Battling Cancer

Happy Fourth of July to our readers from the States.

Cancer Events:

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation

60km that can change the world - July 25-27, 2008

“All over Alberta, The Weekend is helping breast cancer patients get the care they need to become breast cancer survivors. Money raised by a rapidly growing number of Walkers is funding advanced research that yields life-saving new treatments. Of course, a cure is the ultimate victory. But with every dollar we raise, with every person that gets a second chance at life, and with every step we take who shows we believe we can change the world, we are on The Road to Victory.”

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Next to cancer itself, defending an immune system compromised by chemotherapeutic agents is one of the most significant battles a cancer patient faces.

White Blood Cell Basics:

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The FDA has given approval for a clinical trial that is all about cancer immunity. Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the site of this amazing cancer research. Dr. Zheng Cui, an associate professor at the university, who teaches biochemistry, molecular biology, lipid biochemistry, cancer biology, and cancer immunology and his team will lead the trial.

The trial began with the accidental discovery of a mouse that was resistant to cancer. Repeated injection of cancer cells yielded zero tumor growth. Breeding the cancer immune mouse resulted in three of the seven grandchildren of the immune mouse also having the same immune characteristics.

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Happy Friday.

Battling Cancer readers…this is your last day to post for a chance to win free books.

The rules are simple. Let me know you are out there by posting a hello by 8 pm, MST. Tonight!!

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That’s right. Chocolate for cancer.

This story certainly perked up my ears.

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Upcoming Cancer Events

The 2008 Kaleidoscope of Hope Golf Classic to raise funds for ovarian cancer research.

Announcing the First Annual Kaleidoscope of Hope Golf Classic to be held on June 30, 2008 at the Brooklake CountryClub in Florham Park, New Jersey. The honored guest will be Val Skinner, a six-time winner on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, and currently a golf analyst for CBS Sports and the Golf Channel. Val has been a successful advocate for many years, raising money for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and her Life Foundation.The Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by three ovarian cancer survivors, and is dedicated to raising funds for ovarian cancer research and increasing awareness of the symptoms of this silent disease.

Team Sarcoma Initiatives

12-20 July 2008, worldwide. The 2008 Team Sarcoma Initiative is an internationally coordinated set of events to raise awareness of sarcoma and raise funds to support sarcoma research, clinical trials, and patient and family services. The 2008 Initiative consists of the “core” Team Sarcoma Bike Tour (which will be held in Germany and Austria biking along the Danube River from Passau, Germany to Vienna, Austria during 12-19 July 2008) and various local Team Sarcoma events that will be held worldwide during the same week. For more information visit the Team Sarcoma Initiatives web page to find an event near you.

Climb to Fight Breast Cancer Ventures!

Mt. Adams, Mt. Baker, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Volcanoes of Mexico.

“Annually, outdoor enthusiasts join together in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled breast cancer, to ascend some of the world’s most breathtaking peaks.”

The climbs begin in July and end in November. Visit the site, to re-register, register or donate.

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Bibliophile is back on Battling Cancer.

And that means free books.

Here are some of the most recent books in fiction and non fiction featuring cancer topics.

Two readers will be able to choose the book of their choice from these great offerings.

The rules are simple. Let me know you are out there by posting a hello between now and next Friday, June 27 at 8 pm, MST.

Then if your name is drawn and I email, drop me a note back with your mailing address and real world name.

Fiction:

Fool On the Hill: A Tess Camillo Mystery by Morgan Hunt (April 1, 2008)

Product Description: When amateur sleuth and breast cancer survivor Tess Camillo discovers the body of her housemate’s favorite rock star—crucified—everyone’s shocked. After all, he seemed to have no enemies. Why would someone nail him to a cross? With quirky wit, Tess and her loopy hetero housemate Lana snoop Hollywood music producers, Lego Land, a church, and a carousel to solve the murder. Fool on the Hill zips along on a sometimes-poignant, sometimes-zany trajectory, slowing down only for zoo critters and erotic encounters.

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Monoclonal Antibodies, MOABs or MABs, are a form of immunotherapy. They are currently the number one type of immunotherapy used for cancer patients.

The job of human antibodies is to mark foreign antigens that are on cells. This marking labels them for destruction by macrophages. Many researchers believe the body destroys cancer cells identified as foreign antigens on a regular basis, however; when the immune system is compromised the cancer cells are able to gain control.

Monoclonal antibodies are made in the laboratory using clones of “humanized” antibodies. This done by injecting human cancer cells into mice. The mice then produce antibodies to fight the cancer cells. Researchers combine these antibodies with laboratory grown antibodies and then they are injected into a vein.

Inside the body the antibodies can do several things such as:

• Stimulate the human immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells
• Toxins can be attached to the antibodies which will destroy the cancer cells
• Radioactive particles can be attached to the antibodies to destroy cancer cells
• Block receptors which signal growth cells that help the cancer grow

Some monoclonal therapy is given with chemotherapy and some is given alone. It is important to note that monoclonal antibodies are antigen specific, targeted to a specific type of cell. An antigen protein that is targeted at breast cancer cells will not work for lymphoma.

There are side effects of this therapy including the fact that sometimes the antibodies do not recognize the cells and doesn’t do the intended job, which is why monoclonal therapy is often given with other therapies. It is also possible and likely that eventually the body will produce its own antibodies that will destroy the “humanized” antigens.

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Friday again.

Perhaps the most exciting cancer news comes out of M.D. Anderson regarding Metformin and cancer response. Metformin is the most common drug prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. It was observed that patients using Metformin had a lower cancer incidence. Findings are preliminary and M.D. Anderson will soon begin a clinical trial with Metformin and hormonal therapy studying metastatic breast cancer patients who are obese. Read the complete article at Science Daily.

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One of the side effects of radiation, chemotherapy and many drug therapies is xerostomia or dry mouth. It is important to note that sometimes the dose of radiation may cause permanent damage to the salivary glands. The job of saliva is not only to keep the mouth moist for eating and swallowing but to rinse away food and bacteria. Dry mouth puts cancer patients at greater risk for dental disease and infections.

Salivary glands: More →