New Treatment Looks Promising for Mesothelioma Cancer Patients

new cancer treatment is being investigated by researchers at Dartmouth Medical School and Amtek, both of which are located in Hanover, New Hampshire. The new treatment strategy may offer fresh hope to cancer patients who are fighting off tumors that refuse to respond to traditional treatment options.

The new study was recently published in the open access, peer reviewed journal PLoS ONE. Researchers developed the new treatment by employing a combination of two chemical agents to selectively kill tumors while simultaneously protecting healthy cells.

The study builds on previous research that suggests that an enzyme called methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is missing in 30-70% of certain types of cancer. Cancers lacking in this enzyme include: lung cancer, mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer, and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Mesothelioma is rare, but attacks the body rapidly. It is not uncommon for the disease to kill within months of being diagnosed.

The study, lead by Dr. Martin Lubin and Adam Lubin of Amtek, builds on this existing knowledge of MTAP. Dr. Lubin's strategy involves giving two drugs to cancer patients. One of the drugs is highly toxic, and can damage both cancer cells and healthy cells.

However, the second drug protects healthy tissues from the toxins in the first drug, effectively allowing doctors to use a much higher concentration of the first drug than was previously possible. Two of the drugs studied are thioguanine and fluorouracil, both of which are already in clinical use. However, due to the toxic side effects, the drugs are only given in very low doses.

The study shows that it is possible to attack tumors that are resistant to low doses of these toxic drugs while protecting healthy tissue. The study was conducted in vitro, and animal studies are now underway. "We hope that successful animal studies will lead to clinical application as soon as possible," Dr. Lubin said.

4 Feb - A world cancer day

4th February is declared "World Cancer Day"

Pls spare a second of your precious time to say a sincere prayer for any of your parent, sibling, in-law, friend or even a stranger inflicted by the big "C" and is a survivor with God's blessings & your best wishes.

Daffodils are recognised as a symbol of faith and hope for a cancer-free society in the future. Let us put our hands together and wish this mission of achieving a cancer-free society will indeed materialse soon!

"We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Regular Stretching Program

Limber up your lower body by performing the figure-four stretch. It will stretch your hamstring and buttocks.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Lie face up the floor with knees bent and feet flat. Lift right foot and place outside of right ankle on left thigh, just above the knee pointing out.

2. Lifting left foot and bending hand to 90 degrees, place left hand back of left thigh and reach right hand between legs so both hands meet behind left thigh.

3. Inhale, then exhale as you straightens left leg, pulling the left thigh toward chest and keeping hips centered. You will feel the stretch in the right side of your buttocks and or left hamstrings.

4. Hold for a count of 10, breathing evenly, then slowly release and lower left foot to floor.

5. Repeat for a total of 3-4 times, and then switch legs.

Perform this move as part of a regular stretching program. Aim to stretch for a total of 5-10 minutes a day, 4-5 days a week or after you perform any type of activity.

Keep the knee of the raised leg bent to target the buttocks more, after 4-6 weeks or when ready challenge your flexibility by grasping your leg around the calf instead of the thigh, keeping knee slightly bent.