cancer is usually the message of no hope, but now new hope is offered
through recent research findings that can effectively treat certain
lethal and terminal stages of cancer.
“Our
research shows that a novel monoclonal antibody can help block the now
terminal stage of cancer,” says Robert Debs, MD, researcher/scientist
with the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute in San
Francisco.
Debs
is one of the lead authors of the study, who is optimistic about the
results of the research and says, “So far it has shown effectiveness in
mice against colon and breast cancers and melanoma. Furthermore, it
does not produce any obvious toxic effects, even when given to mice
already suffering from highly advanced cancers. Rather, it helps to
treat the progressive weight loss associated with advanced cancers.”
This
is good news for thousands of cancer patients and their families, many
who have given up hope of cures being found that can help people in the
latter stages of cancer.
When
the cancer has spread from its original location to other parts of the
body, it is usually considered untreatable. Patients die as the cancer
invades vital organs. These types of cancers are often not studied
because they are considered hopeless.
the cancer has spread from its original location to other parts of the
body, it is usually considered untreatable. Patients die as the cancer
invades vital organs. These types of cancers are often not studied
because they are considered hopeless.
The present study maintain it remains important to develop treatments against end stage cancers.
Researchers
have found advanced cancers are fueled by the platelet endothelial cell
adhesion-1 (PECAM-1) molecule, which regulates the levels of
circulating proteins that promote cancer growth.
“The
anti-PECAM-1 antibody is very exciting because it shows effectiveness
against a number of terminal cancers, and also concurrently slows the
debilitating wasting syndrome that can develop as cancerous tumors
become large, disseminated and destructive,” says Debs.
anti-PECAM-1 antibody is very exciting because it shows effectiveness
against a number of terminal cancers, and also concurrently slows the
debilitating wasting syndrome that can develop as cancerous tumors
become large, disseminated and destructive,” says Debs.
This anti-body works to create an anti-tumor effect by binding to a protein instead of tumor cells, scientists explain.
“Identifying
these growth-promoting factors represents an important advance,” says
Dr. Michael Rowbotham, Director of the California Pacific Medical
Research Institute. “It would provide us with additional anti-cancer
targets which may significantly increase our ability to stop the fatal
growth of terminal cancers.”
these growth-promoting factors represents an important advance,” says
Dr. Michael Rowbotham, Director of the California Pacific Medical
Research Institute. “It would provide us with additional anti-cancer
targets which may significantly increase our ability to stop the fatal
growth of terminal cancers.”
The
new research is hopeful, although to date it has only been done on
mice, so testing the approach in people will take about 24 months.
new research is hopeful, although to date it has only been done on
mice, so testing the approach in people will take about 24 months.
“This
is the first step,” says Debs, “but it has the potential to
significantly improve the lives of patients now suffering hopelessly
is the first step,” says Debs, “but it has the potential to
significantly improve the lives of patients now suffering hopelessly
from terminal cancers.”
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