For a long time, a diagnosis of metastatic cancer has spelled doom for the concerned patients and their loved ones. Many tumours falling under this category are considered inoperable and may not respond well to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Medical researchers may just turn this grim picture around if the preliminary of ongoing cancer metastasis research are anything to go by.
Research has shown that all cancer have their route cause in a genetic abnormality. Such a defect is also referred to as a mutation and often results in loss of cellular growth control. If cells have no limitation in how much they can grow or divide, they keep growing haphazardly leading to formation of various types of tumours. The release of these tumour cells and deposition in various body tissues is what is known as metastasis.
With the understanding of these underlying mechanisms, drug development has taken a different angle; the genetic one. Developers are now looking at ways of preventing the genetic mutations or preparing them if they have already occurred so as to stop the cellular growth that occurs downstream. A study involving the use of a drug called metarrestin is quite promising. In the study mice with pancreatic tumours have been given the drug and its effects observed. There has been a significant shrinkage in the size of tumour cells.
After successful animal model studies, the process now moves to the all important human trials. In preparation for this phase, the drug has been developed into a pill and is awaiting approval by the authorities. Tumour cell destruction in mice is through the disruption of a perinucleolar compartment found within the nucleus. The structure is also present in human cells and it is believed that tumour cells in humans will behave in a similar manner.
Immunotherapy is the use of antibodies and immune cells to treat various medical conditions. Pembrolizumab is one of the drugs being used in this manner. It is slowly finding its space in the management of various cancers although its use is also still at the trial stage. The drug works by interfering with the protective mechanism of cancer cells making them an easy target for destruction by the immune cells of the body.
In the ongoing study, the drug is being tried in HIV positive patients that have recurrent or refractory tumours. Because of the major improvements in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, many patients are living longer. Due to the reduction in immunity, a significant number of people this group of get opportunistic infections and cancers which were not being seen earlier. The study is specifically concerned with the response of these tumours to treatment.
Stem cell therapy is another area that is likely to create a significant impact. Stem cells are the origin of all the cells and tissues in the body such as muscle cells, nerve cells and bone cells among others. If correctly modified, the cells can be used to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer cells. This selectivity spares the normal cells and reduces the adverse effects of chemotherapy.
These are just but few examples of the work that is ongoing in the search for a cure for cancer. Indeed, scientists are a long way off from concluding their work but it appears as if they are headed in the right direction. The important thing is for everyone to remain hopeful in the process and for governments and the private sector to work together and support the scientific community.
Research has shown that all cancer have their route cause in a genetic abnormality. Such a defect is also referred to as a mutation and often results in loss of cellular growth control. If cells have no limitation in how much they can grow or divide, they keep growing haphazardly leading to formation of various types of tumours. The release of these tumour cells and deposition in various body tissues is what is known as metastasis.
With the understanding of these underlying mechanisms, drug development has taken a different angle; the genetic one. Developers are now looking at ways of preventing the genetic mutations or preparing them if they have already occurred so as to stop the cellular growth that occurs downstream. A study involving the use of a drug called metarrestin is quite promising. In the study mice with pancreatic tumours have been given the drug and its effects observed. There has been a significant shrinkage in the size of tumour cells.
After successful animal model studies, the process now moves to the all important human trials. In preparation for this phase, the drug has been developed into a pill and is awaiting approval by the authorities. Tumour cell destruction in mice is through the disruption of a perinucleolar compartment found within the nucleus. The structure is also present in human cells and it is believed that tumour cells in humans will behave in a similar manner.
Immunotherapy is the use of antibodies and immune cells to treat various medical conditions. Pembrolizumab is one of the drugs being used in this manner. It is slowly finding its space in the management of various cancers although its use is also still at the trial stage. The drug works by interfering with the protective mechanism of cancer cells making them an easy target for destruction by the immune cells of the body.
In the ongoing study, the drug is being tried in HIV positive patients that have recurrent or refractory tumours. Because of the major improvements in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, many patients are living longer. Due to the reduction in immunity, a significant number of people this group of get opportunistic infections and cancers which were not being seen earlier. The study is specifically concerned with the response of these tumours to treatment.
Stem cell therapy is another area that is likely to create a significant impact. Stem cells are the origin of all the cells and tissues in the body such as muscle cells, nerve cells and bone cells among others. If correctly modified, the cells can be used to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer cells. This selectivity spares the normal cells and reduces the adverse effects of chemotherapy.
These are just but few examples of the work that is ongoing in the search for a cure for cancer. Indeed, scientists are a long way off from concluding their work but it appears as if they are headed in the right direction. The important thing is for everyone to remain hopeful in the process and for governments and the private sector to work together and support the scientific community.
About the Author:
You can get the latest lowdown about the success of cancer metastasis research by referring to this website. For instant access to all the available resources, follow the link here http://www.cytocapsula.com/about-cytocapsula.
No comments:
Post a Comment