| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| S.ravi |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 09:50:48
a drop of blood will disclose details about cancer
New York (PTI): Just a drop of blood or tissue pieces equivalent to needle tip will be able to give details about cancer and their response to treatment given by doctors, according to a new technology announced on Sunday.
The pioneering work was done by California based Stanford University School of Medicine.
Using a special machine, researchers at the University were able to monitor the proteins responsible for cancers and changes taking place in response to the drugs.
The technology designed for blood cancer will also be able to provide faster insight into the nature of solid tumors also, the results published in today's online edition of Journal Nature Medicine say.
The most common way to diagnose cancer is using surgical biopsies requiring general anesthesia and large amounts of tissue which are cumbersome for the patient to repeat.
"If we can figure out how to go in with a needle and remove just a few cells for analysis, we could repeatedly assess how the tumour is responding to treatment," lead researcher Alice Fan, said
The variation in the levels of proteins in cancer cells can disclose how it functions in progression of tumour.
Cancer cell often evade common therapies by reorganising their biological functions like protein expression.
"Currently, we don't know what's going on in a patient's actual tumor cells when a treatment is given," Fan added. "The standard way we measure if a treatment is working is to wait several weeks to see if the tumor mass shrinks."
The smaller size of samples will help the doctors to take out repeated sample for testing of protein expression which will provide insight into changes taking place in the tumour.
"Analysing repeated small samples from a tumour undergoing treatment may allow doctors to head off rogue cells at the pass before they have a chance to proliferate into a more resistant tumor or to identify patients likely to fail standard approaches to treatment, " Fan said.
"This technology allows us to analyze cancer-associated proteins on a very small scale," said Dean Felsher, a co-researcher. "Not only can we detect picogram levels — one-trillionth of a gram — of protein, but we can also see very subtle changes in the ways the protein is modified."
The variation in the levels of proteins in cancer cells can disclose how it functions in progression of tumour. Cancer cell often evade common therapies but reorganising their biological functions like protein expression.
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| S.ravi |
Posted - 06/28/2009 : 01:58:31
Cancer Risk Is More In Diabetes Patients Using Glargine
Last Updated: 27-06-2009 17:00:38 IST
The risk of cancer in patients suffering from diabetes increases if they are using glargine, an insulin analogue.
A new study was done by a collaboration of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) and a research institute of the German Local Health Care Fund on about 130, 000 patients who had diabetes. These patients were using insulin or glargine, aspart or lispro (insulin analogues). The study was conducted between 2001 January and 2005 June.
In their study, the researchers found out that malignancies were more frequent in diabetes patients who were prescribed glargine than when compared with those who were using human insulin. They also added that even though they did not possess the absolute evidences with regard to this factor, urgent suspicion has led to providing treatments for such patients.
The researchers also have revealed that no differences were found in patients who were prescribed insulin analogues lispro and aspart, as well as human insulin. The authors of this study also added that the dose dependant relation with glargine confirms the doubt that this insulin analogue plays a vital role in diabetes patients developing cancer.
But they also mentioned that since the study has not been proved completely, those who are using glargine need not rush to change their drug.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 06/02/2009 : 11:40:18
Aizawl (PTI): A central government survey has revealed that a high percentage of women in Mizoram consume tobacco in various forms, making them the most cancer-prone in the country.
As per the latest National Family Health Survey report, 22 per cent Mizo women are regular smokers as against the national average of 2.5 per cent, making them the most cancer-prone in the country.
Apart from smoking, the womenfolk also indulge in other tobacco products, including 'Tuibur' (tobacco-infused water).
'Tuibur' is made locally by passing smoke generated by burning tobacco through water until the preparation turns cognac in colour and has a pungent smell.
Consumption of tobacco products is very common among the youths, principal investigator of the state Tobacco Cessation Clinic Dr Jane Ralte said, adding that the annual death rate among women smokers in the age group of 24-45 years was twice as high compared to those who abstained from the habit.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 06/02/2009 : 11:39:07
India has maximum number of Oral Cancer cases
Kanchipuram (PTI): India has the dubious distinction of maximum number of Oral Cancer cases in the world, with about nine lakh people succumbing to diseases caused by tobacco, Balu David Director Aringar Anna Memorial Cancer Institute said.
Disclosing statistics, at a seminar here on 'Smoking Cessation Programme' yesterday, he said 90 per cent of those who die of tobacco induced diseases were of the age group 13 to 18.
He said the institute had been elevated to the status of Regional Cancer Control centre. The centre would provide training to doctors and field workers in health departments under the 'Smoking Cessation Programme'.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 09:02:21
Popular cancer drug linked to fatal brain virus
Washington (IANS): The 57-year-old lawyer had completed the tough New York Times' Saturday crossword puzzle for years. But one Saturday morning, he just couldn't find words to fill in the squares. He had been attacked by a brain virus.
In Chicago, an 83-year-old woman began parroting the same phrases over and over. When her doctor asked her how she was, she replied, "I am fine. I am fine. I am fine."
The symptoms of the New York lawyer and the Chicago woman could have been mistaken for early dementia. But an MRI brain scan and biopsy revealed like their brains had been eaten away.
A brain biopsy and a spinal tap confirmed the diagnosis of a swiftly moving and often fatal viral brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML) that attacks the brain's white matter.
Both had lymphoma and had been taking the popular cancer drug rituximab (brand name Rituxan) before they developed the brain infection.
Like other cancers, lymphoma occurs when lymphocytes or white blood cells are in a state of uncontrolled cell growth and multiplication.
The two patients are part of a new study from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine RADAR project, led by Charles Bennett, that links rituximab to PML.
Rituximab is the most important and widely used cancer drug for lymphoma. It is also approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is widely used off-label to treat multiple sclerosis, lupus and auto-immune anaemias.
Bennett reports on 57 cases from 1997 to 2008 in which patients with anemia, rheumatoid arthritis or lymphoma developed the fatal brain disease after taking rituximab.
They died an average of two months after being diagnosed, said a Northwestern release.
Bennett said the brain infection is often overlooked and undiagnosed because it is so subtle at first. "People may think it's early Alzheimer's disease or depression," he said. "Many of these patients have cancer and when they die, people assume it's the cancer that killed them."
It is not yet known how rituximab is connected to the brain virus and who may be at risk.
The study was published in the May 14 issue of the journal Blood.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 05/19/2009 : 09:00:44
A three-minute test to detect prostate cancer on the anvil
London (PTI): Scientists are developing a three -minute test to detect prostate cancer, which they claim would help patients learn their test results immediately rather than enduring a wait of up to two weeks.
An international team is working on the new test which will involve taking a sample of fluid from the prostate, a key breakthrough which could produce immediate results and be more accurate than the current test.
Lead researcher Professor David Parker of Durham University said: "It's been a complex process to develop the technique but we're very optimistic about it. Ultimately, this could provide an accurate method of screening for prostate cancer in men that could be carried out in three minutes."
Levels in the prostate are usually 1,000 times higher than in the blood but fall with the onset of prostate cancer.
To measure citrate levels, the researchers added a luminous metal to samples of fluid taken from the prostate gland. They then shone light through the solution and showed that the amount of light emitted by the metal corresponded to the amount of citrate in the solution.
The next step is to show that the levels of citrate picked up can be used to accurately diagnose the cancer. The technique will need to be tested on samples from thousands of men before it is suitable for the market but the early results are promising, the 'Daily Mail' reported.
"Since citrate concentrations decrease markedly early in malignancy, this technique makes it possible to analyse what's happening quickly in the early and treatable stage of prostate cancer. It shows much promise as a clinical tool," co-researcher Professor Leslie Costello of the University of Maryland said.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 05/07/2009 : 06:28:31
Kidney disease 'raises cancer risk'
Washington (PTI): Moderate kidney disease can raise an older man's risk of developing certain cancers, a new study has revealed.
Researchers, led by Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia, have carried out the study and found that people with end-stage renal disease and kidney transplant recipients are at an increased risk of developing cancers.
According to them, some evidence suggests inflammation caused by CKD may contribute to development of cancer.
"Men with CKD should be aware of cancer prevention and screening for early detection. CKD prevention may be a worthwhile strategy for preventing and reducing cancer risk in the general population," lead researcher Germaine Wong said.
They have based their findings on an analysis of data from 3654 Australians, aged 49 to 97 years, who were followed for an average of 10 years. They observed individuals who had decreased kidney function for an increased risk of cancer.
The researchers discovered that men with moderate kidney dysfunction had a 39 per cent increased risk of cancer over the risk seen in men with normal kidney function. Risk increased as kidney function declined and men with significant kidney dysfunction had a three-fold raised risk above normal.
The risk for lung and urinary tract cancers, but not prostate cancer, was higher among men with kidney disease.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 05/04/2009 : 10:58:34
NASA's electronic nose 'can fight brain cancer'
Washington (PTI): Scientists have claimed that an electronic nose developed by American space agency NASA for air quality monitoring on Space Shuttle Endeavour can also be used as a weapon against brain cancer.
A new study, led by Brain Mapping Foundation, has revealed that the electronic nose can detect odour differences in normal and cancerous brain cells, track stem cell migration and has the potential to be used for intraoperative imaging.
According to the scientists, the electronic nose, which is to be installed on the International Space Station in order to automatically monitor the station's air, could detect contaminants within a range of 1 to 10,000 parts per million.
In fact, the scientists have based their findings on a series of experiments, where they used the NASA's electronic nose to sniff brain cancer cells and cells in other organs.
The data demonstrates that the electronic nose can sense differences in odour from normal versus cancerous cells, and the experiments will help pave the way for sophisticated biochemical analysis and experimentation, they said.
"This pilot study lays the groundwork for future research that may help us to better understand cellular trafficking, contribute to designing better approaches for the detection and differentiation of brain cancer, and understand the pathophysiology of intracranial gliomas," the study's lead author Babak Kateb of the Brain Mapping Foundation said.
The findings of the study are to be published in an IBMISPS-NeuroImage special issue in July and also presented at the 6th Annual World Congress for Brain Mapping & Image Guided Therapy at Harvard Medical School in August.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 04/29/2009 : 09:36:18
Medicinal cream shows promising results in treating skin cancer
New York (IANS): Imiquimod, a medicinal cream used to treat specific parts of the skin, has shown promising results in treating the deadliest form of skin cancer or melanoma, triggered by chronic exposure to sunlight, when used with surgery.
Melanoma is characterised by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells and may appear on the skin suddenly without warning or develop on an existing mole.
The study by St Louis University (SLU), looked at two cases of the most common types of melanoma of the head and neck, known as lentigo maligna (LM). LM is the earliest stage of Melanoma.
"As we're seeing melanoma in younger and younger people, in their 30s and 40s, there is a longer window for the cancer to return and a greater desire to avoid disfiguring surgery," said Scott Fosko, lead study investigator.
This early version LM precedes the more invasive form, lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). The progression of LM to LMM typically occurs after 10 to 15 years.
Though surgical removal of LM is most often used to treat the non-invasive form of the cancer, it can have high local recurrence rates.
In two patients who had both LM and LMM, investigators used Imiquimod in conjunction with surgery.
In both patients, surgery was first done to remove the area of known invasive disease, followed by the cream to the outer area of LM.
This approach was chosen with patients who did not want extensive surgery due to the large size of the melanoma on their scalp and face.
These cases, along with other recent studies, suggest that imiquimod may help to reduce the area needing surgery, manage the LM and hopefully minimise its recurrence.
Researchers hope that topical treatments like imiquimod may be used to lower the seriousness and the cost of treating the disease, as well as limit scars from surgery, and, most importantly, improve patient care, said a SLU release.
These findings were published in Dermatologic Surgery.
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| S.ravi |
Posted - 04/14/2009 : 00:13:53
Health
Dietary changes, physical activity keeps cancer at bay
Washington (IANS): Some changes in our diets, more physical activity and weight control could cut down colon and breast cancer cases by over 45 to 38 percent, according to a report by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
In 2006, a total of 15,918 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Iowa out of which 1,858 were colon cancer and 2,156 were breast cancer.
"The best way to statistically reduce your chances of cancer is to avoid smoking," said Iowa Department Public Health (IDPH) 'Fit for Life' coordinator Dennis Haney.
"But this report indicates a significant number of cancer cases could be prevented just by eating better, moving more and maintaining a healthier weight."
According to the 2006-2007 Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), more than 80 percent of all adults did not eat the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables (at least five each day).
In addition, 60 percent of adults did not participate in the recommended amount of physical activity, and nearly 65 percent of Iowans were considered overweight or obese, said an AICR release.
In addition to improvements in diet and fitness, cancer prevention should include limiting sun exposure and using sunscreen; drinking alcohol only in moderation, if at all; and having regular health screenings such as mammograms, pap tests and colorectal cancer exams.
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