A VERY PROMISING NEW DRUG AGAINST CANCER

A Very Promising New Drug Against Cancer

British researchers (from The Institute of Cancer Research) announce that they have obtained through a new drug against certain cancers, genetic, very promising results in preliminary clinical trials. The results were published in the medical journal The New England Journal of Medicine dated June 24, 2009 (Reference below).

A drug that targets cancer cells and leave normal cells intact
This new drug Olaparib was given to patients with advanced forms of cancer (breast, ovarian or prostate) inherited a mutation in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 (this genes were thought to be responsible for about 5% of breast and ovarian cancers, and about 1-2% of early onset prostate cancers). The Olaparib blocks the action of enzymes called PARP [Poly(ADP-Ribose)polymerase] involved in the mechanisms reparatinon DNA. Thanks to this drug in more than half of patients, the tumor had either stabilized or decreased in size. These patients had not responded favorably to standard treatment against cancer. The study shows that patients remained in remission two years after receiving treatment.

The Olaparib target cancer cells but leave normal cells intact. This medication has also very few side effects and some patients have reported that treatment was more bearable than chemotherapy.

Dr Johann de Bono, a researcher of the Institute of Cancer Research who led the clinical trials Phase I with the assistance of AstraZeneca / KuDOS said that positive results should permit completion of ESSI greater extent .

"This drug has shown very impressive to reduce the size of tumors in patients. It gives patients who have already tried many conventional treatments for long periods of remission, free of any symptoms or side effects " said the researcher.

Synthetic Lethality
Olaparib is the first successful example of a new type of personalized medicine using the principle of "synthetic lethality" (synthetic lethality in English), the medicine works effectively with molecular defect of the patient. This treatment is based on experiments conducted in this institute have shown that some cancers had Achilles' heels: if drugs - as olaparib - are used to block an enzyme called PARP in the body, DNA the tumor cell is broken and the cell dies.

Cancers with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were first discovered as being sensitive to inhibition of PARP but there are evidences which suggest that olaparib will be effective in other cancers with defects in machinery repair of DNA. This could apply to certain cancers of non-inherited breast or prostate cancers and up to half of the most common forms of ovarian cancer.

"It is a very important drug for the treatment of cancers associated with BRCA1 / 2. The next step is to test the drug on a more common form of cancer of the ovaries or breast or we hope that this drug will be equally effective." said Professor Stan Kaye who co-led the study.

Professor Alan Ashworth who now runs the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Center participates in the financing of this research is the source of the work of targeting mechanisms réapration DNA in cancer.

"We are extremely pleased that the work that we conducted in the laboratory are translated as quickly as benefits to patients. This concept is now tested in clinical trials deifferents worldwide." said the professor.

The mode of action of this drug
The concept behind this new approach is called "synthetic lethality". Normal cells have different ways of repairing damage to their DNA. In the case of BRCA tumors, a means of compensation is absent. Olaparib the drug blocks a different path involving the enzyme PARP, normal cells are not affected by this medication because they can use the BRCA genes. When the drug is used on the BRCA tumors, they have no means to repair their DNA when they die. Therefore, this drug is so effective at killing cancer cells and do not affect normal cells.
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Reference:
Article: Inhibition of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase in Tumors from BRCA Mutation Carriers
Authors: Peter C. Fong, David S. Boss, Timothy A. Yap, Andrew Tutt, Peijun Wu, Mergui-Marja Roelvink, Peter Mortimer, Helen Swaisland, Alan Lau, Mark J. O'Connor, Alan Ashworth, James Carmichael, Stan B. Kaye, Mr. Jan H. Schellens, and Johann S. Bono
Journal Publication:
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa0900212
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Source : BBC Health

IDENTIFICATION OF THE GENETIC CAUSE OF MOST COMMON FORM OF BREAST CANCER

Identification Of The Genetic Cause Of Most Common Form Of Breast Cancer

The discovery of tumor suppressor genes has been the main key to having an understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to uncontrolled proliferation of cells, a mechanism of cancer.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have found that defects in a gene called p18, can lead to cancer. This discovery, combined with new laboratory techniques, will help scientists to identify and explore new treatments for a tumor type representing 70 and 80% of all breast cancers. The research results were published in the medical journal Cancer Cell May 2009.

Defects in the gene p18 were observed in different types of human cancers. According to lead author, Dr. Yue Xiong, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and biophysics, when this gene is not expressed cells continue to grow, divide until they become cancer.

When studying this author and his collaborators have shown that decreased expression of p18 gene is strongly correlated with the development of a common type of breast tumors. The formation mechanism of this type of tumor is very different from other forms of breast cancer. Having understood the mechanism and having a laboratory animal genetically modified to conduct experiments, the authors propose to examine specific treatments against these tumors.
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Source: Eurekalert
University of North Carolina School of Medicine

TOO MUCH SUGAR PROMOTES THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER

Too Much Sugar Promotes The Risk Of Breast Cancer

A diet too rich in sugar promote the risk of developing breast cancer according to a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in December 2008.

This major study, was conducted among 93,000 women specifically establishes a link between high levels of insulin, a hormone secreted to regulate blood sugar and risk of breast cancer.

According to scientists, this discovery explains why postmenopausal women with obesity are more likely to have breast cancer. Insulin levels and higher estrogen nurtures the disease (at least for women with a BMI above 30).

To Dr. Servan Schreiber for this study, this confirms "the role of food too sweet in the occurrence of certain cancers."

It is important "to communicate with patients already diagnosed with cancer about the importance of adopting a diet low glycemic index for reduced insulin secretion and its negative influence on the growth of cancer cells."

In prevention, we must eat healthy and why not adopt a Mediterranean-style diet. ? This diet low glycemic index helps prevent many diseases like cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory diseases. A good resolution for 2009?

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, December 2008; release of Prof. David Servan-Schreiber, January 2009.

Possible Drug Target Found For One Of The Most Aggressive Breast Cancers

Possible drug target found for one of the most aggressive breast cancers

Few treatment options currently exist for patients:
Investigators from the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) in the United States have identified a gene (Met gene) which could be an important therapeutic target in treating the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Currently patients with these cancers have few treatment options.

The work of Dr. Carrie Graveel, Ph.D., was published in early July 2009 in the annals of the Academy of Sciences USA (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences). According to the author, the death rate due to breast cancer actually decreased, but the cancers that do not respond to conventional treatments tend to be more aggressive and lower survival rates.

According to Dr. George Vande Woude, Ph.D., chief of the laboratory where the research was conducted, the Met gene has been associated with decreased survival in breast cancer. This study identifies its importance in specific types that can be distinguished at the molecular level.

The Met gene was found in the majority of breast cancer but as a research technician, Mr Jack DeGroot, these rates are higher in aggressive types thus making this gene Met a promising therapeutic target that may help patients who currently few treatment options.

BREASTFEEDING MAY PROTECT WOMEN FROM BREAST CANCER!

A new medical study for breastfeeding!
During the Global Week of breastfeeding, the WHO pointed out that it should be exclusive up to the age of 6 months and ideally persist until the age of 2 years Parallel diversification of food.

This time, researchers looked at mothers.

The authors of this new study analyzed data from more than 60,000 women participating in the study Nurses' Health Study II between 1997 and 2005. About 608 cases of cancer pre-menopause were detected.

Women with a family history of breast cancer have generally also a higher risk of developing one themselves. The data from this study are interesting because they show that among these women at risk, the likelihood of developing breast cancer fall by almost 60% if they have already breastfed in their lives, regardless of duration.

The study were quite numerous, breastfeeding of the mother would allow a reduction in the rate of cancer of the ovaries, vagina and breast. Breastfeeding helps the mother lose weight after pregnancy and prevent obesityas we know from other studies that obesity promotes the development of breast cancer.

According to researchers, this phenomenon come from the process by which the tissues return to their natural state before pregnancy. Some congestion may cause inflammation at the origin of cancers. But study reveals that breastfeeding limit such inflammation.

The study also suggest medications to help stop lactation.

BREASTFEEDING : FACTS & FIGURES

The benefits of breastfeeding:
The literature study demonstrate the benefits of breastfeeding on the health of mothers and also the health, growth and development of children, including premature. Breastfeeding reduces the incidence of several diseases or diminish their severity. Breastfeeding provides nutrients that strengthen the immune system of children which protects infants of different infectious and respiratory diseases. It would also have a protective effect against the syndrome of sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes, insulin, Chrohn's disease and Hodgkin's disease.

A recent study suggests that breastfeeding provides children with inadequate weight to have a faster growth and catch up more quickly than their normal weight when compare to children fed with commercial preparations, as well as, faster brain growth at a critical time of development (Lucas et al, 1997)

WHO recommendations
The breast is irreplaceable. Breast milk is the best milk. Until August 7, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding organizes the Global Week of breastfeeding. 120 countries participated under the auspices of World Health Organization (WHO).

Colostrum, says WHO, secretion and thick yellowish milk produced in late pregnancy, is the perfect food for the newborn who needs to start feeding from the first hour after birth.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months. According to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding, all women can breastfeed. This is the most effective way to preserve health and ensure the survival of the child.

Globally, less than 40% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed.

Benefits for Mother's
Breastfeeding also has health benefits for mothers. In the short term, it stimulates the secretion of oxytocin, which in turn promotes uterine contraction and decreases the risk of bleeding after childbirth.

Breastfeeding a contraceptive effect in the first 6 months after birth when it is exclusive, it is performed on demand and that the mother is not menstruating, it inhibits the ovulatory function and reduces the risk of a new pregnancy to less than 2%. (EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT A METHOD CONTRACEPTRICE!)

Breastfeeding also has several advantages, since this reduces the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer later in life, which helps women find their faster weight before pregnancy and helps fight against obesity. It also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture during post menopause. It could also reduce the woman's hormone levels secreted in response to stress, such as cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Psychological benefits of breastfeeding is to facilitate the strength of attachment between mother and child.

The against-indications to breastfeeding are rare. In fact, breastfeeding is not recommended against in the case of infants with congenital galactosemia and mothers living with HIV in the country industrialized. And for mothers who consume illegal drugs or are alcohol abuse, should conduct an individual assessment to determine whether they can breastfeed.

"If the mothers and families were encouraged to breastfeed, many lives could be saved," says WHO, especially in developing countries where drinking water is scarce. A bottle made with non-potable water may be the transmitter of waterborne diseases and be very harmful even deadly for an infant.

Breastfeeding and work
WHO recommends that any mother who has just given birth at least 16 weeks of maternity leave so that she can rest and nurse her child. Many mothers who return to work abandon exclusive breastfeeding before the elapsed period of six months recommended because they do not have enough time or a place to breastfeed or take and keep the milk on their workplace. Mothers should have access, at their workplace or nearby to a clean and intimate to continue to breastfeed.

Introduction of new foods
When the child reaches the age of six months, in order to meet their needs, introduce new foods.

• WHO recommends: not to reduce the number of feedings,
• Food with spoon or cup and also advice not for bottle-feeding,
• Foods which have every guarantee of hygiene and that can be obtained locally,
• Allow sufficient time for children to learn to eat solid foods.