
	Wednesday, 10 March, 2010

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.

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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.

Saving lives one breath at a time
(National Physical Laboratory) The National Physical Laboratory has completed a project to help a UK company diagnose medical conditions through monitoring patients' breath.
Sonic hedgehog gene found in an unexpected place during limb development
(University of Florida) Sonic hedgehog is at work in mice limb buds in what is known as the ectoderm, the cell layer that gives rise to skin, researchers discovered. Finding Sonic hedgehog here is akin to discovering that yeast has crept from the batter to the frosting, where it has the surprising effect of limiting how much the cake rises. In this case, instead of causing appendages to grow in mice, Sonic hedgehog prevents digits from developing.
K-State professor finds link between low oxygen levels in body and cancer-aiding protein
(Kansas State University) Dolores Takemoto, a K-State professor of biochemistry who was researching protein kinase C gamma in the lens of the human eye, found her work taking a fascinating turn when she discovered a correlation between the protein Coonexin46 and hypoxia -- a deficiency of oxygen which kills normal tissue cells. Takemoto believes the findings will lead to serious advancements in treating retinoblastoma, a cancer that forms in the tissue of the retina.
New study questions benefits of elective removal of ovaries during hysterectomy
(Elsevier Health Sciences) Removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) while performing a hysterectomy is common practice to prevent the subsequent development of ovarian cancer. This prophylactic procedure is performed in 55 percent of all US women having a hysterectomy, or approximately 300,000 times each year. An article in the March/April issue of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology suggests that this procedure may do more harm than good.
Reovirus may be a novel approach to prostate cancer treatment
(American Association for Cancer Research) Researchers in Canada have detected a novel oncolytic viral therapy against prostate cancer with use of a virus called the reovirus, according to study results published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome not more likely to develop polyps, colon cancer
(University of Michigan Health System) Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are at no greater risk of having polyps, colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases than healthy people undergoing colonoscopies.
Chemical competition: Research identifies new mechanism regulating embryonic development
(Princeton University) A Princeton University-led research team has discovered that protein competition over an important enzyme provides a mechanism to integrate different signals that direct early embryonic development. The work suggests that these signals are combined long before they interact with the organism's DNA, as was previously believed, and also may inform new therapeutic strategies to fight cancer.
Study finds cancer mortality has declined since initiation of 'war on cancer'
(American Cancer Society) A new American Cancer Society study finds progress in reducing cancer death rates is evident whether measured against baseline rates in 1970 or in 1990. The study appears in the open access journal PLoS ONE, and finds a downturn in cancer death rates since 1990 results mostly from reductions in tobacco use, increased screening allowing early detection of several cancers, and modest to large improvements in treatment for specific cancers.
Genetic variant greatly increases lung cancer risk for light smokers
(University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center) Individuals with a certain type of genetic susceptibility to lung cancer face a greatly increased risk for the deadly disease with even a small exposure to cigarette smoke, a study team that includes researchers from the University of Cincinnati has concluded.
Obesity linked to poor colon cancer prognosis
(American Association for Cancer Research) Obese patients with colon cancer are at greater risk for death or recurrent disease compared to those who are within a normal weight range, according to a report in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Papaya extract thwarts growth of cancer cells in lab tests
(University of Florida) Papaya extract seems to have a toxic effect on cancer cells in culture, suggesting a potential treatment. Scientists documented for the first time that papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines. This regulation of the immune system, in addition to papaya's direct anti-tumor effect on various cancers, suggests possible therapeutic strategies that use the immune system to fight cancers.
Occupational sunlight exposure and kidney cancer risk in men
(American Cancer Society) Study says men employed in occupations with potential exposure to high levels of sunlight have a reduced risk of kidney cancer compared with men who were less likely to be exposed to sunlight at work.
Warning sign for potential anti-cancer approach
(Journal of Clinical Investigation) One treatment being investigated as an adjuvant for anti-cancer immunotherapies is the use of molecules that trigger the proteins TLR7 and TLR8. However, new research, to be published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that such approaches should be developed with caution because stimulation of human lung cancer cells with TLR7 or TLR8 agonists increased tumor cell survival and resistance to chemotherapeutics.
JCI online early table of contents: March 8, 2010
(Journal of Clinical Investigation) This release contains summaries, links to PDFs, and contact information for the following newsworthy papers to be published online, March 8, 2010, in the JCI: Warning sign for potential anticancer approach; The soluble factor IFN-beta represses tumor growth; miR-31: a small RNA that promotes lung cancer; New gene mutation linked to antibody deficiency; Understanding resistance to thyroid hormones; and Promoting blood vessel growth.
Articles highlight challenges, progress in nervous system cancers
(JAMA and Archives Journals) Many important clinical and basic scientific advances have been made in the past five years in the field of neuro-oncology, according to an editorial and several articles in the March issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Study shows potential for using algae to produce human therapeutic proteins
(University of California - San Diego) Pharmaceutical companies could substantially reduce the expense of costly treatments for cancer and other diseases produced from mammalian or bacterial cells by growing these human therapeutic proteins in algae -- rapidly growing aquatic plant cells that have recently gained attention for their ability to produce biofuels.
Improvements needed in genomic test result discussions
(American Cancer Society) A new study has found that one in three early stage breast cancer patients who received genomic testing when deciding about treatment options felt they did not fully understand their discussions with physicians about their test results and their risk of recurrence.
Dietary supplements discouraged for prostate cancer patients
(American Society for Radiation Oncology) Prostate-specific dietary supplements should not be taken during radiation therapy treatments because they have been shown to increase the radiosensitivity of normal prostate cell lines, leading to normal tissue complications, according to a study in the March issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.
Editorial: Eye cancer research becomes a collaborative pursuit
(JAMA and Archives Journals) Research on ocular cancer has expanded in recent years to involve well-designed, multicenter collaborative studies that help continue the advancement of knowledge in the field, according to an editorial in the March issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Spotlight on rare tumors in hunt for new cancer treatments
(European Society for Medical Oncology) New breakthrough treatments for the most common cancers could soon come from cutting-edge research into some of the world's rarest tumors.At the ESMO Conference on Sarcoma and GIST, to be held in Milan, Italy, on March 9-10, 2010, researchers and some of the world's leading experts will discuss exciting new science on sarcomas -- a group of rare tumors found in muscle, blood vessels, deep skin tissues, nerves and the tissues around joints.

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.

Reform the FDA

Science constantly discovers new health treatments which are not made available to people because of money reasons. It is time to stand up against these fraud that prevents people getting treatments they need to survive. Read to understand and join action.

cell energy therapy

Leukemia cells metabolize fat to avoid cell death

Leukemia cells, like most cancers, are addicted to glucose to generate their energy, but new research shows that these cells also rely on fatty acid metabolism to grow and to evade cell death.

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.

green tea synergize with dca

Recently patients, writing on the DCA site, have reported that adding green tea extracts to their DCA experimental anticancer regimen gave them benefits in term of cure efficacy.