has been effective in preventing cancer cells from killing the cells that are healthy. In the phase III clinical trials of as many as 431 women – the trials were funded by the makers of the drug, the women who received the drug “talazoparib” were known to live longer without any progression of
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the cancer cells than those who received the standard chemotherapy sessions by an average of around three months. Dr. Jennifer Litton – the lead researcher at the University of Texas, said that for women having metastatic cancer and BRCA mutation, the drugs which acted as PARP inhibitors could be highly recommended. When the mutations are working properly, BRCA can actually help in repairing the damaged DNA and preventing tumors, while BRCA1 & BRCA2 go against each other and could encourage the breast cancer cells. The PARP inhibitors are known to block the additional DNA repairing pathway. The anti-tumor effects of the drug “talazoparib” – the PARP inhibitor can be encouraged in the patients having BRCA mutations. Hopes still continue towards investigating the utilization of the PARP inhibitors in the patients having breast cancer with BRCA mutations.
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Breast Cancer Drug Proves Promising in Phase III Clinical Trials
Brain Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research
New Chemical Found That Can Cause Self-Destruction in the Brain Cancer Cells
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lioblastoma is a fatal form of brain cancer. The tumors of Glioblastoma emerge from the supportive tissues of the brain– getting an ample supply of blood. This makes the treatment of brain cancer even more difficult as the malignant cells continue to multiply rapidly. However, new research that has been carried out by the team of researchers might serve to be the solution for brain cancer – that could stop the brain cancer cells from spreading out too fast. The research has discovered a new synthetic chemical compound known as the “KHS101” – which is responsible for cutting off the “energy supply” to the brain cancer cells.
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A UK-led study carried out by the team of international scientists at the University of Leeds has reported that this chemical might begin addressing the decade-long absence of the potential for new treatments for brain cancer. The new chemical – KHS101 works by disrupting the activities of the mitochondria – the battery powerhouse which is known to power the cells of the organisms along with the metabolism in the tumor cells. Dr. Heiko Wurdak – the professor at the University of Leeds, said that when they started the research, they thought that the chemical KHS101 might help in slowing down the growth of glioblastoma. However, they were surprised to find that the chemical resulted in the self-destruction of the brain cancer cells when they were exposed to it. While the results of the findings seem encouraging, experimental rigorous testing is further required before trying out the KHS101 on the patients.
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New Chemical Found That Can Cause Self-Destruction in the Brain Cancer Cells
Brain Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Technology
Emerging Hopeful Glioblastoma Treatments
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ancer is one of the biggest burdens on society and a global health issue. A great deal of sustained effort is being poured into research and clinical trials, and even though progress is steady, current treatment options are still limited and not as effective for all cases. The term cancer describes a series of diseases that cause unregulated cell growth, and in the case of glioblastoma, it is glial cells. They have a role in modulating nerve signal propagation, controlling the uptake of neurotransmitters, but also neural recovery and local immunity, some of the most important tasks required for good brain functioning. A glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain malignancy, accounting for about 17% of all brain tumors and with a mortality rate of more than 15.000 cases each year. For some decades now, the standard treatment consisted of surgery and heavy chemotherapy, with limited success. New targeted approaches are being developed, safer and promising better results.
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Genetic research is being used to try and suppress the MDA-9/ Syntenin gene causing widespread death among tumor cells. By altering autophagy, the process through which the brain clears debris and performs maintenance, this method would essentially allow the destruction of affected cells from within. Another treatment option that is currently being tested involves the DCVax-L vaccine. This is a procedure where cancer cells are harvested from patients, the dendritic cells reprogrammed to target those specific mutations, and then injected back. Trials are still going, but results so far are promising. There are significant improvements in survival rates, around 30% for the initial 30 months and more than 25% at the three-year mark. These innovative new therapies have shown their effectiveness and will help improve the lives of millions of people struggling with the terrible diagnosis of glioblastoma.
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Emerging Hopeful Glioblastoma Treatments
Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Prevention
Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25%
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t seems that the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” might actually have a seed of truth.
A massive investigative project was conducted by researchers from the University of Perugia into claims that a natural diet full of vegetables and fruits does actually influence the risk of developing cancer. While there was a lot of information on the subject, reports varied considerably – big differences in terms of sample sizes, intake amounts, span of time etc. Out of all the possible candidates, they settled on apples. “Our interest was attracted by apples as they are the most consumed fruit in European countries and a rich source of phytochemicals”.
Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25%
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They scoured through thousands of studies and reports from medical literature (on PubMed, Web of Science and Embase) and concluded that “the current meta-analysis provides convincing evidence supporting the hypothesis of the protective ability of apples in the aetiology of cancer”. “A significant reduction of risk was observed” with colorectal cancer and breast cancer, and a high intake of apple was “significantly associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer”. The levels of influence varied, but in some cases, it ranged up to 25%. “Apple consumption was associated with a reduced risk of cancer in the lung, colon-rectum, oral cavity, digestive tract and breast.” Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are cheap, available all year round and there are a number of options to choose from. Have an apple a day so that you too can keep the oncologist away!
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Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25%
Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer
Researchers Explore Gene Therapy to Treat Endometrial Cancer
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enetic studies have brought a great contribution to the understanding and treatment of many conditions and diseases. Scientists from Australia are hoping to explain the mechanisms behind ovarian cancer and possibly come up with a more effective form of therapy Ovarian cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of malignancy worldwide. Because of the lack of awareness and the fact that signs are often neglected, conventional treatments are not always efficient enough. Caroline Ford, a leading researcher at the University of New South Wales in Australia, has been doing important research, focusing on two genes that appear mostly at the initial stages of development. ROR1 and ROR2 are thought to be responsible for promoting metastasis and the rapid growth and spread of tumors.
Researchers Explore Gene Therapy to Treat Endometrial Cancer
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She addresses the issue by saying: “I hope that through our work we can make it easier for women to be tested for gynecological cancers and that as a society we can remove the awkwardness and stigma that prevents women seeking medical advice.” Mrs. Ford is eager to replicate and further the results of a clinical test for Cirmtuzumab, a drug that targets ROR1 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and apply it to ovarian cancer. If successful, she is hoping that it might open the door for other types of cancer, in particular endometrial. Even though it has a lower mortality rate, a significant percentage of patients develop an aggressive form of the disease. “For those with a less aggressive type of endometrial cancer, the treatment is more often than not a hysterectomy, which still means they must undergo major invasive surgery”, she noted. With determined and dedicated doctors, such as Caroline Ford, it seems like only a matter of time before more efficient personalized treatments specifically tailored for each patient to become the standard form of therapy.
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Researchers Explore Gene Therapy to Treat Endometrial Cancer
Breaking Cancer Research, Mesothelioma Cancer
New Treatment to Prevent Pleural Mesothelioma Recurrence
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ne of the biggest problems with treating any type of cancer is trying to limit the chances of the disease coming back. Italian scientists have come up with an ingenious way of concentrating the therapy on a specific area. The standard course of treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients is radiation followed by surgery and then intravenous chemotherapy drugs. The procedure has limited success in preventing recurrence and has also the downside of making patients suffer the toxic side effects of the drugs, reducing their quality of life. One emerging alternative solution comes from Italy and involves placing a polymer film coated with cancer drugs, pemetrexed and cisplatin, directly on the mesothelial surface right after the operation. This method has shown very little toxic side effects and allows for higher concentration drugs to be administered. New Treatment to Prevent Pleural Mesothelioma Recurrence
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Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of asbestos-related cancers and affects the outer lining of the lungs and inner lining of the chest cavities. It has a long period of latency and can take from 20 to 50 years to manifest, after initial exposure. The study suggests that “The local administration of drug-loaded polymer implants appears an ideal chemotherapy strategy especially for patients in which surgery is already selected as a viable therapeutic option.” The material is hydrophilic, thin and flexible and at the same time sufficiently resistant to be inserted intrapleurally. It only takes about two hours for the drugs to permeate the tissue. It is these sorts of targeted treatments that will provide the best results both in terms of efficiency and when it comes to patient safety and wellbeing.
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New Treatment to Prevent Pleural Mesothelioma Recurrence
Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles
Safe Amount of Alcohol to Drink Is Zero
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n moderation, alcohol is generally considered to be safe and even thought to provide some health benefits. A recent study comes and contradicts many of these previous claims and recommends as little consumption as possible. An extended international project involving 195 countries and spanning for more than two and a half decades, brought to light some concerning data. While there is some data supporting the idea that moderate drinking can be beneficial for some specific diseases, in particular heart disease and diabetes, the study warns that “these protective effects were offset by the risks associated with cancers, which increased monotonically with consumption”. The article, published in The Lancet, provides a number of worrying statistics. For example, it was estimated that in 2016, alcohol use led to 2.8 million deaths worldwide and was the primary risk factor in premature death and disability among people with ages between 15
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and 49 years. Young people are more at risk, especially men, as their attributable burden was about three times greater than for women. The authors suggest that past findings are not as reliable as previously believed, because of small sample sizes, inadequate conditions of testing, non-optimal choices for control groups and results focused on specific conditions and not overall health. With more than 2.4 billion regular drinkers, the study alerts that alcohol use is becoming a global issue and that the measures proposed by the World Health Organization might not be enough. It urges governments and lawmakers to take action as the “results point to a need to revisit alcohol control policies and health programmes”. The paper concludes that: “We found that the risk of all-cause mortality, and of cancers specifically, rises with increasing levels of consumption, and the level of consumption that minimises health loss is zero. These results suggest that alcohol control policies might need to be revised worldwide, refocusing on efforts to lower overall population-level consumption”.
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Safe Amount of Alcohol to Drink Is Zero
Breaking Cancer Research, Healthy Lifestyles, Prostate Cancer
New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate
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hile it is not considered a serious health issue, an enlarged prostate creates considerable discomfort and can lead to a series of associated problems. This new treatment does not involve any surgery and presents minimal side effects. It is estimated that 50% of men over the age of 60 will show signs of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH), and as time passes, the percentage also increases. BPH happens when the urethra narrows and the bladder needs to exert more pressure leading to the bladder muscle to contract even when it shouldn’t. This results in frequent trips to the bathroom and a constant feeling of uneasiness. An enlarged prostate does not increase the risk or is an indication of cancer, but symptoms can be similar to a regular checkup is recommended. Left untreated, patients can develop some related issues, like bladder stones, infections, damage to kidneys.
New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate
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There is a surgical option that is effective, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but it is often avoided because of possible risks including bleedings and erectile dysfunctions. A breakthrough minimally invasive procedure, called Rezum, could become the new standard. Under local anesthetic, a thin tube is inserted into the urethra, and bursts of steam are directed towards the prostate. This reduces the surrounding tissue and shrinks the gland. This form of therapy offers a quicker recovery, less inconvenience and is comparable with TURP on effectiveness, but with fewer adverse effects. Professor Hashim Ahmed of Hampshire Hospitals, one of the doctors that performed the first interventions, said that “This treatment will not only be a better alternative for men facing a longer procedure with added recovery time but we can also offer to those who are on life-long medication who opted not to have surgery because they were worried about side effects of traditional surgery.”
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New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate
Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention, Thyroid Cancer
Why You Should Start Drinking Chamomile Tea Today
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ature has always provided a helping hand when needed, and it is fascinating to see that even serious diseases with which modern medicine is struggling today, like cancer, could have a more simple answer at hand. Chamomile describes a series of plants similar to daisies that have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties. Going back to ancient Egypt, a cup of tea would be a common remedy for fever, pains or infections, while oils would be used in aromatherapy and embalming. In the present day, chamomile is a typical ingredient for cosmetic products (creams, oils), in cooking recipes (aromatic sweets or drinks) and a number of medications treating anything from the common cold to cardiovascular diseases.
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The most substantial health benefit was highlighted by a 2015 study which suggested that chamomile tea could have a role in reducing the risk of thyroid cancer. Clinical trials were conducted in Greece and involved 113 patients with thyroid cancer, 286 with benign thyroid diseases and a test group of 138 people. The test consisted of drinking one to six cups of tea per week, over the course of several years. Results were surprising and showed that long-term usage was linked with a significant reduction of almost 70 to 80 percent. The article concludes that: “Our findings suggest for the first time that drinking herbal teas, especially chamomile, protects from thyroid cancer as well as other benign thyroid diseases”. It seems that the effect can be attributed to the polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechin which abound in chamomile. The antioxidant elements help the thyroid gland regulate the metabolism and produce thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Chamomile is generally well tolerated, but you should avoid it if you know to have an allergy to plants such as chrysanthemum or marigold. Have a cup of chamomile tea and sleep well, knowing that mother nature is protecting you!
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Why You Should Start Drinking Chamomile Tea Today
Blood Cancer, Leukemia Cancer
Cholesterol-Lowering Drug, Statin, Can Better Blood Cancer Treatments
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eukemia initiates in bone marrow, where blood cells are formed, causing accumulation of abnormal white blood cells. The most common type of blood cancer is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Venetoclax is the drug federally approved which is used to treat blood cancers. Venetoclax activates particular pathways that regulate cell death, hence promoting cancer cell death in CLL. The drug is a better alternative than chemotherapy. However, a recent study, appearing in Science Translational Medicine, reveals that cholesterol-lowering drug, Statin, shows anti-cancer functions against multiple forms of cancer. Statin puts a stop to a specific pathway that reduces cholesterol production in the body, however, this blockage also leads to lowering
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the production of proteins that promote cancer growth. Researchers from the University of California have now conducted an experiment on combining the two drugs, Venetoclax and Statin, to see if it can better the treatment of blood cancer. The combination of Venetoclax and Statin was tested in a cancer cell culture. It was found that this combo can better kill cancer cells than either of them alone. Similar results were observed in a preclinical animal model of lymphoma. Further conducted experiments confirmed which pathways were altered that led to enhance the anti-cancer effect of Venetoclax. Past clinical studies reveal that intake of Statin alongside Venetoclax triggered more response in CLL patients. The findings, therefore, are more supported. The data further shows that Statins can alter the biology of CLL cells in such a way that they are more susceptible to Venetoclax effect. Presence of this clinical data proffers a profound ground upon which further studies will be conducted to better the treatment of blood cancers.
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Cholesterol-Lowering Drug, Statin, Can Better Blood Cancer Treatments
Lung Cancer
Nivolumab Receives FDA Accelerated Approval for Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer
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or the first time, almost after two decades, a new drug has gained FDA approval for treating metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The drug, nivolumab, has been approved for those patients who have not gone through a successful platinum-based chemotherapy or any other type. Nivolumab now is the first ever immuno-oncology drug for this disease. The study that backs up FDA’s approval involves patients who have metastatic or advanced tumors and platinum-based chemotherapy has failed to stop the progression of their cancer. 109 such patients were given 3mg/kg nivolumab, in every two weeks, without any regard to PD-L1 status. Tumor assessment was started six weeks after the
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treatment and subsequent six weeks for six months. Later on, the assessment was done after every 12 weeks. According to the data from Blinded Independent Central Review, 13 patients showed a complete response to the therapy, 12 patients exhibited partial response and 1 patient showed a full response to the therapy. Average response duration was 17.9 months for a patient who showed a response. As for the AEs (adverse events), dyspnea, pneumonitis, pneumonia, dehydration and pleural effusion were noticed in 2% of the patients. Common AEs consisted of constipation, cough, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, low appetite, diarrhea, nausea and fatigue in about 20% of the patient. Keeping the overall response rate in view, FDA gave accelerated approval to the use of Nivolumab. The response duration was also better. Approval will be continued if further supported by future studies.
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Nivolumab Receives FDA Accelerated Approval for Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer
Colorectal Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention
Prevent Colon Cancer with These Six Foods
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part from genetic factor, colon cancer can be kept at bay if you take care of your diet. The risk of this disease increases with age and maintaining a diet benefiting your gut health can protect you. Here are six foods that can push away the risk of colorectal cancer. Recently, a new research has revealed that certain leafy green vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and kale can help prevent colon cancer, regulating the gut’s health. The digestion of these vegetables produces a compound called indole-3-carbinol I3C that lowers inflammation in mice with cancer and lowers the risk of colon cancer in mice altogether. This compound decreased the number of tumors in mice with colon cancer.
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Cheese is commonly regarded as not so healthy food; however, its moderate intake can do wonders for your health. It has a rich content of calcium and good calcium level is known to lower colon cancer risk. Adding a slice of cheese into your sandwich can benefit your gut. A diet which is high in whole grains also lowers the risk of colon cancer. Brown rice, whole wheat bread instead of white bread, pastas can lower the risk of colon cancer. In contrast, a diet containing processed meats and red meat increases the risk of colon cancer. Lycopene is a phytochemical known to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Tomatoes and tomatoes containing products like ketchup contains lycopene. Adding few tomatoes in your sandwich or salad can cut away the risk of colon cancer. It effectively inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells. Fish such as salmon and mackerel have a compound called Omega-3s that lowers the risk of colon cancer. Patients of colon cancer ingesting salmon or mackerel can actually diminish the possibility of dying from this disease. Swap that piece of red meat steak with a good piece of salmon and help your body fight colon cancer! Lastly, food with higher content of fiber can keep colon cancer at bay. Especially, kidney beans and legumes are full of fiber, lowering colon cancer risk. Beans are thought to prevent any form of tumors producing in the colorectal area. Hence, a diet rich in these six foods can help you fight colorectal cancer and make your gut healthier than ever.
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Prevent Colon Cancer with These Six Foods
Blood Cancer, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer
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xisting cancer blood tests utilize antibodies that can bind to various kinds of cell surface proteins associated with cancer. Not all cancers have such markers and the biggest difficulty in the field of oncology is the accuracy of determining the stage at which the cancer is. However, a new research by Danish researchers can turn the tables around. The method of detection pertains to a 2015 discovery, according to which, a protein produced by malarial parasite, can stick to cell-surface cancer cells whose occurrence is observed in 95% cancer types. Applying this concept in the laboratory, they infused a magnetic bead into a synthetically made malarial protein known as rVAR2 and released it into a blood sample. Remarkably, the protein
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bound to the malignant circulating tumor cells (CTCs) only and the researchers were able to isolate tumors from healthy cells through a magnet. Repetitive studies are required to demonstrate the results further, however, published in Nature Communications, the results of the research claim to not only detect cancer at stage 1 (before it spreads) but at any other stage. It may also detect the phase in which cells of the primary tumor transform into an invasive migratory mode, yet to settle into secondary tumor formation. This phase otherwise is very hard to detect. Metastatic cancer causes about 90 percent of death due to cancer (7.4 million people worldwide). Lead author, Ali Salanti, claims that this method can detect a substantial number of cancer cells than any existing test. The researchers conducted the experiment on prostate, colorectal, breast, lung cancers, osteosarcoma and melanoma cell lines. The protein was found to stick to all cancer cell types, bypassing healthy cells, particularly in liver, lung and pancreatic cancer cases. When 10 isolated pancreatic cancer cells were added into multiple healthy blood samples containing about 25 billion RBCs and 35 million WBCs, rVAR2 caught 8 to 9 cancer cells each time. Salanti adds that based upon the number of tumor cells their method catches, it would be easy to tell whether a cancer is aggressive or not and respective treatment could be given as soon as possible. Having conducted the experiment with successful results in a large pool of pancreatic cancer patients, hopefully, this new cancer blood test is hoped to serve as the most efficient form of detecting cancer at any stage!
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Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer
Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment
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recent ongoing study has tested Mesothelin-targeted (CAR) T-cell Therapy and it showed efficacy within the phase one of the trial, in patients with mesothelioma, pleural disease, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer. Followed by PD-1 checkpoint inhibition treatment showed better results with hard-to-treat solid tumors. The results have been announced at American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 2018 Annual Meeting. Mesothelin is a beneficial therapeutic target as its presence is not observed on normal mesothelial cells. It is a cell-surface antigen that helps in differentiating tumors and is present in many cancers such as pancreatic, lung, pleural, breast, ovarian and mesothelioma itself.
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13 patients have been treated in the phase 1 trial of the study, infused with mesothelin targeted iCasM28z CAR T-cell therapy. Single doses varying from 3×105 cells/kg to 1×107 cells/kg of CAR T-cell therapy were given across six cohorts. The cohort from 2 to 6 was also preconditioned with 1.5 g/m2 intravenous cyclophosphamide. 11 out of 13 patients are alive still. One patient out of the 10 which received cyclophosphamide showed a full metabolic response and one other patient showed a partial response. Three of these patients had stabilized the disease. 8 out of the 10 patients had CAR t-cells in their peripheral blood. Clinical AEs (adverse events) included pleuritis, pericarditis and peritonitis with 1 patient developing grade 3 febrile neutropenia induced by cyclophosphamide. Based on the preclinical evidence, 6 patients were treated with subsequent PD-L1/PD-1 checkpoint inhibition treatment. All of these patients are still alive at the data cutoff. One of these 6 patients showed a full metabolic response, two experienced partial response, one acquired stabilized disease, with 2 patients experiencing progressive disease. Five of these patients didn’t undergo any following therapies with the presence of CAR T-cell still observed in their peripheral blood. No serious AEs exceeding grade 2 have been noticed following anti-PD-1 Therapy. The efficacy of this treatment has been pointed out in 73-years old mesothelioma patient by Abdusumilli (principal investigator in the study). He received 3×105 cells/kg dose of iCasM28z CAR T-cell therapy with cyclophosphamide, followed by Keytruda. He has experienced full metabolic response with the presence of CAR T-cells in peripheral blood and tissue even by the end of 32 weeks. The patient has not undergone any subsequent treatments even after approximately a year. Hence, this therapy portrays early signs of efficacy in the treatment of cancers with mesothelin tumor-differentiation antigen.
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Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment
Brain Cancer
Additional Inhibitor Could Reduce Brain Cancer Resistance to Treatment
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esistance to treatment is one of the biggest issues when treating glioblastoma. The addition of a new inhibitor to the process could make the tumors far more susceptible to treatment and drastically improve success rates. According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, more than 24,000 new cases of malignant glioblastoma are discovered each year in the United States, making it one of the most common primary brain tumors. Because of its aggressive nature, the median survival rate for patients is just 14 months, so finding better therapy courses is a priority. One current treatment option recommended for brain cancer works by effectively preventing the tumor from accessing blood vessels by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thus cutting off its supply of energy and oxygen. Additional Inhibitor Could Reduce Brain Cancer Resistance to Treatment
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Initial results were somewhat underwhelming until researchers identified another platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) that was being used by the tumor to protect itself. The cancer was mutating the endothelial cells, making them resistant to anti-VEGF therapies. Inhibiting this PDGF/NF-κB/Snail pathway stopped the tumor endothelial cells from transforming, rendering the cancer vulnerable. “This could be the key to solving the biggest problem in the field of anti-vascular cancer therapies,” said assistant professor of Radiation Oncology at Penn Yi Fan, MD, Ph.D. “Tumors are highly resistant to anti-VEGF therapies alone, but our study shows the flaw is in the current treatment, not the concept itself”. The study opens up some very promising opportunities and could become an important stepping stone for new and improved cancer treatment therapies
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Additional Inhibitor Could Reduce Brain Cancer Resistance to Treatment
Breaking Cancer Research, Prostate Cancer
Adelaide Researchers Looking for Better Treatment for Prostate Cancer
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r. Luke Selth and Professor Lisa Butler, University of Adelaide’s Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health, struggle to find better treatments with accurate tools to efficiently diagnose prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most frequent non-skin-based cancer, affecting more than 18,000 Australian men and taking 3000 lives each year. Luke and his team are focusing on two areas of prostate cancer. One of these is Androgen Receptor (AR) that mainly drives prostate cancer growth. The effort to study this area more is due to the fact that only survival benefiting therapies are available which do not actually kill the cancer. The second area is microRNAs which, according to Luke, promote and inhibit metastasis; they have the ability to prevent the process and can be used as markers of aggressive prostate cancer due to their leakage in the blood from the tumors. Adelaide Researchers Looking for Better Treatment for Prostate Cancer
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Thompson, 76-years old prostate cancer patient, talks about radiation and hormone therapy that caused him serious side effects. He discusses how the problem with prostate cancer is that no such technology has been established that can detect whether the cancer is aggressive or passive, and lack of that knowledge makes the treatment difficult. Thompson’s friend, Priori, has also undergone the same treatment but he faces mild side effects, with weight gain from hormone therapy as the major problem, even though he actively rides his bike. Professor Butler focuses her research on finding new medical tests that can provide more information about the progress of the cancer when it is first diagnosed. Options for treatments are limited with most patients being treated in the same manner. The goal of these tests is to provide the right treatment at the right time. Butler and her team focus on molecules called “lipids”, instead of microRNAs, which can indicate aggressiveness of prostate cancer as well as lifestyle impact on diet and obesity. Both researchers admit that a lot of advanced discoveries and therapies are coming forth in the past five years of research. These breakthroughs indicate the progress of understanding how to treat prostate cancer. Multiple treatment options are being developed. Seth claims to have seen the most aggressive state of this disease being treated with substantial improvements. This motivates Seth to be strongly devoted to the research because, for him, it genuinely impacts “patients and society”. Such continuous research will surely bring more profound results.
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Adelaide Researchers Looking for Better Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Blood Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research
Innovative Genetic Testing Service to Help Cancer Patients
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partnership program between Pathology Queensland and Metro South Hospital and Health Service is offering a breakthrough genetic service meant to improve medical care for cancer patients.
At the new Australian Translational Genomics Centre (ATGC), researchers have identified and classified genetic mutations in 100 patients suffering from blood cancer. They are hoping that data collected from examining exome sequencing will help doctors make a better prognosis and suggest the likely response for the different treatment options. “For 75 percent of patients the genetic mutations that were identified could inform doctors about how the patients would respond to particular treatments for their cancers, allowing personalised
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treatment to improve patient outcomes and avoid procedures not likely to be effective”, according to the press release. This type of next-generation DNA testing has proven to be very effective especially for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, which combined represent the third largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia. Professor Matt Brown, ATGC Director, noted that “in 60 percent of all the blood cancer patients tested, clinically informative genetic mutations were identified that had not been picked up by current standard genetic testing”. The technology is also being used to help doctors determine if a leukemia patient requires a bone marrow transplant or not. Dr. Brown added that “Queensland already has outstanding clinical services for blood cancer patients, and our testing has given these expert clinicians guidance as to how to provide the best possible treatment for blood cancer patients in three out of four patients tested”. The program is expanding and scientists hope to apply this sort of diagnostic tool for other types of cancer as well.
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Innovative Genetic Testing Service to Help Cancer Patients
Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot
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eets have been long known to have amazing health benefits by serving as nutritional sources of natural foods. However, in the recent times, more than ever, beetroots have been scientifically proven to have additional nutritional values and can help in the prevention of cancer. Labeled as “beetroot chemotherapy” after research by some health experts, the scientific research finds that there have been surprising cases of remission in the cancer patients who were asked to consume beetroot on a daily basis. Beetroot is a famous root vegetable – with its characteristic red color. The vegetable is also rich in various nutrients including potassium, manganese, iron, sulfur, magnesium, phosphorus, and several other minerals. In addition to the nutrition importance, the additional
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combination of certain elements along with specific concentrations – helps in the prevention of cancer. Beetroots are low-calorie foods that are full of nutrients. The overall health benefits of beetroots are extensive. The vegetable is also rich in antioxidants which can help in reducing the risks of chronic diseases including dementia, heart diseases, type2 diabetes, and even cancer. The potassium in the vegetable plays a vital role in the regulation of blood pressure. As with other plant foods, the team of researchers has examined the potential impact of beet inflammation. It was discovered that beetroot has anti-inflammatory effects and thus, reduces the risks of heart diseases, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment caused by free radicals. However, more research is required in the field to understand the effects of beetroot in supplementing the overall human health. As beets are vegetables that are completely healthy to consume, one of the biggest advantages to cancer-fighting from beetroots is that you do not have to worry about any side effects while including this in your daily lifestyle. Beets have been long known to have amazing health benefits by serving as nutritional sources of natural foods. However, in the recent times, more than ever, beetroots have been scientifically proven to have additional nutritional values and can help in the prevention of cancer. Labeled as “beetroot chemotherapy” after research by some health experts, the scientific research finds that there have been surprising cases of remission in the cancer patients who were asked to consume beetroot on a daily basis. Beetroot is a famous root vegetable – with its characteristic red color. The vegetable is also rich in various nutrients including potassium, manganese, iron, sulfur, magnesium, phosphorus, and several other minerals. In addition to the nutrition importance, the additional combination of certain elements along with specific concentrations – helps in the prevention of cancer. Beetroots are low-calorie foods that are full of nutrients. The overall health benefits of beetroots are extensive. The vegetable is also rich in
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Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot
antioxidants which can help in reducing the risks of chronic diseases including dementia, heart diseases, type2 diabetes, and even cancer. The potassium in the vegetable plays a vital role in the regulation of blood pressure. As with other plant foods, the team of researchers has examined the potential impact of beet inflammation. It was discovered that beetroot has anti-inflammatory effects and thus, reduces the risks of heart diseases, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment caused by free radicals. However, more research is required in the field to understand the effects of beetroot in supplementing the overall human health. As beets are vegetables that are completely healthy to consume, one of the biggest advantages to cancer-fighting from beetroots is that you do not have to worry about any side effects while including this in your daily lifestyle.
Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot
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Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer
Cancer-Targeted Immunotherapy for Offering Protection Against Metastases
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team of medical scientists at the VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology has recently taken remedial steps towards the development of the cancer-targeted immunotherapy for offering protection against metastases. The research team has been successful in developing a treatment in mice that can successfully destroy a part of the tumor. In addition to this, the new form of cancer-targeted treatment will also help in stimulating the body’s immune system for attacking persistent cancer surviving cells. The team of researchers has demonstrated that the treatment would also provide protection against the development of tumor formation in other parts of the body as well. The results of the research have been published in Nature Communications. Treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy are effective in destroying the cancer cells. However, these treatments also tend to
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Cancer-Targeted Immunotherapy for Offering Protection Against Metastases
destroy the healthy cells of the human body. Developing on the given knowledge, the team of researchers went forward with looking for an effective way to provoke necroptosis in the cancer cells. Thus, this will help in teaching the healthy immune system of the body to fight against the disease by attacking the tumor cells. The team of researchers went ahead with exploring “MLKL” – a type of protein that plays a vital role in the process of necroptosis for the purpose of the research goal. The leading member of the research team stated that they have been successful in developing the cancer-targeted immune therapy that can cause a part of the cancer cells to generate the MLKL protein and then, activate the body’s immune system. This will attack the tumor cells that must have survived after the initial treatment. The given cancer-targeted research of treatments not only inhibits the growth of primary tumors but will also offer protection against disseminated and untreated tumors.
Cancer-Targeted Immunotherapy for Offering Protection Against Metastases
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Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Cures, Leukemia Cancer
Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach First Time in 40 Years
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cute leukemia happens to be one of the most aggressive forms of cancer out there. While other forms of cancer might have received the benefits of some type of cure & treatments, there has not been any positive news when it comes to the patients having acute leukemia – until now! In new research, the team of researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has come up with the all-new biological drug that can help in treating leukemia. Professor Yinon Ben-Neriah along with his research team at the university has developed the biological drug that has been tested positive for around 50 percent of the lab mice tests having acute myeloid leukemia. Myeloid leukemia is responsible for producing a high quantity of the specific type of proteins – together they form up the leukemic
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Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years
cells that promote rapid growth and eventually death protection from treatments like chemotherapy. Until now, most of the biological drugs for treating acute leukemia had been targeting only the individual leukemic proteins. However, in the latest “targeted therapy” treatments, most of the leukemic cells rapidly activated the other subsequent proteins for blocking the drug. The result was that the leukemic cells became resistant to the drugs and this led to the renewal of the disease. However, the all-new biological drug developed by the team of researchers led by Ben-Neriah functions like a group bomb. It is known for attacking several leukemic cells at a time. Thus, it makes it difficult for the leukemic cells to reactivate the other proteins that could evade the therapy. In addition to this, the drug also accomplishes the task of 2-3 individual drugs – reducing the exposure of the cancer patients to additional treatments and the unnecessary need for dealing with the potential side effects
Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Benefits of Having Carrots Everyday
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ibrant orange carrots are much healthier than you expected when you consume it on a daily basis. A lifestyle with “a carrot a day” can help in the prevention of several diseases and promote healthy nutrition all over. Carrots are known to lower the risk of heart attack, reduce cholesterol levels, reduce the signs of premature aging, improve vision significantly, and also help in the prevention of various types of cancers – a recent study suggests. In addition to these nutritional benefits, when you eat carrots on a daily basis, it can also help in improving the quality of skin, improving digestion, boosting the immune system, detoxifying the body, boosting oral health, and protecting from a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Carrots are low in calories and contain no fat. To top it all, they are responsible for supplying significant doses of essential vitamins & minerals to the body. While they might be immensely beneficial on
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Benefits of Having Carrots Everyday
their own, carrots also contain mild flavor that makes them a versatile nutritional component to be added to several types of delicious recipes. Daucus Carrots are the most common types of vegetables that are grown across the world. The carrots are also utilized in a wide range of delicious dishes and cuisines all over the world. The major benefits of the carrots could be contributed to the presence of fiber and betacarotene content. Carrots are also good sources of vitamins A, K, C, B8, antioxidants, potassium, folate, iron, copper, and manganese. Carrot oil is considered great for hair & skin. Carrots also have antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help in boosting the overall immune system of the body. So, next time you are craving for some snack time, why not grab these healthy, fresh veggies for optimum health?
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Blood Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research
A Recent Ground-Breaking Study Could Minimize the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy
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ar T-cell immunotherapy has shown results where it has cleaned swept the diseases in terminal cases, however, still, there are cases where there are not successes and patients still suffer some fatal side effects. Hopefully, a study conducted by Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center might eradicate these side effects and look into differing aspects of these treatments. Researchers examined the two main parts of CAR T-cell therapy; the T-cells of the patients that fight against the disease and a synthetic CAR (chimeric antigen receptor), fed into those T-cells to assist them finding and destroying cancer cells, through the process of signaling. Dr. Stan Riddell, Fred Hutch’s immunotherapy research center’s leader, says that the mechanism of this signaling by the receptors is learned in
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A Recent Ground-Breaking Study Could Minimize the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy
the study, as this has not been previously understood well. Dr. Riddell along with Dr. Amanda Paulovich (mass spectrometry expert) and Alex Salter examined and compared two different molecules used in CAR T therapy, CD28 and 4-1BB. Previously scientist thought that these molecules influenced the behavior of the treatment because they used different proteins for signaling. However, this is not the case. Salter from this study mentions that the difference of behavior of the treatments originates from the two receptor molecules themselves. They vary in the speed and strength of their signaling. 4-1BB emits a weaker and slower signal in contrast to CD28 emitting a faster and stronger signal. Surprisingly, the stronger and faster receptor CD28 performs worse than 4-1 BB when they were observed in mice with lymphoma. CD28 had a strong anti-tumor action in the start but it receded as it exhausted the T-cells. Whereas 4-1 BB did not exhaust the T-cells and they retained their function. CD28 also leads to higher level of cytokines due to its rapid signaling, which may have adverse side effects. Salter modified CD28 CAR to weaken its signal, increasing the effectiveness of treatment by nulling the side effects. This design should be followed in future CAR treatments, Salter says. Understanding the mechanism of the CAR T treatment can reveal more effective ways to tune the therapy to work better for the patients. This way CAR T-cell therapies could become safer for people with the passage of time and study.
A Recent Ground-Breaking Study Could Minimize the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy
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Cancer, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer
Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!
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ne of the most traumatic experiences of life is to be diagnosed with cancer. For long, the news of cancer development was synonyms to a death sentence. But, now, science is shifting this cruel course of life towards hope and optimism for healthy survival. Now, various studies have come across with better treatments and diagnostic tests that are revolutionizing the field of oncology. Developments in immunotherapy and many alternatives to chemotherapy itself are coming forth. Researches are being conducted to minimize the side effects of anti-cancer drugs. Many cancers are now treatable and sensitive cancers like lung and ovarian cancers have seen better treatments. Cancer’s power to dissipate the quality of patients’ lives is now being taken away. Over the past decade, numerous breakthroughs have
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Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!
come forth with good results, that allows the patients to spend more quality time with friends and families. The quest for beating cancer is continuously active in science and research. With these good researchers constantly trying to better results at our backs, we have hope for a bright future for patients. We have heard a lot of the severity of cancers but now, it is being replaced by daily news of better treatments and recommendations. There are now so many cases where patients have beaten terminal stages of cancer. With this in mind, taking a cancer diagnosis as a death call is the last thing we should do. We need to research by ourselves about various alternatives for each type of cancer, interact with more patients who have made it through cancer, ask our doctors to fill us in more about dietary and exercise routines that could lower cancer, maintain our mental peace with hope for a good future. No one is simply alone in the battle against cancer now. Scientists and doctors throughout the world are struggling to improve life for such patients. Families and friends across the globe are there to lend support and care. It is true that now we have the ability to curb cancer and fight against it in a way that hasn’t been precedented before. We are more experienced, more knowledgeable, stronger and more hopeful!
Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!
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Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention
Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level
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H (potential of hydrogen) is a scale from 0-14 through which we measure acidity or alkalinity of the body. The 0-6 range indicates that a substance is acidic and a range of 8-14 indicates that a substance is basic (alkaline). The maintenance of pH levels slightly inclining more towards basicity (approximately 7.35 pH) is considered to be optimum for the transfer of oxygen in the body. However, our certain life choices can deplete the alkalinity of our body, without which acidity increases, causing acidosis. Poor eating habits, alcohol consumption, more intake of antibiotics, artificial food colors and flavors, a higher level of sodium and preservatives can cause this depletion. Sleeping habits, excessive exercise routine, pollution, chemical and radiation exposure, chronic stress conditions can affect the basicity of our body as well.
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Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level
The excess of acid in our body gets stored in body tissues, deteriorating their shape and function with time. It oxidizes arteries and veins, harming them. Organs and cell walls also get harmed, even making the blood acidic. For the removal of acid from the blood, the body deposit it into cells, making them toxic and acidic. Many of these cells die whereas many times, these toxic cells do not die but adapt to the new acidic environment, thus becoming abnormal and malignant. These malignant cells do not respond to DNA memory code or brain truncation hence they divide and grow more without any order. These growing cells become cancerous and cause the body to become more acidic. Cancer thrives in an acidic environment according to many kinds of research, in fact, pH levels of the body can indicate the likelihood of a person getting cancer. Making the body alkaline is one of the major fighting tools against cancer, which can take months if cancer has already developed. Hence, changing lifestyle could help lower the risk of cancer. Alkalinity can be increased by modifying your diet with leafy green vegetables, avocados, Brussel sprouts and wheatgrass. The omission of refined sugars, processed carbohydrates can help you achieve optimum pH level. Alkali dietary supplements can be taken, only as per your physician’s advice. To lower stress levels, yoga and meditation can help. Exercise can also help, although over exercise boosts the production of adrenaline and cortisol which can produce acids in turn. Hence maintaining a balance of lifestyle, diet and mental health could keep you safe from the risk of cancer.
Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level
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Breaking Cancer Research, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer
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ustralian scientists claim to have developed a breakthrough blood test that can detect skin cancer in the early stages and considerably improve patient outcome.
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer and the rate of incidence is currently on the rise. While the ozone layer shields against most of the harmful UV rays coming from the Sun, continued exposure and a history of sunburns increase the risk considerably. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 130.000 new cases are discovered each year. There are a number of testing methods currently used, including visual examination (usually with using dermoscopy) or reflectance confocal microscopy, though not always reliable. Even the most trusted way of taking a skin sample for biopsy cannot detect melanoma in the initial stages and can be quite uncomfortable and expensive. A team from the Melanoma Research Group at Edith Cowan University in Perth, lead by Professor Mel Ziman, has announced
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Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer
that it has developed a routine blood test that improves melanoma screening. Following a trial that involved 209 participants, the test was able to correctly pick up early-stage melanoma in 81.5 percent of cases. Their approach takes advantages of the fact that the body starts producing auto-antibodies at the first signs of abnormal cell production. If identified soon, melanoma has a high survival rate, upwards of 90%, though the chances drop dramatically for patients with later stages. At the moment, the test can only detect this type of skin cancer, but doctors hope that these sort of advances will also create awareness and people will be more inclined to have regular checks.
Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer
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Brain Cancer
Experimental Dog Treatment Could Save Human Lives
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he incredible survival story of one dog could become the source for a new brain cancer treatment for humans.
Emily is a 10-year-old Portuguese water dog and she was diagnosed with brain cancer at the beginning of the year. Her owner, Laura Kamienski, felt devastated upon hearing the news but was not yet ready to just give on her longtime friend. Even though treatment options for glioblastoma are very limited when it comes to animals, Laura did not lose hope and when she heard about the medical trials at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, she knew they had to try. The procedure was risky and involved injecting the drug directly into the tumor, in order to protect as much of the healthy tissue as possible.
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Experimental Dog Treatment Could Save Human Lives
Dr. John Rossmeisl, a neurologist at Virginia Tech, explained that every step of the proceeding is carefully monitored on the MRI to ensure the drug covers all of the tumors and the patient’s vitals are within normal levels. The results were so spectacular that the National Institutes of Health are now helping with the funding for the trial and are closely following the situation. Six weeks after the surgery, Emily is back to her old self. Subsequent MRI scans have shown that the tumors have shrunk and are dying off, and Laura is happy and grateful to have her friend healthy. While the treatment does not represent a cure, it could be an important step ahead in cancer treatment. Scientists are currently looking at ways of improving the method, and maybe one day, mirror the results with human trials.
Experimental Dog Treatment Could Save Human Lives
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Breaking Cancer Research, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
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team of researchers at UNSW Sydney & the California Institute of Biomedical Research (CALIBR) has found out success with an all-new, revolutionary cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. A new scientific way of providing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer by making use of “killer cells” has shown immense hope & promise in the field of medical science. The treatment has been conducted on mice and has been found to be completely cancer-free by getting rid of the cancer cells that might have already spread to lungs & liver. In the given study, the team of researchers took pancreatic cancer cells from the patients who were in the later stages of the disease. Then, the researchers transplanted the cancer cells into mice. After this, the team went forward with taking
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Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
the immune cells of the patient and modifying them for specifically identifying and eliminating the tumor cells. This is the reason such immune cells are referred to as CAR-T cells or “educative killer cells.” Professor Chris Heeschen stated that after the injection of the educative killer or CAR-T cells into mice, the team was able to find the cancer cells in the body, stick to the same with the help of surface markers, and then, eventually destroy the tumor cells. The treatment has been found to be so effective that the mice went cancer-free completely. In addition to finding great hop for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer in the coming times, the team of researchers was also successful in introducing a new, revolutionary technology allowing the researchers to control the activity of the killer or CAR-T cells completely.
Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
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Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Prevention
Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed
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ost people are aware of the health risks associated with smoking – increased chance of developing cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, diabetes, arthritis, a wide number of forms of cancer, to name a few. Just because occasional smokers have fewer cigarettes on average, doesn’t mean that they are safe from contracting these complications. Reports from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) paint a more troubling picture than previously believed. The latest article highlights some staggering statistics regarding occasional smokers: “smoking only about one cigarette per day carries almost half the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke when compared to smoking 20 cigarettes per day”. This seems to correlate with a
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Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed
previous report coming from Norway suggesting that occasional smokers had a 38% higher mortality rate compared to non-smokers. When it comes to lung cancer, the same release mentions that “women between 35 and 49 years of age who smoke 1 – 4 cigarettes a day are five times more likely to develop lung cancer when compared with non – smokers. In men, the risk is threefold”. The stats are particularly worrying for Ireland, where it is estimated that about one in five adult smokers does so occasionally. Furthermore, occasional smokers are more likely to smoke in social situations, especially when there is also alcohol involved. When it comes to countermeasures, the RCPI Policy Group on Tobacco stated that the most effective way of deterring from smoking is tobacco taxation. For every 1% increase in tax, there is an approximate 0.4% reduction in smokers. Reducing smoking-related health risks is a priority in the 21st century, especially considering that the average smoker loses about 10 quality years of life because of smoking.
Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed
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Cancer, Lung Cancer
Clubbed Nails May Indicate Lung Cancer
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t is a common practice among people that if they notice any kind of strange symptom, like an unusual lump, a rough hoarse voice, any sort of foreign body sensation, a long-lasting pimple, they go to see their physician as soon as possible. However, clubbing of the nails caused by the swelling of the fingertips is one symptom that might not be taken seriously whereas it can be an indicator of chronic diseases, specifically, lung cancer. A woman, JeanJeannie Williams Taylor, from the United Kingdom recently posted an image of her clubbed nail on social media and surprisingly, she found out it is a symptom of lung cancer. She had asked her followers if such a nail was seen by anyone and consequently, she was urged by one follower to go for a thorough checkup. The advice appeared a “tad extreme” for her, however, she took it and went for a checkup.
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Clubbed Nails May Indicate Lung Cancer
She went through a series of tests; chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan, Bloodwork, MRI scan and lung biopsy. After two weeks, Taylor got her diagnosis results which revealed she had cancer in both lungs. Taylor had no idea that clubbed nails could be associated with lung cancer. She hopes to spread awareness regarding this unusual symptom for other people who might be going through some stage of lung cancer. “Clubbed nails”, however, are seen as a red flag in the medical community. Clubbed nails indicate that the patient has some kind of lung disease or a heart disease or gastrointestinal disease. Dr. Eric Presser, an MD, thoracic surgeon, further adds that these nails can indicate pulmonary fibrosis, malabsorption (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), mesothelioma or any such health conditions. Dilation of blood vessels can also cause curving of the nail-bed. This symptom does not necessarily point towards chronic diseases always, in fact, many cases tend to be benign. With these results in mind, it is a major requirement to keep your body conditions tuned in. If any such change like “clubbed nails” appears in your body, instantly, contact your doctor.
Clubbed Nails May Indicate Lung Cancer
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Alternative Cancer Treatments, Bladder Cancer, Lung Cancer
Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments!
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arol Armstrong has fought with cancer for about twenty years to the point when her cancer was announced to be incurable. She was given just few months to live and the family had been distraught with this result. However, Carol and her family, refused to give up and took to look for any other remedy possible. Carol was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer, which she managed to live with through regular checkups and hospital visits. Carol claims that the cancer never limited her. Even though her doctors had termed her cancer to be low-grade, that it would not go out of the bladder, a routine check-up conducted previous year revealed the presence of tumors in her left lung. The tumor was in the near vicinity of the heart and thus, it was almost impossible to operate on it. As a result, Carol was given three to twelve months to live. This utterly shocked the whole family.
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Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments!
However, Carol’s husband, Rob Armstrong and her four daughters did not accept any form of defeat, they struggled to find some alternative treatment and scoured through the internet. Their research paid off and they came across Japan. They contacted the best of the best doctors, Professor Hiroshi Terunuma, from Biotherapy Institute of Japan, with the help of an Australian cancer navigation specialist. Within a week, Carol was in Japan for her first appointment. In Japan, she went though proton beam therapy and several immunotherapy cell treatments. After, going through proton beam therapy (targeted radiation treatment), white blood cells were injected into her which were taken and stored before. After three treatments, her tumors reduced to the size of 28mm from 37mm. It is reduced to such a point now that it is barely detectable, with no other signs of cancer in her body. Carol Armstrong and her husband believe that the medical treatment should fill in the patients more about alternative solutions. As far as the cost of the treatment is concerned, Armstrong said it was a low sixfigure sum which could have been five-figure, if weren’t for travelling expenses. In short, the couple deem overseas cancer treatment to be within the realm of possibility. The lesson from Carol Armstrong story is that even in most hopeless of cases, we should struggle to look for alternative treatments and not give up in any case.
Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments!
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Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention
Avoiding Getting Tattoos Lowers Cancer Risk
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uropean Union’s watchdog claims that ingredients used in making tattoos’ ink can cause cancer. A vote for restriction on about 4,000 chemicals is required of the member states. Given the statistics, 12% of Europeans have tattoos, mostly appearing among ages from 18 to 35. Tattoos constitute permanent ingredients that can cause any harmful effect in a lifespan. The major concern is the lack of jurisdiction over what actually goes into the tattoos, the ingredients bought from various chains of suppliers to distributors and then to parlors. No standardized requirement is issued upon them across the EU. According to Tony Raita, from Finnish Tattooist Association, the cheap ink ingredients being imported from China can be a potential problem, users mostly do not know what goes into their inks and that can be really dangerous.
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Avoiding Getting Tattoos Lowers Cancer Risk
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has taken hold on the lack of regulation regarding the ink chemicals in tattoos and announced in October that restriction will be issued on dangerous chemicals, both in tattoos and permanent makeup. ECHA report does not give evidence of any direct link between tattoo ink and cancer, apart from some examples of carcinogenic chemicals used in the ink. A study published in Scientific Reports in 2017 proved the presence of tattoo ink’s pigment particles in the lymph nodes of the patients, which are crucial filtering points for the body’s immune system. The long-term effect of these pigments on cancer is not yet tracked. According to Dr. Hiram Castillo-Michel, the author of the study, they do not make an appearance until years or decades and linking them to tattoos is difficult; it would require tracking large cohorts for decades for deriving epidemiological data that can guide us regarding the link between cancer and tattoo ingredients. So far, skin cancer has been also less associated with tattoos. Only 50 examples of such skin cancers on tattoos have been found out, that too, after extensive research through medical literature, according to the authors of a 2012 review in the Lancet Oncology medical journal. The association thus so far is coincidental. Hence, people looking to get tattoos or have tattoos should inquire more about the ink ingredients in the tattoos and contact their doctors regarding any side effects or infections. To avoid cancer risk, they should avoid getting one.
Avoiding Getting Tattoos Lowers Cancer Risk
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Hope Stories, Ovarian Cancer
Carol Neufeld’s, A Cancer Fighter, Inspirational Story
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oming 28th August, a persistent cancer fighter, Carol Neufeld, will be battling with ovarian cancer for 10 years. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, she like most of the patients, could not believe what she had was severe and when she was briefed with treatment options, all she could think was, “What’s the use.” She continued her fight though, went into remission after chemotherapy that lasted 18 months. The next round of chemo, called Doxel, made her feel like she was scorched under her arms and legs. Her battle continued, and with it, she resolutely fought. But among all these hardships, Carol found a purpose in helping other people. She found more meaning in what she had than what she had not, she claimed to be yet blessed with her husband, her children, her grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. She believes she is blessed to have God, to have the doctor she met at her initial
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Carol Neufeld’s, A Cancer Fighter, Inspirational Story
treatments. She projects this positivity in her wish, “I’d pray that I could bring somebody hope.” The beautiful memories Carol recalls are the conversations during her treatments she had with her fellow patients, to whom she listened, she provided them hope and inspiration. She misses those treatments because of what good she made out of it, and whenever, she goes back, she meets everyone she knows and even those she does not. She is a free happy spirit, when she goes around, offering hugs and hope to all she comes across. Carol recalls the people of her community at the church who still pray for her, through teary eyes. She derives immense strength from their support and prayers. Carol believes cancer has changed her life and has made her a fighter, an “energizer bunny” who refuses to quit! She recalls how she founds mirth in playing with her grandkids and greatgrandkids. How she would grow out her hair with a hopeful outlook on her future to come. Carol’s source of inspiration comes from her youngest son who was diagnosed with cancer as a young adult, who is a survivor for 16 years now. Carol prays that she sees each of her children graduate, marry and see her great-grandchildren, with whom she has been blessed. She is a strong believer and even looks forward to the home she believes she will have in heaven. Her hope apparently has no boundaries and so should not yours!
Reference: http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/doxil.aspx
Carol Neufeld’s, A Cancer Fighter, Inspirational Story
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Alternative Cancer Treatments, Cancer, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Stomach Cancer
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor
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or David Wolfe, the same radiation treatment that saved his life more than 10 years prior was now seriously affecting his health and threatening to permanently confine him to a wheelchair. In pain and out of options, he agreed to take part in an alternative form of therapy. In 2002 David was diagnosed with anal cancer. He followed the standard radiation treatment at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and was declared healthy. With this terrible event behind him, he picked up the pieces and for almost a decade lived a normal life. Everything changed in early 2013 when he started experiencing hip pains. At first, the 55-year-old blamed aging and decided to tone
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor
down his usual five-mile runs, but the symptoms were getting worse. Numbness, cramps, weakness and shooting pains made his existence a continuous nightmare, to the point that he could barely stand and even sitting was a challenge. For three long years, David was desperate for answers. In the end, he found out the cause of pains – radiation-induced injuries from his cancer treatment. Dr. Michael Stubblefield from the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, a leading expert in radiation fibrosis syndrome, explained that during his treatment, the DNA from cells located in his abdomen and pelvis was damaged and they began producing fibrin. The protein has a role in clotting and started to obstruct circulation to ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Ironically enough, it was James Metz, one of the oncologists that first handled his case in 2002, that recommended to him hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Originally designed to help deep-sea divers suffering decompression sickness, and to combat carbon monoxide poisoning, the controversial treatment has been used to treat all sorts of conditions, from cancer to syphilis, with mixed results. Up to six hours a day, for sixty days straight, David spent inhaling pure oxygen. The results were astonishing. After a few weeks, he was able to give up the pain medication and eventually was fit enough to go back to a full-time job. His amazing recovery is a lesson of will and should remind everyone to never give up, no matter how hard the situation seems to be.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor
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Breast Cancer, Cancer Breakthroughs
China approves Breakthrough Therapy Drug for Breast Cancer
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n July 31st, the China National Drug Administration (CNDA) has approved the use of IBRANCE (palbociclib), a cyclindependent Kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor designed for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Cancer is slowly becoming the leading cause of death at a global level, and unfortunately, China is one of the countries that has the worst statistics. Among the approximately 270.000 new breast cancer cases discovered each year, the mortality rate is close to 25%. Because of lack of awareness and limited testing facilities, about one-tenth of patients are diagnosed in the latter stages, meaning fewer treatment options are available. Early breast cancer patients that undergo therapy
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China approves Breakthrough Therapy Drug for Breast Cancer
still have between thirty and forty percent chance of recurrence and possibly developing advanced breast cancer. The introduction of IBRANCE is hoped to be just the first step in a series of new personalized treatments. Palbociclib is an oral inhibitor that targets the CDKs 4 and 6 regulators, known cancer indicators, disrupting the proliferation of tumor cells. Tests that involved IBRANCE in combination with letrozole, conducted on patients with HR+/HER2-, resulted in median PFS of 24.8 months, a considerable improvement from what standard courses offered, just 14.5 months. The drug was already successfully deployed in 86 countries, including the U.S. and most of E.U. Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of IBRANCE, is working closely with the Chinese government as part of the ‘Healthy China 2030‘ initiative. Even though it is the second largest economy in the world, China still struggles with many health issues, mostly because of overpopulation and uneven resource distribution. This was an important measure that will hopefully improve the health care for the millions of people that desperately need it.
China approves Breakthrough Therapy Drug for Breast Cancer
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Cancer, Cancer Cures, Prevention
Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer Treatment
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esearch is now being conducted in the ways through which cells communicate with one another, as it can open a key to improving treatments of serious diseases like cancer. One particular family of such signaling molecules are known as Wnt Proteins which are transported in between cells. These molecules signal for various cell developmental processes. The mechanism behind the transmission of Wnt proteins has been found out just recently, that certain cell protrusions known as cytonemes play a major role in the transmission of the signal for controlling the rate of cell division. Previously, researchers have believed that these signaling molecules were in fact secreted by the cells into the extracellular space, from where they would diffuse. Professor Steffen Scholpp, the Principal
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Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer Treatment
Investigator in the recent research, says that the result of their research is in contrast with the previously held beliefs; that is there are certain cell protrusions (cytonemes) which connect all the cells in a multicellular body. These findings portray a precise and controlled transmission of information in between sender and target cells. The excessive cell division that can form into various types of cancer is caused by unnecessary Wnt signaling. This research could help target cytoneme production to lower excessive transmission of the signal causing cell division. Apart from the formation of cytoneme, Wnt can transcend to areas of the cell membrane. It interacts with a receptor called Ror2. It is for the first time that we see a protein controlling its own transport mechanism. Wnt signaling also pertains to the formation of an embryo, healing of a wound, cell regeneration and organ development. Hence, the area of study can be extended in examining its role in various developmental disorders. Professor Scholpp further adds that their research has made it easy to understand the aspects of the information grid in the tissue’s matrix. The way these cell protrusions form a web can tell how certain changes in its connections would alter its course of actions. Further studies at molecular, cellular and tissue level are required to study through the functions and structures of these cell protrusions thoroughly, especially when they undergo contact-based signaling.
Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer Treatment
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Healthy Lifestyles, Kidney Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention
Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein
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study conducted for the second time establishes that with more vitamin D binding protein circulation, there is a lesser risk of developing kidney cancer. The related findings are in correspondence with the previous results that also demonstrated the inverse relationship between Vitamin D binding protein and risk of kidney cancer, specifically Renal Cell Carcinoma, RCC. The current study has been conducted since 1992, initiated in the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II (CPS-II) Nutrition Cohort, involving 39,371 people who submitted their blood sample, with no presence of cancer prior to submission. Prior to June 30, 2009, it was observed that 87 out of these people went through a primary diagnosis of RCC. The data related to diagnosis was assimilated by means of self-reported questionnaires, medical records’ reviews and NDI (the National Death Index).
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Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein
The results revealed that a higher level of serum DPB concentration led to a lowered risk of RCC. Those participants who had higher levels of DPB were younger, mostly females, non-smokers and had a lower BMI (body mass index). According to Dr. Alison Mondul, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan and the author of this study, it has been revealed that risk of developing kidney cancer is not caused by vitamin D itself, however, to estimate the presence of free vitamin D versus that which is bound in circulation seems important as other molecular structures like hormones in our body can have an effect on us if they are free. However, free Vitamin D was also found to be not associated with the development of renal cell carcinoma. These associations are positive in colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and bladder cancer, however, for renal sites, the case of vitamin D’s effect differs and it requires more research. DPB has been found to influence cancer formation in this case, outside of its general role of transporting Vitamin D metabolites to various sites in our bodies. The statistical power of the study is meager because of the rarity of RCC cases. Further studies will be conducted in the non-white population as kidney cancer incidence occurs more in black men in the United States than white men.
Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein
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Cancer Breakthroughs, Colorectal Cancer
Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI in Combination Drugs for Colorectal Cancer
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rray BioPharma recently made the announcement that is has received the Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the United States FDA (Food & Drug Administration) for the drug encorafenib BRAFTOVI in combination with the drugs namely binimetinib (MEKTOVI) & cetuximab for the treatment of the patients having BRAF V600E mutation metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The patients who have BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC tend to have a higher mortality rate (usually double) in the case of the patients having mCRC without the mutation. In the current scenario, there are no specific therapies that are approved for meeting the treatment requirements of such patients.
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Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI
The Breakthrough Therapy Designation is an FDA-approved process of expediting the development & review of the drugs that are aimed at treating a serious health condition. In this designation process, the preliminary clinical evidence suggests that they might be able to demonstrate significant improvement over the existing therapies on over a single clinically crucial endpoint. BRAFTOVI, also referred to as “encorafenib,” is a small oral molecule “BRAF” kinase inhibitor. At the same time, MEKTOVI, also known as “binimetinib,” is yet another small oral molecule MEK inhibitor. These drugs are aimed at targeting the key enzymes in the MAPK referring to the pathway RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK. In the United States, the drug combination of BRAFTOVI & MEKTOVI is given approval by the FDA for the treatment of metastatic or unresectable melanoma with BRAF V600E or V600K mutations. Colorectal cancer, amongst all other forms of cancer, is the third most common type of cancer occurring men across the world. By giving the patients the combination of the drugs is expected to bring some hope into the treatment of colorectal cancer in the coming times
Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Know About the Too Good-to-be-True Health Benefits of Turmeric
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f you tend to have some ailment, there are good chances that you might be suggested the idea of some turmeric-based treatment at some point in life. There are thousands of manuscripts and reports published about the potential health benefits of “curcumin” – the active ingredient found in turmeric. What is Turmeric? Turmeric is a world-famous spice that appears similar to ginger. The spice is known for its bright yellow shade and is usually used in preparing a wide range of cuisines. Also referred to as the “Indian Saffron,” the spice is grown widespread across India along with other areas including Asia & Central America. Turmeric is known to add flavors to the dishes and is also a major component of several religious ceremonies. Its medicinal usage has been in practice in the ancient science of Ayurveda for the past 4,000 years.
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Know About the Too Good-to-be-True Health Benefits of Turmeric
There are plenty of studies that are aimed at emphasizing the importance of turmeric in promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Turmeric has known to be helpful in controlling knee pain & arthritis. It is also famous for decreasing the likelihood of heart attacks after undergoing bypass surgery. Turmeric’s Link to Treating Diseases Turmeric has been linked with treating major ailments including Alzheimer’s and glaucoma diseases. The active component of turmeric “curcumin” is known not to get dissolved easily. Therefore, instead of selecting the method of adding turmeric in the form of cuisines or capsules as the mode of treatment, the researchers went forward with using eye drops containing curcumin infused with a stabilizer. This increased the solubility of curcumin, and the sample was tested on the rat subject at least twice a day. Using the high-end nanotechnology, the scientists were able to direct curcumin into the dying cells. This process is referred to as “neuroprotection.”
Know About the Too Good-to-be-True Health Benefits of Turmeric
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Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Stomach Cancer
Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea
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ne of the oldest and most common spices used daily throughout the world, garlic has a unique taste that you either love or hate. Claims of medicinal properties go back at least as far as Ancient Egypt, where it was prescribed as a stimulant or for fighting infections. Recent scientific studies exploring their rumors have brought to light some unexpected results. Even though the modern pharmaceutical industry still relies, at least in part, on natural remedies, folk medicine continues to exist, in spite of having no or little proven scientific data. While in most cases, the healing properties are non-existent or exaggerated, garlic seems to have incredible hidden potential and may help fight a series of diseases and conditions. Garlic is rich in vitamins B and C as well as many essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium. A growing number of supplements are based on garlic or garlic extract.
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Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea
Several studies and experiments have highlighted “an inverse correlation between garlic consumption and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease progression”. This is extremely relevant news seeing how cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Garlic, as well as other plants from the Allium family, like onions, leeks, shallots and chives, have been shown to have some “protective associations against cancers, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.” The combination of allitridum and selenium seems to be the one responsible for reducing the risk of tumors. Antifungal and antibacterial properties were also presented, though on a lower level than previously thought. Garlic has been suggested as potential treatment for other conditions including osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis and even warts, hair loss and dementia. With so many health benefits, it is no wonder that garlic is considered one of the best natural panaceas.
Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea
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Colorectal Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer
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team of researchers from the Francis Crick Institute is investigating claims that diets which include certain vegetables, like kale, cabbage and broccoli, could, in fact, reduce gut inflammation and the overall risk of developing colon cancer. While it is well established that natural and balanced diets have great influence when it comes to protecting the body from developing certain conditions or diseases, the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. The recent article that appeared in the medical journal Immunity, examined the health benefits of an indole-3-carbinol (I3C) rich diet and revealed some interesting results. I3C is a compound found mostly in cruciferous plants (cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts etc.) and is responsible for activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) protein. AhR acts like a sensor that
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Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer
transmits signals to immune cells and epithelial cells in the stomach in order to protect from inflammatory responses. What is even more interesting is that in cases where the cancer was already developing, switching to an I3C enhanced diet resulted in significantly fewer tumors, many of which were benign. Dr. Gitta Stockinger, group leader at the Francis Crick Institute mentioned that “These findings are a cause for optimism; while we can’t change the genetic factors that increase our risk of cancer, we can probably mitigate these risks by adopting an appropriate diet with plenty of vegetables“. A new round of clinical trials is expected to start in the near future to hopefully confirm these findings and open the way for safer and more efficient options for treating and managing cancer. In the meantime, stay healthy by regularly eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer
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Breast Cancer, Cancer Technology, Liver Cancer, Mesothelioma Cancer
Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer
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omputer giants IBM have partnered with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in order to help the oncology community by providing one of the most complex artificial intelligence units in existence, Watson. Medicine is one of the fields that has benefited the most from technological evolution, and can now boast some impressive innovations like nanoparticles targeting specific cells in the body, extremely precise and powerful medical lasers or robot-assisted interventions. These tools are extraordinary and have saved or improved the lives of countless patients, but now, a new ally is hoping to further tip the balance in our favor, an artificial brain.
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Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer
Watson combines exceptional analytical and computational abilities with artificial intelligence to assimilate visual or auditory data, process it and predict the best course of treatment. At the moment, it is practically impossible to keep up with the everincreasing amount of literature dedicated to cancer research, and this is where a solution like Watson can truly make a difference. By learning as much information about the disease, including types, symptoms, treatments that are available and factoring in personal information about the patient, like age, gender, medical history, Watson can best gauge what steps need to be taken. Currently, the supercomputer is trained in thirteen different types of cancer, among them breast cancer, one of the most common forms that has a high mortality rate, with more diseases soon to be indexed. Even with billions of transistors, it still takes a considerable amount of time and some human supervision to absorb the sheer amount of information. Progress is somewhat slow but steady. Hopefully, some of the more aggressive strains, like liver cancer or Mesothelioma, will get to be diagnosed much faster and have better suited treatment options, increasing life expectancy and general health care.
Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer
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Cancer Cures, Colorectal Cancer
Studies Suggest Aspirin Keeps Colorectal Cancer Away
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spirin, one of the most common over the counter drugs, generally taken for pain, fever or inflammation, seems to have another potential use – the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC).
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or simply aspirin is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) and works by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) responsible for the production of prostanoids, mainly thromboxane and prostaglandins. This, in turn, affects the formation of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2 of COX2) an agent associated with a number of types of cancer. While the exact mechanism through which ASA acts to prevent colorectal cancer is still unknown, it seems that by disrupting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling, there is a reduction
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Studies Suggest Aspirin Keeps Colorectal Cancer Away
in cell proliferation, tumor angiogenesis and reduced immune surveillance of cancer cells. There are a number of studies currently available, each using different methods and doses, showing reductions in incidence anywhere between 15% and 40%. It seems that the longer the treatment period with higher doses, the more noticeable the results are, but also more pronounced side effects. A review by Catherine Dubé and associate doctors, found reductions between 13% and 28% with doses ranging from 81 mg to 325 mg per day, though the beneficial effects only started to appear after one year of treatment. Another study conducted by Flossmann and colleagues showed a 36% reduction of CRC incidence for patients who had been administered 300mg daily doses for at least 5 years. Even so, the positive benefits became observable after 10 years. While the results look very promising, it is important to note that research is still underway and this path of medication is not yet approved by the FDA for the general public.
Studies Suggest Aspirin Keeps Colorectal Cancer Away
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Colorectal Cancer, Hope Stories, Kidney Cancer, Lung Cancer
Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!
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ohn Sansone discovered he had kidney cancer back in 2012 when he noticed blood coming in his stool and a sharp pain at his side. He went through a surgery which removed the tumor growing on his kidney. He was relieved, but nine months later, he noticed blood in his coughs. Consequently, his reports showed the cancer to have reemerged, reaching his lungs. The diagnosis had come right after 9 months of his marriage and served like a death call for Sansone. He believed he wouldn’t live for as long as none of the treatments quite worked on him, except for a short while. He was left nauseous and weak and utterly hopeless. But then he recalls his treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, at the hands of Dr. Sharad Chandrika.
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Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!
Dr. Chandrika was a beckon of hope for Sansone who helped him stay optimistic while she decided how to treat him. Sansone calls the treatment center as “Cheers Hospital” because of the humble staff who would know his name and not treat him like a number. Sansone knew his tumor was the size of a lemon, that blocked his airways, he recalls feeling like choking and being unable to breathe. Dr. Chandrika grew more worried when she discovered in the regular Bronchoscopies (inspection of the lung through a camera-tube), that Sansone had developed pneumonia and was required to be given two to three liters of Oxygen constantly. Dr. Chandrika knew she had to try something new and that’s when she was introduced to photodynamic therapy (PDT). An extremely photosensitive chemical called Porfimer is injected into the patient’s body in this therapy. This chemical was easily absorbed by the cancers cells, thus making them highly sensitive to light. PDT had not been used on many works but Dr. Chandrika had to give it a try since no other treatment worked. Two days after Sansone was injected with the chemical, a fiber optic cable attached with laser light was put into his body. The light when shined on the tumor, caused it to swell and blood vessels to break down, which is how cancer cells die. Within 2-3 sessions, the treatment was finalized by removing the dead cells. Later, Sansone got off from the oxygen, had no pneumonia and no requirement for bronchoscopies! Sansone message to all cancer patients is to hang in there, as doctors are now coming up with so many new effective treatments!
Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!
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Alternative Cancer Treatments, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Prostate Cancer
Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer
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ith more than 160.000 new cases each year, prostate cancer is the second most common types of cancer in the United States. It is estimated that approximately 30.000 people will die as a result, just in 2018. These statistics might soon see dramatic changes, as a new form of radiotherapy, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), is currently showing impressive results. The procedure involves thin beams of radiation aimed directly at the tumor, from different angles. The technique allows the application of high doses of radiation with little damage to nearby healthy tissue.
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Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer
The standard course of radiation therapy involves 37 sessions, but with this new targeted approach, the number could be reduced to only 5. At the moment, SABR is only suitable for patients with smaller cancer. As with most serious medical treatments, it does come with some possible side effects, these include tiredness, skin reactions, soreness and swelling, but should subside within weeks. Clinical trials combined SABR and SpaceOAR, a hydrogel designed to alleviate the side effects of radiation therapy in cases of prostate cancer. Inserted between the prostate gland and the rectum, the minimally intrusive technology helps create a bigger distance between the tumor and other tissue. Mr. Gordon Robinson, aged 70, one of the patients that underwent the procedure said “If it wasn’t for this research, I simply would not be here. My family and I are so thankful to the doctors who have helped us. This treatment has allowed me to live my life again.” The trial is still underway and hopes to collect more data in order to further improve the quality of the procedure and provide a better outcome for all suffering from prostate cancer.
Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer
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Cancer Cures, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer
Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients!
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he number of deaths due to lung cancer is more than those caused by any other type of cancer, for both men and women, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim. According to the American Cancer Society, 234,030 new cases of lung cancer will appear in 2018 and out of these, 154,050 are expected to not make it through the disease. However, according to the American Cancer Society, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the death rate due to lung cancer was low from 2011 to 2016. The data for these findings was from forty-two states, about 89% of the total population of the country. With so many people suffering from this disease, the most important thing is to ensure that these patients maintain a quality of life. Doctors
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Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients!
from Portsmouth Regional Hospital look for various ways that can better the quality of life for lung cancer patients. According to Dr. Yoko Fukuda who is a physician in oncology, hematology and internal medicine, treatments like immunotherapy and other targeted treatments can improve patient’s quality of life. They could spend more time with their friends and families, rather than at the hospital. They can participate more in various activities, they can go travelling or any recreational exercise. Immunotherapy can be beneficial for this purpose. The body’s immune system itself is stimulated to act against cancer. It is made to recognize cancer cells better and destroy them effectively. On the other hand, targeted treatments use a specific drug to act against a recognized mutation in the patient. These options are way better than going for chemotherapy. Fukuda adds that there is no need for losing hair, sit for eight hours in a hospital chair, instead treatments like immunotherapy should be sought after. She says this because she had seen her patients who were older than 94, benefiting more from new alternative treatments. Hence, quality of life should be made a priority while looking for effective treatments and doctors should enlist various treatment options.
Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients!
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Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Prevention
Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer
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ne of the few animals that can resist cancer is elephants. Naked Mole Rats and Sharks are also found to resist cancer. However, the discovery of this characteristic in elephants is recent and researchers look for ways to understand and apply the concept of cancer resistance in elephants to human biology. Scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered a specific gene that prevents cells in elephants from developing cancer, called LIF6. The cells activate LIF6 if any sort of damage takes place in the cells. LIF6 has the ability to break down the mitochondria of these cells, killing them eventually. This way dead cells do not pass on the DNA and cancer fails to spread.
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Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer
The gene LIF6 is unique to elephants, however, it can be made to work in other animals. The researchers tested the workings of this gene in mice with cancer and surprisingly, the gene worked and the cells were killed before the cancer could spread. Hence, elephants promise further fruitful researches. As for the sharks, they also have genetic defenses against cancer. Naked mole rats are capable of producing a molecule in between their cells that gives them more flexibility in the underground tunnels. This molecule also serves to work against cancer and make them immune to it. But, so far, these mechanisms in sharks and naked mole rats, do not work against cancer in humans, in fact, they worsen the outcomes. The reason behind this phenomenon is yet unknown. Now the next target subject for the researchers is elephants. Researchers are looking to test LIF6 in humans because if it works in elephants and treated cancer in mice, hopefully, its beneficial effects can be projected into human biology!
Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer
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Breaking Cancer Research, Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Leukemia Cancer
A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!
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hildhood leukemia is a severe case to be treated. Over the years, better treatments have come forth but a few particular types of this cancer remain incurable, such as the mixed lineage leukemia, with the death rate of 50%. But now recent research is making an appearance in an issue in journal PNAS, reveals that a protein called LEDGF/p75 is regulated by a molecular modification that alters its electric charge, called phosphorylation. LEDGF/p75 plays role in the regulation of gene expression by attaching other proteins to particular epigenetic spots on chromatin. This function is hindered by two diseases, mixed lineage leukemia and HIV. There is not much known about LEDGF/p75 interactions with its binding partners in this biological regulation which limited better way of targeting LEDGF/p75 interactions in these diseases.
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A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!
However, recently in an extensive structural analysis, researchers have discovered a structurally conserved specific binding mood that is attributed to all LEDGF/p75 binders, necessary for the interaction to take place. This discovery opened ways for the researchers to investigate other previously unknown interactions that take place between LEDGF/p75 and other transcriptional regulatory factors. These factors are known well in the medical community and include important regulators like Mediator complex. This revealed that LEDGF/p75 interacts with a greater number of factors than was thought. The binding is found to be modulated by phosphorylation by an enzyme (Casein Kinase 2). With the help of this breakthrough, researchers developed new therapeutic strategies. The team demonstrated the concept by successfully eliminating phosphorylation sites present in MLL1, one LEDGF/p75 binding partner. It reduced the ability of leukemic cells to stay in a cancerous state. The interaction is a requirement for cancers cells only and do not affect the normal functioning of blood cells. In inhibiting the phosphorylation that makes the binding of LEDGF/p75 and MLL1 possible, new therapeutic strategies can be initiated against mixed lineage leukemia. Due to its adherence only to a cancer cell, more effective therapies will hopefully come forth.
A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!
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Blood Cancer
New Drug Puts Cancer Cells in Permanent Suspension
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his new approach is the result of more than a decade of research and testing done by scientists at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
Under the coordination of Associate Professor Tim Thomas and Associate Professor Anne Voss, the team has been focusing on inhibiting KAT6A and KAT6B proteins, known malignancy markers. Both of these two compounds are responsible for cell proliferation, effectively driving tumor growth. “Early on, we discovered that genetically depleting KAT6A quadrupled the life expectancy in animal models of blood cancers called lymphoma. Armed with the knowledge that KAT6A is an important driver of cancer, we began to look for ways of inhibiting the protein to treat cancer”, said Professor Thomas.
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While effective, chemotherapy and radiation present some important downsides. They work by causing irreversible DNA damage to cells, affecting cancerous and healthy ones alike. This results in side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, susceptibility to infection or even increased risk of other cancers developing. “Rather than causing potentially dangerous DNA damage, as chemotherapy and radiotherapy do, this new class of anti-cancer drugs simply puts cancer cells into a permanent sleep”, said Voss. The WM-8014 and WM-1119 courses represent a “lateral” approach. Safer, more potent and more precise, they can become a new tool to substantially delay cancer recurrence. “This new class of compounds stops cancer cells dividing by switching off their ability to ‘trigger’ the start of the cell cycle. The technical term is cell senescence. The cells are not dead, but they can no longer divide and proliferate. Without this ability, the cancer cells are effectively stopped in their tracks”. New cancer treatments are expected to stem from these findings, improving overall care and patient outcome.
New Drug Puts Cancer Cells in Permanent Suspension
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Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer
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n case you haven’t heard, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! This is an international campaign, supported by thousands of organizations around the world, which tries to draw attention on this issue and promote early detection and treatment. According to estimates from the World Cancer Research Fund, 2018 brought more than 2 million new breast cancer cases. As with many of the other types of malignancy, genetics and hormones play an important role in one’s chance of developing cancer, but there are other factors, which you can have a bit more control over, that influence this outcome.
Ways-of-Reducing-the-Risk-of-Cancer How can you reduce the risk of developing breast (or other types of) cancer?
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Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer
Recently, more and more studies have surfaced confirming the link between nutrition and physical activity and cancer prevention, its progression or the possibility of recurrence. The short version is: be active, try to maintain a healthy weight, opt for natural and organic produce, and you should have a better chance of avoiding this terrible disease. Research shows that weight management is particularly important, especially as women go along in age. Menopause and obesity greatly increase the risk of developing hormone-related cancers, including breast cancer. The recommended 30 minutes of daily physical activity is a good place to start. You can spend this time doing something as simple as a brisk walk, dancing or maybe even bicycling. When it comes to dieting, it seems that foods rich in phytonutrients provide the best cancer-fighting benefits. Try having a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, and also whole grains. Aim to have about half of the plate with greens. For proteins, consider swapping red meat for fish or seafood. Remember to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day, and try to avoid sugary drinks and alcohol as much as possible. A healthy lifestyle will keep you better protected against cancer, so why not try some of these suggestions, at least for the month of October.
Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer
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Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties
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ccording to a recent study, a natural derivative found in a rare Chinese tree, namely Camptothecin, presents a strong antitumor characteristic and offers a low toxicity profile.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common form of cancer with an articularly low outcome. Even the more aggressive courses of treatment only produce about 6-8% five year survival rates. The fact that pancreatic tumors are very dense makes the delivery of cancer-fighting drugs a big challenge. This is where the work of a research team from the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center comes in. According to their press release, “a novel camptothecin analogue named FL118, which does not use TOP1 as its anticancer therapeutic target, effectively eliminated human colorectal and head/neck tumors
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Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties
that had become resistant to the two FDA-approved camptothecin compounds”. During their trials, Fengzhi Li, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and senior author of the paper, noticed that FL118 “preferentially killed drugresistant cancer cells and reduced the formation of new tumorspheres by killing cancer stem cells”. Alone, FL118 was effective at eliminating pancreatic tumors, and combined gemcitabine managed to suppress even resistant strains. When talking about their findings, Dr. Li stated that: “Drugs that can more effectively reach and eliminate pancreatic tumors are urgently needed to treat this devastating disease”. He added that “FL118’s high anticancer efficacy, along with its favorable toxicology profile, is consistent with the fact that this drug targets several key proteins involved in pancreatic cancer progression and treatment resistance”. There has been a recent focus in trying to find natural solutions for treating a number of serious conditions, especially cancer. These alternative compounds offer a number of advantages, most notably being safer and cleaner on the body
Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties
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Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer
Protein That Inhibits Breast Cancer Suppression Finally Blocked
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he majority of breast cancers present with an abnormality in the p53 gene, a powerful tumor suppressor. In its absence or if it is damaged, patients have a higher risk of developing the disease or the resulting tumor becoming particularly resistant to treatment. “Despite decades of research, there had been no satisfactory way to overcome the deleterious effects of p53 loss – until now”, said Sanjay Awasthi, a professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine and research leader. This even raised the interest of the Department of Defense, who awarded him a grant based on his study, “Prevention of Breast Cancer by Haploinsufficiency of RALBP1”.
Protein-That-Inhibits-Breast-Cancer-Suppression-Finally-Blocked The P53 gene is called “the guardian of the genome”, as it is essential for regulating cell division and the prevention of tumor formation. “If 148
Protein That Inhibits Breast Cancer Suppression Finally Blocked
it is missing the genes that cause cancer, then they become abnormal and essentially cause cancer in a large number of people. About 68 percent of all cancers have an abnormality of this gene and some of those have a complete loss of the gene”. Dr. Awasthi actually followed in the footsteps of his father, Yogesh C. Awasthi, who was part of the team that started initial work on the project more than 40 years ago. Originally trying to create an enzyme that would defend the body, in time the focus shifted, and Awasthi managed to synthesize a whole new protein for the job. Recently, he presented his findings: “We showed for the first time that blocking the stress-responsive protein called Rlip (Rlip76 or RALBP1) defeats the deleterious effects of p53 loss more effectively”. Surprisingly, the drugs that block Rlip have a number of other health benefits that are being tested, including signs that it might reduce blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides. This could open the door to new treatments not only in oncology but also for diabetes or obesity therapies.
Protein That Inhibits Breast Cancer Suppression Finally Blocked
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Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer
Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Leads to Complete Remission of Breast Cancer
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iological therapies have been a big focus in the recent landscape of cancer treatments. These are treatments relying on substances made from living organisms and used to treat malignancies.
Among the different approaches, Adoptive Cell Transfer (ACT) has already shown some incredible potential when it managed to completely remove any trace of the disease from a patient suffering from breast cancer. This is a procedure where the most active T cells, a specific kind of immune antibody, are harvested from the tumor, grown in laboratory conditions and then injected back into the body.
Groundbreaking-Immunotherapy-Leads-to-Complete-Remissionof-Breast Cancer The article describing this remarkable case detailed how ACT along with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS) were used to target the particular tumor mutation. After previously unsuccessful courses of
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Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Leads to Complete Remission of Breast Cancer
chemotherapy and hormonal treatments, the patient made a complete recovery and continues to be cancer free. “Adoptive transfer of these mutant-protein-specific TILs in conjunction with interleukin (IL)-2 and checkpoint blockade mediated the complete durable regression of metastatic breast cancer, which is now ongoing for >22 months, and it represents a new immunotherapy approach for the treatment of these patients”. By comparing the DNA and RNA of the tumor with that of normal tissue researcher determined 62 mutations and proceeded to test TILs that might be able to recognize the abnormal cells. Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Surgery Branch at NCI’s Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and lead scientist stated that: “We’ve developed a high-throughput method to identify mutations present in a cancer that are recognized by the immune system”. This approach will hopefully open the way to treating other forms of cancer too. As Dr. Rosenberg mentioned: “This research is experimental right now. But because this new approach to immunotherapy is dependent on mutations, not on cancer type, it is in a sense a blueprint we can use for the treatment of many types of cancer”.
Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Leads to Complete Remission of Breast Cancer
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Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer
University Of Toledo Professor Working On Cutting Edge Cancer Research
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ancer is the most lethal disease and finding its potential treatment is the biggest challenge for the scientists. The major hindrance in cancer research is the requirement of funds. Recently, the University of Toledo got a huge fund by Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio for a cutting-edge research to find novel treatments for a very aggressive and recurring Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Research depicts about 15% of the breast cancer to be TNBC affecting younger people more.
University-Of-Toledo-Professor-Working-On-Cutting-EdgeCancer-Research Dr. Amit Tiwari, an Assistant Professor in the College of Pharmacy in UT has discovered a promising new drug for Triple Negative Breast Cancer where patients resist conventional chemotherapy. He opines that cancer cells should be targeted in a non-conventional way in
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University Of Toledo Professor Working On Cutting Edge Cancer Research
order to overcome multi-drug resistance and increase survival rates. In this regard, drug-resistant factors must be targeted along with Triple Negative Breast Cancer with specially designed and developed molecules. The research will soon reach clinical trials and benefit patients in about 3-5 years due to generous funding by Komen. Dr. Tiwari is working with his team of graduate students in which a member from Rwanda, Angelique Nyinawabera stated that what keeps her morale high for the research is the struggle by her close people in fighting cancer and the breast patients should know for sure that the scientists are fighting along with them to come up with a cure. Dr. Tiwari highly acknowledged the investment by Komen by stating that words cure and cancer were heard due to such research funds. He further expressed that there were few obstacles and challenges in the research but they were soon going to find a cure as cancer is absolutely treatable. More money could help reach the clinical trials in less than two years for which people should take part in the races for the cure!
University Of Toledo Professor Working On Cutting Edge Cancer Research
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Hope Stories, Leukemia Cancer, Lung Cancer
4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo
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he most heart-shattering thing is to see small and innocent children attacked by fatal diseases like cancer. The ages when they should be playing with their toys, they receive severe chemotherapeutic treatments to get rid of cancer. Cancer occurs irrespective of the ages and has no mercy on the tiny tots. Such merciless was the story of four little girls who fought their ways successfully through cancer.
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4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo
McKinley, Chloe, Ava, and Lauren are the pretty little girls who defeated cancer at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida. During their treatments in 2016, the four became fast friends in the hospital halls becoming a silver lining in the cloud for each other. At that time, they gathered for a photo shoot for the first time that had been on the fly. Ava, Lauren, and McKinley were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Chloe was diagnosed with a rare lung cancer at the ages of 2 and 3. The girls reunited a few days back to pose for a colossal photo. Ava’s mother, Alyssa Luciano told that the first picture of the four friends was taken together during their active treatments when they were all bald little babies. Lauren’s mother, Shawna Glynn stated that the friendship of the girls help in easing their difficulties, like Lauren didn’t have any hair but seeing her friends look the same way provided her normalcy. Lauren’s treatment has been completed a few days back. McKinley’s mother, Karen Moore told that seeing the girls strong together was a great source of comfort for the parents. The girls again gathered in 2017 for another photo session wearing T-shirts with printed motivational words. However, the reunion of the girls this year for the photo shoot is more meaningful as each wore gold T-shirts with “survivor” written on them providing strength and hope to other children fighting cancer in the Childhood Cancer Awareness month of September. The mothers of the fantastic four are very happy with their motivational friendship and plan to meet next year again for another photo to track their recoveries.
4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo
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Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma Cancer
CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma
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r. Prasad Adusumilli – the leading scientist and Thoracic surgeon at MSK (Memorial Sloan Kettering) Cancer Center believes that personalized gene therapy can soon help in changing the manner pleural mesothelioma is being treated in the current scenario. Currently, Dr. Prasad is serving as the principal investigator of a phase I clinical trial that involves the participation of customized immune cells – referred to as CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cells, showing relevant improvement in the overall treatment of mesothelioma. As per Dr. Prasad, the revolutionary CAR T-cells might change the overall method of treating mesothelioma in the coming times.
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CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma
CAR-T-Cell-Therapy-Might-Alter-the-Treatment-of-Mesothelioma CAR T-Cells Working Over Solid Tumors Dr. Prasad singled out a patient of 73 years having mesothelioma with the help of the CAR T-cell therapy along with the combination of Keytruda. This combination helped in improving the overall efficiency and extending the duration of the given type of treatment. The patient obtained the complete suite of metabolic response to the given treatment. Moreover, the patient is doing well in the current scenario after 16 months – without any further treatment. As a major part of the clinical trials including breast cancer as well as lung cancer patients, five other patients having mesothelioma received the given combination. Out of them, two reflected partial response, two responded having progressive disease, and one responded with stable disease. All of the patients are still alive since the treatment and have not shown any signs of side effects. Gene therapy in the treatment of mesothelioma consists of the laboratory reprogramming of the self T cells of the patient’s body. It helps in the removal of cells with the help of a specific protein that has been aimed at a particular target before it returns the same to the patient.
The Effectiveness of CAR T-Cell Therapy The revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy functions by aiding the own immune system of the patient towards better recognizing & destroying the cancer cells. The United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) had given approval to the first gene therapy for treating pediatric leukemia in the year 2017. This provides for the official commencement of a new, revolutionary treatment approach to the treatment of cancer. Dr. Prasad states that this might be the future of cancer treatment. As a group at MSK, the team of researchers is conducting a more indepth study to observe the true results of the treatment.
CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma
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Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Testicular Cancer
FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 and 45
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he Food and Drug Administration has decided to support vaccination for older adults that previously were not eligible. By raising the age limit, there is a potential for protecting another generation from the cancer-causing disease. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is an umbrella term for more than 150 related viruses that are transmitted through intimate contact. The infection either presents no symptoms or leads to warts, but generally tends to go away on its own. In recent years, a clear connection has been revealed between some forms of HPV and an increased risk of cancer. In most cases, it affects the genital area, for both men and women, but can also appear in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils.
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FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 and 45
“Today’s approval represents an important opportunity to help prevent HPV-related diseases and cancers in a broader age range,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in a press release. He added that “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that HPV vaccination prior to becoming infected with the HPV types covered by the vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90 percent of these cancers, or 31,200 cases every year, from ever developing”. Gardasil 9, the vaccine recommended for the procedure could help protect the estimated 14 million new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Among them, approximately 16.000 people will die from cervical cancer caused by certain HPV viruses. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, of The Immunization Partnership in San Antonio, commented that “There’s a sweet spot between age 9 and 15 where with just two shots you develop sufficient immunity to be protected, but that doesn’t mean it’s not effective the older you are. Over 15, we require three shots to get that level of immunity, and we’ve now seen adults, as well, can become sufficiently immune if they’ve gotten the three shots“. Cherise is a long-time advocate of vaccination and says that even if you test positive for one strain, it is “definitely worthwhile to get vaccinated to prevent infections with other strains of HPV”.
FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 and 45
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Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention, Uterine Cancer
Drinking More Water can Help in Reducing Bladder Infections in Women
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s women, drinking additionally 1.5 liters of water on a daily basis can help in reducing bladder infections – especially in premenopausal women by around 50%. This has been observed by a recent study led by Dr. Yair Lotan –Professor of Urology at the Simmons Cancer Center. Under the impact of the controlled trials, women who had the habit of drinking of additional around 1.5 liters of water on a daily basis reflect around 48 percent fewer cases of repeated bladder infections in comparison to those who consumed lesser amounts than the desired volume of daily water intake. Women drinking more water turned out to be healthy in the long run. Reduced bladed infections can also help to prevent several diseases.
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Drinking More Water can Help in Reducing Bladder Infections in Women
Dr. Lotan states that there stands a significant difference in the overall health of women who consumed more water daily. The given findings prove beneficial as more than half of the women’s population around the world report bladder infections – one of the most common infections in women. The physicians in the given finding suggest that increased fluid intake can help in reducing bacteria growth. Moreover, it also helps in limiting the ability of bacteria to attach itself to the bladder and cause infections. The common symptoms that are associated with uncomplicated cystitis – a common UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) are difficult or pain during urination, the feeling of the full urinary bladder, increased frequency or urgency of urination, possibly blood in the urine, and mild tenderness towards the lower abdominal area. As most of the cases of bladder infections in women are treated with the help of antibiotics, the increase in the fluid intake could help in reducing the use of antibiotics at the same time. As such, this helps in controlling the antibiotic resistance of the body as per the researchers. In this study, Dr. Lotan makes use of robotic, minimally invasive, and open surgical methods for treating kidney, bladder, prostate, testicular, and ureteral cancer. He is a leading surgeon at UT Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Lotan is clinically recognized for his contributions in the field of coming up with urine markers for bladder cancer treatment along with molecular markers in other forms of urologic cancers.
Drinking More Water can Help in Reducing Bladder Infections in Women
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Breaking Cancer Research, Pancreatic Cancer
‘Death Cap’ Mushroom Could Aid in Cancer Fight
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good general rule is to stay away from poisonous plants, especially ones that have such a threatening name, but researchers from The University of British Columbia were not deterred. They managed to synthesize a compound from the deadly mushroom in the hope it can be used to treat cancer cells. The story might sound a bit strange at first – using a known poison to fight tumors, but in reality, there have been similar theories starting with the early 1980s. In fact, only a few years ago, there was a study that tested this exact claim, though the investigation did not go further because of how difficult it is to extract samples. Amanita phalloides, or more commonly the “Death cap” mushroom, produces α-amanitin, a bicyclic octapeptide regarded as one of the deadliest known peptide toxins on Earth. Just managing to derive the
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‘Death Cap’ Mushroom Could Aid in Cancer Fight
compound can be seen as an achievement. At first, they had to make a delicate 6-hydroxy-tryptathionine cross-link that could easily form an unwanted oxindole, then use a Strecker amino acid reaction, and finally, add a bulky oxidant to the mix. After all that came the animal trials. When injecting the particle in laboratory mice exposed to pancreatic cancer, they observed a positive response in about 60 percent of subjects. These are encouraging figures, especially seeing how this form of malignancy can be particularly difficult to treat. In the long run, the team hopes to improve outcomes and potentially replicate the results with human testing. If everything goes according to plan, they estimate to have a synthetic drug ready in the next four years.
‘Death Cap’ Mushroom Could Aid in Cancer Fight
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Breaking Cancer Research
Genetic testing: Not a One-and-Done Deal
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enetic testing holds a special place in revealing genetic changes that are involved in causing hereditary cancers. Testing laboratories have been encouraged by a new research study at UT Southwestern Medical Center to update their records and aware physicians when the genes are reclassified. Genetic testing results from 1.45 million people were revised which depicted the subsequent reclassification of likely or unlikely cancer association of about 25 percent of “variants of uncertain significance”. Genetic variations are classified as “benign,” “likely benign,” “variant of uncertain significance,” “likely pathogenic,” or “pathogenic”. Reclassification of a variant to be “pathogenic” might matter a lot to the patient. A patient might add MRI scans to their mammogram screening program or want to have prophylactic surgery if he has a broken BRCA gene. Likewise, if a variation is reclassified as “benign”
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from “variant of uncertain significance”, it can be very vital for a patient’s relief. A usual gene contains about 27,000 base pairs (A-T, G-C) that make up a DNA whereas a few genes comprise of 2 million of these bases, increasing the chances of variations. Dr. Theo Ross, Professor of Internal Medicine and senior author of the study stated that new families having an increased inherited predisposition to cancer might be identified. The detailed genetic studies on their DNA might disclose new information which can further be analyzed and verified by biochemical, collective familial and functional studies leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study that reviewed test results for hereditary cancer genes for which 60,000 amended reports were issued out of 1.67 million initial reports. Reclassification process changed about 24.9 percent “variant of uncertain significance” to the majority being benign. This study implies that testing laboratories must review gene variant information regularly alerting the physicians about it. Physicians must be aware of common reclassifications and rapidly advancing knowledge about gene variants. Patients should be informed of reclassifications by their physicians so that they can make well-suited choices.
References: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180925140415.htm https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2018/ cancer-related-gene-variations.html
Genetic testing: Not a One-and-Done Deal
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Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Breakthroughs
The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer
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ancer is the major cause of deaths all around the world and scientists are working hard to find its potential treatments. Sometimes, the prospective treatments are found in the natural world like the immune system of camelids. EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) causes cancer when dysregulated and numerous therapeutic tools that have the potential to block its activity have been described by Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). No inhibitors have been designed for EGF up till now, but researchers have isolated a family of nanobodies from camelids derived from alpacas which possess a therapeutic effect by inhibiting EGF. Previously, the advanced treatments have been established against the EGR receptor (EGFR) but the patients developed resistance leading to the decreased efficacy. The new inhibitors have been designed by
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The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer
employing an evolving biotech tool, nanobodies which have highaffinity for EGF.
Treatment for Cancer Immune response EGF protein was produced by IRB Barcelona and administration to alpacas was done by their Belgian colleagues. A series of nanobodies was produced as an immune response against the strange antigen in these animals which are potent inhibitors of EGF. The IRB Barcelona team used biophysical techniques to characterize high-affinity ligands and analyze the interactions in cells in vitro and in human cancer cells. Ernest Giralt, head of the Peptide and Proteins Lab at IRB Barcelona stated that they had challenged nature by finding a tightly binding molecule to EGF by injecting EGF into the alpaca. This drug is highly benefitting for the patients who have established resistance to the EGFR inhibitors available currently. The pharmacological effect of these new nanobodies is yet to be evaluated in cell and animal models of cancer.
References: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181002103005.htm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20033049
The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer
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Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer
New Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise For Patients With Her2-Positive Cancers
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he major challenge these days lies in finding an effective treatment against all types of cancers. Developing potential vaccinations is an important effort in this regard where many scientists are making their marks. A new vaccine has recently been developed which is of a great advantage to patients with metastatic HER2-positive cancers who had not received any HER2-targeted therapeutic before. 6 out of 11 cancerous patients depicted clinical benefit after receiving more than the lowest dose of the vaccine.
New-Cancer-Vaccine-Shows-Early-Promise-For-Patients-WithHer2-Positive-Cancers According to Jay A. Berzofsky, immunotherapy is by far most successful as it has lesser side effects than traditional chemotherapy and destroys cancer by rationalizing the exquisite specificity of the
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New Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise For Patients With Her2-Positive Cancers
immune system. Here, an immune response is triggered by using a vaccine approach against HER2 that might be a cause of ovarian, breast, lung, gastroesophageal and colorectal cancers. The novel vaccine developed for HER2-overexpressing cancers has shown promising results paving new therapeutic paths. Berzofsky and colleagues customize the vaccines for each patient by using immune cells isolated from their blood which is then modified in several ways and injected back to the patients intradermally. This vaccine has a huge potential of eliminating established and aggressive tumors in addition to lung metastases in mice. During the dose escalation portion of clinical trials, it was observed that the patients did not respond to 5 million dendritic cells per injection but about 54% patients responded to 10 million or 20 million dendritic cells per injection. The dose was safely increased to 40 million dendritic cells per injection which offered enhanced clinical benefit. The researchers plan to combine the vaccine with checkpoint inhibitor therapy in future to increase the number of benefitting patients. The only limitation of the treatment is that it has no placebo control with a relatively small, phase I clinical trial. However, the additional trials will be satisfactorily promising.
References: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180930153540.htm
New Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise For Patients With Her2-Positive Cancers
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Bladder Cancer, Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Head and Neck Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Lung Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Non-hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved
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he FDA has just announced that Libtayo is now officially the first and only form of treatment for patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or locally advanced CSCC who do not qualify for courses of radiation or surgery. In a press release, Michael R. Migden, M.D., Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and lead investigator in the pivotal CSCC clinical program, said: “Today’s FDA decision is great news for patients with advanced CSCC, who previously had no approved treatment options. This is especially true because these patients are no longer candidates for curative surgery or radiation. Libtayo is an important new immunotherapy option for U.S. physicians to help address a significant unmet need in this patient group.”
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This new drug is part of the recent wave of checkpoint inhibitors designed to target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. So far, they have shown a lot of promise in treating a variety of tumors, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancers, and Hodgkin lymphoma. In clinical trials, Libtayo has managed to reach an efficiency of almost 50%, shrinking or completely removing tumors in about half of the 108 patients enrolled. Right from the start of the evaluation process, the FDA has recognized the importance of this medicine, granting it Breakthrough Therapy Designation in and Priority Review. These are special labels offered to drugs that present significant improvements in safety or efficacy in treating serious conditions. Olivier Brandicourt, M.D. and Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi, the company that produces the drug, stated that: “In the U.S., CSCC accounts for one in five skin cancers, and the number of new diagnoses is increasing. We believe Libtayo has the potential to make a difference for U.S. patients with advanced CSCC, as it helps to fill a critical gap in treatment options. We are committed to bringing this important medicine to patients in other countries around the world as quickly as possible“.
First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved
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Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Cures, Esophagus Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Throat Cancer, Uterine Cancer
PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer
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ARP inhibitors are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of certain breast and ovarian cancers. But could they one day be given the green light to help patients with the deadliest form of lung cancer? Early study findings published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology show promising results. Investigators at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston discovered that adding the PARP inhibitor veliparib to a standard chemotherapy regimen improved overall responses rates (ORR) in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). “Small cell lung cancer is one of the most difficult to treat cancers once it has relapsed because it is so drug resistant,” Lauren Averett Byers, M.D., associate professor of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical
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PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer
Oncology, told CURE in an interview. “There are currently no approved targeted drugs for small cell lung cancer and no established biomarkers to guide treatment selection for patients, even though research from several groups has now shown that there are different subsets of small cell lung cancer that, in the lab, respond differently to specific targeted therapies.” The phase 2 trial, which was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/NCI and The LUNGevity Foundation, included 104 patients with relapsed SCLC, including some with advanced disease with brain metastasis, from seven cancer centers in the United States. Many patients had failed prior standard chemotherapy. In the trial, patients randomly received either veliparib or placebo twice daily with the chemotherapy agent Temodar (temozolomide), which are both oral medications. This occurred between 2012 and 2015. Although progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint, the investigators determined there was no statistically significant difference between both groups. PFS was 36 percent in the Temodar/ veliparib group compared with 27 percent in the Temodar/placebo group. In addition, overall survival (OS) was similar between the two groups at 8.2 months and seven months, respectively. However, investigators saw a significant difference in ORR, which was almost three times higher in the Temodar/veliparib group compared with the Temodar/placebo group (39 percent versus 14 percent, respectively). “To find that the addition of the targeted PARP inhibitor therapy enhanced response rates, and to demonstrate a novel, easy to perform biomarker could potentially help us identify those patients who get benefit from adding veliparib to chemotherapy, was incredibly exciting,” Byers said. Researchers also determined that a group of patients whose tumors expressed the protein SLFN11 — about half of patients with SCLC have this at the time their cancer is diagnosed — experienced a PFS (5.7 versus 3.6 months) and OS (12.2 versus 7.5 months) benefit.
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“SLFN11’s job is to make sure that cells with lots of DNA damage don’t keep trying to replicate themselves and, rather, undergo cell death, which is why we think this makes sense as a biomarker for PARP inhibitor therapy, not just for lung cancer but potentially for other cancers where PARP inhibitors are used as well,” Byers said. “If these results are validated in other studies, it could become the first predictive biomarker for SCLC and allow us to apply a more personalized approach to treating SCLC,” she added. Although some toxicities were experienced, such as blood count deficiencies, treatment generally was well tolerated, Byers said. “The main side effect was that we saw on patient’s blood work that they often had lower blood counts, especially platelets and white blood cells, which is a known side effect of these two drugs,” she said. “During the trial, we ended up decreasing the starting dose of the chemotherapy (Temodar) which helped address the low blood counts.” Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women. In 2018, more than 240,000 adults will either receive a diagnosis of SCLC or non-small cell lung cancer — the more common type of the disease. To examine this further, Byers is testing veliparib at a higher dose in combination with Temodar in the frontline setting. Through an NIH grant Byers will also be able to study whether PARP inhibitors, combined with immunotherapies, improve responses in SCLC. “(This trial) shows the potential for translational research,” Byers said. “I hope in the next few years PARP inhibitors will become a treatment we can offer our patients routinely.”
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PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer
Breast Cancer, Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Prostate Cancer
Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer
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diet that aims at encouraging healthy eating along with physical activity while discouraging alcohol consumption has been linked to the lowered risks of cancer including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. A recent study published in Cancer Research – a leading journal of the American Association for Cancer Research stated the importance of a healthy diet towards lowering the overall risks of developing cancer. The research headed by Mathilde Touvier – head of the Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team was found saying that amongst all the possible risk factors being linked to cancer, proper nutrition & ample physical activity are the best-known modifiable lifestyle aspects that could contribute to lowering the overall risks.
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WCRF/AICR (World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research) has revealed that in developed nations of the world, around 35 percent cases of breast cancers & around 45 percent cases of colorectal cancers could be easily avoided by ensuring a stronger connection of a healthier diet & lifestyle. As such, it is vital to understand the importance of proper nutrition & diet management in controlling & preventing cancers. Towards encouraging healthy & nutritional eating, several organizations have come up with proper dietary recommendations. Researchers have found that all the diets are associated with some form of reduced cancer risks. For examining the links between the four major nutritional indices & cancer risks, the team of researchers obtained data from the NutriNetSante study – aimed at investigating the links between nutrition & health in a typical French cohort. The researchers after this study concluded that “synergistic contribution” of a nutritional, healthy diet served more significant than a single dietary recommendation. Therefore, it is important to note that every lifestyle factor matters and it is never too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
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Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer
Cancer Technology, Mesothelioma Cancer
Surgeons at Pennsylvania “Light Up” Tumors for Boosting the Chances of Mesothelioma Survival
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group of surgeons at the University of Pennsylvania is conducting experiments upon a new technology that could substantially enhance the chances of survival amongst the Mesothelioma patients. This is done by ensuring that patients having malignant pleural mesothelioma can have their cancers removed. The complete removal of the cancer cells can create a major difference between life & death. This is because even the slightest remnants of the cancer cells could quickly grow back into tumors. However, the process of the complete resection known as “macroscopic complete resection” is not easy. Therefore, for improving the chances of removing as many cancer cells as possible, the team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Surgeons at Pennsylvania “Light Up” Tumors for Boosting the Chances of Mesothelioma Survival
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at the Abramson Cancer Center has come up with the innovative technology -“TumorGlow”. This technology is a type of intraoperative imaging technique that makes even the slightest clusters of cancer cells glow under the impact of the near-infrared light rays. As per the study, this advanced technique has the capability of improving the overall precision & accuracy of treating cancer during surgeries. It also helps in facilitating the earliest detection of the small cancer tumors for ensuring better outcomes of the cancer treatment. Towards testing the overall success & feasibility of the given “light up” technique, the team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took help from 20 patients having malignant pleural mesothelioma. The patients who were about to have their cancer surgeries were injected with the given dye of the “TumorGlow” machine 24 hours before the operation. During the cancer surgery, the doctors made use of the infrared light to help them guide to as many groups of cancer cells as possible. The given samples of cancer cells that looked suspicious were then removed.
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Surgeons at Pennsylvania “Light Up” Tumors for Boosting the Chances of Mesothelioma Survival
Cancer Cures, Leukemia Cancer
Taming Pediatric Leukemia
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eukemia research by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center gives us hope on a higher percentage of getting leukemia cured.
AML or Acute Myeloid Leukemia is caused by a disruption on the genetic programming of blood cells with the defect of chromosome 11q23. The survival rate is ranging from 20-40 percent. This urged the scientists of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to look for a more effective treatment by doing a research with mice and donated human cells. According to H. Leighton Grimes, PhD, principal investigator and Sarah Meyer, PhD, a former member of the Grimes Laboratory, the cancerous blood cells died and were replaced by healthy white blood cells when scientists blocked the target molecule on human AML cells in combination with other known treatments.
Taming Pediatric Leukemia
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With the online publication of Journal of Experimental Medicine, the research suggests possible development on more effective treatment for AML, but according to Grimes, the findings of the research are not ready for clinical application. Grimes, the director of the Cancer Pathology Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital said: “Our work provides a complete mechanistic look into the function of genetic and molecular programs driving this leukemia, and it exploits these processes to identify actionable therapeutic targets. We still have extensive additional testing to conduct in laboratory animal models of AML before knowing if this approach will translate to patient care.” To identify sets of genes that show up in high numbers in MLL-AF9 leukemia, scientists conducted additional testing on the cells included computer-assisted analysis of the Molecular Signature Database. Additional biochemical testing on the cells was also conducted. With these tests, researchers found out that miR-196 directly targets and inhibits a gene called Cdkn1b/p27Kip1 (cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitormolecular programming in leukemia stem cell that allows the cell to maintain aggressive MLL-AF9 leukemia. According to Grimes normal blood stem cells or hematopoietic stem cells are not able to survive extensive cell division. The researchers discovered that when miR-196 targets Cdkn1b/p27Kip1, it quickens MLL-AF9 progression by abnormally linking stem cell activity with the growth of leukemia cells. AML is killed depending on the dosage used with the experiment with human AML cell lines. Scientists are also applying this research with other tested treatments to see if they can get a more combined effect with AML treatment. Researchers approach the study to “represent a new opportunity for AML therapeutics.”
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Taming Pediatric Leukemia
Pancreatic Cancer
Top Do’s & Don’ts for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
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ancreatic cancer is known to grow slowly and spread quickly – before it gets discovered. This is the reason why most of the pancreatic cancer cases are quite typical to diagnose & treat properly. If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and you are suggested indepth pancreatic cancer treatment – what should you do? To start with, you must feel confident about the pancreatic treatment that you will receive from the given healthcare team. You must seek a healthcare team that is able to emotionally, physically, and mentally understand your specific requirements. If you are just about to begin your pancreatic cancer treatment, here are some top do’s & don’ts for you to consider: ■■ DO See a Proper Specialist: When you visit a medical specialist dealing in the field of pancreatic cancer, you can help in
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improving the overall outcomes of the treatment. It is strongly recommended that you should see a specialist or pancreatic cancer expert who has relevant expertise in the given field and understand your case properly. ■■ DO Look Out for a Highly Professional Surgeon: Towards confirming both the eligibility and performing the surgery accurately, you should seek a highly professional & wellqualified pancreatic cancer surgeon. The surgeon must be adept at conducting the pancreatic cancer surgery known as “pancreaticoduodenectomy” – also referred to as the “Whipple Procedure”. ■■ DO NOT Wait to Regard Clinical Trials: If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer of any level, it is considered the best to not waste any time further. Clinical trials are conducted to investigate and create new treatments for cancer. Therefore, you must consider the clinical trials as you begin with trying out the treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Last but not the least, you should not feel alone in your pancreatic cancer treatment at any time!
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Top Do’s & Don’ts for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Brain Cancer, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology
Nanoparticles, High Tech Weapons Fighting Brain Cancer
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iomedical research involving nanoparticles is being tested as it could pave the way for a new and more effective drug-delivering method against glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. Nanotechnology might be the key to figuring out a cure for cancer once and for all. Scientists are using microscopic particles that are embedded with powerful drugs to target specific cancer cells. Their ability to permeate the blood-brain barrier makes them ideal for a more directed and controlled approach. The latest development was creating a nanoparticle able to transport two different compounds: one that actively damages and reduces the tumor cells, and another that renders them unable to regenerate.
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Trials so far are looking promising, which is great news for the patients and also their families. The current treatment for brain cancer involves not only a risky surgery but also rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation, each involving more strain on the body. This treatment might allow forgoing some medication that has heavy side effects. Temozolomide, for example, one of the most common drugs administered in the early stages, generally causes nausea, weakness and bruising in patients. A more power and less taxing option seem to be on the horizon. Michael Yaffe, Professor of Science at the Koch Institute and member of the team conducting the trials said: “This is yet another example where the combination of nanoparticle delivery with drugs involving the DNA-damage response can be used successfully to treat cancer”. There is hope that work on this project might lead to advancements in the treatment of other forms of cancer as well. Even though the road ahead is still long, one thing is for certain, science is taking steps in the right direction
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Nanoparticles, High Tech Weapons Fighting Brain Cancer
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer Breakthroughs, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma
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n Australian team of scientists announced they have discovered a way of revealing if a patient has melanoma with just a blood test.
Researchers from Edith Cowan University are confident they can catch the disease in the very early stages before it can start spreading through the human body. The survival rate over an initial period of five years for patients who are diagnosed early on is over 90%. This drops considerably, below 50%, if the melanoma had time to expand and affect other areas. The prospect of replacing extensive investigations with a simple medical test is impressive. The standard procedure right now is to have
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a specialist do a visual check followed by having samples surgically removed and sent to be biopsied. Initial trials were conducted on 124 cases and the detection rate was about 70%. The test is based on finding certain protein antibodies excreted when the body senses it is under attack from the cancerous cells. From a total of 1627 antibodies, the team focused on a combination of 10, which were most common in already confirmed instances. Further investigation is required, and a similar project, meant to confirm the findings, is being conducted in the span of the next three years. If everything goes well, the vaccine could be available in about three to five years. While this pioneering work could considerably reduce the time needed for diagnosis, it is important to add that the results only apply to more common types of skin cancer.
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Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma
Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Cures, Esophagus Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Throat Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes
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s classed as a non-provitamin A carotenoid, lycopene the red pigment found in tomatoes, watermelon or pink grapefruit. It is associated with a number of health benefits including helping with maintaining a good circulation, reducing cardiovascular risks and the likelihood of developing cancer. It should be pointed out, not every fruit or vegetable which has red color also contains lycopene. The highest amount can be found in fresh tomatoes, but even after processing, they still retain a considerable concentration.
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News that this compound is good for the body is not new. There have been several studies throughout the years highlighting the link between lycopene and skin health or bone mineral density. More recent research indicates a possible correlation between lycopene and some forms of cancer. “Inverse associations between tomato consumption and risk of gastric cancer were observed in all these diverse populations”, concludes the paper published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. As referenced from the above-mentioned research, the group of Italian doctors found that “Intake of tomatoes and tomato-based products and plasma levels of lycopene, a carotenoid found predominantly in tomatoes, have been relatively consistently associated with a lower risk of a variety of cancers”. Among the types of cancer tested were: lung, stomach, prostate, breast, oral cavity, pancreas, and esophagus. As always, a lot more data needs to be gathered and then controlled testing done to corroborate the results, but the findings so far seem hopeful. This could be an important step for finding more natural ways of addressing serious diseases like cancer.
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Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes
Skin Cancer
HPV Vaccine Removes Dozens of Tumors from Patient With Advanced Skin Cancer
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patient whose situation seemed hopeless managed to lose any trace of advanced skin cancer, simply based on a doctor’s intuition.
The story seems unbelievable, yet it’s true. An elderly woman, in her 90’s, with countless squamous cell tumors on her right leg, went to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she was seen by a resident dermatologist. Because the tumors were so numerous and considerable in size, the normal treatment, which is surgery, was out of the question. The situation seemed bleak. Aware of the possibility of there being a connection between human papilloma virus (HPV) and some types of skin cancer, Dr. Anna Nichols had the idea of trying something more unconventional.
HPV Vaccine Removes Dozens of Tumors from Patient With Advanced Skin Cancer
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The procedure involved several sessions where 9-valent HPV vaccine was administered intratumoral, between March 2016 and February 2017. Within 11 months from the first injection, all the tumors disappeared and did not show any sign of reoccurrence. Even though the doctors were expecting some slight improvements, no one could predict the actual success. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is number two on the list of the most common types of skin cancer and has a high chance of returning. Now the patient is on her way to celebrating her 100th birthday thanks to the unusual approach. This was the first documented instance of complete regression from using the HPV vaccine for treating other forms of cancer. The case is sure to spark new interest and more in-depth research into SCC.
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HPV Vaccine Removes Dozens of Tumors from Patient With Advanced Skin Cancer
Cancer, Cancer Cures
Cancer Cells Engineered to Trigger a Death Switch in Other Cancer Cells
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ancer is the leading cause of death worldwide and the treatments are either in experimental phases or clinical trials. Scientists and researchers are striving hard day and night to find novel therapeutic strategies that eliminate cancer at all stages. Genetic Engineers have introduced a new strategy, whereby they manipulated certain wandering cancer tumor cells to secrete a special protein. This protein when interacts with the localized tumor cells, elicits a death switch in them, ultimately killing them. The wandering cancer cells possess an integrated suicide switch that compels them to kill themselves before they start another generation of tumors. The scientists previously utilized the tumor cells in circulation to target the localized tumor cells via certain viruses that eradicate cancer. However, this method is old and the hardworking researchers devised a new technology to tackle the lethal cancers. This new gene editing technology, CRISPR/Cas9 edits the cancerous genes in such a Cancer Cells Engineered to Trigger a Death Switch in Other Cancer Cells
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way that their entire line of action is maneuvered, thus being granted the refined characteristic of self-devastation when they are of no use. CRISPR/Cas9 technique has created a buzz and revolutionized the whole world of science. Reinshagen and his coworkers have hit upon a new approach to exterminate localized tumor cells by taking potential benefit of the “self-homing” behavior of the tumor cells. The “self-homing” principle reveals tumor cells to relocate to the main tumor site wherever inoculated in the circulatory system. Reinshagen utilized these tumor cells as therapeutic carriers or vectors that might carry therapies and transfer them to the main tumor site, thus following their “self-homing” behavior. The scientists carefully designed these self-targeting tumor cells to secrete the ligands that target specific death receptors on the resident tumor cells. The ligands upon binding the receptor sites kill the main tumor cells but the planted cell itself survives. In order to kill the savior cell before it becomes a culprit in promulgating new tumor cells, certain drugs are induced that trigger a cellular suicide system. This method has been reported really convenient, safe and efficient by the scientists after they tested it on a series of mouse models at preliminary and advanced stages of cancer. The above-mentioned methods are being used and refined in science research in order to fight cancer to the best levels. We can hope to nib the cancer in the bud in the near future when these methods will be implemented.
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Cancer Cells Engineered to Trigger a Death Switch in Other Cancer Cells
Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sarcomas and More Cancer Types Now Linked to Lynch Syndrome
More than just colorectal and endometrial cancers Scientists at the ASCO (Americal Society of Clinical Oncology) 2018 meeting in Chicago[1] have said that Lynch syndrome (usually associated with an increased risk of colorectal and endometrial cancers), is linked with several additional types of cancer. New screening recommendations have also been suggested for families with a history of Lynch syndrome.
What is Lynch syndrome? Discovered by (and named after) Dr Henry Lynch in the 1960s[2], the syndrome refers to the presence of 5 mismatch repair genes, or MMR genes that has previously been linked to the increased risk of certain cancer types. It is a genetic condition, and is generally seen in members of the same family (bloodline).
Prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, sarcomas and more cancer types now linked to Lynch syndrome
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New cancer types linked to Lynch syndrome Before the new cancer types (including cancers of the ovary, stomach, urothelial tract, and small bowel, and less frequently – cancers of the brain, biliary tract, pancreas, and prostate) were linked[3] to Lynch syndrome, scientists performed a genetic analysis of about 15,000 tumor samples from 50 different cancer types. They were looking for glitches known as high microsatellite instability (MSI-H). This genetic marker (MSI-H) is typically associated[4] with a lot of genetic abnormalities found in common tumors.
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Prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, sarcomas and more cancer types now linked to Lynch syndrome
Blood Cancer, Cancer Breakthroughs, Kidney Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer
Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug
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ancer is a lethal disease finding ways in the world of therapeutics to be completely cured. Newer drugs are being formulated by scientists and marketed by the pharmaceutical companies at a rapid pace in order to entirely wipe out cancer. Approximately 40,000 cases of skin, breast, lung, bowel, and prostate are annually reported by the Irish Cancer Society. Health Service Executive (HSE) is playing significant roles in fighting cancer by approving the newest drugs for cancer therapy. Recently, HSE has approved a breakthrough drug, nivolumab for financial reimbursement that could benefit thousands of skin, kidney and blood cancer patients. Nivolumab is produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb and marketed under the brand name Opdivo. This drug is controversial due to its high cost
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ranging from €50,000-€100,000 ($65,000 to $130,000) per patient per year. It has been revealed by Simon Harris, Minister for Health that the public health service has been sending applications to HSE to reimburse the treatments for almost 8 indications by nivolumab. After consulting with the department and assessing the circumstances, HSE has approved reimbursement of nivolumab for treating renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), melanoma (skin cancer) and Hodgkin lymphoma (blood cancer), instigating from 9th October. In order to avoid the misuse of the drug, HSE would not support metastatic or locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Mr. Harris made it clear that HSE would not support the patients in private hospitals. Health insurers must deal directly with the private hospitals if they want to link their policy on the cover for treatment through nivolumab. HSE is considering all the applications after the detailed assessment process. The recommendation of merely Opdivo (nivolumab) or its combination with Yervoy (ipilimumab) by HSE has been confirmed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. This reimbursement process provides a potential benefit to the eligible patients with advanced kidney cancer, advanced melanoma and a hostile blood cancer, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Reimbursement of nivolumab monotherapy or combined therapy with ipilimumab has also been announced for advanced melanoma patients by Kay Curtin of Melanoma Support Ireland. Benjamin Hickey, General Manager of Bristol-Myers Squibb believed that advanced lung cancer patients would also be able to attain nivolumab treatment in future on Irish Health Service, as they are working hard to find such a possibility
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Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug
Breast Cancer, Cancer Technology, Thyroid Cancer
Discovery Blocks Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Tumor Growth
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utotaxin is an enzyme that is generated by the body for regeneration and repair of tissues, but on the other side, it acts as a catalyst for the growth of tumors. It also facilitates the growth of other inflammatory conditions like arthritis, colitis and cancer specially breast cancer and growth of thyroid tumors. Researchers from the University of Alberta believe that by targeting this enzyme which is causing vicious growth of tumors and resistance in its treatment they can more effectively fight breast and thyroid cancers. A team under the leadership of David Brindley from the University of Alberta supports this research. They believe that Autotaxin produces lysophosphatidic acid which promotes the survival and growth of cancer cells. The beneficial effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy
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are also resisted because of this enzyme. If the activity of autotaxin is inhibited the early growth of tumors in the breast can be slashed down by up to 70 percent. The metastasis of the tumor is reduced by a similar margin as well. This was checked by Brindley and his team of researchers by using an autotaxin inhibiting drug developed by Ono pharmaceutical Japan. Later on, they used different techniques for blocking the effects of lysophosphatidic acid and then by performing various tests they found that they were able to block the growth of breast and thyroid tumors by 80 percent. The researchers are exploiting the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors and are now working on the first autotaxin inhibitor that could make it to the clinic. This medicine in combination with chemotherapy will drastically improve the treatment of cancer which is believed to help one third of women that die from breast cancer and many thyroid cancer patients whose response to conventional cancer treatment is not very effective.
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Discovery Blocks Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Tumor Growth
Brain Cancer, Cancer Technology
Nanoparticles can Help Battle Brain Cancer
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anotechnology has brought a revolution to the whole world of science and especially in the field of cancer therapeutics. The discovery of nanoparticles has paved a way for the treatment of cancer. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most dangerous and aggressive cancer of the brain that is extremely hard to treat. Researchers have developed a new mechanism of delivering the drugs to the brain cancer cells by using nanoparticles as carriers and they are designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver two drugs at a time. Crossing the blood-brain barrier and binding the tumor cells readily is quite an achievement of nanoparticles. Holding two different compounds by nanoparticles serve the purpose of destroying the DNA of tumor cells by one drug and inhibiting the DNA repair mechanism by the second drug so that they cannot nullify the effect of the first drug by repairing the previously destroyed tumor cells.
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The digestive system devastates the drugs due to which discovery of new drug delivery systems is a necessity. Moreover, in addition to missing the cancer cells, poor drug targeting also gives rise to harmful side effects, due to which there is a huge requirement of perfect drug targeting mechanisms. Surgical treatment of the brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme is required, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, former requiring efficient drug delivery. A few experimental trials on mice depicted nanoparticles resulting in the shrinking of tumors and not recurring. Professor Paula Hammond opines that this nanoparticle drug delivery method is very unique as it is employed to deliver two drugs, in addition to its abilities to cross the blood-brain barrier and efficiently targeting the tumors. The nanoparticles were coated with transferrin protein which is a novel way to move them across the blood-brain barrier. The nanoparticles start to tear apart upon reaching the tumor and being engulfed by the cells. Published in Nature Communications, this research has flagged a way to successfully treat gliomas by targeting with nanoparticles. The scientists are researching nanoparticles more deeply in order to reveal their marvelousness in cancer therapeutics. With the help of a new nanoparticle, they have disclosed the movement of cancer cells to other sites in the human body in order to discover efficient drug delivery methods.
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Nanoparticles can Help Battle Brain Cancer
Cancer Breakthroughs, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Lung Cancer, Prevention
Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis
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he World Health Organization classifies lung cancer as the most common type of cancer worldwide, both in men and women. The mortality rate is so high that about 1 in 5 deaths are as of result of this terrible disease News of a possible new way of dealing with lung cancer brought a lot of hope not only in the medical world but also for millions of patients around the globe. A recent study exploring the possibility of using Delta-tocotrienol, a compound found in vitamin E, has surfaced. As it has shown to have anticancer properties, it is being tested on several types of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLC), including squamous cell, large cell Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis
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carcinoma and adenocarcinomas, to try and inhibit signals between tumors cells. By preventing matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) migration and invasion of other cells, researchers are trying to prevent cancer development at initial stages, as soon as possible after diagnosis. Over the past decades, lung cancer has become more and more frequent, and unfortunately, the survival rate past five years has not improved at all, barely reaching 5% out of all cases. A vaccine that could directly attack tumor cells by attenuating cell invasion and possibly delaying metastasis in NSCLC, would be an important breakthrough. While the study concludes that “treatment with the tocotrienol mixture resulted in a dosedependent and significant decrease in cell growth, cell migration, tumor invasiveness, and induction of apoptosis”, it is important to remember that these are only preliminary findings and the road to seeing these results put into application is still ahead.
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Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis
Breast Cancer
Study Spares Breast Cancer Patients from Unnecessary Chemotherapy
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he fight with cancer has deep and serious repercussions not only on the patient but also for their family. A new study brings hope to breast cancer patients that they might be spared the thought of dealing with chemotherapy. The usual course of action when a patient is diagnosed with cancer involves chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Each of these procedures comes with some risks and discomfort. While preoperative chemotherapy has the benefit of reducing the tumor in size, making patients that might not otherwise be suitable candidates become eligible for surgery, it also has some heavy side effects, including: weakness, nausea, dizziness, pains. The Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment, or TAILORx, was an international effort, gathering data from Study Spares Breast Cancer Patients from Unnecessary Chemotherapy
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patients from U.S., Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Peru. There were more than 10.000 cases selected and participants were administered a 21-gene expression test. Three study groups were formed, based on likelihood of recurrence. The ones presenting a lower risk followed hormonal therapy and no chemotherapy, the high risk group had chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, while the middle group cases were randomly assigned one of the two combinations. Results of this impressive undertaking revealed that there was very little difference between the first two groups. After five years, the survival rate of the ones that only had hormone therapy was 98% and at nine years later the rate was 93.9%, compared to group two’s 98.1% after five years and 93.8% at nine years. Research began almost 20 years ago, when the original study brought into question the effectiveness of chemo in the outcome of breast cancer patients. This is only one example of what is hoping to become personalized treatment when it comes to cancer.
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Study Spares Breast Cancer Patients from Unnecessary Chemotherapy
Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Long-term Study Reveals Lower Cancer Incidence from Vegetable and Fruit Diet
W
hile the fact that there is a clear connection between healthy diets that include high amounts of fruit and vegetables and cancer prevention is something generally known and somewhat well documented, there are still many questions surrounding the matter. This is where a recent study comes in and shines some muchneeded light. The project was started almost 40 years ago and relied on two studies that worked in parallel. Combined, Nurses’ Health Study (between 1980‐2012) and NHSII (taking place between 1991 and 2013), interviewed more than 180.000 women between ages 27 through 59. Out of them, approximately 10.900 cases of breast cancer emerged. From follow-ups over the next 30 years, researchers were able to uncover some very interesting data. By monitoring levels of hormone receptor status and molecular subtypes, the study concluded that “higher intake of fruits and vegetables, and specifically cruciferous and yellow/orange vegetables, may reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially those that are more likely to be aggressive tumors.”
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More importantly, the article reveals concrete information about which types of fruit and vegetables were more effective. For example, blueberries and strawberries were rated higher, same with carrots, kale and cauliflower. When it comes to amounts, the study mentions that anything above five and a half servings a day had a noticeably higher effect over cases where only two and a half servings were had. One serving was measured as one cup raw or a half cup of chopped or cooked fruit/ vegetables. The study comes as a reminder that eating fresh, organic meals has many health benefits, including preventing cancer incidence
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Long-term Study Reveals Lower Cancer Incidence from Vegetable and Fruit Diet
Blood Cancer, Cancer Technology, Leukemia Cancer
New FDA Approved Drug Enters Leukemia Fight
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atients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a reason to be hopeful for their future as a new FDA drug has just been approved.
The Food and Drug Administration recently sanctioned the use of Ivosidenib and gave some much-needed help to doctors and patients alike. Following several decades where there was a limited number of choices for treating AML, there is now another option in the fight against cancer. Ivosidenib (Tibsovo) is an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 inhibitor that works on decreasing oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate production, in instances where a certain genetic mutation (IDH1) is found. Clinical trials have shown increased efficacy, and out of the 174 cases taking part, more than 30% showed complete remission in the course New FDA Approved Drug Enters Leukemia Fight
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of the next 8 months. More so, out of the 110 patients that still had to undergo transfusions of blood or platelets, 37% managed to go at least 56 days without needed another session of transfusions. As with most drugs, some side effects are to be expected. These include: fatigue, joint pains, nausea, swelling in the arms or legs, shortness of breath. A simple test (RealTime IDH1 Assay) is administered to potential candidates in order to find out if they are eligible to take advantage of this treatment. The press release notes that “Tibsovo is a targeted therapy that fills an unmet need for patients with relapsed or refractory AML who have an IDH1 mutation” and being in tablet form, it is a less intrusive manner of treating leukemia. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has invested more than 100 million dollars over the last five year to help research and has pledged to continue support, in the hopes of finding better solutions for treating AML.
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Cancer, Cancer Cures
Cancer Treatment by Targeting Telomeres & Telomerase
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he researchers across the world are working diligently towards finding a cure for cancer. Recently, a study based on the observation of telomeres & telomerase worked towards finding the cure for cancer. Could bring about an alteration in the telomere length (TL) result in the prevention of cancer & aging? The researchers are yet to find that out! Cancer is typically an age-related genetic ailment manifested only when the normal cells of the body acquire genomic instability over a given period of time and obtain the ability to undergo replicative immortality. The weakening of the telomere & telomerase during cell divisions generates a condition of chromosomal instability. This contributes to major genomic rearrangements that could lead to tumorigenesis in some cases.
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Telomeres (TTAGGG) repetitive DNA protein complexes present at the ends of the chromosomes are vital for the survival of the cancer cells. The telomeres protein complexes are maintained by an enzyme referred to as “telomerase” in the spanning majority of the tumor. The mechanisms that determine the telomere length (TL) maintenance & telomerase expression include epigenetic, non-transcriptional, and transcriptional regulation. An in-depth understanding of the given mechanisms could serve pivotal for the medical researchers out there. It could also serve to be significant targets for leading to the early detection of cancer, determining the disease prognosis, and developing the necessary therapeutics for curing cancer effectively.
Targeting Telomerase for Cancer Therapy Ideally, most of the therapeutic cancer targets are the ones that serve specific for particular tumors and might pose a threat towards maintaining the malignancy. As the potential role of telomerase in the uncontrolled proliferative cells has been demonstrated repeatedly, it is believed to be a potential anti-cancer target. The assessment of the importance of telomerase in demonstrating that is inhibition could destroy the telomerase-producing cancers could lay the path to the future of cancer cure.
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Breast Cancer, Cancer Cures, Lung Cancer, Others, Stomach Cancer, Thyroid Cancer
LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors
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he Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. agency responsible for overseeing and approving new medical treatments, designated LOXO-101, a selective inhibitor of tropomyosin receptor kinase, as “Breakthrough Therapy”. This means that the drug has shown significant health advantages to be fast-tracked and prioritized in development. The clinical trials involved 41 patients with several types of cancer (including sarcoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, thyroid cancer) that were unresponsive to other forms of therapy. One or two dosed, ranging from 50mg to 150 mg, of LOXO-101 were administered orally for 28-day cycles.
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Larotrectinib, or LOXO-101, revealed positive responses in the majority of the test subjects, and up to 21% tumor regression in some of the cases. The gene fusions were noticed with NTRK1 or NTRK3, but patients that had no NTRK, displayed not responses. The most common side effects reported were fatigue (grade 1 or 2) in about 30 percent of the patients, followed by dizziness and nausea in nearly 20 percent of cases. Considerably fewer and lighter than what most other treatment courses induce. Josh Bilenker, M.D and chief executive officer of Loxo Oncology mentioned in a press release that “data presented to date from the ongoing adult and pediatric studies of LOXO-101 have demonstrated durable anti-tumor activity across TRK fusion cancers, further validating LOXO-101’s potential to address the unmet medical need among patients with these genetically defined cancers”. Plans for further research, including one relating to TRK fusions, are underway and look very promising. Additional clinical sites are also expected to be opened.
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Cancer Cures, Nutrition, Prevention, Stomach Cancer
Turmeric Can Cure Stomach Cancer: According to JNU Study
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tomach or gastric cancer is the cause of numerous deaths worldwide, the death rate is particularly high in developing countries. Scientists are striving hard to discover new therapies for stomach cancer. In this struggle, a research team from the Department of Biotechnology of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has revealed the high efficacy of turmeric in treating stomach cancer. The food contaminated with Helicobacter Pylori bacteria forms ulcers in the stomach and the constant consumption of such food leads to stomach cancer. Curcumin is a bioactive component of turmeric and protects against Helicobacter Pylori infections after being oxidized. Scientists employed turmeric in effectively targeting stomach cancer after studying the impacts of curcumin. The team of 5 Biotechnology students Rohit Tiwari, Alka Yadav, Jyoti Gupta, Jyoti and Achyuth Turmeric Can Cure Stomach Cancer: According to JNU Study
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Pandey under the supervision of Professor Rupesh Chaturvedi, collected 40 stomach cancer samples from Lucknow, performed detailed trials and published the effectiveness of turmeric in the cure of stomach cancer. The food samples collected from 40 people from Lucknow revealed that the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria were produced in the bodies of 39 people after they consumed junk food. The research students discovered and reported that the curcumin battles the bacteria, depicting the potential of turmeric in treating cancer. Previously, research teams from all over the world had carried out studies on the advantages of turmeric but none of them achieved much success in labeling turmeric as a therapeutic agent. The scientists from JNU have attained a phenomenal success in proving the effectiveness of ancient turmeric in the field of cancer therapeutics. Successful stomach cancer treatment with turmeric has paved ways to the exploration of turmeric targeting in other cancers as well.
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Brain Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Cures
Modified Poliovirus Helps Treat Brain Cancer
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n ingenious new method is currently being tested as a possible treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most common and malignant types of brain cancer.
By genetically modifying the poliovirus, a team of doctors from Duke University Medical Center is attempting to extend the life expectancy of those affected by this most aggressive form of cancer. Leading the research is Matthias Gromeier, M.D., who has dedicated more than 20 years to this project already. He managed to use the virus as a transport mechanism and at the same take advantage of its ability to quickly spread inside the host. The clinical trials are being conducted on 61 patients who are currently ineligible for any other form of treatment. The usual course of action is surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy, but the Modified Poliovirus Helps Treat Brain Cancer
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rate of reoccurrence is so high, most patients do not survive past 1218 months. Dr. Darell Bigner explained the process: the tumors are injected directly with the modified virus, which kills the tumor cells it comes into direct contact. This triggers a subsequent immune reaction in the body that sends signals for antibodies to attack all other tumor cells. The most notable side effect is swelling, which can be serious, but is being kept under control with drugs. Even though the treatment is still experimental, the results are quite promising. The FDA granted the research “Breakthrough therapy designation”, meaning fast-tracking and possible accelerated approval. The survival rate for the next 5 years is about 20%, considerably higher than what it is now, less than 4%. More encouraging is the fact that even the other 80% of patients had some sort of response. While it is still too early to tell, there are signs that this treatment might be applied to other types of solid tumors in the future.
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Bladder Cancer, Cancer, Lung Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention, Stomach Cancer
Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir
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or thousands of years, long before science was able to prove all the health benefits it can provide, olive oil has been considered a remarkable liquid possessing a multitude of uses and beneficial properties for humanity. Nowadays, besides cooking, olive oil has also found applications in other areas, like cosmetics or pharmaceutics. Native to the Mediterranean region, the olive tree favors warmer climates with an abundance of sunshine and constant high temperatures. Medium in size, with oblong leaves, it produces some beautiful flowers and eventually the fruit, small drupes. The oil is extracted through a process of pressing the ripened fruit. What makes olive oil so special is the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) along with antioxidants like polyphenols, phytosterols and vitamin E. Fat is one of three macronutrients essential for the human diet, together with proteins and carbohydrates.
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Rich in healthy fats, olive oil is known to improve circulations and help against heart problems by lowering LDL cholesterol. There are studiessuggesting that it could actually prevent and even manage type 2 diabetes. It is also linked with managing weight loss, general health and a whole slew of other health improvements. The most exciting prospect is exploring its effects on lowering cancer risk. There are countless reports describing a significantly lower incidence of cancer cases for subjects that regularly consume olive oil as part of their diet. What is more enthusiastic, is the wide variety of cancers on which it seems to have a positive effect, including ones that target the bladder, stomach, lungs, esophageal etc. No wonder olive oil is considered a superfood as it provides so many benefits. Take advantage of all its natural properties and stay healthy!
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Nutrition, Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention
How To Minimize The Risks of Pancreatic Cancer
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he cases of pancreatic cancer worldwide are rising. This has prompted the medical researchers all around the world to look for an effective way to minimize the risks of pancreatic cancer. Though pancreatic cancer cannot be prevented and there are no easy diagnostic tests for it, through proper awareness & adoption of a healthier lifestyle, people all around the world can still minimize the potential risks out there.
Lowering the Risks of Pancreatic Cancer The first step towards lowering the risks of pancreatic cancer is to be attentive of the symptoms along with the major risk factors associated with this ailment. There are certain risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer including age, genes, race, and gender that might be beyond one’s control. However, other factors including lifestyle habits like smoking, obesity leading to Type-2 diabetes, and chronic
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pancreatic cancers caused by long-term abuse of alcohol consumption tend to increase the overall risk substantially. Some studies reveal that smoking increases the risk of pancreatic cancer by as much as 50 percent. A recent study that was published in the journal of the American Medical Association stated that obese individuals have a sedentary lifestyle are usually twice at the risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those who follow a healthy diet & are physically active. The particular study reveals that around 15 percent of the overall pancreatic cancer could be ridden off by maintaining a proper diet & body weight with slight physical exercises. Some of the top tips to reduce the overall risk of developing pancreatic cancer include: ■■ Do not smoke. If you do, try quitting as soon as possible. ■■ Try following a healthy lifestyle. Minimize the overall risk of developing Type 2 diabetes ■■ Limit your consumption of alcohol to moderate levels
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Cancer, Prostate Cancer
XTANDI Treatment for Prostate Cancer Gets FDA Approval
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wo of the biggest pharmaceutical companies, Astellas Pharma Inc. and Pfizer Inc., have been given the green light to introduce a supplemental New Drug Application, XTANDI, as a treatment for men suffering from prostate cancer. The Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. regulatory body, has made this decision following very promising results stemming from a trial series of Phase 3 PROSPER. Xtandi, or enzalutamide, which was already offered as medication for patients dealing with castration-resistant prostate cancer, has now an extended application and can be prescribed to men with nonmetastatic cancer. It means that so far, XTANDI is the sole approved oral solution for both metastatic and non- metastatic cancer.
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Jonathan Simons M.D, who is President and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, said in a press release that “With today’s approval, there is now a new option for men with non-metastatic CRPC, who are in between the failure of androgen deprivation therapy resulting in CRPC and the onset of metastatic disease”. The Phase 3 PROSPER research data showed that androgen deprivation therapy along with enzalutamide had a considerable impact on reducing the risk of metastasis and death compared to only administering ADT. The average life expectancy improved considerably, from 14.7 months to 36.6. Some side effects have been noted to occur more frequently, these include: hot flushes, nausea, asthenic conditions, dizziness. The good news is this treatment could help the ever-growing number of people that are diagnosed each year with prostate cancer. Only in 2018, in the U.S., more than 160.000 new cases have been discovered, making it the second most common type of cancer. You can find out more information about XTANDI here or by calling 1-855-898-2634.
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Bladder Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Uterine Cancer
Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator
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t should be our primary concern to look out for any indicator of cancer in our bodies. Recognizing the symptoms in early stages is of utmost importance to an effective treatment of cancer. Hence, we should make it our habit to keep check on the color of our urine. It is especially advisable for people above the age of 50 to regularly check their urine color before flushing, according to the Public Health England, as it can be a potential indicator of cancer. Nevertheless, a report according to Mail Online reports that only 16% of people over the age of 50, likely at the risk of developing bladder and kidney cancers, check their urine’s color regularly. A campaign by Public Health England, “Be Clear on Cancer”, specifically focuses upon spreading the word of checking urine color as blood in urine is an early symptom in two-thirds of all the bladder cancers and fifth of kidney cancers. It is emphasized repeatedly by medical experts how vital it is for people to acknowledge early cancer symptoms to avoid intense treatments in the future. Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator
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Mail Online has reported that less than one in every six people keep check on the color of their urine, according to a survey. Similarly, multiple health officials report that about millions of adults fail to check for any blood in their urine and hence missing on early cancer symptoms. Only 12 percent of women check their urine regularly with only one man in five, checks for any abnormal urine color. With such statistics, it is essential people develop the habit of checking urine before flushing, especially for any sign of blood in urine. Therefore, it is recommended more than ever for people to look for any pinkish or reddish tint in their urine, by Public Health England. It can be a sign of having eaten beetroot or a new medicine but it pertains to serious diseases as well. Professor Julia Verne, from Public health England, emphasizes how necessary it is for people to contact their general practitioner (GP) if they notice any blood in their urine _ it could be of any range but it will be reddish_ from pale red to dark brownish hue. It is our responsibility to keep our health symptoms in check and encourage our friends and family to do the same!
References: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/cancer-why-you-should-always-checkyour-urine-262328.html https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/977626/cancersymptoms-urine-healthy-colour-wee-blood
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Colorectal Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prevention
Prevent Ovarian Cancer with Aspirin
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he fifth leading cancer responsible for most women deaths is Ovarian Cancer, much to its being detected in later stages. According to two new studies, it is revealed that a daily low dose of aspirin can help prevent ovarian cancer. Dr. Mitchell Kramer, director of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital in Huntington, N.Y. commends these researches by asserting that a daily low dose of 81 mg aspirin can serve to be more than an ounce of prevention for women both with and without ovarian cancer. Researchers, from U.S. National cancer institute and the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., claim that inflammation has a role in developing cancer and can aggravate cancer outcomes. Aspirin and NSAIDs (non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been already proved to lower certain types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Now, aspirin has been found to cause 10% reduction in the development of ovarian cancer if a low dose is taken daily. It also Prevent Ovarian Cancer with Aspirin
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pertained to 30% improvement in survival capacity for patients undergoing ovarian cancer. The data is pooled from thirteen studies including 750,000 women who were questioned regarding the use of aspirin as well as NSAIDs and tracked for the development of ovarian cancer. 3500 of these women did develop ovarian cancer. According to Shelley Tworoger, from Moffit Cancer Centre, the study provides a new perspective on the use of aspirin and NSAIDs for cancer-related treatment as it included three-quarter of a million women who were continuously tracked for multiple decades; the study shows effective reduction in the risk of developing ovarian cancer but more studies will be conducted before finalizing the recommendation for daily intake of aspirin. Another study by the researchers from the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, and Moffitt Cancer Center gathered data on 1,000 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer from Nurses’ Health Studies. It was found that a 30% improvement in survival was experienced by patients using aspirin and NSAIDs after diagnosis. Both these studies are based on observational data hence it does not pertain to a cause and effect relationship. However, evidence for an effect is prominent, according to Dr. Adi Davidov, Director of Gynecology, Staten Island University Hospital, N.Y. Aspirin has fewer side effects which are relatively well-tolerated and is an antiinflammatory, hence according to Kramer, the use of aspirin for this baneful disease is a sensible approach. Hopefully, more researches will confirm the beneficial results which were termed as intriguing by Davidov.
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Bladder Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Blood Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Technology, Hope Stories
All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients
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udy Wilkins had tried as many as four different chemotherapy sessions for eradicating her cancer. After bleak expectations, Wilkins had to face the reality that she might have only a few months to live. It was then that her cancer care & research team at DanaFarber/Brigham & Women’s Cancer Center tried introducing her to a new form of advanced cancer treatment referred to as the “CAR-T” Cell Therapy. With the help of this revolutionary immunotherapy treatment, Wilkins is now cancer free. Dana-Farber happens to be the only cancer research center in New England that offers the nation-wide clinic trials of the innovative CAR T-cell Therapy treatment. CAR (shot form for “Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-Cell Therapy treatment is a type of cellular treatment therapy that makes use of the self-immune system of the patient towards rallying an attack on the cancer cells. The T blood cells (white blood cells) are programmed in a manner that they start killing the All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients
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cancer cells. The T cells are removed from the blood of the patient and engineered for sprouting special structures referred to as CARs (Chimeric Antigen Receptors) on the subsequent surface. When the T blood cells are re-infused into the patient’s system, the CAR T-cells are then able to identify & kill the cancer cells. In the period of the past five years, the revolutionary treatment of CAR T-cell Therapy has emerged to be a potentially effective treatment for some cancer patients – some with bladder cancer, blood cancer, and others. The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) of the USA recently gave the first-ever approval to the advanced CAR T-Cell Therapy treatment for treating the young adults having B-cell ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).
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Cancer Breakthroughs, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Pancreatic Cancer
“Promising” Treatment Trial Gives New Hope for the Deadliest Cancer
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team of researchers based in London have come with a new, revolutionary way of treating the deadliest and the most common cancer – pancreatic cancer. The all-new advanced treatment, as per the researchers, appears “very promising.” A team of scientists at the Barts Cancer Institute & King’s College in London has seemingly cured mice having pancreatic cancer by
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providing them immunotherapy that makes use of the white blood cells for attacking the cancer tumors. This approach of the trial appears similar to the one that is being successfully tested on children having leukemia. Around 10,000 individuals in the United Kingdom get diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year. Out of them, only about 12 percent of the patients are able to survive for over 12 months. Pancreatic cancer gets spotted only once after it has spread significantly. However, it can be cured through surgery during the early stages. Through the given research, the team of scientists claims that they have possibly achieved what seemingly cures pancreatic cancer in the animal models. The signs look positive in the case of the humans as well. The treatment process involves the harvesting of the white blood cells and engineering them in a manner such that they multiply – before re-infusing them into the body. During the same time, a virus is altered for causing the cancer cells to transmit signals that help in identifying them to the given immunotherapy treatment. The news of the treatment appears immensely promising. The given treatment is under discussion for the license by NHS for treating leukemia in children. The researchers are looking into the aspect of long-term survival of the children who might otherwise die
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Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention
Vaccination for Hepatitis B Might Help in Preventing Pancreatic Cancer
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s per a new study, it has been found that a specific Hepatitis B infection served to be a predictor for the future of pancreatic cancer by around 24 percent.
The researchers of the study analyzed the association that existed between the Hepatitis B infection “HepB” & pancreatic cancer. They even analyzed the independent mortality of the predictors. The researchers concluded that this turns out to be the largest study towards revealing that Hepatitis B virus infection could increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by as much as 24 percent. There have been previous research items published in the years 2012 & 2015 that indicated that the HepB infection turned out to be the “causal agent” of enhancing the risks of developing pancreatic cancer.
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The research team stated that the young patients (nearly 60 years old) having hepatitis B should be maintained under close observation by the clinicians – particularly the ones having the high risk for developing pancreatic cancer. This study throws light into the effectiveness of the Hepatitis B vaccination towards preventing pancreatic cancer. A vaccination for hepatitis B has been in existence since 1982. In the United States of America, 2 combination and 3 single-antigen vaccines for hepatitis B have been given license. As there could be hope for preventing pancreatic cancer with the help of Hepatitis B vaccination, there could be some potential side effects to the same. Some of the combination Hepatitis B vaccines available out there include PEDIARIX (combination of Hepatitis B, tetanus, IPV – inactivated poliovirus, and DTaP – acellular pertussis) vaccines and TWINRIX (combination of Hepatitis B & Hepatitis A) vaccines. Most of the pharmacies in the United States of America offer hepatitis vaccinations.
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Bladder Cancer
Newly Identified Biomarker Could Pave the Way for Personalized Bladder Cancer Treatment
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enetic research is making considerable strides towards finding safer and more efficient ways of dealing with bladder cancer. With about 80.000 new cases, in the U.S. alone, each year, this is the fourth most common type of cancer in men. For most people, the discovery of a new strain of cancer might not sound like particularly good news, but scientists are very excited about isolating “p53-like bladder cancer”. Named after the gene signature it is associated with, this is one of the more aggressive variants. Part of the enthusiasm is related to the process used to identify it. By using a computational method, called ActMi, along with MicroRNA molecules, they were able to accurately distinguish p32 from among
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other types of bladder cancer. This could lead to better-personalized care and improved survival rates. The interdepartmental-run study also showed promise when it came to possibly using microRNAs data to generate better solutions for treating the disease. P53-like bladder cancers have proven to be more resistant to standard chemotherapy, which also made finding an adequate course of treatment more difficult. In a press release, Jun Zhu, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Mount Sinai stated that: “Our computational methods not only provided us with deeper insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying this elusive type of bladder cancer but also reveal the potential of microRNAs as therapeutic targets in treating it.” By having better understanding of the structure and composition of the tumors, and the tools to accurately distinguish between the different strains of cancer, science can improve the odds in our favor.
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Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Lung Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer
Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away?
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nown as the fruit of paradise in ancient times, the pomegranate might have been concealing some amazing therapeutic properties that are just now being brought to light.
The exotic fruit, noted for its unique flavor, has seen uses in gastronomy, cosmetics, but also pharmaceutics. Full of antioxidants and rich in anthocyanins, ellagitannins and hydrolysable tannins, pomegranates have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as lower heart disease risk and blood pressure. The list of health benefits seems to be getting longer as recent evidencelinks pomegranates with not only preventing but also as a possible adjutant in the treatment for cancer. As one of the leading
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causes of death worldwide, great effort is being put into finding safe and efficient solutions to this problem. Polyphenols, found throughout the fruit, work at a molecular level by inhibiting aromatase (which converts androgen to estrogen), known to play an important role in the development of breast cancer. Furthermore, some chemotherapeutic signs were noticed during testing. Extended research is being done on other types of cancer, of the colon, lung, prostate, skin, all providing a positive initial response. The fact that more and more natural alternatives are found for cancer treatment means an optimistic view for the future. Safer on the body, with fewer side effects, and more cost efficient than traditional chemotherapeutic agents, these are all reasons to be hopeful that soon cancer will lose its terrible reputation. In the meantime, stay healthy and risk-free with a cup of pomegranate juice.
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Cancer, Cancer Technology, Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Lung Cancer
A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer
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ancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death in many parts of the globe. That is why researchers and scientists have been continuously working on newer, safer methods to kill cancer. One of the newest devices to treat cancer is this light-emitting wireless implant. The use of light to kill cancer cells is not new technology. Medically known as photodynamic therapy, the use of light has already been used for quite some time now to treat certain types of cancers. In this therapy, the patient takes a drug designed to make the cancer cells vulnerable to light. Once vulnerable, the doctor will then shine a light on the area where the tumor is for about 10 to 45 minutes. The doctor does this with the aid of an endoscope, which is a small flexible tube.
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However, photodynamic therapy poses certain problems, especially when the tumor is lodged in moving organs or those found in delicate areas. There is difficulty in performing the therapy for patients with lung cancer or cancer of the esophagus. It makes controlling the dose of light a challenge. Too much dose or light intensity can overheat the healthy tissues, and too little can render the treatment ineffective. With this problem in mind, Toshinori Fujie of Waseda University in Japan and some colleagues and researchers have developed a device that allows doctors to perform photodynamic therapy more safely and efficiently. The light-emitting device is designed to keep the light source stable and in the right place while it emits light at low intensity. It is attached inside the body and is sandwiched between two thin sticky sheets covered with the same sticky polymer as that found in mussel’s feet. Moreover, the device is safer because it is not battery-operated. It instead uses a LED chip that is powered by NFC technology
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Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer
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new study reveals an association between higher levels of Vitamin D and Lower Risk of Breast Cancer. The study has been published in PLoS One and includes data derived from clinical trials carried out at Creighton University of Omaha, Nebraska as well as GrassrootsHealth (California based non-profit). More than 5000 women aged 55 or older were examined in the study. The results showed that women with vitamin D blood levels of 60 ng (nanograms) per ml (milliliter) had eighty percent lesser risk of developing breast cancer as compared to the ones with 20ng/ml or lower. Ranging from 20-60 ng/ml vitamin D blood level exhibited a trend of lower risk of breast cancer with a higher level of Vitamin D. This again, is fundamental, an association, not a direct link of prevention of breast cancer. However, the main investigator, Joan Lappe, a professor at the Creighton University, claims that Vitamin More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer
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D does play an importing role in the prevention of breast cancer. She emphasized that higher level of blood levels of vitamin D should be recommended now as compared to the current levels for adequate bone health. National Academy of Sciences recommends a 20 ng/ml or more vitamin D blood level as healthy for the bones. With the 80%, lesser risk of breast cancer, a 60ng/ml vitamin D blood level is to be taken as the first step of its prevention, according to the director of GrassrootsHealth, Carole Baggerly. She further mentions that despite other lifestyle aspects and nutrition, maintaining the blood level of Vitamin D is more beneficial and the level determined has been proved to be safe within the research. The association between Vitamin D and lower risk of breast cancer is of a significant one and cannot be ignored. Hence, women should look after their bone health and vitamin D blood level, to fight this dreadful disease already!
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Cancer, Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer Cure via Protein Targeting
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t has been found that accumulation of a certain protein in kidneys can boost cancer cell growth which can serve as a target. The research has been conducted by researchers from the United States, China and Singapore and the report has been published in China Science Daily. Seventy percent of kidney cases pertain to clear cell renal cell carcinoma. 90% of these patients suffer from loss of the tumor suppressor gene VHL induced by a genetic change. In the absence of this tumor suppressor, a protein named ZHX2 accumulates in the cell, which increases cancer growth. The US has taken an initiative to approve drugs for battling the absence of VHL but so far patients show resistance to these alternatives or little response. Therefore, other targets are being sought after by the researchers. According to the lead researcher, Zhang Qing, from University of North Carolina School of Medicine, loss of VHL leads to a large
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amount of ZHX2 protein accumulation, that triggers the signal which promotes kidney cancer. He regards it as a potential therapeutic target that can treat kidney cancer. It can do so on its own or it can be combined with other treatments. The researchers used a screening technique through which they discovered that kidney cancer cells lacking VHL have more ZHX2 protein in most of the cases. Hence, when this protein was removed from the laboratory model, it led to the inhibition of growth of cancer cells, their invasion capability and the spread of cancer cells. VHL is a very important suppressor of tumor that can serve crucially in preventing kidney cancers. Hence, to find more targets and also to enhance ways to target protein in therapy, has become a priority. Zhang reveals that further studies are going to focus on these very objectives.
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Cancer Cures, Lung Cancer
New Study Could “Pause & Reverse” Lung Cancer
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team of researchers has discovered a way of stopping & reversing the growth of lungcancer with the help of a potent combination of three unique molecules.
The study – known for being a potential cancer cure – observed that the two BH3-mimetics along with one FGFR inhibitor were capable of blocking the cell survival process of lung cancer cells quite successfully. The results were so successful that the pre-clinical models not only helped in stopping the growth of the tumors but also aided in the tumors to shrink away. The particular research that was led by Dr. Clare Weeden along with others from the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute published its results in the Oncogene journal.
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Cancer arises from the abnormal growth of cells that might reflect distinguishing traits referred to as “hallmarks” by the medical scientists. The hallmarks of the cancer cells are understood as unique pathways leading to the cancer tumors that are able to live and thrive in the given system. Dr. Weeden stated that it turned out an exciting experience for the team as they found out that they were successful in targeting and disrupting two major “hallmarks” of the survival of the lung cancer cells. These were the “cell death” & “cell growth” pathways of the lung cancer cells. By making use of three, distinct, potent compounds – one FGFR inhibitor and two BH3-mimetics – the team of researchers was able to block the major parts of the cancer cells pathways called as BCLXL, MCL-1, and FGFR. Another scientist from the research team stated that the ability to shrink or reverse the tumors implies that cancer patients can now live longer healthily with reduced symptoms or complications from existing cancer. This research opens up doors for the potential cancer cure in the coming times.
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New Study Could “Pause & Reverse” Lung Cancer
Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cancer Cures, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Stomach Cancer
New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer
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ancer is slowly becoming a global issue. The World Health Organization reports that cancer is responsible for almost 9 million deaths each year, about one in six people is struck down by this terrible disease, and these statistics are only getting worse. Everyone is at risk from this silent killer that does not discriminate. While new treatments and medication are constantly being developed and implemented almost daily, there is still a problem with making them affordable and accessible to everyone. In India, the second largest country in the world, cancer is a particularly big problem, with mortality rates reaching 70%. The main reason is late detection, usually due to lack of information.
New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer
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Some good news is on the horizon for the citizens of India. A new program is currently underway, the Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme. Currently, only APST patients are eligible for receiving free chemotherapy treatment, but there are plans to cover all working individuals in the near future. Dr. Syam Tsering, head of the radiation and oncology department at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun, said that in 2017 about 450 patients took advantage of this project. For men, the most common cases presented were for stomach, liver and lung cancer, while most women suffered from stomach, breast and cervix tumors. Among the more prevalent factors, he included obesity, sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise. The facilities at TCC offer chemotherapy, radiation and oncology though they are a bit understaffed, with only six junior specialist doctors present. With substantial funding on the way, Dr. Tsering is hopeful that more people will register to benefit from this program and that he can make a real difference in the healthcare of his countrymen.
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Breast Cancer, Hope Stories, Lymphoma Cancer
When People Care There is HOPE!
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yndsey Hollback was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 19 years. Even after 6 rounds of chemotherapy, her cancer continued getting worse. After two more successive rounds of chemotherapy, 18 radiation treatments and being in & out of remission – she chose the option of a bone marrow transplant. https://www.insideedition.com/media/videos/cancer-survivor-meetsbone-marrow-donor-first-time-45777 Luck was on her side! A stranger named Jacob Murray from Virginia ended up being her match for the transplant. It was an emotional connection between the two of them. Jacob had lost his best friend to the same disease. Knowing that a bone marrow transplant could save and transform Lyndsey’s life completely, Jacob came forward with the proposal of being the bone marrow donor. Jacob felt the immediate urge to help Lyndsey who needed him for saving her life! Jacob delayed no more and jumped into the idea of saving her from
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the life-threatening disease that had taken away his best friend from him. Lyndsey & Jacob met for the first time at a celebration of the survivors of cancer. It was an intensely emotional moment for the two of them. Lyndsey couldn’t be thankful enough to Jacob – who meant her life! This called for a friendship that will definitely last for a lifetime.
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When People Care There is HOPE!
Cancer Breakthroughs, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients
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fter several years of research with little progress, the cancer researchers have finally made major revolutions in the past few years in the treatment of melanoma – the most serious kind of skin cancer. So, what is the key to these medical advances? The concept of “Immunotherapy” is helping the cancer patients suffering from Melanoma to live longer. Recently, the breakthrough treatment for Melanoma was introduced to a patient suffering from skin cancer who had lost one of his ears to the disease. George Dodds had been fighting Melanoma (Skin) cancer since 1962. Having survived as many as 6 major surgeries, George had lost his ear to Melanoma. Still, cancer kept spreading. Until recently, the cancer was found in his lungs.
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Recently, Dodds claimed that the doctors were going to try a new treatment upon him. This new type of revolutionary cancer treatment known as “Immunotherapy” or “Ipilimumab” was going to be the major step towards creating new hope for the cancer treatment across the world. In cancer treatment, Chemotherapy is typically the first-line treatment that is given to the patients towards directing the cancer cells. However, Immunotherapy works by boosting the immune system of the body to fight cancer cells naturally. This approach can be a great hope for the patients suffering from Melanoma – just like George Dodds. FDA claims that the treatment of Immunotherapy towards fighting cancer is so effective that it can be referred to as a “medical breakthrough”. This turns out surprising for the worldwide cancer treatment as this is the first time that medical specialists are able to direct the immune system to attack & reject cancer. The recent scans after immunotherapy have revealed that George’s lungs are improving and beating the odds.
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Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients
Prostate Cancer
Blood Tests can Help in Predicting the Treatment for Patients with Prostate Cancer: Study
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blood test can help in predicting the optimal treatment for patients who have advanced prostate cancer – as per a recent study. A collaborative study on an international level that was conducted between the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Lawson Health Research Institute, Epic Sciences, and the Royal Marsden is the first-ever study that has concluded that a blood test will be helpful in predicting the treatment of the patients having advanced prostate cancer. The study finds that the blood test will help in determining how the patients having prostate cancer will respond to particular treatments leading to the survival of the patient.
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The study made use of a specific liquid biopsy test that was developed by a leading molecular diagnostics company named Epic Sciences. This test was aimed at examining the CTCs (Circulating Tumor Cells) in the blood samples obtained from the patients having advanced prostate cancer. This test turns out to be useful to the patients who might be deciding upon to make the shift from hormone-targeting therapy to chemotherapy. The Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are the cancer cells that tend to develop a tumor and enter the bloodstream. As such, this tumor starts invading the other vital organs of the body which leads to the spreading of cancer. The given test by Epic Sciences will help in determining whether or not the CTCs of the given patient contain a specific protein known as “AR-V7” in the nucleus of the cells. The particular research team is focused on determining whether or not the presence of the protein AR-V7 will predict the specific treatment would help in treating cancer. The results of the study revealed that patients who had tested positive for the AR-V7 protein responded to chemotherapy, while the negative ones responded to hormone-targeting therapy effectively.
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Blood Tests can Help in Predicting the Treatment for Patients with Prostate Cancer: Study
Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Head and Neck Cancer
Merck’s Keytruda on Its Way to Dealing with Head & Neck Cancer Case
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he Keytruda drugs by the leading drugmaker Merck might be on its way to be used in cases of head & neck cancers – the area wherein it has faced queries previously.
The leading New Jersey-based drugmaker – the Merck claimed that in the particular phase 3 trial that was conducted on untreated patients previously, the drug Keytruda has produced excellent results. The drug topped the standard-of-care medical regimen including Erbitux by Eli Lilly. This helped in extending the overall chances of survival in the patients having tumors. This was achieved by expressing a particular level of the PD-L1 biomarker. The result was obtained from an in-depth analysis of the given trial. The results also revealed that Keytruda has yet not satisfied the other major endpoints of the study which is aimed at measuring the overall
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time to cancer progression. However, the overall survival is usually considered the significant standard in the trials related to cancer. As such, the drugmaker Merck will be taking up the winning situation in the given department across the world. In the current scenario, Keytruda bears the approval in performing trials on patients with neck & head cancers – but only in those patients who cancer symptoms might have worsened during or after chemotherapy. After the in-depth checking of the given approval, Keytruda failed in proving that it could help in extending the lives of the patients in the given group of cancers. However, Merck is not simply following the route of monotherapy when it comes to treating neck & head cancers. The latest results have been obtained from the trials on Keynote-048 – s study that has been examining the role of Keytruda as the major part of the cocktail having platinum chemo along with the chemo drug named 5-fluorouracil
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Merck’s Keytruda on Its Way to Dealing with Head & Neck Cancer Case
Breast Cancer, Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Leukemia Cancer, Liver Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer, Stomach Cancer
Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment
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or the longest time, natural remedies have been the backbone of any medical treatment. Today, science is looking to improve modern medicine and find alternative solutions by drawing inspiration from what nature has to offer. Mushrooms have been used for their pharmaceutical properties throughout history, especially in Eastern cultures. More recently, researchers have tried to test and quantify the results of their therapeutic effects, and more notably, the claim that they might have anticarcinogenic properties. Their findings were quite surprising. A team comprised of doctors from several institutions, including the Far Eastern Federal University and the University of Lausanne, has
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been focusing on four types of fungi: Trametes versicolor, Fomitopsis pinicola, Hericium erinaceus and Inonotus obliquus. All from the Basidiomycota division and rich in bioactive compounds (polyphenols, cerebrosides, polysaccharides, terpenoids, glucans etc.), these were the most promising candidates that already showed some evidence of having antitumor responses. While some of them had already been involved in previous trials, their effectiveness was not well represented as they had seen wide application for all types of cancer. The study highlights that the approach should be more targeted as each mushroom displayed different levels of efficiency on different cancers. Fomitopsis pinicola, for example, reacted better with colon and rectal cancers; Hericium erinaceus had better responses with gastric, liver, colon and leukemia; Inonotus obliquus worked best on liver and skin cancers; while Trametes versicolor was more suited to dealing with pancreatic, prostate and breast tumors. Furthermore, there is hope that they might be included in the overall treatment, thanks to their ability to boost chemotherapy. The study concludes that “there are numerous clinical trials confirming the applicability of these mushrooms and their extracts as components of modern anticancer chemotherapy”, but “the complex modes of action and molecular targets as well as exact structures of the active molecules from these mushrooms still have to be studied in more detail”.
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Cancer Breakthroughs, Liver Cancer
New Peptide Drug Targets Liver Cancer from Within
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reliminary reports are indicating a possible breakthrough in the fight against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the development of a new drug called FFW.
Accounting for almost one-fifth of all cancer diagnoses worldwide and with an incidence of over half a million new cases each year, HCC is quickly becoming a global issue. Fast growing and particularly aggressive, the survival rate is less than 50% past the first year. A team of scientists from the Cancer Institute at the National University of Singapore is hoping to reduce these terrible statistics with the help of a new drug that targets the SALL4 protein, associated with a number of cancers, including lung tumors and leukemia. Until now, the only treatment course was Sorafenib, which unfortunately has many negative side effects (nausea, high blood New Peptide Drug Targets Liver Cancer from Within
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pressure, pain, hair loss, itching, just to name a few) and would only prolong the average rate by three months. Typically dormant, SALL4 reactivates in patients with primary liver cancer and forms a bond with another protein, NuRD, leading to the formation of tumors. FFW works by disrupting this partnership impeding movement and causing death among tumor cells. The study notes that “the therapeutic peptide exhibits robust antitumor properties and works by inhibiting the repressive function of SALL4. Our work could also be beneficial to a broad range of solid cancers and leukemic malignancies with elevated SALL4”. This could open the door for other types of treatment, more targeted and less toxic. Used in combination with Sorafenib, it has already shown a reduction in the growth for Sorafenib-resistant HCC, giving hope for future therapies.
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Cancer Breakthroughs, Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention
Oral Bacteria – a Breakthrough Passage in Weight Loss, Cancer Treatment, and Overall Health
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ooking for more reasons to focus on your overall oral health? You must know that oral bacteria is responsible for affecting a wide spectrum of the health & lifestyleaspects including the overall diet, metabolism, cardiovascular system, brain & its health, and so more. The scientists nowadays are focusing their attention on the role of the oral bacteria towards serving as a breakthrough passage for the treatment of weight loss, health management, and most important – cancer treatment. Scientists have revealed that over 700 bacteria strains get swiped from the cheeks all around the world. As such, this fact makes our mouths the 2nd largest microbiome in the entire body. Given the immense population of the bacteria in the given strains, the
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scientists are looking forward to figuring out the individual roles of the bacteria strains in improving the overall health conditions. By analyzing out the specific combination of bacteria that will help in making an individual healthy or sick could be a significant step in starving off the world from such diseases. For example, there are certain bacteria that are the main culprits behind the plethora of gumrelated issues including plaque, gum bleeding, cavities, and so more. The fact that the scientists find interesting is that oral bacteria tend to exist all over the body and are thus, linked to a host of additional medical issues. The all-new knowledge of linking oral bacteria being a breakthrough in the prevention & treatment of cancers and other diseases has been made possible by the latest advancements in RNA & DNA decoding along with microscopic imaging. A new research report also stated that oral bacteria might have a direct impact on the occurrence of cancer.
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Oral Bacteria – a Breakthrough Passage in Weight Loss, Cancer Treatment, and Overall Health
Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Pancreatic Cancer
How Your Diet Feeds Pancreatic Cancer?
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lthough nutrition tends to be a critical component in everyone’s life, there is no specific study indicating the cause of poor nutrition is the cause of pancreatic cancer. However, if you tend to lead a sedentary lifestyle with a fat-rich diet, then you might enhance the overall risks of developing pancreatic cancer. A recent study has revealed that a diet containing high volumes of fat-rich products might lead to pancreatic cancer in the long run. This is because of the interaction that occurs between the fat-rich diet and CCK (cholecystokinin) – a digestive hormone. It has been found that the diet high in fat content triggers the secretion of the digestive hormone “CCK” by the small intestine. People who tend to consume a diet rich in saturated fats on a daily basis usually have higher levels of CCK. This increases the overall risks of developing pancreatic cancer.
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In a particular study, a group of mice was subjected to a fat-rich diet as the other group of mice was given a normal diet. Half of the mice belonging to the first group were treated with proglumide – a medication that tends to block CCK. As a result of the study, it was deduced that some mice had tumors that lacked CCK, while some others were deficient in CCK & had pancreatic cancer. Mice which were given the treatment of proglumide had less tumor growth in comparison to the untreated mice – even when they were fed the diet rich in fat. The mice that lacked the CCK were also not responding to the fatrich diet. The study thus suggested that CCK is required towards stimulating the growth of the pancreatic cancer tumors. As such, it can be said that blocking CCK might be helpful in spreading the tumors of pancreatic cancer to other body parts.
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How Your Diet Feeds Pancreatic Cancer?
Cancer Breakthroughs, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer
FDA Issues Breakthrough Therapy Designation for LENVIMA
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he Eisai Co. Ltd. and Merck & Co. Inc. Kenilworth – has recently announced that the United States FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has granted the Breakthrough Therapy designation for LENVIMA (the generic name as Lenvatinib Mesylate) – the oral kinase inhibitor available out there developed by Eisai. The grant was also given for the anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (with its generic name as Pembrolizumab) By Merck & Co. Inc. – used for treating the patients having advanced & metastatic nonmicrosatellite instability or pMMR (proficient mismatch repair) EC (endometrial carcinoma). The therapy of the combination of LENVIMA & KEYTRUDA is currently under joint development by Eisai & Merck & Co. Inc. This is a part of the major strategic collaboration between the two companies that was announced in March 2018. This is going to FDA Issues Breakthrough Therapy Designation for LENVIMA
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be the 3rd Breakthrough Therapy designation for LENVIMA by FDA in combination with KEYRUDA. This designation is followed by the Breakthrough Therapy designation that took place for the combination of advanced & metastatic renal cell carcinoma that was announced earlier this year in January. The Breakthrough Therapy designation is a distinctive FDA-run program that aims at expediting the reviewing and development of medicines for life-threatening or fatal life conditions. Towards qualifying for this specific FDA-approved designation, preliminary clinical evidence should be able to demonstrate that the particular drug might be providing sustainable improvements over the other currently existing therapies on at least one of the clinically important endpoints. The main benefit of the Breakthrough Therapy designation by FDA includes focusing on more intensive treatment methods and guidance on the available, efficient clinical development & review programs
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Breast Cancer
Possible Male Breast Cancer Signs You Should Be Aware of
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ven though the risk of breast cancer in men is quite low, being aware of the signs and seeking professional help in time is more imperative than ever.
The phrase “breast cancer” is so strongly associated with women, that most of the time people completely put it out of their head that men too can be affected. In fact, this is the main reason a lot of the times it is detected considerably later than it should be. In fact, my older brother had male breast cancer, and luckily his cancer is in remission. It is true that men have less breast tissue, and also the incidence is only a fraction compared to cases in women, but there is still a risk, and the consequences for ignoring them can be deadly.
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Statistics show that in the United States alone, approximately 2500 new cases of breast cancer in men will be discovered in 2018 and more than 480 patients will die because of it. One of the most common symptoms is noticing a painless lump on the chest. Often disregarded or attributed to some bumping, lumps can be a sign of a serious problem, especially when accompanied by local tenderness. Usual places are armpits, lymph nodes and around the collarbone. Having an inverted or dented nipple can be a sign of breast cancer. When the tumor grows, it pulls on the ligaments inside the breast. You should be worried especially if you notice a dry or scaly skin around the area. If you spot any nipple discharge, don’t be embarrassed to ask for some medical investigations. It might be fluid from a tumor build up. Open soars that just won’t heal or go away can also be a symptom. As the tumor is growing, it might start pushing through the skin, looking at first like a popped pimple. Occasional self-checks are important, and if you notice a problem, do not hesitate to visit your doctor, it might save your life!
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Possible Male Breast Cancer Signs You Should Be Aware of
Breaking Cancer Research, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
Could Wart Vaccines Really Treat Skin Cancer?
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remarkable study published in the JAMA Dermatology describes the case of a 97-year-old woman suffering from squamous cell cancer being treated with wart vaccines. As a result, all the tumors were cleared. When it comes to elderly patients, it can be hard to determine the best course of action. The attending doctor, Anna Nicols, had only three options, all of them risky, none of them pleasant: either prescribe radiation and force the patient to undergo a difficult treatment with lots of heavy medication; recommend amputation, a dangerous operation in these circumstances; or let the disease take its course and just try to alleviate the symptoms. While at the Miami School of Medicine University, she had seen two experimental cases where the HPV vaccine was used with moderate
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success. Those patients exhibited fewer cancers in the months after, though cases can vary widely and it’s almost impossible to extrapolate outcomes. Even though it was a very long shot, convinced by her patient’s strong will not to give up the fight, they went ahead with the procedure. Two standard intramuscular injections six weeks apart followed by four intra-tumoral shots over the course of the next eleven months. Almost a year after the initial injection, the patient was tumor free. A follow-up done twelve months later showed that the recurrence rate was zero. It was astounding! The vaccine showed a lot of potential as an antiviral anti-tumor agent, and while there’s still a long way before it can be prescribed as a general treatment, there is a lot of hope for future developments in this field.
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Hope Stories
Cancer Cannot Take Away Who You Are!
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parent, a husband, a friend, a son, a hero, Paul, is a determined fighter against cancer. Strongest people are not those who manage to overcome difficulties, but those who know how to live through their difficulties without changing who they are. A technician in the emergency room of the hospital, Paul, when hit by stage IV lung cancer, stood tall and tackled with it just the way he has tackled life so many times before. This inspirational personality has been a basketball coach for girls and is a homeless shelter volunteer. His humble personality continues to work for the people’s betterment even when his own life took on such an endangering turn of life. The key to his success is that he does not believe in focusing on the problems but works his way around them.
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When Paul got the news of his disease, he was fearful for his future. But the real essence of this man took a better hold of him and he emerged as a persistent fighter, who did not give up on the mission of his life – to continue to serve others. The strength he derived is from within who he is and from what, his beautiful family and friends, provided for him. It is for the sake of his endearing wife, Natalie and his kids, Erinn and Jeremiah, that he kept up a positive approach to this battle. Paul focuses upon what he can do instead of what has been taken away from him by his ailment. The drive for him to get up every day is the endless treasure of love and care inside his own capacity that cancer can never take away from him. He cares for others, works for them, appreciates the presence of human bonds and precious memories of a life that cancer or any other disease can never ever steal! Every Friday morning, when his family waits to welcome him after his chemotherapy is a reminder of life that life will stay a life, will be there to be lived, no matter what hurdle cancer brings! His lips can still stretch into a peaceful smile that can tender anyone’s heart or his words are still there that can provide hope for any person out there! He still exists and he is who he is and perhaps, that is the most beautiful thing he can always perceive!
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Alternative Cancer Treatments, Cancer, Cancer Breakthroughs, Cancer Technology
New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy
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ancer drugs are designed to attack and kill cancer cells, but poisonous as they are, they also harm normal healthy cells that can produce adverse side effects for the cancer patients. Patients experience these side effects in the appearance of their skin and hair fall. They start to look weak in stature. Especially those patients who are under heavier doses. However, now researchers may have come with a breakthrough in cancer treatment that can deduct all these mishaps. The therapy thus comes forth is known as Molecularly Targeted Therapy, in which drugs are formulated at a molecular level, built specifically to harm and slay only cancer cells. Their structure is made
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in a way that can recognize particular molecules specific to different kinds of cancers. The model drug that gives the prospect of this theory is Glivec (also called STI571). Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) can be fought with this model drug (CML is a condition in which white blood cells overproduce excessively). These drugs are now being called as “designer drugs”. President-Elect, Paul A. Bunn Jr., of American Society of Clinical Oncology terms this development as very important and most effective as the drug is specifically designed for the target cells. Dr. Brian Druker, the main researcher behind this drug, further mentions that this drug pertains to the critical abnormalities that propel various kind of cancers and if these abnormalities are identified clearly, the specific drugs, such as STI571, can be designed for every kind of cancer. These designer drugs have a shortcoming in that they can be used within a limited spectrum, as it is formulated specifically for special types of molecules related to the cancer. For example, so far, STI571 has been found to fight against gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), apart from CML. The enzyme targeted in GIST is similar to that of CML, hence the drug worked against both. Due to these positive clinical results portrayed by Glivec in treating CML, it is being reviewed by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and will be made available in few months. This discovery can be a head-turning change in the treatment of cancer and cancel out as many side effects of cancer drugs as possible!
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New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy
Breaking Cancer Research, Cancer, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology, Leukemia Cancer
Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight
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cientists have made an unexpected discovery when they paired a form of arsenic trioxide with a leukemia drug, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The combination of the two seems to have beneficial effects in cancer treatment. A team of researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center was investigating claims that arsenic could have some anti-cancer properties, following information that public drinking water containing small amounts of the substance was connected to lower cancer incidence. Putting together an oxide of arsenic (ATO), which was cleared as safe by the FDA, and ATRA showed an impressive positive effect against acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). While it is still unclear what are the actual processes taking place, initial data suggests that the duo is targeting the Pin1enzyme, which is linked with several types of cancer. Pin1 is believed to be responsible for
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activating more than 40 cancer-driving proteins and interfering with more than 20 tumor-suppressing proteins. The finding is even more crucial as disrupting this particular master enzyme could prove to be a key to eliminating aggressive tumors which are typically resistant to therapy, and also eliminate cancer stem cells. Extended research on breast cancer, liver cancer as well as lupus and asthma points towards a positive outcome. While most of the world classifies arsenic as a poison, in China it has a long history of being used as a treatment for a multitude of problems, from infections to cancer. In the press release, dr. Xiao Zhen Zhou mentions that “Our discovery strongly suggests an exciting new possibility of adding arsenic trioxide to existing therapies in treating triple-negative breast cancer and many other cancer types, especially when patients’ cancers are found to be Pin1-positive”, giving hope to millions of cancer patients throughout the world.
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Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight
Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Prostate Cancer
Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer
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alnuts have been found to prevent and even initiate killing cancer cells, according to several studies conducted on them. The reason for this cancer-killing property resides in the rare phytonutrients that are rarely found in other foods. These compounds (the quinone juglone, tannin tellimagrandin, flavanol morin4) are well known for inhibiting cancer. Also, walnuts are the only type of nut having plant-based alpha-linolenic acid ALA, as well as various antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, beneficial in preventing cancer. Researchers at UC Davis claim that whole walnut or walnut oil, can slow down prostate cancer in mice. A handful of walnuts per day can greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer and growth of tumors. Most importantly, they reduce the level of hormone IGF-1 that is potentially responsible for the development of breast and prostate cancer.
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According to a Harvard Medical School study, diets rich in walnuts can potentially slow colorectal cancer tumor growth. The configuration of walnut causes significant changes in the microribonucleic acid (miRNAs) present in colorectal cancer tissue, bringing changes in a cancer gene. Researchers at Harvard conducted a randomized study containing two groups of mice, one group fed with 2 ounces walnuts per day and the second group fed with a similar diet which lacked walnuts. 25 days later, it was found that mice which were fed with walnuts had ten times more amount of total omega-3 fatty acids, as well as plantbased ALA (alpha-linolenic acid); the key miRNAs were positively engaged. In these mice, smaller tumor size was observed with the greater percentage of omega-3, further suggesting the protective benefits of ALA as well. The growth rate of the tumor was also slower in walnut-fed mice. Hence, including walnuts is your diet could be beneficial for preventing cancer, but too much intake can be hazardous because of its calories (just 2.6 ounces contain 482 calories). Therefore, whenever, you crave to have some snack with tea or some cookies, prefer eating a handful of walnuts!
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Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer
Breast Cancer, Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer
Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!
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uava, a tropical fruit grown worldwide, has more to itself than it sweet acrid taste. Its leaves are a source of many health benefits and are used in many forms of traditional medicines. The antioxidant properties of these leaves are very effective, more than the fruit itself, according to a research conducted in 2007 and published in the Journal of Food and Chemistry. Tea made with guava leaves has been drunk for ages in Asian countries as it proves very effective in treating diarrhea, diabetes, cold and flu, cholesterol and most importantly, it portrays anti-cancer action. For this reason, the effects of guava leaves, along with its seeds, overall plant and leaf oil, have been tested for chemotherapeutic properties. A study conducted in 2010 by a medical scientist tested the use of guava leaves for prostate cancer. The results showed that utilizing guava extract can actually minimize the size of the tumor. Another Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!
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study conducted in 2012, which made an appearance in the Journal of Medicine Food, further demonstrated the anti-cancer properties and activity of guava leaves or extract. Moreover, a study conducted back in 2016 demonstrated the same results regarding guava leaf extract. When it comes to Guava leaves, there are two major compounds. One of its compounds is Lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant; multiple studies demonstrate how Lycopene lowers the overall risk of cancer. The other compound is Flavonoid Quercetin which also exhibits anti-cancer properties. Guava leaves especially lower the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer and oral cancer. Furthermore, these leaves counter colon, prostate and epidermal cancer. They can also put a stop to various human carcinoma cell lines. Hence, guava leaf tea could serve to be a beneficial addition to your herbal diet intake. Start the intake with a lesser amount, as per your herbalist’s or medical professional’s advice. Monitor the response of your body to its intake. Take any beneficial steps to stay healthy and keep cancer at bay!
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Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?
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atural diets based on fresh and organic fruits and vegetables are commonly recommended for preventing and managing cancer diagnoses. While there is clear evidence that they provide a wide variety of health benefits, there isn’t a lot of specific data on which greens are more effective and the mechanism involved. China has invested heavily in healthcare and medical research in later years and now has a very respectable scientific community. Articles published by Chinese teams regularly make the news, as is with this story. A recent study has put forward some interesting claims about the potential anti-cancer properties of sweet potatoes. It is all based on a newly isolated phytosterol, β-sitosterol-D-glucoside (β-SDG), though the specific interactions are still unclear.
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Estimates say that a high percentage of women, about 1 in 8, will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. In the U.S, more than 260.000 new cases are expected just in 2018 alone, along with 40.000 fatalities. Men are also at risk, though in their case percentages are considerably lower. The article examined the influence β-SDG has on breast cancer cell lines, with a focus on MCF7 and MDA-MB-231. Results “indicated that β-SDG exhibited cytotoxic activities on MCF7/MDA-MB-231 cells via inducing apoptosis, and activated the caspase proteases in these cells”. Apoptosis is basically a form of programmed cell death, and scientist managed to target the cancer cells by blocking certain signaling pathways using this extract. Research is still in the initial stages and many more tests and trials are required before turning this compound into actual medicine. In the meantime, you should consider including sweet potatoes more into your diet to increase your chances of having a long and cancer-free life.
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The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?
Breaking Cancer Research, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
New Vaccine Completely Removes Cancer in Mice
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aboratory trials at Scripps Research Institute in San Diego have revealed incredible results, with a new vaccine that, when paired with an adjuvant, managed to have 100% success rate on mice with melanoma. “This co-therapy produced a complete response—a curative response— in the treatment of melanoma”, reported Research Professor Dale Boger, one of the co-authors of the paper. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that typically appears following extended exposure to ultraviolet rays. It has a pretty low incidence rate, but a high mortality rate, as it can be difficult to identify in the early stages. By adding Diprovocim, a molecule synthesized in a lab environment, to the anti-PD-L1 therapy (checkpoint inhibitors part of the New Vaccine Completely Removes Cancer in Mice
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immunotherapy procedure), scientists observed a full survival rate over 54 days in the mice. In addition to this, they noticed another positive effect, the vaccine also prevented cancer recurrence. Immunotherapy seems to be the field providing the most notable advancements for cancer treatment in recent years. Many centers are focusing their work in this direction as the therapies developed are more effective, better targeted and far less damaging on the body, compared to current forms of chemotherapy and radiation. “Just as a vaccine can train the body to fight off external pathogens, this vaccine trains the immune system to go after the tumor” said Dr. Boger. What is even more exciting, is the fact that the vaccine can be used to boost current cancer therapies and improve their effectiveness in fighting the disease. The procedure is simple and requires only two injections intramuscularly, at a week difference. The team is eager to continue experiments and test it along with other cancer treatments.
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Breaking Cancer Research, Head and Neck Cancer
Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Therapies
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new wave of new cancer treatment options is emerging and is set to change the current courses involving chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Some of the new alternatives do seem like taken from fiction movies. Immunotherapy, or bionic therapy, is based on boosting the body’s defenses by using mutated or artificial antibodies. Usually, the immune system takes care of any abnormal cells inside the body. In the case of cancer, the diseases can mask its presence, eluding the reach of antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies and checkpoint inhibitors have already been successfully used in the treatment of cancers and mark the basis for a number of new drugs, including Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab. Because these courses employ the body’s own resources to fight the
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disease, the treatments are safer, less invasive, better targeted and more effective than say radiation, which destroys both sick and healthy cells. Robotic surgery is another cutting-edge alternative. Meant to be a superior form of surgery, minimally-invasive and more accurate, this is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. The robot-assisted therapy is better suited for smaller tumors but can handle a wide number of scenarios. Compared to traditional operations, it causes less damage and the patient recovery period is considerably shorter. It has some limitations though, the frame is quite large and it can’t reach some parts of the body. In addition to these, there are now considerably more experts and major medical centers equipped to better handle treatments and recovery. Even compared to only a few years ago, the threat of cancer doesn’t seem as scary, as medicine has made significant advancements and offers improved medical care and better outcomes.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Prevention, Prostate Cancer
Early Age Drinking May Lead To Aggressive Prostate Cancer Later In Life
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eenagers who develop a habit of drinking regularly could be exposing themselves to some serious health risks, including developing forms of prostate cancer.
A study examining the effects of lifetime alcohol intake in relation to cancer diagnoses found that men who had consumed seven or more drinks per week, between the ages of 15 and 19, were almost three times more likely to suffer from high-grade prostate cancer in their adulthood. Moderate drinkers with ages 20 to 49 also face increased risks compared to non-drinkers. The results come following a survey conducted at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center on 650 men participating in a decade-long project. Biopsies revealed 238 cases of low-grade prostate cancer and 88 cases with higher grade malignancy.
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Researchers believe that one of the reasons behind these alarming findings might be the fact that adolescence is a period when the prostate sees important growth, making it more susceptible to cancercausing agents. While the article puts forward some startling perspectives, authors were quick to mention that, even though there is evidence of a link between alcohol intake and cancer, there is not enough conclusive data to suggest that it is the primary culprit. In comparison, current alcohol intake was not associated with prostate cancer. The paper ends by concluding that “among men undergoing prostate biopsy, heavier alcohol intake earlier in life and higher cumulative lifetime intake were positively associated with high-grade prostate cancer diagnosis, while current intake was unrelated to prostate cancer”. Knowing potential dangers ahead of time and making decisions accordingly can drastically improve lifetime health and life expectancy.
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Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Can Match Tea Fight Cancer?
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atcha tea seems to be the latest global trend. Its popularity has gotten so big, that even companies like Starbucks and Lipton are trying to capitalize on it. While it is advertised as providing several health benefits, scientists are exploring another possible property, anti-cancer capabilities. In case you haven’t heard, matcha is basically finely ground green tea leaves grown and harvested under some special conditions. Lately, it’s seen a lot of attention as a natural supplement for a number of diets and nutrition regimens, including weight loss, cardiovascular or liver problems. A recent study looks to further the list of health benefits the tea can provide by examining claims that it can fight cancer. Laboratory trials involving matcha green tea (MGT) and breast cancer samples revealed some fascinating results. While the whole process is still unclear, it
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seems that MGT has an effect on mTOR signaling pathway, which plays an important role in cancer cell metabolism. Another interesting revelation was that “MGT is sufficient to suppress both oxidative mitochondrial metabolism (OXPHOS) and glycolytic flux, shifting cancer cells towards a more quiescent metabolic state”. Matcha compounds are essentially inhibiting the tumor from drawing its necessary energy and making the mutated cells become inactive. It’s been observed that MGT also weakens ribosome, crucial in cell protein synthesis. The fact that matcha tea is a great natural supplement full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is well beyond doubt. It has significant therapeutic potential, yet it’s still too early to draw a definite conclusion in regards to its anticancer abilities. Results so far are promising, but much more research is need before being adopted as actual medicine
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Dietary Tips that May Help to Stave Off Cancer – What Do You Have to Lose?
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hink of a healthy and balanced diet as more than just fuel necessary to power the body for day-to-day activities, but also as a way of reducing the risk of chronic diseases and even cancer.
Doctors recommend varied meals with plenty of vegetables and fruits because they provide a number of essential compounds, like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatories and also phytonutrients. These are natural chemicals that help the immune system in its continuous fight against germs, bugs and all other threats. Carotenoids, just one of the thousands of such chemicals, are responsible for giving carrots their trademark orange tint, or that beautiful bright red in tomatoes. Between three and five servings of greens daily seems to be the ideal ratio. It can seem much, but remember that you are spreading them
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across the whole day. You don’t need to carefully measure the amounts every time, just aim to have them on about half of the plate for each meal. As you start to change your nutrition more towards a plant-based diet, keep in mind to increase hydration too. You will be incorporating more fiber so you need to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Most people are worried that a healthy diet somehow means a dramatic change in eating habits. It’s not. You are just shifting the focus more on vegetables or healthier alternatives, and the change should be gradual. For example, consider having a piece of fruit as a snack, instead of the usual sweets or chips. Something as simple as switching from white rice to brown rice can make a big difference. They are very similar, but this way you get more proteins and healthy fatty acids. Another simple tip is to have a wide selection of foods from different color groups. This way you can ensure you’re getting many of the different phytonutrients. While you won’t really notice the effects of this healthy lifestyle change immediately, you will definitely be glad you did later in life.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil
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ow you might wonder “could coconut oil be a benefit?” Indeed yes! Even after having a bad reputation in the past era, the recent technological breakthroughs & advancements in the field of medical science have proven that coconut oil contains “good” saturated fat and is thus, known to be immensely healthy. The unique combination of fatty acids that are found in pure coconut oil can impart a myriad of potential health benefits. Right from effective weight loss to improved functioning of the brain, and so more – there are several health benefits of pure coconut oil. Pure coconut oil is known to contain lauric acid – a medium-chain fatty acid that gets converted to monolaurin in the body. Lauric acid is known to be immensely beneficial for minimizing the effects of parasites, viruses, bacteria, infections, and fungi. Coconut oil is also known to contain around 86.5 percent of saturated fatty acids along with 5.8 percent of monounsaturated fatty acids The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil
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and 0 percent of trans-fat. The oil has MCFA (medium-chain fatty acid) which is known for supporting the overall immune system of the body with antimicrobial properties. Several studies have revealed that the presence of MCFAs also helps the body in feeling fuller for a longer period and thus, aids in effective weight loss. Organic, raw, virgin coconut oil is known to have a plethora of health benefits. It is considered to be a superfood as it helps in increasing the overall cardiovascular functions, healing the damaged cells that could lead to cancer & other diseases, and cleansing the body. People across the world are now realizing the several benefits of coconut oil.
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Breaking Cancer Research
Combination of Molecules Found to be Effective in the Treatment of Cancer in Mice
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esearch has it that immunotherapy is one of the best most effective ways of treating cancer wherein the own immunity cells of the patient are coded to attack the tumor. This approach turns out to be successful. However, it turns out expensive as it gets customized as per the specific requirements of each patient. Recent experiments in the field of cancer research & treatment have come up with a comparatively less expensive approach that could help in activating the immune system of any individual against cancer. Scientists are injecting tumors with specific molecules and viruses for finding something that would activate the entire immune system of the body to kill tumor & any other form of metastases. There have been successful results in some animals including mice, but not in
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the human beings. Ron Levy along with his team of researchers at Stanford University has come up with 20 distinct molecules that they consider might do the trick well. The team of researchers led by Ron induced the tumors in mice through the injection of the same just below the surface of the skin within two separate locations. Once the tumors commenced growing rapidly, the scientists went forward with injecting the distinct 20 molecules individually or in combinations to the tumors. As a result of their study, the scientists found success with one pair of the molecules. One specific molecule referred to as “CpG” – made up of two bases making up the DNA. Now, the team of researchers looks forward to accelerating the research towards finding hope in the field of cancer treatment.
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Combination of Molecules Found to be Effective in the Treatment of Cancer in Mice
Breaking Cancer Research
Scientists Discovered a Drug Target for Neurodegenerative Diseases & Cancer
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medical research team based in Bhubaneswar, India has discovered the downregulation of a protein named “TRIM16” could help in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In the hope for coming across a potential treatment for cancer and other neurodegenerative diseases in the coming future, this observation can set a benchmark in the pretext of the same. The team of researchers at the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar has found that the activation of a specific type of protein named TRIM16 can serve to be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide array of neurodegenerative diseases including ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinsons’s disease. In addition to this, the inhibition of the specific protein in the cancer cells could help in bringing about a reduction in the
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proliferation of tumor. The results of the study were published in THE EMBO Journal. The study by the medical team that was carried out in lab mice and test tubes has revealed that the particular protein TRIM16 has the ability to protect the cancer cells from oxidative stress. As such, the inhibition of this protein could lead to the reduced amount of tumor growth in the body.
Potential Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases The team of medical researchers supervised by Santosh Chauhan found that the TRIM16 protein played a vital role in both the formation of protein aggregates, as well as in their successive degradation. When more of TRIM16 protein gets produced by activation, the process of the degradation of the unwanted material (autophagy) gets boosted. Thus, it leads to an increased rate of protein aggregate degradation. Given the potential of the study towards combating the growth of tumor cells and helping in dealing with neurodegenerative diseases, there is a great hope for the future of cancer treatment.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition
Red Meat May Not be as Bad as We Have Been Told – You decide!
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t has been recently found by the researchers from McMaster University situated in Hamilton, Ontario, that high-level intake of cheese and red meat tends to increase human lifespan. Red meat and cheese have made their way back to a healthy diet according to these researchers. A steak or a slice of cheddar doesn’t come with as much alarm as we thought. According to the study, those people who ingested 120 g of unprocessed meat and 3 portions dairy daily, seemed to benefit the most from it. It was seen that death risk decreased by a good 25% in these people, not to mention the risk of death-inducing heart attack which minimized by 22%. The researchers took factors like wealth, education and health habits into account as well.
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Andrew Mente, a McMaster Professor of epidemiology and nutrition says that their findings seem to be challenging the conventional conceptions regarding unprocessed meat intake and full-fat dairy. Mente recommends that three portions of dairy and one portion of unprocessed red meat or white meat per day can be beneficial and protective. From their data, it is evident that saturated fat is more beneficial than carbs. White meat (chicken or turkey) were also found to exhibit similar benefits according to the researchers. The researchers also mentioned that eight portions of fruits and vegetables along with half a portion of beans and nuts can also be beneficial. Dr. Salim Yusuf from McMaster Medical School is a teacher of cardiovascular disease. He also emphasizes that the results of their study have shown that unprocessed meat and dairy products are beneficial for the health of the heart and boosts heart longevity. He further adds that these results differ from the currently recommended diet options. The study adds a completely new perspective on what we think is healthy or not!
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Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer
Primary Tumors Found to Inhibit Secondary Tumors
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etastasis is the process through which a cancer spreads to other parts of the body. The key to survival rate is to put a stop to metastasis. It has been found recently in a study that primary tumors can hamper the growth of a secondary tumor by developing a particular mechanism. Recent work against metastasis includes targeting protein that protects the loose tumor cells and other mechanisms that help cells tarnish the main tumor. Studying metastasis in mice, researchers have now found a new mechanism at play. A development of an eccentric ecosystem in which breast tumors let out signals to “breakaway cells” which are making their way to other areas of the body. It was found that these signals actively stopped the secondary tumors from growing.
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The immune system is stimulated by the primary tumors through an inflammatory response. The immune cells get ready to launch an attack on the secondary tumor and freeze their growth. The co-author of the study, Sandra McAllister, further reveals that the breakaway cells can remain in a transition state for long period of time, tend to not grow well, compromising their ability to form tumors. Hence, quite remarkably, the primary tumor sets on inhibiting its own growth. Researchers say that there is evidence that the same process could take place in human body. The researchers are now studying how to find effective ways to maneuver the process of signaling by the primary tumors to help inhibit cancer spread. They have been able to identify some of these signals for activating the immune system and the response of immune cells. Christine Chaffer, another co-author of the study, mentions that the goal of their work is to imitate the freezing action of the secondary cells so that all types of breast cancers could inhibit secondary tumor growth. The effort is to understand how the immune response is being stimulated and immune cells are targeting the secondary tumors, as each step is a welcome site for therapeutic advantages against cancer spread. Hopefully, the new research would pave way for increasing the survival rates of breast cancer patients undergoing metastasis. It is hoped other types of tumors and breast cancers can be fought against in the same manner as well.
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Brain Cancer, Childhood Cancer and Treatments
Stem Cells Could Be an Effective Drug Delivery Tool for Brain Cancer in Children
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recent study by the researchers from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have established stem cells grafted from skin cells that can hunt cancer and thus deliver drugs to decimate medulloblastoma tumors growing faster after surgery. Previously, in a study, it has been shown that such stem cells could deliver drugs to glioblastoma cells (deadliest cancer cells). Now in the new study appearing in PLOS ONE shows that these can also be used to target medulloblastoma cells and prolong patient life. It is most important to see if this works for children. Hingtgen from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy says that chemotherapy and radiation are very harmful to the developing brain in children, hence, the new alternative treatment could bring a quality of life benefits. He and his team studied the natural ability of stem cells to reach tumors and utilized it like a FedEx truck that can lead
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to the right location and feed cytotoxic drugs to the tumor cells. He claims that the skin cells are converted into something that can crawl to find infiltrative tumors. Laboratory models of the brain after receiving surgery when they were inserted with these drug-fed stem cells showed 15 times decrease in tumors’ size. Average survival in mice was observed to be 133%. Their lives were prolonged by 123% when inserted with human stem cells. It was also discovered that after surgically removing the tumor from the brain through standard treatment, the remaining cancer cells tend to grow faster and became aggressive. Scott Elton, a co-author of the study, calls it a holy grail if the stem cells made from patients’ own cells can be used to target these tumor cells. They can also be made beneficial for other rare types of brain cancers in children. He acknowledges that most of the medulloblastoma cases occur in children and side effects with this alternative can be dramatic but with more exploration, it would be made better for that 30 % of children for whom standard therapy does not work. It is hoped that this treatment could be an effective alternative to standard treatment which comes with developmental and neurological side effects and prolong patients’ lives.
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Kidney Cancer
Metabolic Differences in Kidney Tumors Could Help Better Treatments
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idney cancer is among the 10 most prevalent cancers around the world. 70% of kidney cancers include clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) which results from the accumulation of sugar and fat. Dr. Kevin Courtney and his team along with other professors set to investigate how kidney tumors utilize glucose which serves as the main source of energy for most of the tissues. They used labeled glucose in an intraoperative infusion during a surgery meant to eliminate kidney cancer. It was found that ccRCC use glucose entirely different from other tissues, instead of breaking down glucose via tricarboxylic acid cycle for extracting energy, they stopped short of it, which indicates that they must have some other energy source upon which they survive.
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Dr. Ralph DeBerardinis mentions how it has been believed almost for a century that aggressive tumors dwelled on glycoses (partial breakdown of glucose) based upon the observation of their metabolism outside human body. He adds that studying metabolism directly in cancer patients revealed that glycoses is not a universal feature of cell metabolism. Some tumors really do rely on glucose, while other tumors metabolism can be investigated with help of labeled isotopes. ccRCC is unique in this aspect and this is the first study that demonstrates how ccRCC react to glucose as compared to other normal tissue. The researchers hope to find it as chink in the armor in treating ccRCC. Further studies will be conducted to find out any linked vulnerability in ccRCC tumor metabolic activities. The team aims to use more labeled isotopes in order to pinpoint more vulnerabilities regarding the growth of kidney cancers in order to improvise treatment methods.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition
Top Ways to Give Your Brain a Boost
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he brain is the most vital part of the human body. A brain handles it all – the emotions, the memory, the thoughts, and so more. However, as we get old, the power of our brain starts degrading with age. We cannot alter the cycle of aging. However, we can take up some healthy steps towards boosting the overall power of our brain to strengthen the memory and thinking process. A study reveals that as people move beyond the age of 60 years, it is all about maintaining good, healthy lifestyle habits that help in keeping the brain strong and lively. Here are some additional tips from the experts: Controlling Medical Conditions: Some of the specific medical concerns associated with the process of aging can affect the brain as well. For instance, high blood pressure during the middle age has been linked to a higher risk of developing dementia in the later stages of life. Therefore, it is considered the best option to act upon controlling the medical conditions in the right age itself to prevent any major issues later on in life.
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Get Moving On: Regular exercises and aerobic activities can help in increasing the blood flow to the brain. As such, it helps in maintaining the size of the hippocampus of the brain – involved with learning & memory capabilities. Select a Brain-Healthy Diet: Eating schedules that are rich in whole grains, legumes, proteins, and healthy fats are known to be beneficial for the overall health of the brain. Therefore, it is important to choose your diet wisely. Make sure you take proper care of your brain’s health at the right tim
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Eating Broccoli While Pregnant Could Help in Preventing Breast Cancer in Child
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regnancy diets usually recommend eating plenty of vegetables and fruits so as to provide the necessary balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to the baby. One recent study suggests that mothers that eat broccoli sprouts could, in fact, pass on to their child a certain resistance to breast cancer. The article in question appeared in the American Association for Cancer Research publication and puts forth the idea that many cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, have particular anti-cancer properties. This is in great part due to the high amount of Sulforaphane (SFN) these plants possess, a compound which reactivates tumor suppression genes and blocks genes that promote the growth and spread of cancer cells.
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Breast cancer is one of the most widespread forms of malignancy, and one of the most important risk factors is genetic background. The ability to reduce the risk of future development could help prevent millions of new cases and save countless lives. The paper notes that: “Bioactive dietary components such as sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables including broccoli sprouts (BSp), cabbage, and kale, has been shown to reduce the risk of developing many common cancers through regulation of epigenetic mechanisms”. Laboratory tests were conducted only on mice so far, but scientists hope to translate the work to human trials and possibly recreate the results. The rodents were fed the equivalent of about four cups (266g) of broccoli each day, though people would require less. Feeding the mice with the same amount at later stages in life did not yield similar findings. It could be a good idea to start incorporating these greens into your current diet, it can’t do any harm.
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Eating Broccoli While Pregnant Could Help in Preventing Breast Cancer in Child
Breaking Cancer Research, Pancreatic Cancer
Switchable CAR-T Cells Target Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
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ancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in the world, and in spite of sustained medical efforts, the incidence rate is rising.
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) has already shown incredible success in treating hematological diseases. The procedure involves harvesting T-Cells from the patient, combining them with engineered receptors and then injecting them back to fight the cancer cells. This type of immunotherapy offers significant advantages over standard courses. It’s better targeted and safer for the patient, compared to chemotherapy or radiation. The study sought to apply CAR-T therapy on other types of cancer, like PDAC, where results were not as impressive. The team, comprised of doctors from Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.A., realized that by
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introducing a Fab-based ‘switch’, they could tune the response. By combining CAR-T and the tumor antigen-specific Fab molecule, they were able to observe “complete remission in difficult-to-treat, patientderived advanced pancreatic tumour models”. Aiming for the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) gene, a known cancer marker which can upregulate tumor cells, proved a successful strategy. “Rapid tumour clearance was observed in the switchable CAR-T cells+HER2 switch and conventional HER2 CAR-T cell cohorts”. This prompted the conclusion that “data therefore confirm the efficacy of HER2 targeting in disseminated metastatic PDAC tumours via either conventional CAR-T cells or the switchable CAR-T systems.” Pancreatic cancer often goes into metastasis because it generally offers no initial symptoms. Because of this, survival rates are fairly low, dipping below 10% for the first 5 years after diagnosis.
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Melanoma Cancer
FR900359, Discovered from Plants to Reduces Tumor Growth in Melanoma
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esearch to control cancer and to fight with it has been continued for years. Deadly Eye cancer has frequently seen in people. There is a pigmented layer of cells in the iris of the eye which causes the Ocular Melanoma. The tumor arises from the pigmented cells that reside in Uvea giving color to the eye. These melanocytes are different from retinal cells which do not cause eye cancer. It causes 3 to 5% of life loss. Cancerous cell growth in melanoma is due to overactive signaling. G alpha q is present in cancer of the eye and to make the best use of it to cure cancer, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discovered a natural plant compound called FR900359. This compound belongs to the primrose family of plants. The goal is to shut down the entire signaling cascade in melanoma,
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which can be made possible in presence of a drug which suddenly captures G alpha q in its inactive state. This prevents partial turning off for the cascade activated by G alpha q. Senior author Kendall J.Bulmer who is a professor of cell biology and physiology states that FR traps cancer-causing fork of G alpha and captures it when it is in an inactive form. There is no need to turn off cancer-causing form of G alpha because this happens naturally and that is the point where FR traps it. In this way, tumor growth is controlled and diminished. FR kills melanoma cells and also reverts to another class of cells present in an eye that are similar to normally pigmented cells of the eye.
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FR900359, Discovered from Plants to Reduces Tumor Growth in Melanoma
Brain Cancer
Saving Healthy Cells in Brain Cancer Treatment, Synthetically
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hemotherapy and radiations are frequently done for treating cancer patients though it harms the healthier cells as well. In case of brain cancer similar processes were carried out previously but now an undiscovered field has been discovered. It has solved the complication that was due to destruction of healthy cells. Nano medicine, a new branch of medical field in which BXQ-350 acts as a drug. It is produced when a human lysosomal protein called Saposin C is combined with Nanobubbles of a fat molecule known as Phospholipid dioleoyl phosphatidylserine. Fat nanoparticles face no hindrance by the blood-brain barrier, so it can help to treat glioblastoma. Xiao Yang, a genetic researcher discovered it. It has no side effects or dose-limiting toxicities.
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The research was given a chance to prove itself when it was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology held in June. 17 patients suffering from advanced solid tumors and brain tumors were observed and after 113 days, six of them appeared with stability. A little betterment was seen in a patient with appendiceal carcinoma and one of them with high-grade glioma showed signs of stability after 19 months. Puduvalli cautioned about the side effects and alarmed that though BXQ-350 is able to treat tumors, it should be observed keenly before placing it in a bigger setting. Maybe, he could see a chance of unknown danger due to the capability of the medicine that can cross the bloodbrain barrier. Phase 2 for the drug with clinical trials was accomplished. Researchers at various universities are hiring patients with malignant brain tumors and advanced solid cancerous tumors that have been treated previously by multiple ways and have a properly grown and diagnosed tumor. These patients are then administered differently with different dose quantities. This is done up to correct identification of dosage that shrinks the tumor. Phase 3 and 4 would be for checking efficacy and safety of the drug. It is said by Dr.Jose Carrillo that BXQ-350 therapy is similar to immunotherapy and are complementary to each other. BXQ-350 may also replace chemotherapy and radiation. It is expected that it may be able to cure an aggressive cancer known as glioblastoma which is yet impossible to cure. The focus must be towards clinical trials to get the best output and create hope for those who have gone in a state of despair.
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Breaking Cancer Research, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
New Treatment Discovered to Fight Melanoma Better Than Traditional Vaccine
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ecently, a molecule has been identified by scientist that promotes the fighting ability of our immune system when added to a cancer vaccine. The study has made an appearance in PNAS, claiming that Diprovocim (a molecule), when added to an existing cancer vaccine effectively, drew anti-cancer cells to the target site of cancer tumors. Experiments conducted on mice further suggest that this molecule addition can improve chances of recovery especially when drug therapy stops working. According to a professor involved in the study, Dale Boger, the cotherapy showed a curative response in treating melanoma. The plus point is that this vaccine prepares the immune system for any returning tumors, hence decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence. Boger adds
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that this cancer vaccine acts just like the other vaccines that prepare the immune system to ward off external pathogens, should they arrive. Diprovocim is used as an adjuvant which is a molecule that enhances a vaccine’s capability to fuel up the immune response in the body. This molecule is modifiable and can be prepared easily in the lab. Mice with aggressive melanoma were divided into three groups who were given anti-cancer therapy anti-PD-L1. Eight mice were injected with the cancer vaccine alone, another eight with Diprovocim along with the cancer vaccine and another eight with cancer vaccine plus alum (alternative adjuvant). A 100% rate of survival was seen in mice injected with Diprovocim plus cancer vaccine over 54 days. 25% survival rate was observed in the cases of alum plus cancer vaccine and a zero percent survival rate in the cases of cancer vaccine alone. Boger calls the result to be exciting, given how the vaccine worked along with anti-PD-L1 anti-cancer therapy. Further experiments were conducted, all of which showed Diprovocim boosting the cancerfighting ability of the vaccine. It successfully stimulated the immune system to produce tumor-infiltrating leukocyte which enhanced the vaccine’s working.
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Breast Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Lung Cancer
Discovery of New Metal-Based Inhibitor May Improve Treatments for TripleNegative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
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new metal compound has been discovered by the researchers from Hong Kong Baptist University, that has the ability to inhibit enzyme actively associated with TNBC (triple negative breast cancer). The enzyme, KDM5A (lysine-specific demethylase 5A) has been inhibited with minimized toxicity in mice. The compound developed by the team consists of rhodium which potentially and specifically inhibits KDM5A by effectively targeting it, as compared to other inhibitors. Dr. Edmond Ma Dik-lung has said that the presence of KDM5A is more in breast cancer as well as the brain, gastric and lung cancers. It promotes carcinogenesis and creates resistance against drugs. Very limited KDM5A inhibitors are present to date with the current one proving most effective.
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The compound works to dismantle interaction between KDM5A and a protein, trimethylated histone H3, which regulates DNA folding. It increases the expression of p27 that diminishes tumor growth by accumulating methylated marks on histone H3. It suppressed the growth of the cells in TNBC cell lines as well. In a vivo mouse model, it exhibited anti-cancer action against TNBC, with less toxicity in vivo as compared to other anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and doxorubicin. Dr. Ma further adds that traditional treatments come with serious side effects along with damage to the organ, not to mention drug resistance. The search for new better treatments is crucial and the metal compound seems to be coming with a promise for better therapy against TNBC.
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Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Could E. Coli Treatment Cure Crohn’s Disease?
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esearchers at a laboratory in Vancouver are looking to possibly cure Crohn’s diseases based on the incredible recovery made by one of their patients.
It all started when a patient at the InspireHealth care center suffering from pancreatic cancer started getting worse. He eventually came down with an infection, but surprisingly, his tumors also shrank. Further examinations found that this had happened with other two patients in similar conditions. Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause serious problems, including severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloating. Currently, there is no cure and those suffering usually need to take immune-suppressing medications throughout their lives, leaving them open to a series of possible side effects.
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Dr. Hal Gunn, the founder of biotech company Qu Biologics working on this treatment, is conducting a series of trials at the moment, which so far look very promising. QBECO, the therapy being developed now, “appears to be safe and well-tolerated” and at the same time “associated with consistently positive trends in response, improvement and remission throughout the treatment period of the trial, establishing proof-of-concept in the treatment of participants with Crohn’s disease”. The drug comes in the form of an injection and can be self-administered every two days, making it particularly simple to use and practical. Even though the first clinical test displayed impressive Clinical remission rates after 8 weeks of treatment “of 50%, more than double the placebo rate of 23% (p=0.16)”, doctors are cautioning patients that the procedure still has a long way to go before it can make it on the market. This moment can mark an important step towards finding better solutions to manage and treat a number of cancers.
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Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Ovarian Cancer, Prevention, Stomach Cancer
Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer
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astrointestinal cancer – a type of cancer of the different organs of the digestive system, is one of the most common forms of cancer across the globe. The overall death rate due to gastrointestinal cancer is quite high around the world. Although several chemotherapeutic agents have been successful in the prevention & treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, still most of them are immensely expensive and complicated. As such, researchers keep looking for natural ingredients to serve as effective modes of the treatment of cancer of different types. Out of all the natural ingredients, Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) has been known to serve as the safest and the most effective medicinal spice for treating a wide range of diseases and medical ailments Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer
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including dysentery, heartburn, nausea, loss of appetite, cough, and so more. Recent medical research has found that ginger along with its active components including 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol exercise anticancer properties towards fighting gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. The anti-cancer & nutritional properties of ginger & its active components lie in the presence of the signaling molecules including PI3K, COX-2, STAT3, XIAP, and so more. Relevant evidence from animal, in vitro, and epidemiological studies have revealed that ginger along with its active components might help in suppressing the overall growth of cancer of several types including colon, breast, skin, ovarian, oral, renal, and GI cancers. The anti-cancer properties of ginger along with its active constituents could be associated with the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-mutagenic properties along with other biological activities. Several preclinical studies have revealed that ginger extracts along with its constituents are known to possess antineoplastic and chemopreventive properties in the treatment of GI cancer. As such, there is great hope in the treatment of GI cancer with the help of ginger and its constituents.
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Breaking Cancer Research, Mesothelioma Cancer
A Tumor Suppressor – BRCA Associated Protein
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protein was found to be in relation with tumor suppression. The protein was associated with the BRCA gene.
BAP1 gene was identified as a gene related to cell death in the eye, kidney, bile duct, mesothelioma and other cancers but it wasn’t clear how it suppresses tumors. Mutation in BAP1, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes results in cancer. This is because DNA is damaged in an irreparable way and cells face genetic modifications. This is said by the National Cancer Institute. These genetic alterations cause cancer. Ferroptosis is a well-established form of cell death which plays a very important role in suppressing tumors. Cystine is an amino acid which is helpful for tumor growth and expansion of cancerous cells. It also helps in producing a large number of molecular oxygen carriers in lipids. SLCA11 is a cystine transporter which is repressed and this aids ferroptosis. This suppression is mediated by the BAP1 gene. A Tumor Suppressor – BRCA Associated Protein
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Diminution of Cystine is crucial to suppress cancer! The lowering Cystine levels reduce cancer or tumor growth and along these lipids so they do not encounter these molecular oxygen carriers. Mutation in BAP1 gene results in different forms of cancer growths. BAP1 regulated target genes were studied by the Dr. Boyi Gan, a professor at Texas who is in the field of experimental radiation oncology. He stated that an epigenetic mechanism relates ferroptosis to tumor suppression. This mechanism was facilitated by BAP1 gene. But still, the process BAP1 gene follows to suppress tumors wasn’t clear. Role and regulation of Ferroptosis in destroying cancer cells was still unidentified and this was the statement of Gan. Research continued and it was discovered that BAP1 helps gene regulation by producing a key enzyme that interacts all over the cell and with other enzymes. This was only for those cells which expressed BAP1 gene. In this way, it was proved how the BAP1 gene inhibits tumor production. https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2018/09/11/Protein-linked-totumor-suppression-in-several-cancers/5831536673620/
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Leukemia Cancer
New Treatment for Hairy Cell Leukemia Approved By the FDA
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he course of intravenous injections with Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk) is now available to the American public suffering from relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia (HCL).
Part of a new type of treatment called CD22-directed cytotoxin, the procedure is addressed to patients that have already received at least
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one previous systemic therapies, including those involving a purine nucleoside analog. Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence said in the press release that “Lumoxiti fills an unmet need for patients with hairy cell leukemia whose disease has progressed after trying other FDA-approved therapies”. The clinical trial that supported this decision had 80 total participants, 63 male, and an average age of 60 years. Each one had undergone prior treatments unsuccessfully. They had administered 40 µg/kg of Lumoxiti intravenously on days 1, 3, and 5 of 28-day cycles, for up to 6 cycles. About 30% of cases reached complete response (CR), defined as “maintenance of hematologic remission for more than 180 days”, and the overall response rate was about 75%. As with most heavy forms of treatment, some adverse effects can be expected, most commonly swelling, nausea, fatigue, headache, fever, constipation, anemia and diarrhea. Additional warnings can be seen on the box. These inform of the risk of developing capillary leak syndrome, with symptoms including difficulty breathing, weight gain, hypotension, or swelling of arms, legs and/or face. The FDA also granted Fast Track and Priority Review designations to Lumoxiti, meaning the drug has significant potential in treating a serious condition and is to have a higher preference in evaluating the results.
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Breaking Cancer Research, Liver Cancer
New Drug Can Help in Fighting Liver Cancer with Fewer Side Effects
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team of researchers has come up with an all-new, revolutionary drug named FFW that could potentially help in the treatment of liver cancer or HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma). This discovery by the researchers has opened several doors for coming up with highly effective treatments for liver cancer with fewer side effects. HCC (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) or primary liver cancer serves to be a major form of fast-growing cancer in the human beings. Patients having HCC are generally known to survive typically for around 11 months after the disease diagnosis. HCC is known to account for more than 90 percent of the major forms of liver cancers. Thus, it poses a major health concern – especially in the Asia Pacific region. In the search for the potential treatment of liver cancer, the researchers have come up with the revolutionary drug FFW in the treatment of
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the disease with minimal side effects. In the given study, the team deeply studied SALL4 – a protein that is associated with the growth of tumors – as the prognosis maker and the respective drug target for the treatment of HCC along with other forms of cancers including leukemia and lung cancer. The drug molecules that are known to work upon SALL4 usually require the particular target proteins to contain a small pocket in the 3D structure wherein the particular drug could reside and implement its effects. The targeting of the SALL4-NuRD interaction that serves to be the cancer cell-specific target tends to represent an exciting scope for the overall development of the therapeutic options in the potential treatment of liver cancer. In the latest research, the researchers have also demonstrated some effective strategy towards accurately targeting oncogenes – which was previously considered as un-druggable. Moving forward, the researchers can generate great scope for the overall treatment of liver cancer through effective drug therapy.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Thyroid Cancer
The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts
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n shades of brown, with a smooth texture and earthy flavor, Brazil nuts offer a series of health benefits that you should definitely know about.
Native to areas of Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela, Guiana, and Peru, you will find that the nut is not technically a nut, but rather a seed. They grow in mostly undisturbed forests in coconut-shaped shells, and require up to 14 months to mature. There can be anywhere from 8 to 24 seeds grouped inside, 1.5 to 2 inches long. What makes Brazil nuts so desirable is their nutritional value. Packed with fiber, minerals, vitamins, healthy fats and a whole slew of proteins, this fruit is rightly considered a superfood. Because of the high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, you will regularly see Brazil nuts being prescribed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts
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diseases. As a great source of monosaturated fats (commonly referred to as “good fats”), they have become a staple for many natural diets. Another way you might see it recommended is in the form of a supplement for weight loss. As they contain a high concentration of protein and fiber, eating just a small serving will leave you feeling satiated for a long time. Being so rich in selenium makes them quite special. This helps promote a healthy and natural skin glow by stimulating the production of glutathione, which in turn fight free radicals that are damaging skin collagen. One of the more significant health benefits is their ability to reduce the risk of developing cancer. A Cornell Chronicle study revealed that selenium supplementation along with the natural antioxidants found in these nuts can lower associated risk by almost 40% with regular intake. Additionally, the fruit also has a positive influence on the thyroid, stimulating proper functioning. This helps with body metabolism, ensuring normal heart rate and temperature stabilization. With so many positive effects, there’s really no reason not to integrate Brazil nuts into your diet.
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Esophagus Cancer
Treatment Might Help in Reducing the Risk of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
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ven though drugs and treatments are always tested extensively before being released for the general public, it does happen sometimes to find these sort of unexpected interactions, where one medicine helps with a totally different condition. A multinational study compiling data from more than 50 years of medical reports discovered this surprising connection between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment and esophageal adenocarcinoma. More than 930.000 patients from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, who either underwent antireflux surgery (48.414) or were treated with GERD medication only (894.492), were observed through follow-ups. In the western world, it is estimated that somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of the population develops GERD. This digestive disorder
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affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), basically the muscle connecting the esophagus and stomach. The backwash can irritate the lining of the canal causing discomfort. Of the patients treated with drugs, 0.3 percent were recorded as developing cancer of the esophagus, while among those patients that had surgery, 0.4 developed the same condition. In both groups, there were noticeable reductions in risk after treatment. The article concluded that “medical and surgical treatment of GERD was associated with a similar reduced esophageal adenocarcinoma risk, with the risk decreasing to the same level as that in the background population over time, supporting the hypothesis that effective treatment of GERD might prevent esophageal adenocarcinoma.” While results do show a link, it is important to mention that it does not automatically mean that people should start getting this treatment as a preventive measure. If you are worried about either condition, one simple and natural way, known to lower risk for both, is losing weight.
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Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer
Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study
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f you wanted any more confirmation that having junk food regularly is bad for you, then look no further. The article was published in the Public Library of Science Journal and reaffirms the notion that a natural and balanced diet is essential for a healthy life. The comprehensive article gathered data from almost 500.000 participants of different ages (20 to 70 years old) living across 10 European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.), including sociodemographic information, educational level, lifestyle, personal and familial history and anthropometric measurements (e.g., height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences). Dietary intake assessment questionnaires asking detailed information about types of food consumed, portion sizes, 7-day nutrition records were collected throughout the 15 years the project was operating.
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Through follow-ups, researchers found that 49,794 of the subjects had been at one point or another diagnosed with cancer. There were12,063 cases of breast cancer, 6.745 cases of prostate cancer and 5,806 having colorectal cancer. Participants having “a diet of lower nutritional quality, were consistently more likely to have unhealthy dietary intakes, e.g., higher intakes of alcohol, energy and red and processed meat, lower intakes of dietary fibres, vegetables, fruit, fish, and lean meat” and were coming mostly from France, Germany, the UK and Sweden. The study revealed that those individuals having foods with lower nutritional values “were at higher risk of developing cancer overall”, especially colorectal and stomach cancers. It also indicated that men were more prone to having lung cancers, while women were at higher risk of developing liver and breast cancer. Consider investing a bit of time and effort now into your dietary habits in order to have a long and healthy life.
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Brain Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research, Cervical Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer
Head and Neck Trial with NBTXR3 Nanoparticles Shows Promise
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edical nanotechnology is one of the fields right on the forefront of the fight against cancer. Nanobiotix, a leading industry giant, is hoping to bring out a new form of cancer treatment, and so far results look promising. NBTXR3 is an “aqueous suspension of nanoparticles” containing inert inorganic hafnium oxide (HfO2) crystals, “designed to penetrate cancer cells and remain within the tumor”. The procedure involves administering an intratumoral injection that allows the nanoparticles to accumulate within the abnormal cells. Radiation is them applied to the tissue, causing the HfO2 particles to emit high amounts of electrons, killing the cancerous formation. For the Nanobiotix trials, phase I was conducted in order to determine the recommended dosage. 18 patients received either 15% or 22% doses, with a 12-month cut-off date. At both 12 and 23 month
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follow-ups, all patients were alive, the only patient fatality being at 26 months. The treatment was designed to work on a wide variety of cancers, including solid tumors, prostate cancer, liver, breast. Phase II is focusing on head and neck cancer with locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas. The nanoparticles offer a series of advantages over standard courses, the first being that it requires only the one initial injection. They also provide longer circulation time, better penetration into cellular membranes and can carry a series of different compounds. Overall, the procedure is much more targetable and safer on the patient. Several other trials are running at the moment across the world, testing for possible effects on esophageal cancer, glioblastoma, and cervical cancer.
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Brain Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research
Zika Virus Offers Promise for Treating Fatal Brain Cancer As Per a Study
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n a recent study, a team of international researchers has successfully declared the hope of finding the treatment for the fatal brain cancer in the Zika virus. This study was published after the initial results of the study found in mice. The study was recently published in mBio Journal and stated the success of the team of researchers in finding a potential treatment for the deadly brain cancer in the form of Zika virus. Glioblastoma or brain cancer is known to be one of the deadliest forms of cancers out there. It is responsible for killing over 15,000 adults in the United States of America alone each year. Currently, Glioblastoma remains incurable as the patients of this deadly disease tend to experience a high rate of recurrence of cancer even after receiving the standard treatments of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Zika Virus Offers Promise for Treating Fatal Brain Cancer As Per a Study
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Zika-Virus-Offers-Promise-for-Treating-Fatal-Brain-CancerAs-Per-a-Study Pei-Yong-Shi – a leading virologist at the University of Texas claims that during the Zika epidemic, the researchers learned that the virus tends to preferentially attack & infect the neural progenitor cells in the fetus. As such, the virus was responsible for causing devastating microcephaly in the babies that were born to such infected mothers. The team of researchers made the connection that the Zika virus could potentially infect the glioblastoma cells as well. This is because the given cells tend to have similar properties to that of the neural stem cells. The first objective of the research team was to ensure if there was a safe way of determining the usage of the Zika virus in the patients for attacking the cancer cells. The researchers have been successful in coming up with the promising live-attenuated candidate for the Zika vaccine, referred to as ZIKV-LAV. This vaccine has shown to be safe, effective, and non-virulent in the protection of the infection in mice.
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Zika Virus Offers Promise for Treating Fatal Brain Cancer As Per a Study
Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Melanoma Cancer, Nutrition, Prevention, Skin Cancer
Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer
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lack raspberries (BRB) are known to inhibit a wide range of cancers in the pre-clinical trials or models including the models of skin, oral, colon, breast, and esophageal cancer. Several promising preclinical results have led to the evaluations of clinical results in the patients who are at the higher risk of developing cancer. Medical research that has investigated the role of black raspberries in offering the potential treatment for cancer in the coming times. The results of the studies in clinical settings of blackberries or raspberries (BRB) have revealed the positive effects of several cancers including preneoplastic lesions or colon, esophageal, and oral cancers. The treatment of cancers with black raspberries has resulted in the historical regression of oral intraepithelial neoplasia that is associated with the overall improvement in the histologic grade. In addition to this, the results have also revealed the significant reduction in the loss Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer
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of heterozygosity at suppressing tumor with the modulated genes that are linked to the growth factor recycling & processing of the RNA in the colon. Black raspberries (BRB) also results in the inhibition of the FAPassociated polyp progression along with suppressing the demethylated tumor genes and in improving the profiles of plasma cytokine. The consumption of Black raspberries (BRB) resulted in the increase in the overall tissue levels of GST-pi and decrease in the levels of 8-isoprostane. This serves to be a major marker of oxidative stress or lipid peroxidation. As such, the consumption of black raspberries (BRB) can be observed with the prevention and treatment of cancer in the future times.
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Blood Cancer, Cancer, Childhood Cancer and Treatments, Leukemia Cancer, Lung Cancer, Lymphoma Cancer
This Week in Oncology News
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t’s always great to see a full week of stories involving emerging cancer treatment options or advancements in the field. Here are some of the more relevant events in recent days:
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute revealed that even though autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant is one of the more effective procedures when it comes to treating multiple myeloma, it is still underused in many facilities. Just one in five eligible patients (out of a total 13,494) that are part of the California Cancer Registry received the operation. Surprisingly enough, it was not due to new therapies rendering the procedure obsolete, but rather a number of interconnected factors, including lack of awareness and reluctance from older patients. Recently we saw three leading oncology practices come together to form OneOncology, “a patient-centric, physician-driven, and
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technology-powered company with a mission to improve the lives of everyone living with cancer”. Tennessee Oncology, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, and West Cancer Center are at the heart of this project, bringing over 225 oncology providers, covering more than 60 locations and treating nearly 158.000 cancer patients every year. One of the more exciting stories revolved around Keytruda (pembrolizumab) receiving FDA Priority Review status. This new treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with PD-L1 expression showed impressive results in improving patient outcomes while at the same time presenting fewer negative effects. Dr. Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Merck Research Laboratories said that “Keytruda is already a foundation for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer”. In other news, a phase 2 CLL2-BAG trial demonstrated that treatment with Bendamustine, along with obinutuzumab and venetoclax, appeared safe and effective in patients suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia. With an overall response rate of 95% and 87% of patients achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity in peripheral blood, results seemed very promising. And finally, a look at a new therapy with Capizzi-style methotrexate (C-MTX) without leucovorin rescue that proved to be superior compared to high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) with leucovorin rescue, for children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. From a total of more than a thousand eligible cases, C-MTX had higher rates of 5-year disease-free survival (91.5% vs. 85.3%; P = .005) and 5-year overall survival rates (93.7% vs. 89.4%; P = .04), compared to HDMTX. All and all, a number of promising new therapies are on the horizon, looking to bolster the efforts in the fight against cancer.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition
Top Health Benefits of Cinnamon
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f you wish to ensure healthy lifestyles for yourself and your entire family, it is important to go for choosing nutritional food choices in the first place. The food that we consume on a daily basis plays a vital role in determining the overall health & well-being of the body. One such food item that tops the list when it comes to imparting a wide range of potential health benefits is cinnamon. Cinnamon is a highly tasty and nutritional healthy spice that plays a vital role in promoting health and in the prevention of a wide array of diseases & ailments. Here are some of the potential health benefits of consuming cinnamon as a spice selection in your food items: Strong Medicinal Properties: Cinnamon is an almost magical spice that has several powerful medicinal properties known to mankind. There are two main types of cinnamon including Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon. Scientists believe that the compound
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“cinnamaldehyde” found in cinnamon is responsible for the most powerful medicinal effects of the given spice. Rich in Antioxidants: Antioxidants are known for protecting the body against oxidative damage caused due to free radicals. Cinnamon is known to be rich in antioxidants, referred to as polyphenols. The presence of ample antioxidants in cinnamon makes it a famous natural food preservative. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory properties that help in the prevention of a wide array of diseases and medical ailments. Reduction in the Risk of Heart Diseases: Cinnamon is also known to reduce the overall risks of developing heart diseases. Cinnamon reduces the overall levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body and increases the levels of “good” cholesterol. Anti-Diabetic Properties: This is a good news for those having diabetes. Cinnamon helps in reducing the risks of developing diabetes and the symptoms as well.
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Cancer, Cancer Cures, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells
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or those looking forward to adopting healthy lifestyles, eating something healthy & nutritional can help significantly. There are several natural ingredients that can help in the prevention of major diseases and medical ailments. Out of all such natural ingredients, grapes turn out to be the healthiest and the most nutritious. In a recent study, it has been found that grapes can help in stopping the overall growth of the cancer cells effectively. Grapes are known to contain natural chemicals that have the capability of stopping the growth of the cancer cells naturally. The team of researchers claims that the benefits lie in consuming grapes as the whole fruit, and not as supplements. When you eat the whole fruit, the bioactive components of the fruit go directly into the bloodstream
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and then, relocate to the other regions of the body. The supplements of the fruit might not be helpful in imparting the same effective results. Scientists have observed the overall goodness of grapes in the presence of natural compounds known as Flavonoids. These are natural plant chemicals that have the potential of offering treatment against heart diseases and even cancer. While performing the research, the team of scientists did not just pick up the grapes – it went forward with making use of the grapefruit extracts. The extracts obtained from the grapefruit that it contains an enzyme that is responsible for ensuring the arrangement as well as the rearrangement of the genes present in the cell & for cell reproduction & growth. Inhibition of this particular enzyme can help in killing the cancer cells or stopping the overall growth of the cancer cells significantly. The study serves a great hope for the treatment of various kinds of cancers through the use of grapes.
URL: https://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20050331/grapes-may-stopcancer-cells
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention
Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper
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ooking forward to adopting healthy lifestyles for yourself & your family? Cayenne Pepper is one such spice out there that serves to be a host of several medicinal as well as nutritional properties for your overall health & well-being. Most of the medical researchers out there regard Cayenne Pepper as the kind of medicinal herbs out there. Owing to its wide range of medicinal properties, the magical spice offers prevention from deadly diseases including cancer, heart diseases, and digestion problems. Since centuries, the hot fruit of the Cayenne plant known as the Capsicum Annuum has been utilized as an excellent culinary spice for treating a wide range of diseases and medical ailments. Cayenne Pepper is found to be rich in healthy compounds including Vitamins A, B, C, potassium, calcium, and others. Various studies have revealed that Cayenne Pepper helps in rebuilding the stomach tissues along Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper
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with the peristaltic action in the intestines. In addition to this, Cayenne Pepper also serves to be a catalyst and helps in increasing the overall effectiveness of other medicinal herbs. Cayenne Pepper also serves to be a major alternative in effective cancer treatments. Cayenne Pepper also helps in warming the body and stimulating the release of mucus from the body’s respiratory passages. Cayenne Peppers are known to raise the overall body temperature as it helps in stimulating blood circulation and its flow to the skin. Cayenne Pepper contains an active component referred to as Capsaicin. In the year 2004, a team of researchers led by Dr. Sanjay K. Sirvastava and his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine was successful in treating pancreatic cells with the help of Capsaicin. The team found that it helped in the disruption of the mitochondrial function and induction of apoptosis in the cancerous cells without causing any effect on the normal pancreatic cells.
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Bladder Cancer, Breaking Cancer Research
Breaking Treatment Displays Promising Results in Fighting Bladder Cancer
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ladder cancer is one of the more common forms of malignancy, affecting millions of people around the world. Most of the time, treatment options are limited and risk of reoccurrence is particularly high. Cancer can be very expensive to treat. Chemotherapy, radiation, possibly several subsequent operations, not to mention every other medication dealing with adverse effects, special diets – costs pile up quite quickly. This is where the new therapy comes in. Gemcitabine is an “antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic” chemotherapy drug. It is administered through intravenously right in the affected area. The procedure only takes a couple of hours and patients can go home afterwards. Another advantage is the fact that is readily available.
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Bladder Cancer One of the biggest problems with bladder cancer is the risk of reappearance. The abnormal cells developing the disease multiply at a high rate. This leads to tumor formation, and more often than not they spread to other areas of the body. Generally starting in the lining of the bladder, they induce symptoms including blood in the urine, pain, burning sensations, weight loss, weakness. The gemcitabine treatment targets those fast dividing cells, in an attempt to pre-empt tumors and cancer spread. Results showed a significant response rate (up to 70%) and a substantial remission rate (up to 40%). Overall, the drug appears to be less toxic and handled better by patients. As with most serious therapies, there are some side effects to be expected, though easily manageable and often predicted in time. These include: nausea, fatigue, fever, poor appetite. This form of medication does notably well in advanced cases and for older patients, considerably improving outcomes. For more information click here.
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Cancer Technology, Prostate Cancer
Cutting Edge Radiotherapy Machine Introduced in the U.K.
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he Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) have unveiled a groundbreaking piece of technology that will revolutionize cancer treatment.
The MR Linac (Elekta Unity) is a system that can simultaneously scan the body for tumors and also deliver targeted radiation treatment more effectively. It has a special design that allows the magnetic coils of the MRI to work alongside the linear accelerator’s X-ray beams and not interfere with each other. In a press release, Alison Tree, MD, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden and Team Leader at ICR revealed that “Tumor shape and position relative to healthy tissue evolves over the course of treatment and can change during an individual treatment session. The ability to detect those changes and adapt therapy in real time allows
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us to improve the precision of radiation therapy, more effectively treating the tumor while preserving healthy tissue”. Barry Dolling, age 65, suffering from prostate cancer, was the first patient treated with this transformative magnetic resonance radiation therapy (MR/RT). Doctors are excited about the all the potential applications and are working closely with the Elekta company in order to offer the treatment to as many forms of cancer as possible. Dr. Tree added that “Elekta Unity will also allow us to offer radiation therapy to patients who would not be candidates for this approach using more traditional radiation delivery systems. Elekta Unity will help us achieve optimum outcomes for our patients”. The imaging and precision radiation therapy unit received CE marking only a few months back, but many leading cancer centers throughout Europe are already looking at investing in the system.
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Breaking Cancer Research, Head and Neck Cancer
Vaccine to Possibly Treat Head and Neck Cancer
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onventional vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize the particular “antigens” displayed by foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses. When it comes to cancer, the situation is a bit different, because of the way the mutated cells divide. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania are looking into the amazing recovery story of a man who went from having head and neck cancer, which spread to his lymph nodes and skin, to complete remission following an experimental vaccine with Opdivo. Surprising as it might sound, this is not the only case of apparent miraculous recovery, several reports had recently surfaced regarding HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccines having a similar effect. The drug in question, MEDI0457, was initially developed by Inovio using technology pioneered at Penn University. It is based on a DNA
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ring, called plasmid, that codes the cells to produce two HPV antigens. The procedure involves injecting the vaccine into the patient’s muscle and then a small electrical pulse is applied to the skin to allow it to permeate the cells. In a clinical trial conducted on 22 patients that had received conventional treatment for head and neck cancers, either surgery or chemotherapy, Opdivo vaccines were administered. In eighty percent of cases, elevated T cell activity could be noticed even three months after the last dose was given. One patient that had relapsed was put through another course of vaccination and eight weeks later, the cancer was gone. Charu Aggarwal, the oncologist leading the study, is very optimistic and says his team is very excited to continue testing and reproduce the results on a larger scale. While these findings seem very hopeful, more trials are needed to confirm initial data.
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Bladder Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Lymphoma Cancer, Nutrition, Others, Ovarian Cancer, Prevention, Thyroid Cancer
Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!
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ot much attention has been heeded to the consumption of fish and its effect on cancer risk. It has been associated with affecting cardiovascular diseases. However, now NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) has conducted investigations into fish consumptions and risk of particularly selected neoplasms, by collecting data from 1983 up to 1996 in Italy. The investigations reveal a consistent pattern of preventive action against digestive tract cancer risk by the consumption of fish. Inverse association in case of the larynx, ovarian and endometrial cancers was also found as well as multiple myeloma. As for the risk of cancers pertaining to liver, breast, bladder, gallbladder, thyroid, kidney or lymphoma, no pattern of risk of cancer was found in relation to fish Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!
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consumption. Hence, the study suggests that comparatively smaller amounts of fish intake could work as a favorable indicator for several cancer risks, particularly digestive tract cancer.
The cure for cancer Another study regarding the association of fish intake with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer was conducted. 478,040 men and women were observed in European countries between 1992-1998, who at the time of enrollment, were free of cancer. Factors related to diet and lifestyle were considered. After an average follow-up of about 4.8 years, 1,329 cases of colorectal cancers were reported. Relationship with respect to processed and red meat, poultry, and fish intake and risk of colorectal cancer was investigated. A proportional hazards model was adjusted in accordance with sex, age, weight, physical activity, height, smoking habits, fiber and dietary fiber, alcohol consumption. It was found that there was a positive risk factor for colorectal cancer in association with red and processed meat intake as compared to low risk. In contrast to this, high intake of fish was linked with reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The association has been indicated at by multiple prospective studies included in the investigation, however, two of them statistically supported it. No particular association with poultry was found. Fish intake comes with benefits and is a better alternative to red meat. However, as recommended always, your doctor’s advice is a key step to be taken if you pursue adding more quantity of fish into your diet.
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Breast Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Prostate Cancer
Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention
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laxseeds are known to have hormone-like effects as they are a source of phytoestrogenic compounds named lignans. It can affect the length of the menstrual cycle and symptoms of menopause. It may decrease blood pressure, help with diabetes, reduce cholesterol and protect kidneys from damage. One vital function of flaxseed is its ability to affect intracellular signals inside our bodies which otherwise play a role in the growth of prostate and breast cancer. Given it has phytoestrogenic factors, patients with ER+ (estrogen receptor positive) breast cancer should use flaxseed carefully, seeking medical advice from a general practitioner. Studies including post-menopause women have shown that the supplementation of flaxseed increased the ratio of those hormones
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which are known to help keep breast cancer at bay. Flaxseed displays anti-cancer potential. Studies conducted in laboratories show that it may stop the growth and metastasis in human breast, melanoma, and prostate cancer. Some other animal studies show that it could decrease lung damage caused by radiation therapy and enhance survival. The result from animal models has exhibited promising results, although proper human data is still awaited. Flaxseed was found to reduce tumor biomarkers in prostate cancer in men and other patients with breast cancer. Animal studies showed that the inhibition of metastasis in human breast cancer by flaxseed could be partly because of the downgrading of insulin-like growth factor 1 and the epidermal growth factor receptor expression. Cell death in breast cancer cell lines was also induced by flaxseed by upregulating p53 mRNA significantly. Cell proliferation was also shown to be inhibited by flaxseed in prostate cancer’s model. Studies reiterate that the hormonal effects of flaxseed enhance its ability to modulate the biology of prostate cancer and its associated biomarkers and decrease serum lipid levels in the case of postmenopausal breast cancer. Flaxseed should not be taken if undergoing any radiological procedures as it can interfere in the readings of some tests. It may also come with side effects like an allergic reaction, constipation, flatulence, increased bowel movements and prolonged luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Hence, before taking in any supplement, medical advice in accordance with your medical history is necessary.
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Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention
Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Ovarian Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Prevention, Prostate Cancer, Stomach Cancer
Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit
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ccording to a review by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), an association between citrus fruits and risk of gastric cancer has been found. The review was conducted by investigating available data and publications on diet and stomach cancers since April 2007. All of the collected data exhibited the given association. It was found, in reference with 14 articles and several other studies, a 28% reduction in stomach cancer risk was linked with higher intake of citrus fruits. The studies asserted the protective action of citrus fruits against stomach cancers.
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Another investigation of electronic databases and references of various publications and studies up to December 2007 was conducted that studied the linkage between pancreatic cancer risk and intake of citrus fruits. General variance methods were used for extracting the results regarding higher and lower intake of citrus fruits in association with pancreatic cancer risk from these articles. Nine articles (4 case studies and 5 cohort studies) were found to be eligible. An inverse association between intake of citrus fruits and pancreatic cancer risk was observed, albeit the results did vary substantially across the studies. Another review studied eligible data from Italy and Switzerland, covering 955 stomach cancer, 527 laryngeal cancer, 1,294 prostate cancer, 767 renal cell cancer, 454 endometrial cancer, 3634 large bowel cancer, and 1031 ovarian cancer cases. The investigation revealed that citrus fruits also portray a protective role against digestive cancers and the cancers of the upper respiratory tract. However, any such viable associations for endometrial, prostate, breast, ovarian and renal cell cancers have not been found. Hence, a suitable intake of citrus fruits is highly recommended, after taking in your doctor’s advice.
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Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit
Cervical Cancer, Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention, Prostate
How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?
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everal studies have revealed that at least one-third of the cancers are linked to the kind of food that we eat on a regular basis. As per the World Cancer Research Fund International, the overall diet plays an important role in the development of specific cancers. At the same time, there are certain food choices that can help in the prevention of cancer development. Out of all such food options, Blueberries are regarded as the “super foods” when it comes to adopting healthy lifestyles and the prevention of cancer. Blueberries are full of antioxidants that are known to offer an array of potential health benefits. By observing the cervical cancer treatment results, a team of researchers has come to the conclusion that by the addition of blueberry extracts to the radiation therapy of cancer treatment, it can help in improving the overall efficacy of the given treatment. How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?
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The Cure for Cancer Blueberry Extracts Target the Cancer Cells In a typical research, it was found that a compound that is present in grapes & red wine can help in sensitizing the prostate cancer cells to the radiation therapy. The respective team of researchers found that blueberries are known to contain resveratrol along with flavonoids. Flavonoids are chemicals that are rich in antioxidant and contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The given team of medical researchers performed the study of the blueberry extracts on the human cancer cells in the latest study. The results of the tests were compared with that of the radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer. It was revealed that while radiation therapy helped in the reduction of the number of cancer cells by around 20 percent, the utilization of the blueberry extracts alone helped in around 25 percent reduction in the overall cancer cells.
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Bladder Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Hope Stories, Skin Cancer
New Bladder Cancer Drug Shows Impressive Results
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ach year, bladder cancer is responsible for thousands of deaths. Even though there are a number of treatments available, this form of the disease is particularly difficult to treat.
Steve Baker is a true survivor. For the better part of the last 25 years, he has been battling several types of malignancy. In the beginning, it was skin cancer, then it attacked his kidneys, and more recently he has been affected by cancer of the bladder. Serenely, Steve admits that there might have been more, but that he stopped looking a while back. Many would have given up, but Steve never faltered. After so much bad news, his luck finally changed for the better. He did not know it at the time, but the moment he entered a clinical trial for a lowgrade invasive cancer of the urinary system would be one he would remember for the rest of his life.
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This was an innovative procedure, whereafter resecting the bladder tumor, this new drug was simply inserted through a saline solution directly inside the bladder. The medication was Gemcitabine. The reason why this type of cancer is so hard to treat lays with the fact that is has a high recurrence chance. Abnormal cells easily float to other parts of the organ and the ordeal begins again. This time was not the case. Gemcitabine reduces the risk by 34% and is designed to be an affordable solution that anyone can opt for. Dr. Svatek, Urological Oncologist at UT Health San Antonio and head of the projects said: “This is a huge difference in recurrence rate and demonstrated that gemcitabine is a safe and well-tolerated drug. We expect this study to change the standard of care”. There are many others in the same situation as Steve, and this drug will hopefully change their lives for the better, too.
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Lymphoma Cancer, Non-hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer
Japan Approves New Treatment for Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
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dcetris (brentuximab vedotin) has recently become an option for patients dealing with CD30-positive Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Japan is joining a list of more than 70 other countries where this treatment has already been approved. Seattle Genetics, Inc. has partnered with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to provide a therapy based on Adcetris in combination with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (AVD), as a frontline solution for this type of cancer. “This approval marks another important milestone in expanding the Adcetris brand globally and redefining the way newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma patients are treated around the world,” said Clay Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics in a short press release.
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Lymphoma is an umbrella term used to describe over 50 related cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. There are two categories, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), each with different characteristics. This treatment is designed for the classical form, distinguishable by the presence of one particular type of cell, known as the Reed-Sternberg cell (CD30). Adcetris binds to this molecule and releases a powerful compound that causes the cancer cells to die. The decision comes following a Phase 3 ECHELON-1 clinical trial, with more than 1300 participants that tested standard chemotherapy versus a combination of Adcetris and chemo. After a median checkup period of 30 months, it was found that 82.1% of were alive and showing no signs of disease progression, slightly higher than the chemotherapy group. Additionally, patients displayed fewer adverse effects and less lung toxicity. This new therapy course is hoped to significantly improve the lives of more than 30.000 Hodgkin lymphoma patients around the country. For more information about Adcetris click here.
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Cervical Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer
New Vaccine to Possibly Treat Incurable HPV-Related Cancers
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esearchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have just concluded a phase II trial on a tumor-specific vaccine that combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor managed to shrink cancerous formations in 30% of patients. “That encouraging response rate is about twice the rate produced by PD1 checkpoint inhibitors in previous clinical trials, so these results will lead to larger, randomized clinical trials of this combination”, said Bonnie Glisson, M.D., professor of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson. The findings were published in the latest issue of JAMA Oncology. The article details how the combination of the ISA101 vaccine that targets peptides produced by the HPV16 genotype of the virus, along with nivolumab, a checkpoint inhibitor responsible for blocking the activation of PD-1 on T cells, works together.
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On a clinical trial conducted on 24 participants, eight (33%) had tumor response with a median duration of 10.3 months. The overall median survival rate was 17.5 months and progression-free survival was 2.7 months. 70% of patients survived past the initial 12 months. In the press release, Mrs. Glisson remarked that “vaccines are revving up the immune system, but the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment probably prevents them from working. Our thinking was that inhibition of PD-1 would address one mechanism of immunosuppression, empowering the vaccine-activated T lymphocytes to attack the cancer“. HPV is at the origin of most cervical and oropharyngeal cancers, and HPV16 and HPV18 are the most common genotypes that favor cancer development. This new combined immunotherapy course was designed to specifically target these viruses. Furthermore, the team reported no serious side effects. They hope to build further on these promising results, as every step so far has yielded incremental improvements.
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Lung Cancer
Imfinzi Can Help To Fight Lung Cancer
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straZeneca, a multinational, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company studied to create a drug that would help patients fighting lung cancer. The drug is for the patients in which the lung cancer had not spread. The results of the study named Pacific were published, and it stated that the immune system of a person can attack the tumor to kill it before the cancer spreads. The Imfinzi medicine has helped to lower the death risk of persons by one-third, who were being treated with Chemotherapy alone previously. These were the people were in the third or fourth stage of cancer. Pascal Soriot, an executive at the company, puts the success on the center of his successful appeal to shareholders, which was to reject a takeover bid from Pharm Giant Pfizer four years ago. Companies like Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb had already developed successful
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immunotherapy treatments and rivals or AstraZeneca got an advantage on the treatment before this company could. Head of Oncology business unit at AstraZeneca said that it is for the first time they had seen earlier benefits of a treatment, in lowering cancer mortalities. Moving earlier with immuno-oncology agents could help in cancer cure one day. Imfinzi was already been used in the U.S. Recently European Commission also approved the treatment. The major difficulty was in the diagnosis of disease before it reaches stage four. For this, Mr. Fredrickson stated Imfinzi post-chemo radiotherapy as a standard of care. The crux of the matter is that quicker we identify cancer, the sooner we can overcome it.
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Bone Cancer, Childhood Cancer and Treatments
Pediatric Osteosarcoma Drug Receives Orphan Drug Designation
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he Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency tasked with overseeing public health in the U.S., has given this classification to CLR 131, a drug designed by Cellectar Biosciences for the treatment of a rare type of cancer affecting children, pediatric osteosarcoma. The Orphan Drug Designation is a special status granted to “a drug or biological product to treat a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor”. This comes with a number of incentives, namely a market exclusivity period of seven years, increased support and assistance from the FDA, the possibility of receiving tax credits for research, grants and a waiver of the New Drug Application user fee. John Friend, M.D., chief medical officer of Cellectar said in a press release that “this orphan designation for osteosarcoma is the fourth
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such designation granted by the FDA to CLR 131 for the treatment of rare pediatric cancers in the last six months, and we look forward to evaluating CLR 131 in these deadly and underserved diseases”. Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the formation of mesenchymal, a connecting tissue found throughout the body, especially in bones, muscle, and cartilages. When the disease takes over, it damages the bone tissue, making it more brittle than normal bones. CLR131 is an investigational radioiodinated PDC therapy that helps with better targeting the radiation on the malignant tumor cells and minimizes exposure to normal tissue. While incidence rate for osteosarcoma is quite low, about 4.4 cases per 1 million per year, current treatment options are not always effective. If diagnosed in initial stages, the cure rate can go as up as 70%, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Five-year overall survival rates for patients who develop metastasis is approximately 20%. Those who experience disease progression or recurrence have a survival chance that is less than 30%. Trials so far are still in the preliminary phases, but the results are quite promising especially since all doses and regimens have been deemed safe and well tolerated by patients
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Ovarian Cancer
The Prognostic Importance of Antigen 45 (CT45) in Extending Life of an Ovarian Cancer Patient
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atients who are living through a High-Grade Serious Ovarian cancer may have greater chances of survival after this new treatment through immunotherapy and Chemotherapy.
A cancer antigen named as 45 (CT45), which has been identified during a proteomic analysis. These antigens are regarded as promising targets for tumor therapy. Patients with a higher level of antigen show that they may survive for a longer time. Authors of Max Plank Institute in Germany studied about this and they claim that one among six patients with Ovarian Cancer lives disease free in the next ten years. These are the patients being treated with surgery and carboplatin/paclitaxel Chemotherapy. 80% among these have to seek Chemotherapy frequently. There haven’t been any The Prognostic Importance of Antigen 45 (CT45) in Extending Life of an Ovarian Cancer Patient
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molecular mechanisms identified for patients who survive and those who don’t. Investigators made an analysis and published the results. Here paraffin embedded patient samples were studied. Among them, 11 HGSOC chemoresistant patients (median DFS, 190 days) and 14 chemosensitive patients (DFS, 1, 160 days). Researchers studied almost 90,000 protein samples and came to know that patients with high CT45 expression depicted a better chance of survival and along this had a median DFS of 2,745 days as compared to 366 days in rest of the patients. They could have been living for 2,903 days while other patients had 1,078 survival days. The study was repeatedly confirmed. Marion Curtis from the University of Chicago said that tumors response to carboplatin which is due to CT45. CT45 and PP4 phosphate complex interact, and this connects CT45 to DNA damage pathways. Finally, the research creates a hope for us that if CT45 is activated in a tumor, it could help in a more effective treatment for cancer by carboplatin.
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The Prognostic Importance of Antigen 45 (CT45) in Extending Life of an Ovarian Cancer Patient
Pancreatic Cancer
Fighting Pancreatic Cancer! There is HOPE!
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ancer is a fatal disease in which unwanted cells grow repeatedly and harm the body of a person. Pancreatic cancer is also among lethal cancer types which may kill a person. It’s the third most deadly form of cancer. Many people become a victims each week. It is not easy to diagnose the disease when it is at its initial stages and this is because of the location of the pancreas. The Pancreas is located deep inside the body. The six-inch long organ rests behind the stomach, in the abdomen. The location hurdles make the disease treatment resistant and sometimes the disease becomes immune to chemotherapeutic treatments. Both of these problems can be part of the reason for the person experiencing shorter a much shorter life after he or she has been
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diagnosed. The time period for those who have pancreatic cancer is now about 5 years. Researchers have continued their hard work and finally, they got a solution that may help ease the problem. Researchers at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center developed a new drug for treatment of pancreatic cancer. The drug has increased 50% chances of survival in a person with pancreatic cancer. The drug was prepared in a laboratory and tested on mice. The drug also prevents the resistance to treatment that is generated in the bodies of persons who have the disease. Another treatment option is to remove pancreas but it is highly ineffective if the disease has invaded the rest of the body. A higher number of people with an age of 55 or some with age of 75 show the disease. If the disease is recognized in the first year, the survival chances are about 20%. But in fifth year there are only 9% chances that the victim may survive. The new drug has increased survival chances greatly that are 50%.
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Blood Cancer, Breakthrough FDA Designation, Leukemia Cancer
FDA Approved for Leukemia! – Copiktra
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eople who are a victim to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Small Lymphocytic Leukemia or Follicular Leukemia (FL) face the disease in either relapsing or recurring conditions.
A drug has been recently approved by FDA for treating these types of blood cancer. It is named as Copiktra which is a dual Inhibitor of PI3K delta and PI3K gamma and is administered in the form of capsules. Copiktra is used for treating FL in patients who have received two prior systematic therapies. It wasn’t easy to get the drug approved and a randomized open-label trial helped to achieve its approval. Arzerra (Ofautmumab) was a drug compared in a trial with Duvelisib. Patients were either administered with Arzerra or Duvelisib Arzerra group got 300 mg of the drug once in a week initially, which later became 2000 mg once weekly in 7 doses and then, 2000 mg split in 4 weeks. Copiktra group patients were given 25 mg of dose each FDA Approved for Leukemia! – Copiktra
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day. Progression Free Survival (PFS) in patients treated with Copiktra was of 16.4 months while 9.1 in case of Arzerra. 78% and 39% was the overall response rate of Copiktra and Arzerra, respectively. Single arm, the multicenter trial got the drug approved for FL where 83 patients who were being treated by Rituxan and other therapies were included. Overall Response Rate was 42 in which one had a complete response while others responded partially. Another group of 35 people should a different response rate and time. FDA approved the drug for FL stating that disease might differ in different groups under trial. The drug has many common and some serious side effects as well. They include infection, diarrhea, skin reactions, pneumonitis, hepatotoxicity, neutropenia, rash fatigue, pyrexia, cough, and respiratory infections. Meghan Gutierrez gives a statement about blood cancer patients in which she says that such patients are always in a hope of new therapies like Copiktra because these are crucial to them. Every person’s story is different. In her statement, Meghan appreciates the companies which are struggling to cure lymphoma, like Verastem Oncology.
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Hope Stories, Leukemia Cancer
Kevin Schwartzel saved the Life of Johnny Sawyer Dyer
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his story is about a reunion between two people, one who needed life and other who gifted it. Sawyer wanted to meet Schwartzel who saved his life.
Schwartzel was a physician assistant from San Diego who got himself enrolled with “Be The Match” Registry. This shows his kind nature and love for humanity. He was asked to donate in 2017 for Johnny Sawyer Dyer. Johnny Sawyer Dyer was diagnosed with acute myeloid Leukemia in 2017. He stayed and was treated at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville before he was to receive a bone marrow transplant. The transplantation was to be done at Tristar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. Sawyer was eight years old when he received the transplant.
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Misty Dyer was Sawyer’s mother exclaimed happily that they owe Mr. Schwartzel and no thank-you can be much worthy for what he has done for her son. Misty remembered the time when his son was losing hair and health, and now he seems like a normal kid. The family arranged a meeting between Johnny and Schwartzel because Johnny wanted to meet the kind man. The moment they met was recorded. Schwartzel said that he feels like there is some special type of connection between him and Dyer. Schwartzel said in a video that was given out by GMA about the miserable conditions created by the disease for the children. He said that he feels happy to help a child in this way and said that it’s not a big deal for him because he had that blessing from God which could save an innocent life. Schwartzel had a sympathetic nature which pulled out Dyer from the darkness he was dragged into.
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Breaking Cancer Research
Two Leading Cancer Immunotherapy Researchers Receive the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine
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he highly prestigious Nobel Prize in the field of Physiology or Medicine was received by two leading immunotherapy researchers in the field of cancer treatment. James P. Allison from the United States of America & Tasuku Honjo from Japan were awarded this prestigious award for their impressive work on unwinding the theory of the immune system of the body for attacking cancer. This medical theory has served to be a breakthrough in the field of cancer treatment that has led to the advent of a completely new range of drugs. Moreover, the revolutionary immunotherapy for cancer treatment has also brought about everlasting remissions to several patients who did run out of possible options. Before the discoveries of Dr. Honjo and Dr. Allison, most of the cancer treatment included radiation, surgery, hormonal changes, and
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chemotherapy. A statement that was released by the Nobel Committee hailed the accomplishments of the scientists as they have helped in the establishment of a completely new principle for the treatment of cancer. On the basis of the works of the scientists, the drugs belong to the specific class referred to as “Checkpoint Inhibitors.” Earlier attempts made by other medical researchers in the given field towards recruiting the immune system for fighting cancer sometimes did work, but at other times, most of them did not work. Dr. Honjo & Dr. Allison were able to succeed in the case wherein others had failed. This was achieved by deciphering how the cells were able to interact such that the scientists were able to refine the systems for controlling the immune system of the body. The checkpoint inhibitors are known to not work for every individual out there. These have been approved only for specific cancer treatments. The checkpoint inhibitors that are available in the market out there are currently utilized for treating neck, lung, kidney, head, and bladder cancer. The T-cells – a specific type of white blood cells, are sometimes known as the warriors of the body’s immune system. They are made use of by the body for fighting major infections. In the given immunotherapy therapy, the T-cells are made use of for treating cancer. Dr. Allison was successful in coming across a checkpoint referred to as CTLA-4. Honjo found another one known as PD-1. These major discoveries by the scientists have helped in the development of drugs that would allow the T-cells to fight cancer effectively.
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Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Benefits of Antioxidants for the Overall Health
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hen it comes to talking about nutrition and the overall prevention of major diseases, the term “antioxidants” cannot be avoided. Antioxidants are substances that are responsible for protecting the cells in the body from the damage caused by the free radicals. This damage could occur due to certain factors including smoking, chemicals, pollution, radiation, and a byproduct of the normal metabolism process. Some of the significant dietary antioxidants that can be included in a healthy lifestyle include vitamin A, selenium, vitamins C & E, carotenoids, along with several phytochemicals including quercetin, lycopene, and lutein. One can come across the antioxidants in many natural sources of food items. For instance, there are large amounts of antioxidants in fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, and so more. There is no surprise
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that junk foods including the processed fast foods usually have lower amounts of antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Antioxidants When you consume foods items that are rich in antioxidants as a part of the healthy lifestyles, it turns out good for your overall health including lowering the risks of developing heart-related complications and even cancer. As such, you can consider increasing your intake of antioxidants in the daily diet by consuming more fresh fruits & vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, and others.
Important Dietary Supplements Most of the antioxidants are available as important dietary supplements. However, research has it that this does not indicate that the given supplements are beneficial for you. Antioxidant extracts are known to show remarkable results when tested in the labs. However, when it comes to being used in the human trials, the results for disease prevention have not been highly significant.
More Does Not Imply Better Some of the antioxidant supplements could be detrimental to your overall health. As such, taking in large doses might interact with certain medications and cause more harm than good. For instance, larger amounts of vitamin A antioxidant supplements could lead to certain birth defects when consumed by pregnant women. If you are thinking about taking antioxidant supplements, you should consult your doctor in advance.
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Benefits of Antioxidants for the Overall Health
Bladder Cancer, Breakthrough FDA Designation, Head and Neck Cancer, Melanoma Cancer, Skin Cancer
FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer
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he FDA recently approved the use of Libtayo (cemiplimabrwlc), an intravenous drug designed for patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or locally advanced CSCC who are not eligible for curative surgery or curative radiation. Just in the United States, there are more than 700.000 new cases discovered each year, making CSCC the second most common human cancer and accounting for about 20% of all diagnosis. People who are constantly exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun or other sources develop ulcers or hard lumps with scaly tops. Most of the time, surgical resection is enough, but for approximately 5% of patients who develop an advanced form, no treatment is effective.
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Libtayo is a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) that targets a certain pathway which prevents the immune system from fighting cancerous cells. The drug is part of the new wave of immunotherapy medicines hailed as being safer for patients, generally more efficient and able to take on situations where other treatments failed. In a press release, Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence said: “We’re continuing to see a shift in oncology toward identifying and developing drugs aimed at a specific molecular target. With the Libtayo approval, the FDA has approved six immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 / PD-L1 pathway for treating a variety of tumors, from the bladder to head and neck cancer, and now advanced CSCC”. The decision comes following two successful clinical trials with more than 100 total participants. Libtayo was able to shrink or completely remove tumors in 47% of patients. Common side effects include fatigue, rash, and diarrhea. Find out more information here.
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FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer
Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Esophagus Cancer, Lung Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer
Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors
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he idea of using the patient’s own antibodies to treat HER2positive cancers is not new, but only now have scientists come close to making it a reality.
It all started in 2008, when Jay Berzofsky, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Vaccine Branch at the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research presented his paper detailing a serum able to eradicated large breast tumors and lung metastases in mice. The concept was simple – harvest blood from the subject, genetically modify dendritic cells to produce parts of the HER2 protein, inject them back and hope they would trigger an immune response against the cancer. Fast forward to 2018, Dr. Berzofsky reports positive results in his clinical trials at the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer
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Immunotherapy Conference in New York. Out of the 11 participant members that received the highest doses, six showed clinical benefits. One patient suffering from ovarian cancer displayed a complete response that lasted 89 weeks, one patient with a case of gastroesophageal cancer had a partial response that lasted 16 weeks and the last four (two cases of colon cancer, one prostate cancer, and one with ovarian cancer) had stable disease.
Personalized-Vaccine-Could-Become-New-Norm-for-Treating-HER2Positive-Tumors As he describes it, “immunotherapy marshals the exquisite specificity of the immune system to destroy cancer, and some types may have potentially fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy”. Dendritic cells are an important part of the immune system because they can train T cells to attack cancer even when it has spread beyond the original tumor site. “We are using a vaccine approach to generate an immune response to HER2, which is found at high levels on and drives the growth of several types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, lung, colorectal, and gastroesophageal cancers”, added Dr. Berzofsky in the press release. Clinical trials are moving forward and the next objective is to combine two immune-boosting therapies that will hopefully increase effectiveness.
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Cancer Breakthroughs, Kidney Cancer
First Case of Complete Immunotherapy Response for Kidney Cancer Patient
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t all started with a car accident that, ironically enough, might have saved his life. Two and a half years later, Thomas Bland is completely recovered and cancer-free – a living testimony of how effective biologic therapy can be. About three years ago, on his way to work, another driver slammed into his car. Thomas had to be airlifted to VCU Medical Center, where he went through extensive testing. As he remembers it: “they did a CT scan to assess the damage, and that’s when they found the tumor”. After recovering from the injuries sustained in the accident, doctors removed his left kidney and adrenal gland. The biopsy revealed that he was, in fact, suffering from sarcomatoid kidney cancer, a particularly aggressive form of malignancy. Because of how fast the
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malignancy spreads through the body, this diagnosis usually means a life expectancy of less than 12 months. Three months after the surgery, the news was bad – the cancer had returned and was spreading to his right lung and right hip bone. Four months of grueling standard cancer treatment followed, with no effect. The disease was actually advancing towards his right adrenal gland, surrounding bones and causing nodules on his scalp. Time was running out for Thomas. This is when his doctor, Asit Paul, M.D., Ph.D., convinced him to try an experimental new drug called Nivolumab (also known as Opdivo). The treatment was so recent that at the time there was “no data supporting the use of nivolumab in patients like Mr. Bland”. Part of a new wave of immunotherapy medication, Nivolumab is a checkpoint inhibitor that blocks certain proteins used by the cancer cells to hide from antibodies and evade destruction. Every two weeks, Thomas was administered Opdivo intravenously. Within a month, the tumors on the scalp started shrinking and after a few months, scans showed no spots of cancer anywhere in his body. “I didn’t even have any side effects, at least nothing like I experienced with chemo”, admitted Mr. Bland. He went on to say “I really want to thank Dr. Paul, nurse practitioner Gwen Parker, my other nurses, and the rest of the staff at Massey Cancer Center. They saved my life”.
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First Case of Complete Immunotherapy Response for Kidney Cancer Patient
Breaking Cancer Research, Breast Cancer
Genetic Tumor Mapping Could Save Countless Lives
I
t might sound strange, but cancers are actually unique to every individual. Just like fingerprints, they appear to be similar, though, on closer inspection, they differ widely.
In 2006, at the age of 46, Teresa McKeown was diagnosed with breast cancer. She followed the standard treatment and overcame the malignancy. 11 years later though, it came back in full force, with what is called triple-negative disease, more aggressive and harder to treat. Nothing worked this time. It quickly spread to her intestine, making it difficult to eat and causing her peritoneal cavity to fill with liquid. Now Teresa had lost all hope and began writing goodbye letters to her children. In this darkest of moments, one shimmer of light appeared in the form of a clinical trial at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.
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Following a test designed to reveal the genetic abnormalities found in tumors, she was able to qualify for an experimental drug called Opdivo. Part of a new generation of immunotherapies, the treatment started turning the tide and within weeks scans showed no trace of cancer. Genetic-Tumor-Mapping-Could-Save-Countless-Lives By doing a comprehensive tumor profiling, doctors are able to determine genetic mutations or other abnormalities in the DNA of the cancerous cells and possibly recommend unusual solutions, like using melanoma therapy for breast cancer. These targeted therapies can significantly improve patient outcome and have become the focus of many pharmaceutical companies. Many drugs from this category can actually extend their effectiveness to other forms of cancer. For example, Keytruda, approved by the FDA in 2014 for the treatment of advanced melanoma, was later expanded to include patients suffering from tumors that carry a genetic mutation called microsatellite instability-high or MSI-H. This was the first case where a drug was sanctioned based on the genetic characteristics of the disease, rather than the cancer’s location. While something similar did exist, checking for BRAF mutations in melanoma and ROS1, ALKr, EGFR in lung cancer, the comprehensive tumor profiling techniques offers a more detailed picture and can often suggest a better course of action. Medicare does help in some cases, but the tests can be quite expensive and don’t always find an FDA approved treatment for each situation. Even though this worked for Teresa, it doesn’t mean it can help everyone, at least at this moment.
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Genetic Tumor Mapping Could Save Countless Lives
Alternative Cancer Treatments, Cancer
Amazonian Plant Could Have Miraculous Anticancer Properties
N
atural alternatives to current forms of cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy and radiation, present a number of intrinsic advantages and have been a point of focus in recent years. Vismia baccifera might just be the perfect candidate to take over this job. “Right now, there is huge interest in identifying compounds derived from plants that could be used as chemotherapeutic agents with the capacity to prevent tumours from growing, or to treat metastasis, for example”, explained Dr Jenifer Trepiana, member of the team from UPV/EHU’s Faculty of Medicine and Nursing that worked on the project. These researchers from the University of the Basque Country discovered that the plant, a native of the Amazonian region, produced
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a toxic response in tumor cells increases the number of free radicals, especially hydrogen peroxide. “Indigenous populations use it for its anti-inflammatory properties or for urinary tract disorders or skin diseases, but we chose it because in previous studies we had seen that it is the one with the greatest antitumour capability in liver cancer cells that we have used”, added Mrs. Trepiana. Interestingly enough “only the cancer cells were affected” and furthermore “these effects do not take place in healthy human liver cells”. It seems that the hydrogen peroxide stops cell division and activates a process of programmed cell death called apoptosis. While the results of their study do seem impressive, it should be noted that the trials were conducted only in laboratory conditions and don’t necessarily translate in the same way to living subjects
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Amazonian Plant Could Have Miraculous Anticancer Properties
Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Prevention
Milk Could Restore Gustatory and Olfactory Sensations to Chemo Patients
B
ecause of how aggressive chemotherapy or other cancer treatment options can be on the body, patients often complain about taste and smell abnormalities (TSA), leading to loss of appetite or even anorexia. The Food and Function journal presented an article exploring the possibility of using lactoferrin, a multifunctional protein with many bioactive properties, in order to relieve TSA effects. With nutrition being a crucial component in the recovery process, alleviating reported symptoms like food having “metallic flavor or aftertaste” could significantly improve healing times and general outcome. “By suggesting lactoferrin as a dietary supplement, we can reduce TSA for many patients, restoring their ability to enjoy foods during a time in which nutrition can play a key role in their recovery”, said Susan
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Duncan, professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech and co-author of the paper. It might seem like a trivial issue, but having a satisfying meal not only provides natural vitamins and minerals required for the healing process, it also helps on a psychological level, giving cancer patients a feeling of comfort and normalcy. Too often, in cases like these, people suffer from poor appetite, weight loss, diminished nutrition, and even depression. Mrs. Duncan went on to say: “This research could help us develop TSA-targeted biomarkers and strategies for improving quality of life during chemotherapy. Cancer patients and their supporting family and friends may again find comfort in enjoying a meal together”. The trial involved cancer patients and also 12 healthy subjects. They were administered 3 tablets per day (250 mg per tablet), for 30 days. Results showed consistently high traces of salivary proteome and minerals. Overall, Lactoferrin “increased the abundance (P < 0.05) of salivary α-amylase and Zn-α-2-GP, and led to an overall increase of expression (≥2-fold changes) of immune proteins including immunoglobulin heavy chain, annexin A1, and proteinase inhibitor”. Ensuring adequate patient care and high quality of life is always a priority, especially when dealing with serious diseases like cancer
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Milk Could Restore Gustatory and Olfactory Sensations to Chemo Patients
Bone Cancer, Leukemia Cancer
New Drug Enhances the Harvest of Bone Marrow
T
he journal Leukemia published not one but two articles (found here and here) regarding a new drug that facilitates and improves bone marrow donation and transplantation. Researchers hope to make the operation safer and more effective for patients. Truly a life-saving procedure, the stem cell transplant is designed to restore the body’s blood making ability for those battling certain types of cancer, like leukemia, or immune deficiency diseases. Even though it presents countless risks, each year, this is the last resort for tens of thousands of people around the world. The team from Cincinnati Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute identified a Cdc42 activity-specific inhibitor (CASIN) that can help with several stages of the process. In order to assimilate the new donor cells, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), existing ones
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need to be eradicated using chemotherapy, exposing patients to toxic medication. “Our data demonstrate that the new regimen of CASIN application has the potential to improve both sides of the transplant practice. It mobilizes higher quality donor HSCs during stem cell harvest and it would condition transplant patients beforehand to beforehand engraftment efficiency”, said Yi Zheng, senior investigator on both studies and director of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology. In the first study, CASIN was able to mobilize blood-making cells and promote “hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell egress” from bone marrow. These samples have better long-term reconstitution potential following transplant, increasing chances of them taking on in the new host. The second article detailed how using CASIN on the recipient made the body more receptive to new and healthy blood stem cells by making existing cells migrate to peripheral blood. This would lessen the amount of chemo required. This new drug represents an important step towards improving stem cell transplant procedures, reducing risks for patients and significantly increasing success rates.
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New Drug Enhances the Harvest of Bone Marrow
Brain Cancer, Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Cancer Cures, Cancer Technology
Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer
T
owards coming up with a breakthrough in the field of cancer treatment, two Birmingham hospitals are making use of the Herpes virus for treating brain cancer.
The herpes virus – the one which is responsible for causing cold sores, is currently under trial for treating brain tumors. The two leading Birmingham hospitals including the Children’s of Alabama and UAB are the only hospitals in the world that are trying out the herpes virus research for treating the patients with brain cancer. Though it is quite an early stage in the given research, still it has been revealing major results. A patient named Nick Tasoglou claimed that in the beginning, this treatment approach sounded a bit weird to him. Dr. Gregory Friedman in the field of Pediatric Hematology
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& Oncology stated that they have learned a way of engineering the herpes virus such that they are quite safe. As such, these viruses can be directed and targeted for killing the cancer cells. Dr. Friedman also claimed that this could be the future of cancer treatment. Once the biopsy is done towards confirming the presence of a recurring tumor in the brain, the doctors go ahead with placing catheters directly to the cancer tumors. After this, the catheters are externalized through the scalp of the patient. The following day, the engineered herpes virus is infused for over 6 hours through the catheter. After this process has finished, the catheters are pulled out and the patient is given time to recover. The main advantage of this type of treatment over the conventional radiation or chemotherapy methods is that it tends to be a one-time treatment instead of being a continuous treatment. The study finds that the herpes virus – G207 is safe for children having malignant brain tumors. As many as 7 children have been treated through this method.
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Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer
Categories Alternative Cancer Treatments
China’s Med-Tech Benefits the World with its Non-Invasive Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer . . . . . 134 New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Amazonian Plant Could Have Miraculous Anticancer Properties . . . . . . . . 393
Bladder Cancer
Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Newly Identified Biomarker Could Pave the Way for Personalized Bladder Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Breaking Treatment Displays Promising Results in Fighting Bladder Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 New Bladder Cancer Drug Shows Impressive Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Blood Cancer
New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 First Non-Chemotherapy Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
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Cholesterol-Lowering Drug, Statin, Can Better Blood Cancer Treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Innovative Genetic Testing Service to Help Cancer Patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 A Recent Ground-Breaking Study Could Minimize the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 New Drug Puts Cancer Cells in Permanent Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 New FDA Approved Drug Enters Leukemia Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 FDA Approved for Leukemia! – Copiktra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Bone Cancer
New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Pediatric Osteosarcoma Drug Receives Orphan Drug Designation . . . . . . . 371 New Drug Enhances the Harvest of Bone Marrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Brain Cancer
New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 New Chemical Found That Can Cause Self-Destruction in the Brain Cancer Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Emerging Hopeful Glioblastoma Treatments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Additional Inhibitor Could Reduce Brain Cancer Resistance to Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Experimental Dog Treatment Could Save Human Lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Nanoparticles, High Tech Weapons Fighting Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Nanoparticles can Help Battle Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Modified Poliovirus Helps Treat Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Stem Cells Could Be an Effective Drug Delivery Tool for Brain Cancer in Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 402
Categories
Saving Healthy Cells in Brain Cancer Treatment, Synthetically. . . . . . . . . . 313 Head and Neck Trial with NBTXR3 Nanoparticles Shows Promise. . . . . . . . 335 Zika Virus Offers Promise for Treating Fatal Brain Cancer As Per a Study. . . . 337 Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Breaking Cancer Research
New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope for Bowel Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Supramolecule Engineered to Fight Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . 23 A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Breaking – Cancer Research Finds Malaria Protein As a Method of Diagnosing Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Breast Cancer Drug Proves Promising in Phase III Clinical Trials. . . . . . . . . . 47 New Chemical Found That Can Cause Self-Destruction in the Brain Cancer Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Protein That Inhibits Breast Cancer Suppression Finally Blocked. . . . . . . . 148 Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Leads to Complete Remission of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 University Of Toledo Professor Working On Cutting Edge Cancer Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
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Genetic testing: Not a One-and-Done Deal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Could Wart Vaccines Really Treat Skin Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 New Vaccine Completely Removes Cancer in Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Combination of Molecules Found to be Effective in the Treatment of Cancer in Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Scientists Discovered a Drug Target for Neurodegenerative Diseases & Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Primary Tumors Found to Inhibit Secondary Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Switchable CAR-T Cells Target Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. . . . . . . 309 New Treatment Discovered to Fight Melanoma Better Than Traditional Vaccine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 A Tumor Suppressor – BRCA Associated Protein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 Breaking Treatment Displays Promising Results in Fighting Bladder Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 Vaccine to Possibly Treat Head and Neck Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Two Leading Cancer Immunotherapy Researchers Receive the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 Genetic Tumor Mapping Could Save Countless Lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Breaking Cancer Research
P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Adelaide Researchers Looking for Better Treatment for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Innovative Genetic Testing Service to Help Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Cancer-Targeted Immunotherapy for Offering Protection Against Metastases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years. . . . . . . . . . . 86 A Recent Ground-Breaking Study Could Minimize the Side Effects of CAR T-Cell Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
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Breakthrough FDA Designation
LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the Treatment of Lung & Thyroid Cancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 FDA Approved for Leukemia! – Copiktra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Breakthrough Therapy Designation
A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Breast Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Breast Cancer Drug Proves Promising in Phase III Clinical Trials. . . . . . . . . . 47 Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Safe Amount of Alcohol to Drink Is Zero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 China approves Breakthrough Therapy Drug for Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . 114 Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Protein That Inhibits Breast Cancer Suppression Finally Blocked. . . . . . . . 148 Groundbreaking Immunotherapy Leads to Complete Remission of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 University Of Toledo Professor Working On Cutting Edge Cancer Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma. . . . . . . . . 156 New Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise For Patients With Her2-Positive Cancers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
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PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Discovery Blocks Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Tumor Growth. . . . . . 197 Study Spares Breast Cancer Patients from Unnecessary Chemotherapy . . . 203 Long-term Study Reveals Lower Cancer Incidence from Vegetable and Fruit Diet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 When People Care There is HOPE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Possible Male Breast Cancer Signs You Should Be Aware of . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?. . . . . 279 Can Match Tea Fight Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Primary Tumors Found to Inhibit Secondary Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Discovery of New Metal-Based Inhibitor May Improve Treatments for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387 Genetic Tumor Mapping Could Save Countless Lives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 406
Categories
Cancer
Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . 23 China’s Med-Tech Benefits the World with its Non-Invasive Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Breaking – Cancer Research Finds Malaria Protein As a Method of Diagnosing Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Cancer-Targeted Immunotherapy for Offering Protection Against Metastases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Clubbed Nails May Indicate Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer Treatment. . . . 116 Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . 146 FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 And 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Cancer Cells Engineered to Trigger a Death Switch in Other Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Cancer Treatment by Targeting Telomeres & Telomerase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Modified Poliovirus Helps Treat Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 XTANDI Treatment for Prostate Cancer Gets FDA Approval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Kidney Cancer Cure via Protein Targeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Categories
407
New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Amazonian Plant Could Have Miraculous Anticancer Properties. . . . . . . . . 393
Cancer Breakthroughs
New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope for Bowel Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 China approves Breakthrough Therapy Drug for Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . 114 Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI in Combination Drugs for Colorectal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 “Promising” Treatment Trial Gives New Hope for the Deadliest Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 New Peptide Drug Targets Liver Cancer from Within. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Oral Bacteria – a Breakthrough Passage in Weight Loss, Cancer Treatment, and Overall Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 FDA Issues Breakthrough Therapy Designation for LENVIMA. . . . . . . . . . . . 263 New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 First Case of Complete Immunotherapy Response for Kidney Cancer Patient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389 408
Categories
Cancer Cures
P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years. . . . . . . . . . . 86 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer T reatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Studies Suggest Aspirin Keeps Colorectal Cancer Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . 134 Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients! . . . . . . . . . . 136 Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Taming Pediatric Leukemia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Nanoparticles, High Tech Weapons Fighting Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Cancer Cells Engineered to Trigger a Death Switch in Other Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Cancer Treatment by Targeting Telomeres & Telomerase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Turmeric Can Cure Stomach Cancer: According to JNU Study. . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Modified Poliovirus Helps Treat Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 “Promising” Treatment Trial Gives New Hope for the Deadliest Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 New Study Could “Pause & Reverse” Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Categories
409
Merck’s Keytruda on Its Way to Dealing with Head & Neck Cancer Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Cancer Technology
P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Magic Bullet Technique Effectively Targets Only Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Pancreatic Cancer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Emerging Hopeful Glioblastoma Treatments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . 134 Special Genes Discovered in Elephants That Resist Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Surgeons at Pennsylvania “Light Up” Tumors for Boosting the Chances of Mesothelioma Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Nanoparticles, High Tech Weapons Fighting Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Discovery Blocks Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Tumor Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Nanoparticles can Help Battle Brain Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 New FDA Approved Drug Enters Leukemia Fight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 “Promising” Treatment Trial Gives New Hope for the Deadliest Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
410
Categories
Merck’s Keytruda on Its Way to Dealing with Head & Neck Cancer Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 New Cancer Treatment: Molecularly Targeted Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Cutting Edge Radiotherapy Machine Introduced in the U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Birmingham Hospitals Making Use of Herpes Virus for Treating Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .399
Cervical Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Head and Neck Trial with NBTXR3 Nanoparticles Shows Promise . . . . . . . 335 How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361 New Vaccine to Possibly Treat Incurable HPV-Related Cancers . . . . . . . . . 367
Childhood Cancer and Treatments
Stem Cells Could Be an Effective Drug Delivery Tool for Brain Cancer in Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Pediatric Osteosarcoma Drug Receives Orphan Drug Designation. . . . . . . 371
Colorectal Cancer
New Breakthrough Treatment Discovered for Bowel Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast Succeeded in Creating a Ray of Hope for Bowel Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 P53 Gene Suppression Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Large Colorectal Lesions Removed Without Surgery with the Help of High-Tech Robotic Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Prevent Colon Cancer with These Six Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI in Combination Drugs for Colorectal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Categories
411
Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Studies Suggest Aspirin Keeps Colorectal Cancer Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Prevent Ovarian Cancer with Aspirin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Could E. Coli Treatment Cure Crohn’s Disease?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Endometrial Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Researchers Explore Gene Therapy to Treat Endometrial Cancer. . . . . . . . . 55 FDA Issues Breakthrough Therapy Designation for LENVIMA. . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Esophagus Cancer
Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
412
Categories
PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Discovery of New Metal-Based Inhibitor May Improve Treatments for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Could E. Coli Treatment Cure Crohn’s Disease?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Treatment Might Help in Reducing the Risk of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 Head and Neck Trial with NBTXR3 Nanoparticles Shows Promise. . . . . . . . 335 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Head and Neck Cancer
Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 and 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Merck’s Keytruda on Its Way to Dealing with Head & Neck Cancer Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Innovative Head and Neck Cancer Therapies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Head and Neck Trial with NBTXR3 Nanoparticles Shows Promise. . . . . . . . 335 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Vaccine to Possibly Treat Head and Neck Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Categories
413
New Vaccine to Possibly Treat Incurable HPV-Related Cancers. . . . . . . . . . 367 FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Healthy Lifestyles
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Safe Amount of Alcohol to Drink Is Zero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Why You Should Start Drinking Chamomile Tea Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Prevent Colon Cancer with These Six Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Benefits of Having Carrots Everyday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Avoiding Getting Tattoos Lowers Cancer Risk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein. . . . . . 118 Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients! . . . . . . . . . . 136 Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Drinking More Water can Help in Reducing Bladder Infections in Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Long-term Study Reveals Lower Cancer Incidence from Vegetable and Fruit Diet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
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Categories
Oral Bacteria – a Breakthrough Passage in Weight Loss, Cancer Treatment, and Overall Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 How Your Diet Feeds Pancreatic Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?. . . . . 279 Early Age Drinking May Lead To Aggressive Prostate Cancer Later In Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Can Match Tea Fight Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Dietary Tips that May Help to Stave Off Cancer – What Do You Have to Lose? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Red Meat May Not be as Bad as We Have Been Told – You decide!. . . . . . . 297 Top Ways to Give Your Brain a Boost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Eating Broccoli While Pregnant Could Help in Preventing Breast Cancer in Child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361 Benefits of Antioxidants for the Overall Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 Milk Could Restore Gustatory and Olfactory Sensations to Chemo Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Hope Stories
Cancer Survivor, A Record Breaker Cyclist, Sets Upon a New Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Categories
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Carol Neufeld’s, A Cancer Fighter, Inspirational Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo. . . . . 154 All-new Advanced CAR-T Treatment Might Give Hope to the Cancer Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 When People Care There is HOPE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Cancer Cannot Take Away Who You Are!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 New Bladder Cancer Drug Shows Impressive Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Kevin Schwartzel saved the Life of Johnny Sawyer Dyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Kidney Cancer
Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein. . . . . . 118 Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Kidney Cancer Cure via Protein Targeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Metabolic Differences in Kidney Tumors Could Help Better Treatments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 First Case of Complete Immunotherapy Response for Kidney Cancer Patient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Leukemia Cancer
New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Cholesterol-Lowering Drug, Statin, Can Better Blood Cancer Treatments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years. . . . . . . . . . . 86
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Categories
A Major Vulnerability of Childhood Leukemia Discovered!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo. . . . . 154 Taming Pediatric Leukemia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 New FDA Approved Drug Enters Leukemia Fight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Arsenic Shows Surprising Benefits in Cancer Fight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 New Treatment for Hairy Cell Leukemia Approved By the FDA. . . . . . . . . . . 325 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 FDA Approved for Leukemia! – Copiktra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 Kevin Schwartzel saved the Life of Johnny Sawyer Dyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379 New Drug Enhances the Harvest of Bone Marrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Liver Cancer
Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 New Peptide Drug Targets Liver Cancer from Within. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 New Drug Can Help in Fighting Liver Cancer with Fewer Side Effects. . . . . 327 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Lung Cancer
LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the Treatment of Lung & Thyroid Cancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Categories
417
How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Nivolumab Receives FDA Accelerated Approval for Treating Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Clubbed Nails May Indicate Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Cancer Patient Fights Terminal Cancer Through Alternative Treatments! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Photodynamic Theory Beats Lung Cancer!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Treatments Ensuring Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients! . . . . . . . . . . 136 4 Little Girls Who Beat Cancer Reunite at Hospital for Touching Photo. . . . . 154 CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma. . . . . . . . . 156 New Cancer Vaccine Shows Early Promise For Patients With Her2-Positive Cancers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Delta-tocotrienol Inhibitors Might Reduce Risk of Tumor Invasion and Metastasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
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Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 A Light-Emitting Wireless Implant to Kill Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 New Study Could “Pause & Reverse” Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Discovery of New Metal-Based Inhibitor May Improve Treatments for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Imfinzi Can Help To Fight Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Lymphoma Cancer
When People Care There is HOPE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 This Week in Oncology News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Japan Approves New Treatment for Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. . . . . 365
Melanoma
New Drug Developed by Israeli Researchers That Kills Multiple Leukemic Proteins at Once!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Melanoma Cancer
New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Categories
419
Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Could Wart Vaccines Really Treat Skin Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 New Vaccine Completely Removes Cancer in Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 FR900359, Discovered from Plants to Reduces Tumor Growth in Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 New Treatment Discovered to Fight Melanoma Better Than Traditional Vaccine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Mesothelioma Cancer
New Treatment to Prevent Pleural Mesothelioma Recurrence. . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Supercomputer Joins Fight Against Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 CAR T-Cell Therapy Might Alter the Treatment of Mesothelioma. . . . . . . . . 156 Surgeons at Pennsylvania “Light Up” Tumors for Boosting the Chances of Mesothelioma Survival. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 A Tumor Suppressor – BRCA Associated Protein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Non-hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer
First Non-Chemotherapy Treatment for Rare Blood Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Japan Approves New Treatment for Advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. . . . . 365
Nutrition
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Cure for Acute Leukemia Within Reach - First Time in 40 Years. . . . . . . . . . . 86 Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein. . . . . . 118 Know About the Too Good-to-be-True Health Benefits of Turmeric. . . . . . 122 Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
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Categories
Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Ways of Reducing the Risk of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Long-term Study Reveals Lower Cancer Incidence from Vegetable and Fruit Diet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Turmeric Can Cure Stomach Cancer: According to JNU Study. . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 How To Minimize The Risks Of Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 How Your Diet Feeds Pancreatic Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?. . . . . 279 Can Match Tea Fight Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Dietary Tips that May Help to Stave Off Cancer – What Do You Have to Lose? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Red Meat May Not be as Bad as We Have Been Told – You decide!. . . . . . . 297 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Top Health Benefits of Cinnamon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Categories
421
Benefits of Antioxidants for the Overall Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 Milk Could Restore Gustatory and Olfactory Sensations to Chemo Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Others
LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Ovarian Cancer
A New Drug Combination Shrinks Tumors in Chemotherapy-Resistant Lung and Ovarian Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Researchers Explore Gene Therapy to Treat Endometrial Cancer. . . . . . . . . 55 Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Cancer Should Not Have to Be a Death Sentence!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Carol Neufeld’s, A Cancer Fighter, Inspirational Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 The Immune System of the Alpaca Reveals a Potential Treatment for Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Prostate Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sarcomas and More Cancer Types Now Linked to Lynch Syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Prevent Ovarian Cancer with Aspirin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 FDA Issues Breakthrough Therapy Designation for LENVIMA. . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 The Prognostic Importance of Antigen 45 (CT45) in Extending Life of an Ovarian Cancer Patient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
422
Categories
Pancreatic Cancer
Can Artificial Intelligence Combat Pancreatic Cancer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Cancer Blood Test Based on Protein Produced by Malarial Parasite can Revolutionize Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Mesothelin Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Efficacy in Early Stages of Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Cell Immunotherapy Provides Potential Cure for Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Chinese Tree Bark Compound Shows Anticancer Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . 146 ‘Death Cap’ Mushroom Could Aid in Cancer Fight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Top Do’s & Don’ts for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 How To Minimize The Risks Of Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 “Promising” Treatment Trial Gives New Hope for the Deadliest Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Vaccination for Hepatitis B Might Help in Preventing Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 How Your Diet Feeds Pancreatic Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 Switchable CAR-T Cells Target Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. . . . . . . 309 Could E. Coli Treatment Cure Crohn’s Disease?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Fighting Pancreatic Cancer! There is HOPE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Prevention
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . Novel Blood Tests Help in Predicting Risks & Survival of Kidney Cancer 5 Years Before Diagnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Green Tea – More Benefits with Each Sip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Categories
15 17 21 39
423
Apples Reduce Chance of Cancer With Up To 25% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Why You Should Start Drinking Chamomile Tea Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Prevent Colon Cancer with These Six Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Beating Cancer by Discovering the Benefits of Beetroot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Benefits of Having Carrots Everyday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Cancer May be Prevented by Maintain Body pH Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Health Risks for Occasional Smokers Considerably Higher than Previously Believed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Avoiding Getting Tattoos Lowers Cancer Risk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 Cell-to-Cell Communication Opens Way for Better Cancer Treatment. . . . 116 Lesser Risk of Kidney Cancer with more Vitamin D Binding Protein. . . . . . 118 Array BioPharma Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BRAFTOVI in Combination Drugs for Colorectal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 1Know About the Too Good-to-be-True Health Benefits of Turmeric . . . . 122 Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea , Kale and Broccoli Could Prevent Colon Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Prevent Ovarian Cancer with Aspirin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Vaccination for Hepatitis B Might Help in Preventing Pancreatic Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 More Vitamin D May Offer Less Risk of Breast Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Oral Bacteria – a Breakthrough Passage in Weight Loss, Cancer Treatment, and Overall Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 The Sweet Potato – An Unexpected Weapon against Breast Cancer?. . . . . 279 Early Age Drinking May Lead To Aggressive Prostate Cancer Later In Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Can Match Tea Fight Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Dietary Tips that May Help to Stave Off Cancer – What Do You Have to Lose? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 The Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Eating Broccoli While Pregnant Could Help in Preventing Breast Cancer in Child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 424
Categories
Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 Grapes May Help in Stopping the Growth of Cancer Cells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Top Medicinal & Health Properties of Cayenne Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361 Benefits of Antioxidants for the Overall Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 Milk Could Restore Gustatory and Olfactory Sensations to Chemo Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Prostate
How can Blueberries Help in Killing Cancer Cells?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Prostate Cancer
How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Neem Oil Could Help Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 New Five Minute Procedure to Help With Enlarged Prostate. . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Adelaide Researchers Looking for Better Treatment for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Innovative Therapy to Cut Radiation Sessions for Prostate Cancer . . . . . . 134 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Connection to Healthy Diets Imply Lower Risks of Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Prostate Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sarcomas and More Cancer Types Now Linked to Lynch Syndrome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 XTANDI Treatment for Prostate Cancer Gets FDA Approval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Categories
425
Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Blood Tests can Help in Predicting the Treatment for Patients with Prostate Cancer: Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Walnuts May be Able to Prevent Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 Early Age Drinking May Lead To Aggressive Prostate Cancer Later In Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Junk Food Can Lead To Cancer According To Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 Cutting Edge Radiotherapy Machine Introduced in the U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Benefits of Flax Seed Could Include Cancer Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Personalized Vaccine Could Become New Norm for Treating HER2-Positive Tumors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Skin Cancer
New Drug Combo to Lead Fight Against Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 New Drug Combination Could Help Curb Melanoma That Has Spread to Brain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Discovery of T-cells Hidden in Bone Marrow Can Help Beat Brain Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Simple Blood Test Can Reveal Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer Approved. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Australia Working on Breakthrough Blood Test for Detecting Melanoma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 HPV Vaccine Removes Dozens of Tumors from Patient With Advanced Skin Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Hundreds of Kidney, Skin and Blood Cancer Patients May Be Cured from Breakthrough Drug. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
426
Categories
Can Pomegranate Juice Keep Cancer Away? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Revolution in Melanoma Treatment for Patients. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Could Wart Vaccines Really Treat Skin Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Guava Leaves May Keep Cancer at Bay!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 New Vaccine Completely Removes Cancer in Mice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 New Treatment Discovered to Fight Melanoma Better Than Traditional Vaccine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Black Raspberries Offer Promise for Treating Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 New Bladder Cancer Drug Shows Impressive Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 FDA Greenlights First Treatment for Advanced Skin Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Stomach Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 How Could Genes be Helpful in Curing Cancer?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Has Surprising Results On Cancer Survivor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Garlic, the Ultimate Panacea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Turmeric Can Cure Stomach Cancer: According to JNU Study. . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Olive Oil – The Amazing Elixir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 New Initiative Could Prove Life-saving for Indians Suffering from Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Asian Mushrooms Show Potential for Cancer Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Role of Ginger & Its Constituents in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Pancreatic, Gastric and Various Cancers May Help with Prevention from Citrus Fruit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Testicular Cancer
FDA Extends Age Limit for HPV Vaccine to Include Adults between 27 and 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Categories
427
Throat Cancer
PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Thyroid Cancer
LOXO-292 Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the Treatment of Lung & Thyroid Cancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Why You Should Start Drinking Chamomile Tea Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Discovery Blocks Vicious Cycle of Inflammation and Tumor Growth. . . . . . 197 LOXO-101 Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and Is Ready to Fight Solid Tumors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 The Numerous Health Benefits of Brazil Nuts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Fish Intake Could Lead to Lower Cancer Risks!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Uterine Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15 Immunotherapy – A New Form of Lung Cancer Treatment!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Drinking More Water can Help in Reducing Bladder Infections in Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 PARP Inhibitors May Bring New Hope to Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Lycopene, the Hidden Treasure from Inside Tomatoes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Urine Color: A Cancer Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Uterine Cancer Breast Cancer
Why Should Cruciferous Vegetables be on Your Plate Every day?. . . . . . . . . 15
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Categories