
	Saturday, 28 January, 2012

Science book

Cancer evolution is an example of competitive evolution. It is a warning that competition (darwinian evolution) is not the way to further evolution. Understand this for the sake of our planet and ourselves...

As a book on cancer evolution, the selfish cell deals with innovative concepts in evolutionary biology. Additionally, new ideas on cancer treatments are forwarded to researchers.

immunotherapy

CRM197 a new immunotherapy for cancer

dendritic_cells

Many years ago, diphtheria toxin (DT) showed antitumor activity in mice and in humans, but it was unclear whether this depended on the toxicity of the molecule only or on its strong inflammatory-immunological property as well. (Buzzi S., Cancer Res. 1982 May;42(5):2054-8). The same researchers, to deal with this open question, planned to treat a group of cancer patients with cross-reacting material 197 (CRM197).

Gc-maf cancer immunotherapy

...The once-weekly injection of minute amounts of Gc-MAF, just 100 nanograms (billionths of a gram), activates macrophages and allows the immune system to pursue cancer cells with vigor, sufficient to produce total long-term cures in humans..."

A report on the creation of a virus obtained genetically modifying a common adenovirus which could constitute a therapy against cancer has appeared recently in the scientific news. This virus would selectively infect cancer cells and force them to express a protein which calls for the intervention of macrophages, additionally stimulating them to multiply. This strategy would therefore help the body mounting a strong immune response against cancer cells.

Cancer immunity trick discovered

Cancer can spread only after having won the fight against the immune system. In the years scientists have discovered a number of strategies put in place by cancer cells to sneak out of the control of the immune system or even to counterfight it. Macrophages, a fundamental arm of immunity, should be put off for cancer affirmation.

They are key determinants in autoimmunity but have been indicated to play a crucial role in cancer immune-evasion (Franzke A, Hunger JK, Dittmar KE, Ganser A, Buer J Regulatory T-cells in the control of immunological diseases. Ann Hematol. 2006 Nov;85(11):747-58. Epub 2006 Jul 27). Increasing evidences support the existence of elevated numbers of these regulatory Treg cells in solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

Simpletags

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Cancer and evolution

EurekAlert! - Cancer

The premier online source for science news since 1996. A service of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

SUMO-snipping protein plays crucial role in T and B cell development
(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) When SUMO grips STAT5, a protein that activates genes, it blocks the healthy embryonic development of immune B cells and T cells unless its nemesis breaks the hold, a research team led by scientists at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports today in Molecular Cell.
Head & neck cancer in transplant patients: For better or worse?
(Henry Ford Health System) Transplant patients who develop head and neck cancer are more likely to be non-smokers and non-drinkers, and less likely than their non-transplant counterparts to survive past one year of diagnosis, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Discovery of new vaccine approach for treatment of cancer
(Trinity College Dublin) Scientists in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, have developed a new vaccine to treat cancer at the pre-clinical level.
UT researchers' innovation addresses major challenge of drug delivery
(University of Texas at Austin) A new physical form of proteins developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin could drastically improve treatments for cancer and other diseases, as well as overcome some of the largest challenges in therapeutics: Delivering drugs to patients safely, easily and more effectively.
Research finds newer radiation therapy technology improves patients' quality of life
(University of California - Davis Health System) Patients with head and neck cancers who have been treated with newer, more sophisticated radiation therapy technology enjoy a better quality of life than those treated with older radiation therapy equipment, a study by UC Davis researchers has found.
Erlotinib dose-adjusted for smoking status effective as first treatment for head and neck cancer
(American Society for Radiation Oncology) Head and neck cancers respond well to the anti-cancer drug erlotinib when it is administered before surgery and a stronger dose is given to patients who smoke, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.
New Queen's University research sheds light on gene destruction linked to aggressive prostate cancer
(Queen's University) Researchers at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada have identified a possible cause for the loss of a tumor suppressor gene that can lead to the development of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
Berkeley Lab researchers discover critical rotational motion in cells
(DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered a rotational motion that plays a critical role in the ability of breast cells to form the spherical structures in the mammary gland known as acini. This rotation, called "CAMo," for coherent angular motion, is necessary for the cells to form spheres. Otherwise, cells undergo random motion, leading to loss of structure and malignancy.
Rice, UCSD scientists probe form, function of mysterious protein
(Rice University) Using computer models and laboratory experiments, scientists from Rice University and the University of California, San Diego have probed the structure of the protein mitoNEET to better understand its role in aging, cancer and diabetes. They found the protein could untangle its arms at one end to loosen its grip on a potentially toxic molecule of iron and sulfur. Their research is described this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
New therapeutic target to combat liver cancer discovered
(Elhuyar Fundazioa) Researchers at CIC Biogune, the Cooperative Centre for Research into Biosciences and led by Dr. Maria Luz Martinez Chantar, have found a strong relationship between high levels of Hu antigen R protein and the malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma, through a novel molecular process in the investigation of this pathology and known as neddylation. The project provides new opportunities for making advances in the quest for personalized therapeutic applications in the treatment for hepatocarcinoma.
Study pinpoints genetic variation that raises a risk linked to bisphosphonates
(Columbia University Medical Center) Researchers at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine have identified a genetic variation that raises the risk of developing serious necrotic jaw bone lesions in patients who take bisphosphonates, a common class of osteoclastic inhibitors. The discovery paves the way for a genetic screening test to determine who can safely take these drugs.
Danish health care fast track program reduces cancer patients' treatment, diagnosis wait time
(American Society for Radiation Oncology) In Denmark, implementing a national fast track system for cancer patients reduced the waiting time between a patient's initial meeting with a health care provider and their first treatment by four weeks when comparing 2010 to 2002, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.
Diagnostic brain tumor test could revolutionize care of patients
(UT Southwestern Medical Center) Researchers have developed what they believe to be the first clinical application of a new imaging technique to diagnose brain tumors. The unique test could preclude the need for surgery in patients whose tumors are located in areas of the brain too dangerous to biopsy.
Grape seed extract kills head and neck cancer cells, leaves healthy cells unharmed
(University of Colorado Denver) A study published this week in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that in both cell lines and mouse models, grape seed extract kills head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
JTCC brings leading experts to present 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium research
(John Theurer Cancer Center) The Breast Cancer Division of the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, one of the nations top 50 cancer centers, will recap and explain research from the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on Friday, Feb. 17 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. during its ninth annual Northern New Jersey Breast Cancer Conference.
Visual nudge improves accuracy of mammogram readings
(Washington University in St. Louis) False negatives and positives plague the reading of mammograms, limiting their usefulness. Cindy Grimm, a computer scientist at Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues have shown the accuracy of novice readers can be improved by nudging them visually to follow the scanpath of an expert radiologist. The "nudge" is a brief change in the brightness or warmth in the image in the peripheral field of view.
NIH study shows caffeine consumption linked to estrogen changes
(NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Asian women who consumed an average of 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day -- the equivalent of roughly two cups of coffee -- had elevated estrogen levels when compared to women who consumed less, according to a study of reproductive age women by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.
Scripps research scientists illuminate cancer cells' survival strategy
(Scripps Research Institute) A team led by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute has discovered key elements of a strategy commonly used by tumor cells to survive when they spread to distant organs. The finding could lead to drugs that could inhibit this metastasis in patients with tumors.
Mutated Kras spins a molecular loop that launches pancreatic cancer
(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) Scientists have connected two signature characteristics of pancreatic cancer, identifying a self-perpetuating "vicious cycle" of molecular activity and a new potential target for drugs to treat one of the most lethal forms of cancer.
URMC finds leukemia cells are 'bad to the bone'
(University of Rochester Medical Center) University of Rochester Medical Center researchers have discovered new links between leukemia cells and cells involved in bone formation, offering a fresh perspective on how the blood cancer progresses and raising the possibility that therapies for bone disorders could help in the treatment of leukemia.

the DCA site

Tumor cells often preferentially use glycolysis to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), even in the presence of oxygen, a phenomenon known as aerobic glycolysis, or the "Warburg effect. DCA treatment appears to restore and to boost mitochondrial respiration in cancer cells, consequently causing cancer cell selective killing by a kind of "self-burning" effect.

cell energy therapy

NEW PAPER ABOUT DCA

We report the publication of a new interesting paper about DCA in the 2011edition of the Interantional Journal of Cancer

Dichloroacetate (DCA) inhibits neuroblastoma growth by specifically acting against malignant undifferentiated cells

piperlongumine and DCA

A small molecule from this plant is a newfound small anticancer molecule.

The research demonstrating this has been recently published in even in the most prestigious journal Nature (vol 475, 14 july 2011). But there could be more on sight, a synergy with the DCA?

dca and sugar

DCA promoters recommend taking caffeine and extra thiamine (vitamin B1), hoping that this will help the DCA work better and reduce potential risks of nerve damage. In a survey conducted by the DCA site (www.thedcasite.com) a certain number of heavy tea or coffee drinkers observed astounding responses, even remissions. Here we propose that it could be the sugar contained in those drinks to have helped the DCA mote than, or maybe instead of, caffeine or theophylline.

The DCA therapy

apoptosis

In the review paper "Dichloroacetate (DCA) as a potent..." appeared in the Online first session, in September issue of BJP, Prof. Michelakis most interestingly underlines the importance of targeting the peculiar "aerobic glycolytic" metabolic status of tumors. He suggests that the "Warburg effect", as the phenomenon is more commonly known in the literature, can be modulated by unlocking a mitochondrial impairment in cancer cells and that this could be a very promising strategy to fight cancer.

Can metformin boost DCA?

By itself, metformin was ineffective in treating tumors. In a one-two punch, metformin reduced tumors faster and prolonged remission in mice longer than chemotherapy alone, apparently by targeting cancer stem cells, report Harvard Medical School researchers in the Sept. 14 advance online Cancer Research.

cancer energetic signature

In the last issue of Translational Oncology (2009, 2, pp. 138-145) a report appeared confirming that cellular bioenergetics is a central issue of investigation in cancer biology.

ukrain or oxamate after dca

DCA is in clinical trials and results are expected with great interest. Meanwhile stories can be heard from people, even read on the internet, that tell us that they or their relatives have benefited from using DCA against cancer expecially when combining it with other treatments.