New versatile method for the manufacture of artificial anti-cancer molecules - minutes
Researchers have developed a simple and versatile method for the manufacture of artificial anti-cancer molecules mimic the properties of one of the natural defense systems of the body.
chemists, led by Professor Peter Scott at the University of Warwick, UK, have been able to produce molecules that have a structure similar to that of peptides that are produced naturally in the body to fight cancer and infections.
Posted in Nature Chemistry , the molecules produced in research have proven effective against colon cancer cells in laboratory tests, together with Roger Phillips at the Institute for Cancer Therapeutics, Bradford, UK.
artificial peptides were previously too difficult and expensive to manufacture in large quantities, but the new process only takes a few minutes and does not require expensive equipment. In addition, traditional peptides that are administered as drugs are quickly neutralized by biochemical defenses of the body before they can do their job.
One form of chemical self-assembly complex, the new method developed at Warwick addresses these problems by being both practical and production of very stable molecules. The new peptide mimetics, called triplex, have a helical 3D similar to natural peptides.
"The chemistry involved is like throwing Lego blocks in a bag, giving them a jolt, and find you made a model of the Death Star," says Professor Scott. "The design of achieving that takes some thought power and computer, but once you have worked out the method can be used to make a lot of complex molecular objects."
The description of the self-assembly process behind the artificial peptides Pr Scott says: "When the organic chemicals involved, an amino-alcohol derivative and a picoline are mixed with chloride iron in a solvent such as water or methanol, they form strong bonds and are designed to fold naturally set in minutes form a helix. It is thermodynamically downhill. assembly instructions are encoded in chemical products them- same. "
" once the solvent is removed, we are left with the peptide mimics the form of crystals, "said Professor Scott. "There is no complicated separations to do, and unlike a Lego model kit there are no bits left mysterious. In practical terms, the chemistry is pretty standard. The beauty is that these large molecules together. Nature uses this kind of self together to make complex asymmetric molecules like proteins all the time, but do it artificially a major challenge. "
while the peptide mimics created by the processes been successful in laboratory tests on the colon cancer cells, they still need to research before they can be used in clinical trials on patients. Nevertheless, they are made of simple building blocks and the first team trials have shown that they have a very low toxicity to bacteria. "This is very unusual and promising selectivity" says Professor Scott.
Study creates a complete list of relevant blood biomarkers for the early detection of cancer -
The researchers identified 788 biomarkers in the blood that could be used to develop a screening test early stage of cancer in the general population.
study, conducted by the University of Sheffield, is the first to create a comprehensive list of relevant cancer blood biomarkers that have been investigated in the past five years. The study also has the group by molecular function and saves the technologies that can be used to detect
The team -. The universities of Sheffield, Coventry and Warwick - opened with more than 19,000 scientific studies published over the last five years which investigated the blood-based biomarkers. examination systematic methods - including power studies in patients under 50 -. reduced that to 4,000 studies from which the final list of biomarkers was compiled
Lead researcher, Dr Lesley Uttley, of Sheffield University School of Health and Related Research, said "because of the large number of publications in this area, previous reviews have only been able to watch a biomarker or a small group of biomarkers Our approach to data mining has allowed us to take in all search results relevant to the. five years, which means that we could map the full range of potential blood-based biomarkers that are particularly relevant for the early detection of cancer. "
work was conducted for the detection of early Consortium cancer, a group of nearly 40 organizations, including universities, hospitals, and commercial companies. The consortium was funded by the cancer research UK to determine whether a cost-effective screening test can be used in the general population to identify people with cancer at an early stage.
the next step is to examine in detail the research behind each biomarker, to ensure that it is robust and that the biomarker could realistically be used as part of a screening test. biomarkers are also grouped by type of cancer at this stage. validated biomarkers will then be put through a study clinic, using samples from cancer patients and healthy controls in order to verify to what extent they identify the presence of cancer.
Finally, these biomarkers that operate successfully in the study will be taken forward in a clinical trial to see if the test works in practice and is cost-effective
ECDC Director and molecular pathologist at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Professor Ian Cris said :. "Our expectation is that once the validation and clinical studies are completed, we will have a suite of 50 biomarkers identified using four different tests that can go into the clinical trial. To complete validation and testing will take six to eight years, but in theory, we could have a test ready in three years for use in high-risk groups. "
"Our vision is that the screen will resume even small amounts of these biomarkers could be in the blood at an early stage cancer, without necessarily identifying which cancers they relate. The patients would then be returned for more specific tests, which could limit the type of tumor. "
Researchers receive $ 435K to study how environmental factors affect the genes that cause autism -
During the last decade, research on autism was mainly focused on finding genes that may "cause" autism. However, little information on gene-environment interactions that may increase the risk of autism.
Valerie Hu, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at George Washington University, was awarded $ 435K from the National Institute of health sciences environment to study how environmental factors affect retinoic gene linked to receptor-alpha acid orphan (RORA), which has been shown to be an important regulator of several important neurological genes in those autism
"you may have a genetic predisposition for lung cancer, but if you've never smoked, you may never develop cancer on the other hand, you could smoke like a chimney and live a long life .. - if you are genetically susceptible, you can never get cancer, "said Hu. "As cancers, where genes and environment play a role in susceptibility, brain diseases, such as autism, can be considered in terms of genes and environmental interactions."
Hu and colleagues recently reported that more RORA regulates 2,500 genes,. more than 400 of these genes are considered as candidate genes for autism previous research by the lab Hu also found that male and female sex hormones regulate RORA in opposite directions, which suggests that it may play a role in the sex bias in autism. Hu believes that endocrine disruptors (PE), many environmental pollutants that interfere with hormone signaling, may interfere with the normal RORA expression, leading to increased risk for autism.
Hu will study how RORA expression changes as a result of exposure to various EDCs found in the environment, such as BPA in plastics and atrazine found in weed killer. Such chemicals are proved to interfere with the endocrine system to very low levels. It will then examine how exposure to endocrine disruptors impact on neuronal processes.
Hu provides that the information obtained through these studies will allow public health policies to protect the public against exposure to environmental agents that can promote developmental disorders and neurological disorders, which can also reflect the increasing prevalence of autism, as well as to stimulate the development of treatment protocols to counter the effects of exposure to these compounds.
Advances in treatment of head and neck cancer: an interview with Dr. Argiris -
Interview by April Cashin -Garbutt , MA (Cantab)
Prof. Athanassios Argiris THOUGHT LEADERS SERIES ... overview of the world's foremost experts
If you please can you give a brief history of the treatment of head and neck cancer?
patients with head and neck cancer usually present with locally advanced disease and often require more than one type of treatment, which may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
traditional treatments can result in many acute and late complications, and their success is rather limited. Especially in the context of recurrence or spread to other organs disease, there is a minimal curative potential
Image Copyright :. Gam1983 / Shutterstock
What recent advances have been announced to improve these treatments?
The introduction of the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGFR) inhibitors ago 10 years was a milestone in the treatment of head and neck cancer. A monoclonal antibody against EGFR, was the first targeted agent to show survival benefit is
Very recently, checkpoint inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy in locally advanced disease or in combination with chemotherapy for recurrent / metastatic disease. Immune, a class of drugs that stimulate the immune system against cancer, has produced a very encouraging antitumor activity. In a randomized phase III trial presented recently that many patients with recurrent / metastatic head and neck cancer who have previously received a PD-1 inhibitor demonstrated a survival benefit compared to standard treatment. This is another important step for the therapy head and neck cancer.
What impact do you think these developments will have on patients with cancers of the head and neck?
The ideal scenario is to develop effective treatments that do not cause significant side effects. Cure the patient is a priority, but is currently achievable in about half of patients with locally advanced disease and very rarely in patients with recurrence.
Hopefully, new therapies with long-term survival can be achieved even for patients with recurrent / metastatic head and neck cancer.
What further research is needed to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cancer of the head and neck and improve treatment?
There is still much to learn about the biology of head and neck. human papillomavirus, for example, appears to be important in influencing the natural history and prognosis. However, at this moment, we lack predictive molecular markers that help in approaches tailored optimally.
Future studies in laboratory and clinical study the targeted agents resistance mechanisms and very likely lead to a new generation of active therapies
human papillomavirus - Image Copyright :. Liya Graphics / Shutterstock
medicine How much impact do you think will customize the treatment of head and neck cancers mobile strikers?
Head and neck cancer treatment must be personalized. It is expected that improved patient selection is essential to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks.
What do you think the future for the treatment of head and neck cancer?
We have entered the era of -Oncology shelter. There is the excitement warranted and vigorous clinical trials of immunotherapy agents. Harnessing the immune system and use it in the benefit of a patient is a very important task ahead.
Other important molecular targets and new agents are identified and studied in the clinic. As a physician, I am particularly pleased to be able to offer new treatment options to my patients
where readers find more information
ASCO website - https:.? // Www .asco.org /
NCI - http://www.cancer.gov/
About Prof. Argiris
Professor Athanassios Argiris is a medical oncologist internationally recognized clinician and researcher specializing in the evaluation and treatment of patients with head and neck and lung cancers.
from 1994 to 2013, he held positions in prestigious academic institutions in the United States where he held leadership roles distinguished in oncology. It was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and serves as the principal investigator for several clinical trials completed and assets with national NCI cooperative groups funded by the United States.
In 2014, he returned to his home country of Greece to join the medical staff at Hygeia Hospital in Athens, Greece, as a consultant in medical oncology. He was elected Visiting Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Crete and is an assistant professor at the University of Texas. In 2016, he also held a professorship at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, USA.
cancer fighter can also help patients survive pneumonia -
The tip of an immune molecule known for his ability to fight cancer may also help patients survive the pneumonia, report scientists.
a synthesized version of the point of the tumor necrosis factor appears to function as a doorstop to keep the sodium channels open inside the air sacs of the lungs to excess fluid can be removed, according to a study in American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine .
This tip peptide is attracted by the sugar coating in the mouth of the sodium channel. Once the two are connected, they move inside the small but essential number of cells that help keep the lungs clear taking sodium, said Dr. Rudolf Lucas, vascular biologist at the Medical College of Georgia in 'Georgia Regents University and corresponding author of the study.
inside these cells, TIP binds to the most critical part of the sodium pump, the alpha subunit, and the liquid begins to move again. Sodium comes into the canal, water follows, and the sodium pump pushes fluid into the natural drainage system of the body, called the lymphatic system.
"The more sodium you take, the more water will be taken by these cells," said Lucas. "This is the way it's supposed to work.
Fluid 266 million in air sacs of the lungs interferes with breathing, and the important transfer of oxygen from the capillaries to air bags so that it can be distributed throughout the body. TNF, known for its ability to tumor killing, was in fact considered a "bad guy" in the lungs where it can block the sodium channel. in fact, excessive TNF production can put patients in shock.
"We found that there is another side to the tip of this molecule, which recognizes the sugar groups and this side counteracts this side," said Lucas. " We knew we could stimulate fluid clearance in animal models with this peptide and we also knew that we could increase the absorption of sodium. Now we know more about how it works. "
Pneumonia and influenza and are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States with the deadliest overwhelming pneumonia, according to the American Lung Association. The elderly, children, and the chronically ill are most at risk.
Ironically, lung problems can actually worsen with the treatment of pneumonia. viruses and bacteria are the main causes of pneumonia, with bacteria generally produce the most cases serious. When antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria, the organisms die release toxins that reduce the expression of sodium channel and help to keep it closed at a time when he needs to work even harder. "the natural system is compromised by infection, "said Lucas.
TNF weighs as well. He was recruited as part of the natural body defense against bacterial infection, producing reactive oxygen species to help destroy the body, but also to block the sodium channel. It can even produce more fluid in the lungs by capillaries that leak
The TIP peptide appears to help the body do what is necessary at this time :. Keep sodium channels open, intact and safe from bacterial toxins. "You have two opposing sides within the same molecule TNF," said Lucas. "We give a lot more of the positive part so we can help it function better than the normal response."
The mice with less expression of this sugar TIP experience much more loving the swelling, or edema, and those lacking the alpha subunit of the sodium pump can not survive.
in laboratory studies, the scientists used the strongest toxin produced by pneumonia-causing bacteria while the next steps include looking at all of infection. Lucas also looks at the effect of the TIP peptide flu with its scientific fellow Dr. Andrew Mellor MCG and in renal failure with MCG Chair in medicine Dr. Michael Madaio.
His studies in mice and pigs have shown the peptide increases the elimination of four liquid and improves oxygen levels in the blood.
Recent clinical trials of peptide at the medical University of Vienna in patients with pulmonary edema, or swelling, who were at high risk of multiple organ failure and death, has shown that the disposal of liquid has occurred earlier and was significantly better in patients receiving the synthesized peptide. It works best in most patients and no side effects have been reported patients.
The biotechnology company APEPTICO has a patent on the peptide and funded clinical studies in which it was given twice daily by breathing help mask ventilation support.
in healthy individuals, the sodium channels are almost always open, people make very little TNF, and there is very little fluid in the lungs.
Experts propose guidelines to provide clarity for disputes over frozen embryos -
In at least 11 cases over the past 24 years, including the call a Missouri case heard in June, US courts have grappled with difficult arguments between men and women and fertilized embryos were frozen together but disagreed on whether they should be in gestation and birth. The dispersed jurisprudence solved little, creating a need for common rules that could prevent these disputes.
In a new document, two experts discuss this story and propose five specific guidelines. The results could provide clarity for litigation on one of the estimated million or frozen embryos in the United States
"All these ad hoc individually addressed cases are not taking us anywhere or pointing us in a common direction, "said Dr. Eli Adashi, professor and former dean of medicine and biological sciences at Brown and co-author of the new paper in the Hastings Center Report . "But many of theses issues are preventable."
The cases usually occur because he does not know, once a couple has split, if one can compel the other to become a parent. In four of the 11 cases examined Adashi with co-author I. Glenn Cohen, a professor at Harvard Law School, there was no valid contract between the parties. Meanwhile, the courts have applied different legal criteria for case review. Often - but not always - they arrived at the decisions that have favored the party who did not want the result to be a child
In a case resolved in Illinois last year, Szafranski v Dunston the parties had an oral contract .. only. The court considered the case as both a contract dispute and in which the parties' interests must be balanced. Ultimately, it allowed the woman gestation of an embryo, despite opposition from the father, because the cancer had left her unable to reproduce otherwise.
In the case of Missouri heard on appeal in June, McQueen v. Gadberry, the initial decision favored the man who did not want an embryo used by his ex-wife. The case won a special mention when, in an unprecedented twist, the Thomas More Law Center intervened the argument that an embryo should be considered a child and that the court must consider the best interests of the child .
Five recommendations
By examining 11 previous cases, Cohen and Adashi discerned five ways that couples and fertility clinics could use to prevent disputes. The authors argue that these practices could become standard procedure at the time of the creation of embryos either because the parties agree simply because they become adopted as the clinic's policy, or because they have become devoted as federal law.
"There are a finite number of cases now," said Adashi. "We are trying here to really learn from the mistakes our proposal is all about avoiding the mistakes that have been committed.".
this is what they recommend:
Do not mix contracts in other forms: When clinical combined the language of informed consent and the text for directing available embryos, they created confusion Clear, standardized contract language regarding what to do with the embryos must be presented separately
Require a contract. .. clinics should not freeze embryos for possible future use without the parties fully execute a legally binding agreement
the original agreement stands: what the parties agree when they sign the contract should serve as rules from there. If one party unilaterally changes his mind later, for example because of a divorce, this should not matter
"legal parenting" mandatory :. Once the embryo is, man and woman are "genetic" parents, but if one party then uses an embryo against the desires of the other, non-consenting person should not have to . be the legal parent of the resulting child
Anticipating tragedy nobody expects suddenly lose fertility - because of injury or illness, for example - but the parties should provide for the possibility of contract language. which provides for circumstances in which a party may want to use an embryo can provide both pre-agreed terms on what to do.
"people who embryo cryopreservation face a field uncertain and changing the variable state laws, with varying degrees of compliance with contract, and the case law that could produce different results depending on changes in the underlying structure is, "writes Cohen and Adashi in their conclusion. "A consistent approach across the country seems desirable."
UH Case Medical Center new type of cochlear implant device in patients who have difficulty hearing -
University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center in Cleveland is the first to implement a new type of cochlear device for adults who have lost the high frequency range of their audiences, while retaining the low frequencies with or without a hearing aid.
surgery, which took about two hours, was conducted July 31 by Maroun Semaan, MD, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and surgeon throat) at UH Case Medical Center on a man in his 60s who had some hearing in the low frequencies, but had lost hearing in high frequencies and found no help with hearing aids.
"This is a hybrid implant in that it comprises an acoustic component that can provide sound reinforcement for the lower frequency preserved hearing and an electronic component that stimulates the auditory nerve electrically to pick up high frequencies" said Dr. Semaan, who is associate Director, Otology, Neurotology and balance disorders at UH Case medical Center and Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology at the medical school of Case Western Reserve University.
The implant, called Nucleus Hybrid L24 Cochlear Implant System, received US Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) in the spring of this year. It was implemented in only a handful of medical centers in the nation.
The loss of high frequency hearing usually occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea). It can be caused by aging, heredity, exposure to noise, medication, such as antibiotics, which are toxic to the inner ear, and some other diseases. People severe or profound suffering loss of high audio frequency sounds may have difficulty hearing soft sounds, understand people with higher pitched voices, hearing some sounds of speech, and in some cases, hearing sirens acute emergency vehicle or common security alarms, such as smoke detectors.
"lost much impact on the quality of life of a patient hearing," said Dr. Semaan. "Compared to the benefits provided by conventional cochlear implants, the hybrid implant device may improve sound richness and quality, music appreciation and improve hearing in noise."
Dr. Semaan and audiologists cochlear implant UH know well the device works in the patient in about six to eight weeks while the unit is on.
"Many patients who were frustrated with their performance of the hearing aid, but were too low frequency hearing to benefit from a cochlear implant, can now qualify for the hybrid implant" said Gail Murray, PhD, director of the Center of audiology and cochlear implant at UH case Medical Center and Associate Professor, Otolaryngology in case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "These patients actually receive the" best "that both technologies have to to offer; low-frequency acoustic hearing of the component of the hearing aid and hearing high frequency electrical stimulation of the cochlear implant. "
UH Case Medical Center anticipates performing five to 10 implants per year.
risks are the same as a conventional cochlear implant, said Dr. Semaan, with the additional risk of 30 percent of hearing loss in the low frequency range.
L24 system consists of a microphone processor and external word that picks up sound from the environment and converts them into electrical pulses. the pulses are transmitted to the cochlea through a small electrode implanted package, creating a sense of its that the user learns to associate average and high frequency sounds they remember. the part of the hearing aid device is inserted into the external auditory canal like a conventional hearing aid can amplify and sounds in the low frequency range.
The implant is manufactured by Cochlear Ltd., headquartered in New South Wales, Australia.
Researchers identify unique mechanism to remove the tumors of colorectal cancer in mice -
A new scientific study has identified why colorectal cancer cells depend on a specific nutrient, and a way to deprive them of it. More than one million men and women living with the US colorectal cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimated 4.5% of all men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, making it the third cancer the most common non-skin.
In the study published online in Nature Communications , the researchers showed how some colorectal cancer cells reprogram their metabolism using glutamine, a nonessential amino acid. Many cancer cells depend glutamine for survival. How they become so dependent on the molecule is hotly debated in the field.
The researchers studied colorectal cancer cell subset containing a genetic mutation called PIK3CA. This mutation is in a gene essential for cell division and movement, and is about one-third of all colorectal cancers. The mutation is also genetic mutation most commonly identified in all cancers, which makes the results of the study universally appealing.
The researchers were interested in determining whether or not the common PIK3CA mutation contributes to changes in the metabolism of cancer cells, such as how nutrients such as glutamine are processed. Normally, glutamine is decomposed by cancer cells in several other molecules using specific enzymes. This complicated system helps produce adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of all cells, and other critical molecules for the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
The researchers found that colorectal cells with PIK3CA mutation decompose much glutamine that cells without mutation. Researchers have identified several enzymes involved in the process which are more active in the mutant cancer cells than in other cell types, which explains the increased need for glutamine. These enzymes become overactive mutant in cancer cells due to a cascade of signals conducted by the protein encoded by the gene PIK3CA mutant. This discovery represents a new and important link between PIK3CA mutation and impaired metabolism of glutamine in cancer cells.
Zhenghe John Wang, Ph.D., professor of genetics and genome sciences and co-leader of the Cancer Genetics Program at case Western Reserve University School of Medicine helped lead the study. "In simple terms, we discovered that colon cancers with PIK3CA oncogene mutations are addicted to glutamine, a nutrient for cancer cells. We also demonstrated that these cancers can be starved by denying glutamine with medication. "
when the researchers lowered the amount of glutamine available mutant cancer cells in laboratory culture dishes, cancer cells died. This discovery led the team to study the blocking effects of glutamine availability in mice with colorectal cancer tumors containing the common PIK3CA mutation. Wang and colleagues found that exposure of these mice a compound that blocks the metabolism of systematically suppressed tumor growth glutamine. They do not respect the same effect on tumors without mutation. Together, these results provide a promising new therapeutic approach to suppress the growth of colorectal tumors with PIK3CA mutation. The researchers have filed a patent application based on the unique mechanism of tumor suppression, they identified and work is available for licensing.
"This study provides the basis for a clinical trial to be launched colon cancer treatment in the summer at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center," according to Neal Meropol, MD, Dr. Lester E. Coleman, professor Jr. of cancer research and therapeutics, chief of the division of hematology and oncology, and principal investigator of the trial. Phase I / II study will test the effects of glutamine metabolism inhibitor in patients with advanced colorectal tumors.
Superficial radiotherapy e-learning portal launched by Xstrahl -
Xstrahl officially launch the Learning Portal Xstra online training platform providing an invaluable source of information for all clinical staff treating patients using the superficial radiotherapy. The site, formerly known as STEP, was established by leading clinical professionals and Xstrahl, a world leader in radiotherapy.
Xstra aims to increase awareness and knowledge of medical physics and clinical aspects of superficial radiotherapy, as a preferred treatment modality for skin cancer. The Learning Portal Xstra ensures that vital practice and expert clinical knowledge is recorded and documented for dissemination to health professionals.
The learning content has been compiled by the Clinical Advisory Group Xstrahl, a team of clinical and academic professionals located worldwide. Xstrahl is the only company specializing in the surface radiation and orthovoltage provide an important learning tool as Xstra training portal.
Alex Todman, Marketing Manager at Xstrahl commented on the launch, "Our goal is to provide easy access improving the learning experience and a reference tool for health professionals.
With this new tool and dynamic education that is geared towards different learning styles, we take responsibility and our customers to dramatically improve the treatment of superficial skin conditions. "
Learning Portal Xstra following the publication of digital implementation training program for Concerto. Launched earlier this year, the program involves all aspects of clinical Xstrahl interface software, Concerto.
The new training program is accessed by a user name Xstrahl affected and consists of self-learning modules to the rhythm. The program takes the user through all aspects of the treatment with a Xstrahl system, including heat, treatment and re-treatment.
The use of learning two-step method called "Show Me" and "Try Me", the user will be provided with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate the software Concerto effectively. the digital Concerto enforcement training program is offered to the user at no additional cost.
Commenting the Concerto digital training program, Alex Todman said "Xstrahl plans to increase significantly its digital offerings in the next two years. We want our users and future users to have 24/7 access to training programs and educational material.
As Xstrahl evolves, we continue to design and deliver the best and most effective ways to provide users with the tools and resources to help maximize performance when using our equipment.
traditional face to face training is the only available channel, which is why investment Xstrahl in digital learning is essential when participating in clinical training and now produces and in 'to come up. "
Both the Learning Portal Xstra and digital Concerto enforcement training program were developed with a user friendly interface that delivers clear, easy to follow the experience of health professionals. The modules are self-paced and flexible to accommodate the busy work schedules of the user.
Genetic analysis of the tumor reveals new approach for classification of cancers -
Atlas Researchers (TCGA) Research Network Cancer Genome completed the largest most diverse genetic analysis, the tumor ever conducted, revealing a new cancer classification approach. The work, led by researchers from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at North Carolina University at Chapel Hill and other TCGA sites not only revamps traditional ideas of how cancers are diagnosed and treated, but could also have a profound impact on the future of drug development landscape.
"We found that one in 10 cancers analyzed in this study were classified differently by using this new approach," said Chuck Perou, PhD, Professor of Genetics and Pathology, member of the UNC . Lineberger and senior author of the paper, which appears online on August 7 to cell "This means that 10 percent of patients could be better for a different therapy -. Which is huge "
Since 06, much of the research has identified cancer as not one disease, but many types and subtypes and defined these types of tissue based diseases - the breast, lung, colon, etc., -. in which it originated in this scenario, the treatments were tailored to which the tissue was affected, but questions have always existed because some treatments work, and fail to others, even when a type of fabric is tested.
in their work, the TCGA researchers analyzed more than 3,500 tumors in 12 different tissue types to see how they compared to each another - the largest set of genomic data of the tumors never met, explained Katherine Hoadley, PhD, genetics research assistant professor and lead author They found that cancers are more likely to be genetically similar by. type of cell where the cancer originates, according to the type of tissue in which it originated.
"In some cases, the cells in the tissue from which the tumor are the same," said Hoadley. "But in other cases, the tissue in which cancer is from the compound is of several cell types each of which can give rise to tumors. the understanding of the cell in which is from a cancer seems to be very important in determining the subtype of a tumor and, in turn, how the tumor behaves and how it should be treated. "
Peru and Hoadley explained that the new approach could also change the way cancer drugs are developed, focusing more on the development of drugs targeting large groups of cancers having genomic similarities, as opposed to a single type of tumor as they are being developed.
a striking example of genetic differences within a single type of tissue is breast cancer. Breast, a very complex organ with many types of cells, gives rise to many types of breast cancer; luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched and basal-like, which was previously known. In this analysis, basal-like breast cancers looked more like ovarian cancer and cancers original squamous cell, a cell type that makes up the bottom layer of tissue, rather than other cancers arise in the chest.
"This latest research further strengthens the basal-like breast cancer is a very unique disease and is completely separate from other breast cancer types," said Peru. In addition, cancers bladder were also very diverse and may represent at least three different types of diseases have also shown differences in patient survival.
as part of the Alliance for clinical trials in oncology, a national network of leading clinical trials researchers, UNC researchers are already testing the efficacy of carboplatin - a common treatment for ovarian cancer - above the level of chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer triple negative (CSTN ) patients, of which 80 percent are basal-like subtype. the results of this study (called CALGB40603) were just published on 6 August in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and showed an advantage of carboplatin in TNBC patients. This new result of the clinical trial suggests that there may be great value in comparing the clinical results across different tumor types for which this study highlights as having common genomic similarities.
As participants in TCGA, UNC Lineberger scientists have been involved in multiple individual tissue type of studies, including the most recent analysis of a complete genomic profile of lung adenocarcinoma. Peru seminal work in 00 led to the first discovery of breast cancer as not one, but actually four distinct subtypes of the disease. These latest findings should continue to lay the foundations of what could be the next generation of cancer diagnosis.
Regular physical activity reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women
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postmenopausal women who, in the past four years, had undertaken regular of physical activity equivalent to at least four hours of walking per week had a lower risk of invasive breast cancer compared to women who exercised less over the four years, according to data published in cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention , a journal of the American Association for cancer Research.
"Twelve MET-h [metabolic equivalent task-hours] week is the march of four hours per week or bike or engage in other sports two hours a week and is compatible with the recommendations of the walking at least 30 minutes each day World Cancer research Fund, "said Agnès-s Fournier, Ph.D., researcher in epidemiology research center and population health at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France." So, our study shows that it is not necessary to engage in vigorous or very frequent activities ;. Even walking 30 minutes a day is beneficial "
postmenopausal women who, in the previous four years had started 12 or more MET -h physical activity each week was a 10 percent decreased risk cancer invasive breast compared to women who were less active. women who have undertaken this level of physical activity between five and nine years earlier, but were less active in the four years preceding the collection of final data are not a decreased risk of invasive breast cancer.
"physical activity is thought to decrease the risk of a woman for breast cancer after menopause," says Fournier. "However, no one knows not how fast this association was observed after regular physical activity is started or how long it lasts after the cessation of regular exercise.
"Our study answers these questions," Fournier continued. " We found that recreational physical activity, even modest intensity, seemed to have a quick impact on the risk of breast cancer. However, the decreased risk of breast cancer, we found associated with physical activity was attenuated when the activity ceased. Consequently, menopausal women who exercise should be encouraged to continue and those who do not exercise should consider starting because their risk of breast cancer may decrease rapidly. "
Fournier and colleagues analyzed data obtained from biennial questionnaires completed by 59.308 postmenopausal women who were enrolled in E3N, the French component of the European prospective Investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC) study. the mean follow-up was 8.5 years , during which, in 2155 women were diagnosed with a first primary invasive breast cancer.
the total amount of self-reported recreational physical activity was calculated by MET-hours per week. the effects risk reduction cancer within 12 or more MET-hours per week of leisure-time physical activity was independent of body mass index, weight gain, waist circumference and level of activity five to nine years earlier.
screening cancer risk for inherited mutations: an interview with Ted Snelgrove -
insights of industry Ted Snelgrove Chief Business Officer at Counsyl, Inc.
Interview by April Cashin-Garbutt , MA (Cantab)
How many people are suspected of having inherited cancer mutations and what impact these have on your risk of cancer
Great question - the answer is actually unknown. Each month, there are publications that reflect new genes linked to cancer, so it is a great knowledge growth area for now.
Counsyl cancer screening panel recently rose 22 genes at the beginning of the year up to 36 (if you order the full panel). There is a growing panel could possibly get into the hundreds as our collective understanding of the genes that are associated with hereditary cancer grows.
There are people who have high chances of a risk of hereditary cancer. This does not mean that they will get cancer; it just means that they have genes that increased their risk of cancer.
is really based around the evaluation of the probability of cancer risk, as opposed to a baseline risk in the population. Here's how these statistics are often reported, so you can understand how your personal risk.
What we are involved in is an active area of research. Over time, regardless of hereditary risk, humans almost always have sporadic mutations that occur on a regular basis.
This is why it is more common for adults to have cancer because they lived longer and accumulated sporadic mutations throughout their lifespan. This increases their risk collectively over time, which is in addition to their hereditary risk.
One of the research objectives helps people have a better immunity. Many therapeutic strategies are based on the activation of the immune system to try to ensure that it does a better job of identifying and clearing mutated cells
The question of cancer risk is a response constantly changing. it is one we will continue to learn about the weather. In any case, we are trying to understand more of this because we have a large population of patients tested who came to us for the reproduction tests, not necessarily because they were concerned about the risk of Cancer.
What impact with knowledge of a hereditary mutation have for individuals? What changes can be made?
There will depend to some extent, whether or not they are in treatment. Essentially, there are two types of patients.
with someone who does not currently have a diagnosis of cancer, but is concerned about the risk, is tested, and recognizes that they are at high risk for a particular type of inherited cancer, the first thing that happens is they undergo enhanced medical supervision.
According to the cancer site for which they may be at higher risk, it can mean increased diagnostic testing, imaging, or other types of follow-up doctor, allowing things that might to arise to be picked up earlier.
There are also cases where people will choose to pursue elective procedures to reduce their risk, including surgery, like Angelina Jolie did. This option is usually reserved for patients who do not currently have cancer.
Of course, for patients who receive tests in oncology today because they already have a cancer diagnosis, it is different. The risk of cancer has been resolved and, unfortunately, they have it.
In a subset of these cases, it is becoming important to understand the genetics of their cancer to determine whether it was inherited or not, because it could change the surgical strategies or treatment.
For example, I was talking to a doctor last week who wanted to understand the genetic signature of these newly diagnosed patients because they were trying to decide what type of surgery to perform.
If a patient with breast cancer have inherited a high risk and is scheduled for unilateral mastectomy, they may be more likely to offer a bilateral mastectomy patient. If an improved ovarian risk is also implied they can do oophorectomy as well.
If the patient has no hereditary risk, the clinician is often not going to recommend these additional procedures. That data quite feasible in the population who was diagnosed today.
We also found that patients who were tested by other means and who have had their tumors profiled, it is also useful in a subset of these cases to understand the signing of the patient background DNA so that you can determine whether or not the tumor that you look has a hereditary component risks. This could change the way a doctor chemotherapy treatment approach and the way he or she recommends testing for parents of the patient.
There is a picture changing. Just a few years there was not much data to support the use of DNA results in the context of treatment planning for patients already diagnosed, but that changed just in the last years with growth profiling of the tumor.
This profiling looks at the signature of the DNA or RNA of tumor cells, which is then compared to DNA base underlying the patient, and the two together provide more information than either one alone.
This is a relatively recent development in oncology and is likely to grow over time as our understanding of how to make computers becomes deeper. One area of growing of great interest.
How many different options that people now have the genetic testing and why Counsyl seeks to expand access?
There are a number of different ways to get genetic testing in the United States today. I can not speak with authority about the other countries, even though I know it's happening all over the developed world.
We offer what we believe is a differentiated service to people and actively pursue the promotion of this offer.
Counsyl built our test system and offer services around the OB or obstetrics, community. How we perform genetic counseling proves to be very much appreciated by the practices themselves.
Our market research has shown that the practices in oncology that we spoke to were interested in having the same level of genetic testing and counseling service and support we provide. So we bring this level of service in the oncology market for the first time this summer we are launching in this area.
Because we have offered different types of genetic testing, we can do something that our competitors can not. We actually have a broader understanding of all the genes of reproduction, where there was a huge amount of searches. Our experience in the reproduction tests gives us some advantages
We also believe that this is an area in which we all need to learn together because there are so many new emerging knowledge -. We are participants in large databases, public. There is a large one called ClinVar, a public database where companies can present new information on genomic variation.
If they have learned about a new gene or how to characterize a novel gene and understand the risk, for example, this information will be presented in the public database, which all companies and institutions teaching can be used as a shared reference. It is a way we can all learn together.
Counsyl is an active contributor to the ClinVar database in the United States. It means a lot to some of our physicians and patients because they want to know that, while we are not using their data in a way that undermines their privacy, we collect our learning in a way not identified, share our new genetic information into the database, which allows others to benefit from this information as well.
There are quite a few people in the oncology community who said they would prefer to work with a laboratory that is to participate in these shared databases. Otherwise, they feel like they are the most powerful companies without help advance science and medicine beyond that.
We also try to ensure that we offer what we believe to be the right genes. There are many genes that are known to be associated with different types of hereditary cancer, but only some of them have reached a level of confidence around this association with cancer and related actionability such as surveillance or surgical factors I mentioned, which allows them to be reported to our level. You must draw the line somewhere.
There is an organization in the United States called the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), which draws that line. Major academic cancer centers in America gathered there 20 years and has developed a set of guidelines for cancer care in all subscribe to and are updated on a regular basis, at least once a year.
The NCCN recommended genes that they believe are currently the largest reported in these cases and related actions that can be taken from the knowledge that these genes are affected.
We base our panel on what we know the NCCN decided is appropriate and clinically action. This means that we put at the disposal of a group which, complete with up to 36 cancer-related genes, we are not reporting on hundreds of genes, most of which are quite experimental, experimental and mysterious .
In our view, the reports on these genes could lead to unnecessary anxiety downstream, costs for patients of all set and also a lot of confusion between the doctor and the patient trying to understand the information.
It is important to realize that for the most part, these genetic tools are offered to the community and health professionals who have never been formally trained in genetics during their medical training because advanced field so quickly and recently.
We must be aware that our health professionals also learn with us and need concrete information. Do not get in the investigation, the hypothetical research is something they appreciate
Many doctors are still working to integrate genetic data and knowledge from the genes that we have identified in their practices - . We can not confuse the picture with lots of experimental noise.
As NCCN upgrades recommendations, and increases the number of which could inevitably in a few years, hundreds of genes, we will stick with the NCCN and continue to upgrade along with them so always giving us cancer genes we know have been identified and recommended at this level.
This also means that we are able to provide a genetic testing service that is recognized by health plans in the United States. health plans really want just to pay for the genetic test that has clinical utility
This approach also takes a big load off doctors because they know that service is covered. they need not worry about whether or not patients will have coverage for our tests. By tying that all together and having the right pane and the right genes to the right patients at the right time, and then upgrade that over time, we believe that we will provide physicians what they really want.
We are also offering subgroups because we can customize the way we do. That some people do not want 17 genes linked to gastrointestinal cancer or 8 genes related to something else - we actually the ability to be highly customized in terms of what we offer
What are the main challenges and to increase access. how Counsyl plan to overcome these?
I think education, access to genetic counseling and the economy are the three main challenges facing us in the journey to make genetic testing more widely available and adopted quickly.
education is essentially the first hurdle in the field of medicine. Genetics is still a region where many doctors and their staffs have a steep learning curve. Over time, they become more competent, access will be improved for men and women who can benefit from screening.
Another obstacle is access to a good genetic counseling. Counsyl genetic counseling on demand. As far as I know, we are unique in this regard. When we test patients, they are able to get genetic counseling at the request on the same day they receive the results, and often in the same time - a big difference in how we approach our service
access to testing. Perhaps only half the battle, because if a patient comes in with a positive result, it is essential that they understand the meaning and what options are available because they consider the next step.
many health professionals may not feel comfortable having this discussion. By virtue of having trained genetic counselors who are experts, patients who can walk through the report and answer all their questions, we provide a real return to the health care team.
Interestingly, many of our calls are also health professionals themselves who are preparing to talk to patients and want to make sure they say the right thing.
access to high level at the request of genetic counseling is something that we know is rare and not always available with other groups. In large health care systems, it can take weeks or months to get an appointment with a genetic counselor, because there is not enough in the United States today.
will become even more of a problem over time as more genetic tests is conducted, because the number of councilors is not growing fast enough to follow.
another obstacle is cost. The cost of genetic testing has reduced a lot during the last decade. The kind of tests we do today was exorbitantly expensive there about ten years, but now the technology and its cost efficiency are greatly improved.
We have done our best to make sure to lower our costs and provide screening at an affordable cost. This is another reason why we have worked our tests covered as an insured service network, so that patients can rely on their health plans to cover costs.
Can you please preview the pilot Counsyl Firstcare?
Firstcare is a software tool to identify patients who have a personal or family history of cancer that suggest they are at increased risk for an inherited form of cancer, and therefore would be good candidates for genetic testing.
One of the things that doctors tell us that they do not really know how much of their eligible patients according to the eligibility criteria for testing.
With Firstcare, we have the ability to generate invitations patients who come from doctors themselves, asking the patient to perform a document family history that would confirm their eligibility and allow the doctor to have a history family and genetics on the case. They do not really do anything except tell us to go ahead and let Firstcare identify their cases.
One of the things we see is because genetics is new and not something most practices have been built around, the more you can build a solution turnkey limiting the extra work required within a practice, the more it is likely to be adopted and used.
We have done our best with Firstcare to resolve this issue to determine who is eligible and therefore bring in trials under the use of this software agent. Over time, one of the quality metrics that will be used for quality practices in America will be your number of patients who were eligible for the trial were offered tests.
I think it is important to emphasize that it is also a change in the eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria which dictates that qualifies for today's test is quite narrow. We made a pretty big study last fall in the Bay Area where we brought people to test free of charge, just to see what we would find.
Forty-six percent of women that we found that had genes that raised their risk of cancer, did not meet the criteria that qualified them for testing -. an impressive gap clearly indicates the need for updating these standards
People are offered counseling before genetic testing to discuss concerns ?
once patients are determined by the clinician to be eligible for testing, they are able to speak with a genetic counselor who can answer any questions they may have about their results test.
over time, the field can see the education systems and consulting pretest emerge more automated because it is a simple discussion, relatively consistent. However, it may be a development that was born of necessity, because there is not enough genetic counselors to fill the pre-test demand.
In the short term, the other thing that will happen is that doctors will receive their own certifications in genomics, strengthen confidence in the transmission of results, and to pursue education to the point that they can feel they can offer advice on their own, without referring to any third party continues.
Counsyl What is the vision for the future as regards the screening of cancer risk?
We believe that, over time, the penetration of genetic testing will continue to grow. You can imagine a time in the not too distant future, when everyone is offered the basic genetic test to assess their risk for rare inherited disorders, including cancer is one of the most important. Ultimately, our hope is that testing becomes a routine part of preventive care.
The increase is important, especially as you begin to collect data at the population level that helps you understand the health trends at the macro level. As costs are low and the understanding of the genetic information improves, the impact is inevitable.
We are ready to evolve with the market and help to extend the application of genetic data in the context of health care, particularly in the context of preventive health and treatment. It's just early days, but there is evidence to show that some of the cancer patients who undergo genetic profiling of their tumors, will also benefit from germ tests.
As the science matures and we learn about how a person of genetic background plays in terms of a cancer diagnosis in progress, we will be able to develop better treatments and prevention options.
You will see that cancer is not the only place where it will happen. Other chronic diseases will also look to it. We are part of a larger wave that will increase the penetration of genetic testing in the general population over time, and we see that as inevitable. It's just a matter of time, technology and government policy.
As the value of information increases, the cost decreases, the understanding grows and therefore the mystery back. This will become ubiquitous.
In the long term, patients who are identified by many who may be at risk of a particular type of cancer are on the most effective supervisory regimes. As research in this area is developing, preventive therapies and other treatments are bound to emerge.
What impact do you think that increased access to genetic testing on cancer survival rates going forward?
I think that will play in a couple of ways. The first is that, as people get usable data at the beginning, they can do what is necessary to seriously reduce the risk
These risk reduction practices are surgical. some will pharmacological changes or based on lifestyle, but they will reduce the incidence of cancer in general or allow it to be detected and treated at an early stage.
In addition, for patients already diagnosed, the ability to receive personalized treatment will depend increasingly on an understanding of the genetic basis of tumor.
I do not want to underestimate the amount of effort it will take, but it is amazing that we are finally beginning to understand patients and biology at the individual level, and allowing for inform their own care.
This is a concept that people wanted to continue for a long time, but they have the technology to understand how the patient differs from one patient B. This is our ultimate goal, and we hope to see a measurable increase in the long-term survival in all cancers in the long term, based on a better understanding of genetics.
Where readers? more information
We have lots of information and great resources available on our website: https://www.counsyl.com/. We also published our data at: http://research.counsyl.com/
About Ted Snelgrove
M .. Ted Snelgrove was Chief management business in Counsyl, Inc. since January 2016. Mr. Snelgrove is responsible for product management and conduct of business strategies for Counsyl. Mr. Snelgrove was previously CEO of Cellscape Corporation since July 15, 2013.
He also served as Head of Oncology / Hematology Business Unit at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, where he led a growing division focused on hematological malignancies and stem cell transplant. Mr. Snelgrove has nearly 20 years of experience launching complex products in the field of health. He has 25 years of management of commercial products and team leadership experience.
M .. Snelgrove has extensive experience in the molecular diagnostics industry, having built and led the original sales team at Genomic Health that created and launched the Oncotype DX product line.
Innovative research opens the door for the prevention of cardiac fibrosis -
Canadian discovery may soon lead to the prevention of cardiac fibrosis
innovative research University of Alberta and McGill University has opened the door to the future prevention of cardiac fibrosis a condition leading to heart failure for which there is currently no cure.
collaborative study, funded by the Health Research Institutes of Canada and published in PLOS molecular mechanisms were examined that lead to cardiac fibrosis in a preclinical model. The study revealed the specific triggers activating the development of fibrosis accelerates heart failure. Blocking triggers by using a specific type of bile acid prevented cardiac fibrosis occur.
"This is something that nobody has ever seen before," said Marek Michalak, co-principal investigator and distinguished university professor in the Department of Biochemistry of the University of the Faculty of Medicine and Alberta dentistry. "cardiac fibrosis is considered a permanent remodeling of the heart. Inevitably this leads to heart failure and ultimately death. the main thing is that it shows for the first time that cardiac fibrosis is preventable . "
"It gives hope to those living with heart failure," adds Luis Agellon, co-principal investigator and professor at the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at McGill University. " prevention of fibrosis extend the ability of the heart to continue functioning, although at a reduced capacity. Currently patients with heart failure have a poor quality of life and prognosis. improving their quality of life will do wonders for them. "
fibrosis is a first step on the road to heart failure. According Stroke Foundation, there are currently 1.3 million Canadians living with heart disease or heart failure, a condition that severely limit physical activity because the heart can not pump enough oxygenated blood to the body requires. Once a person is diagnosed with heart failure, about 30 percent will die within the first year.
cardiac fibrosis itself is caused by a variety of factors, including high blood pressure, overwork the heart muscle, and the long-term consumption of a diet that is high in both fat saturated and sugar any cause increased stress on the heart cells. People with diabetes, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and heart transplant are also known to be at high risk.
"It is almost like building a scar," Michalak said. "It is exactly the same type of biological activity, but it is happening in the tissue in the heart. It destroys the heart's ability to function normally."
The team is pushing forward with additional studies to see if the same therapeutic effect can be achieved in humans. They also aim to better understand exactly how bile acids may prevent cardiac fibrosis occur.
"We have not yet a full understanding-no-how bile acid does what he does in heart cells," said Michalak. "So another phase of work is to know what is really going on in heart cells at the molecular level. How this bile acid can affect the heart dramatically?"
Once this happens, the team hopes to work with cardiologists to quickly move research into clinical trials of chemotherapy and heart transplant patients.
"If cardiac fibrosis can be stopped, then it could significantly improve outcomes for those at risk," said Agellon. "It would be a significant advance in the fight against heart disease."
While everyone needs a certain amount of sunlight to produce vitamin D ( not to mention fun) and blows excessive ultraviolet sunlight (UV) exposure may not only cause damage to your skin, but sometimes lead to cancer. Michael Marchetti, MD, of the emergency Community Hospital Bayshore Roma and Kevin, MD Emergency Department Medical Center Riverview share their tips on fun safely in the sun.
"We live on the shore, it is not secret that we love the sun," says Dr. Roma. "But in the middle of this love for the sun and sand, sometimes we forget to protect us long-term damage." Practicing safe sun exposure habits, such as using sunscreen properly, stay out of the sun as much as possible, and wear protective clothing and hats are essential to keep the skin healthy. In addition, practicing sun safety may prevent the development of skin cancer later in life.
"The best way to protect against the harmful effects of the sun is by limiting exposure and skin protection," Dr. Marchetti says. When you are outdoors, wear a shirt with sleeves long, pants and a wide-brimmed hat to stay out of the sun.
1. Do not forget the sunscreen. generously apply sunscreen waterproof broad-spectrum sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 on exposed skin. "Do not forget to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming." said Dr. Roma.
2. Wear protective clothing. a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses should be worn whenever possible.
3. cool off in the shade. the sun's rays are the strongest 10:00 to 4:00 p.m., try to stay in the shade between those hours.
4. Use extra caution near water and sand. "Most people do not realize that water and sand reflect UV rays," said Dr. Marchetti. "This additional exposure can seriously increase your risk of getting burned. Make sure you dress appropriately and bring extra sunscreen. "
5. Skip tanning. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause cancer skin and wrinkles. If you go for the look "Girl from Ipanema", try using a sunless tanning product combined with sunscreen.
Following these tips to keep your skin young, prevent sunburn and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
If you get sunburn, take cold showers can help relieve the pain. After a cool shower, use a moisturizer which contains aloe vera. "aspirin or ibuprofen may help reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort caused by sunburn," says Dr. Roma. "It is also a good idea drink plenty of water to help your body recover, "said Dr. Marchetti.
L'utilisation de timbres de nicotine ou Zyban médicament pendant des prestations de grossesse à la fois mère et l'enfant [1945001 - ]
Les résultats d'une étude menée par le Dr Anick Bérard, professeur et Fonds de recherche du Québec - Chaire de recherche Santé sur les médicaments et la grossesse, à l'Université de la Faculté de pharmacie de Montréal et de l'Hôpital Ste-Justine Université de démontrer que l'utilisation de patchs à la nicotine ou le médicament Zyban a des effets positifs pour l'enfant à naître et permet aux femmes enceintes d'arrêter de fumer pendant et après la grossesse.
les résultats de l'étude, publiée dans l'American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, indiquent que dans 80% des cas, les femmes qui ont utilisé des timbres de nicotine ou le médicament Zyban quitter successivement fumer. Même après l'arrêt de l'utilisation de ces produits, 60% des utilisateurs Zyban et 68% des femmes utilisant des patchs à la nicotine n'a pas redémarrer fumer pendant ou après la grossesse.
"En termes de santé publique, ces résultats sont importants parce que l'on en cinq femmes enceintes fume Nous savons déjà que le tabagisme pendant la grossesse augmente les chances de fausse couche, ainsi que le faible poids de naissance, de naissance prématurée et de malformations congénitales -.. les événements qui sont liés à des problèmes de santé chez les enfants les résultats que nous publions aujourd'hui donneront enceinte les femmes des options fondées sur des preuves pour arrêter de fumer, mais aussi de fournir des données aux professionnels des soins de santé pour eux de prescrire le bon traitement tout en évaluant les risques et les avantages associés à chaque méthode pharmacologique ", a déclaré le Dr Bérard, chercheur principal de l'étude.
en outre, les résultats indiquent que l'utilisation de patchs à la nicotine réduit le risque de naissance prématurée et de faible poids de naissance.
«Nous savions déjà que cesser de fumer pendant la grossesse a été bénéfique pour les mères et les enfants dans le à court et à long terme, mais, à notre connaissance, cette étude est l'un des rares à comparer les effets de l'utilisation des timbres de nicotine et le médicament Zyban pendant la grossesse sur le sevrage tabagique et les risques pour le fœtus. Nos résultats sont directement en ligne avec les programmes d'abandon du tabac mis en œuvre dans la population en général », a déclaré Bérard.
Reflexions: Employers and health benefits; The approval of Senator Pryor ACA; War against hepatitis C -
The Wall Street Journal: Unemployed by ObamaCare Most of the political class seems to have decided that ObamaCare works pretty well, the opposition is fading, and subsidies and regulation are set as the last wing of the rule of law. This flight from reality can not last forever, especially as the evidence continues to accumulate that the law violates the labor market. Thursday, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported the results of a special business survey on the Affordable Care Act and its impact on employment, remuneration and benefits. The Liberals claim ObamaCare is of little importance to employment, but the Philly Fed went to the source and employers have asked qualitative questions on how they react in practice (8/21).
Bloomberg: Do not worry about losing your health ... But [E] value mployees benefits strongly enough to trade off a lot of wages for them to health. For all the talk about how people are isolated from the cost of their insurance, if you follow the union negotiations, you know that when it comes to making explicit compromise between the most expensive benefits and higher wages, union representatives most often choose the benefits. This suggests that as long as the employees are afraid of exchanges, employers will be reluctant to force them there. This effect is likely to be the lowest at the lower end, where the workforce is already struggling to find and keep a job, but among the people of the middle class with relatively secure employment, I would wait dumping short to medium term relatively little (Megan McArdle, 8/21)
Plum line The Washington post. Can Dems Defend Extending coverage to the poor in the Red States since embattled Dem Senator Mark Pryor is fitted with a new ad discuss his cancer? and touting his vote for the health law that the right thing to do, critics have noted that it has failed to appoint any law in place, so that the announcement does not really matter as a full-throated defense of it. I think this stupid standard. But this raises an interesting question: Can Democrats in difficult states to stand behind the goal to expand coverage to the poor? (Greg Sargent, 8/21).
Washington Wire The Wall Street Journal: Senator Mark Pryor Projectors Rx for Health Law for pre-existing diseases Democrats generally do not campaign on the Law Affordable Care, but in a new ad campaign Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor does just that. Some commented that Mr. Pryor does not mention the ACA by name in the ad, referring to it as "a law he helped pass." Equally interesting is the part of the law, the characteristics of the announcement: its protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. With all the attention on deployment issues ACA last fall and the expansion of the coverage of the ACA, not much has been heard of "pre-x" in a while, but in many ways it is the mega advantage in the law (Drew Altman, 8/21).
The Star Tribune: Hennepin Health care honors health innovation The expansive, open-ended-to-the-office for practitioners approach to improve the health of Johnson is a major reason why Hennepin health program is among the most innovative health of the nation's reform efforts. Now in its third year, the county led the program, which serves some of the poorest patients and most patients underground, continues to produce impressive results. The latest data published by the program underlined why he continues to accumulate accolades and should be considered a national model. It is also a reminder that the private sector has no monopoly of healthcare innovation (8/21)
The Washington Post :. The Cure for cancer that parents Use not so long ago, when my son still had smooth cheeks and children voice, I had vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, the most common disease sexually transmitted. It was late 2011, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended that boys join the girls to be vaccinated at the age of 11 or 12. I'm certainly receptive: HPV, as it is commonly called, causes cancer the cervix, cancer of the tonsils, cancer of the back of the tongue and, less commonly, cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus and penis. It seemed important to ensure that my children are protected. Yet figures released last month by the CDC show that my son, now 14 and 15, are among a small minority of male adolescents who were vaccinated (Meredith Wadman, 8/21).
Bloomberg: Waging War on Hepatitis C Instead of complaining about how expensive Sovaldi and try to squeeze its use, why not use the drug to stage a war against hepatitis C? Why not try to get the drug into as many bodies as possible, as quickly as possible, hoping to hit this horrible disease down to much lower infection rates? ... The point is, we should be able to reach an agreement where we treat more patients, bringing down the new infection rate, and give a beautiful Gilead big profit to develop a drug that saves big lives (Megan McArdle, /21).[19450048]
This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a professional health policy research non-partisan organization affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
chercheurs Griffith créent le paludisme Box pour faire avancer la découverte de médicaments pour les principales maladies topiques [1945001 - ]
Université Griffith chercheurs de maladies tropicales se sont réunis avec une foule de laboratoires internationaux pour faire avancer la découverte de médicaments pour les grands topique maladies à travers la création et le test de la boîte contre le paludisme
dans un article publié cette semaine dans la revue top PLoS Pathogens , l'équipe mondiale de présenter les résultats sur un panel de 400 composés chimiques. - surnommé le "malaria Box" -. avec application potentielle comme points de départ thérapeutiques pour des maladies telles que le paludisme, la trypanosomiase et la toxoplasmose
Typiquement chercheurs auraient travaillé sur leurs propres composés, mais cette collaboration partagée ouvre de nouvelles portes pour les avancées internationales dans la découverte de médicaments.
La recherche de nouvelles thérapies pour les maladies tropicales est d'une grande importance en raison d'un manque de vaccins efficaces, le manque de médicaments pour certaines maladies ou réduit l'efficacité de certains médicaments en raison de la résistance.
Les maladies tropicales sont un problème de santé énorme impact sur des centaines de millions de vies et tuer des millions chaque année. En 2015, l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé a rapporté qu'il y avait plus de 0 millions de cas cliniques de paludisme seuls, qui ont abouti à environ 438.000 décès. Cela se traduit par près d'un décès dû au paludisme chaque minute.
"Le travail présenté dans le présent document représente une étape importante dans notre capacité à lutter contre les principales maladies infectieuses tropicales," explique le chercheur de l'Université Griffith Professeur Vicky Avery, qui a joué un rôle dans la sélection des composés chimiques 400 qui composent la boîte contre le paludisme.
professeur Avery est l'un des cinq leaders des chercheurs de l'Institut Eskitis Griffith pour la découverte de médicaments qui ont contribué à l'open source initiative mondiale de découverte de médicaments.
l'expertise des équipes étend les disciplines de la biologie et de la chimie.
paludisme découverte de médicaments chercheur associé professeur Kathy Andrews, qui a travaillé en collaboration avec le chimiste professeur Sally-Ann Poulsen et biologiste du cancer professeur agrégé Kathryn Tonissen sur le projet dit: «Si nous voulons faire une différence et aider à sauver des vies grâce à de nouveaux médicaments dont nous avons besoin de penser différemment."
"les données présentées dans ce document sera une source d'information extrêmement précieuse pour les médicaments découverte des chercheurs du monde entier - «non seulement ceux qui travaillent sur les maladies tropicales, mais aussi à ceux qui travaillent sur d'autres maladies infectieuses et même le cancer. Éminent chercheur de découverte de médicaments et le chimiste Professeur Ron Quinn affirme que le travail est un excellent exemple de la façon dont l'Institut Eskitis pour la découverte de médicaments est de combler le fossé entre la chimie et la biologie pour découvrir de nouvelles façons de traiter les maladies infectieuses.
"chercheurs Eskitis sommes à la fine pointe de la découverte de médicaments pour les maladies infectieuses et nous sommes ravis d'être en mesure de contribuer à cette importante collaboration mondiale », dit-il.
The rights to the high torque of health in gay marriage case -
In the context of the struggle of the court to cancel the ban on gay marriage in Wisconsin and Indiana, couples link the problems they have in a medical emergency when their partners are not recognized
Associated Press :. Loom Large health fears in Gay Marriage Cases when Niki Quasney felt a stabbing pain in his chest in March, the oncologist treating her advanced ovarian cancer was told to go to an emergency room at once. But instead of making the short drive to the hospital near her home in Munster, Indiana, she drove alone over 40 minutes to a neighbor in Illinois. Quasney said she was his local hospital "terrified" could not she and her partner of 13 years, she wed last year in another State, to be together if she is a victim of health emergency help. Quasney and his partner, Amy Sandler, are among dozens of gay couples challenging marriage bans in Indiana and Wisconsin in a case being heard Tuesday in the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. Looming large in the case is the question of medical emergencies encountered by same-sex couples. Couples continue for the right to marry or have their marriage outside the State recognized in their country of origin (Callahan, 8/25).
This article has been reprinted kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a professional health policy research non-partisan organization affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Une étude montre comment les cellules cancéreuses poursuivent chemin vers une plus grande concentration d'oxygène [1945001 - ]
Les cellules cancéreuses ont besoin d'oxygène pour survivre, comme le font la plupart des autres formes de vie, mais les scientifiques avaient jamais suivi leur recherche oxygène dans leurs premiers stades de croissance jusqu'à présent -. une étape vers une compréhension plus profonde des spreads de cancer à sens unique qui pourrait aider à traiter la maladie
dans un article publié en ligne par les Actes de l'Académie nationale des Sciences , bioingénieurs de l'Université Johns Hopkins et l'Université de Pennsylvanie résultats du rapport de leurs travaux montrant comment les cellules de sarcome de souris poursuivent un chemin vers une plus grande concentration d'oxygène, presque comme si elles suivaient une piste élargissement de la chapelure. Ce chemin est suggéré de mener les cellules des vaisseaux sanguins, à travers laquelle les cellules peuvent se propager à d'autres parties du corps.
"Si vous pensez à des cibles thérapeutiques, vous pouvez cibler ce processus spécifiquement", a déclaré Sharon Gerecht , professeur à l'université école Whiting Johns Hopkins du Département de génie chimique et de génie biomoléculaire et auteur principal de l'étude. Elle a reconnu que l'application clinique est loin, mais a déclaré que ces résultats ont atteint après trois années d'études dans son laboratoire fournir des indices sur une partie clé du cycle de vie des sarcomes des tissus mous et aussi un moyen éprouvé pour tester les traitements du cancer dans le laboratoire.
sarcome est un cancer qui affecte le tissu conjonctif, y compris les os, les muscles, les tendons, les cartilages, les nerfs, la graisse et des vaisseaux sanguins. L'étude a porté spécifiquement sur le sarcome des tissus mous qui ne touche pas les os, un type diagnostiqué chez certains 13.000 patients par an aux États-Unis. Environ un quart à la moitié de ces patients développent récurrents et d'étalement, ou métastasé, le cancer.
Cancers de toutes sortes sont connus pour prospérer avec peu d'oxygène, et les chercheurs se sont penchés sur le rôle de faible teneur en oxygène dans le développement tumoral . Moins bien compris est de savoir comment les cellules cancéreuses réagissent à des concentrations d'oxygène variant dans leurs premiers stades. Ce fut l'objet de cette recherche
Gerecht et ses sept co-auteurs -. Quatre affiliés à Johns Hopkins, trois avec Penn - suivi des milliers de cellules cancéreuses à un stade précoce prélevés chez des souris en se déplaçant à travers une maquette du corps tissus en gel clair dans une boîte de Pétri. L'hydrogel - un matériau à base d'eau avec la consistance de la gélatine - reproduit l'environnement des cellules cancéreuses dans les tissus humains
Kyung Min Park, alors chercheur postdoctoral dans le laboratoire Johns Hopkins, a développé la cellule hydrogel-cancer. système et Daniel Lewis, un étudiant diplômé Johns Hopkins, a analysé la migration cellulaire et les réponses à des concentrations d'oxygène en hausse, ou «gradients».
Pour cette expérience, les hydrogels contenaient des concentrations croissantes d'oxygène à partir du bas de l'hydrogel à la couche supérieure. Cela a permis aux chercheurs de suivre la façon dont les cellules cancéreuses réagissent à différents niveaux de l'oxygène, à la fois dans une tumeur et dans les tissus du corps.
Analyse des tumeurs de sarcome chez la souris, par exemple, montre que les plus grandes tumeurs ont une grande surface de très faible teneur en oxygène au centre. tumeurs plus petites ont différentes concentrations d'oxygène tout au long.
première étape Les chercheurs était de montrer que les cellules cancéreuses migrent plus faible teneur en oxygène ou hydrogels "hypoxiques" par rapport aux hydrogels contenant autant d'oxygène que l'atmosphère environnante. Ils ont ensuite examiné la direction du mouvement de la cellule.
Dans l'hydrogel, qui imite les concentrations d'oxygène dans les petites tumeurs, les cellules ont été trouvées pour déplacer des zones d'oxygène inférieur au supérieur. Les chercheurs ont également constaté que le minoxidil de médicaments - largement utilisés pour traiter la perte de cheveux et connu par son nom commercial Rogaine - arrêté le mouvement des cellules cancéreuses à travers l'hydrogel
Les cellules cancéreuses sont connus pour modifier leur environnement pour le rendre plus facile. pour eux de passer à travers elle, mais cette étude prend que la compréhension un peu plus loin, Gerecht dit.
"Nous ne savions pas qu'il était l'oxygène" qui dirige efficacement le mouvement, elle a dit. «Ce qui suggère gradient d'oxygène affecte premières étapes du processus de métastase."
L'étude démontre également le modèle d'hydrogel en trois dimensions comme un outil efficace pour le traitement du cancer de test dans un laboratoire, les auteurs ont écrit. Gerecht a déclaré que les cellules cancéreuses d'un patient humain pourraient être placés dans l'hydrogel tout comme les cellules de souris ont été, permettant aux cliniciens de voir comment ils réagissent avant les traitements sont donnés aux patients.
joined Meridian Health "Pass The Baton" to spread a message of hope -
Meridian Health, a large healthcare system in New Jersey, joined a movement National called "Pass the Baton ™" to help raise money for research into innovative cancer and spread a message of hope. The event at the New Jersey Medical Shore Meridian Health of the University Centre introduced a performance by Boyz Struck, a hip-hop dance team comprised of boys aged 8-11, who recently performed on the Got Talent America, Spider-Man a visit, and Neptune Mayor Dr. Michael Brantley proclamation declaring today "Day Baton Pass" Neptune, NJ. The community also heard Sandra Doyle Ferullo, a survivor of cancer Farmingdale, NJ, which benefited from new treatments through research on advanced cancer.
Pass The Baton was launched on Good Morning America on March 19 by Siemens, one of the main engineers of imaging, laboratory diagnostics and IT solutions for health care in the world, raise funds for stand Up to cancer cons (SU2C). SU2C is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, and supports research on the pioneering cancer to get new therapies to patients quickly. With each pass of the Baton, physically or virtually through www.facebook.com/TheBatonPass, Siemens will donate one dollar to Stand Up To Cancer, up to one million dollars, to 5 September 2014. The Baton Pass is an effort to the basis to raise funds and spread a message of hope and unity in the country. Baton has traveled thousands of miles across the United States and Canada and was passed more than 00,000 times.
The guests learned first hand about Meridian's commitment to provide access to the best care for cancer, more compassionate, near the home of Timothy J. Hogan FACHE, President Regional Hospital, Monmouth County, Meridian Health. Denise Johnson Miller, MD, medical director, breast surgery at the University Medical Center of Jersey Shore, also discussed research working with Meridian Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey to share the latest treatments and clinical trials the more promising.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Siemens, and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), working closely with SU2C to examine funding proposals dream team, the members of the the team and the patients spent the Baton with Spider-Man and the Boyz Struck.
"Pass the Baton was a great celebration of the promise that cancer research holds for millions of people, including Sandra Doyle Ferullo is now cancer free because of a therapy developed over a clinical research trial. It was also a great show of support for community research at Meridian Cancer Care, where we are actively carrying out more than 100 oncology clinical trials in the hope that there will be more stories like Sandra survival, "said Dr. Johnson Miller.
"the Baton symbolizes the progress we have made in cancer detection, monitoring and treatment, and the hope we all share for the continuous progress," said Tim Cosgrave, vice president Client Desktop, Siemens healthcare. "Siemens is proud to align SU2C and celebrate the work with health care systems as Meridian health."
Des scientifiques identifient des mutations génétiques liées à des cancers colorectaux synchrones [1945001 - ]
Les chercheurs ont identifié des mutations génétiques affectant le système immunitaire, ce qui peut conduire au développement de plus d'une tumeur de l'intestin dans le même temps . Comprendre comment ces cancers se développent pourrait améliorer le ciblage des thérapies, selon l'étude publiée dans Nature Communications .
La plupart des personnes atteintes de cancer colorectal vont développer une tumeur primaire, qui peut alors se multiplier et se propager. Cependant, dans environ deux à cinq pour cent des cas de cancer colorectal, deux tumeurs primaires seront créés et se développer indépendamment, connu comme le cancer colorectal synchrone.
L'étude, menée par des chercheurs du King College de Londres, a examiné si synchrone tumeurs avaient les mêmes ou différentes mutations et quelles modifications génétiques pourraient prédisposer les gens à développer plus d'une tumeur colorectale. Ils ont analysé 20 cancers colorectaux synchrones à partir de 10 patients, et comparé leur génétique pour les personnes avec un seul cancer colorectal et de personnes en bonne santé
L'analyse génétique a trouvé les tumeurs synchrones ne sont pas liés les uns aux autres -. Ils contenaient une variété de mutations génétiques qui avaient conduit au cancer. Cette variation génétique rend les cancers colorectaux synchrones plus difficiles à traiter, car les thérapies ciblées à des aberrations génétiques spécifiques dans le cancer d'une personne peut ne pas fonctionner si l'autre tumeur a des mutations génétiques.
Les chercheurs ont également trouvé les patients atteints de cancer colorectal synchrones ont eu un occurrence plus élevée de mutations nuisibles héréditaires dans les gènes liés au système immunitaire. Les trois quarts des patients atteints de cancer colorectal synchrones ont été trouvés à avoir des mutations nuisibles rares dans les gènes liés à la fonction du système immunitaire.
Ces patients avaient des différences dans la composition de leurs cellules immunitaires de l'intestin, ce qui pourrait conduire à une inflammation dans l'intestin . Les auteurs de l'étude concluent que les patients atteints de cancer colorectal synchrones ont hérité des altérations néfastes des gènes liés au système immunitaire, ce qui peut causer un environnement inflammatoire dans l'intestin et augmenter la fréquence des événements de cancer initiatrices indépendants.
Dr Francesca Ciccarelli, senior auteur de la Division des études du cancer au king College de Londres, a déclaré: «Entre deux et cinq pour cent de tous les patients atteints de cancer de l'intestin se développent plus d'une tumeur primaire, tumeurs appelées synchrones. Avant cette étude, il était difficile de savoir si ces multiples tumeurs ont commencé à cause des mêmes gènes défectueux. Maintenant, nous savons que ces tumeurs sont aussi différents que les cancers de deux personnes différentes et patients héritent des mutations dans les gènes du système immunitaire qui pourraient avoir des effets néfastes. Ces mutations sont généralement très rares chez les personnes en bonne santé, mais ils se produisent à une fréquence beaucoup plus élevée dans ce groupe de patients.
'Actuellement, les patients atteints de cancer colorectal avec des tumeurs synchrones reçoivent le même type de traitements que les autres patients atteints de cancer, mais nous savons maintenant que chacun de leurs multiples cancers sont susceptibles de répondre au traitement et développer la résistance d'une manière différente. Par conséquent, leur traitement doit être adapté en conséquence. Ceci est un exemple extrême de la médecine de précision - normalement, la médecine de précision vise une thérapie pour correspondre à la mutation du cancer d'un patient, mais dans le cas de tumeurs multiples chez un patient nous avons besoin de donner le bon médicament au bon cancer afin de maximiser la réponse ».
« Nous ne savons toujours pas si les mutations nuisibles dans les gènes du système immunitaire de ces patients ont un effet direct sur la composition des cellules immunitaires de l'intestin. Pour démêler cet aspect, nous allons faire d'autres études pour profiler le profil d'expression des gènes de ces cellules et, au cas où nous trouvons des différences avec les gens en bonne santé, ce qui peut être utilisé comme un biomarqueur pour prédire le développement de tumeurs synchrones.
Dr Matteo Cereda, auteur de la Division des études sur le cancer au king College de Londres, a déclaré: «Ces patients ont également une composition anormale des cellules immunitaires de l'intestin et dans les tumeurs. Notre hypothèse est que ces individus de développer de multiples tumeurs, car ils ont une réponse immunitaire et inflammatoire anormale qui favorise l'initiation des tumeurs.
Professor Athanassios Argiris is a medical oncologist internationally recognized clinician and researcher specializing in the evaluation and treatment of patients with head and neck and lung cancers. 
