Estrogen-receptor-positive or estrogen-receptor-negative?
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Breast cancer can be either estrogen-receptor-positive or estrogen-receptor-negative. Estrogen-receptor-positive cancer is made worse by the presence of estrogen, while estrogen has no effect on estrogen-receptor-negative cancer. Around 70% of breast cancers in women are estrogen-receptor-positive.
Some recent research has shown that chemotherapy is more helpful for women with estrogen-receptor-negative (ER – negative) cancer and that hormonal therapy, such as the use of drugs like tamoxifen helps those who are estrogen-receptor-positive.
Previously it was believed that any breast cancer larger than a centimeter should be treated with chemotherapy. But this new information about ER – negative and positive cancers over the past couple of years suggest that may not always be true.
This most recent study was published in the April 12th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In a simplified summary – in 3 different clinical trials done in the 1980’s and 90’s different chemotherapy drugs were used to treat cancer. At the time ER – negative and positive was not yet understood to be important so women with both types of cancer were included in all the trials. Looking back at the data researchers discovered that the women who benefitted the most from the chemotherapy were those who wereestrogen-receptor-negative.
In the future this means that women who have ER – negative or positive cancers will be given different treatments – those who are ER – positive may or may not have any chemotherapy, etc. More research will have to be done to determine the best course of treatment in both cases.
(Technorati Tags: breast cancer, estrogen, chemotherapy, estrogen-receptor)
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April 13, 2006
Ovarian cancer news review
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This is my first post about ovarian cancer. I had planned to include it from the beginning, but wanted to wait a while in part because it is so scary. It is not something I’ve read much about yet, so this first post will just be a brief and general overview and review of the lastest news about ovarian cancer that has been released recently.
There is about a 1 in 58 chance for a woman to get ovarian cancer. Most women who do get it, get it after menopause.
As I’m sure you all know, there is not yet a routine way to detect ovarian cancer when it is in its early stages. Most of the symptoms are vague and only about 20% of ovarian cancers are caught early. Unfortunately this means that by the time someone has obvious symptoms and the cancer is found it may be too late to do much to help. However, if it is diagnosed early, over 90% of people can be treated pretty effectively.
Much research is being done though to help find a way to detect it earlier. Potential methods include a blood test to detect proteins that act as markers for the disease. Recently some researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine presented their findings on a study they did that screened blood samples of ovarian cancer patients for the presence of proteins that might indicate they have the disease.
These researchers tested 450 blood samples and found 20 proteins they could use to distinguish 98% of those with ovarian cancer from those without it. They hope that in a few years this test will be further developed to be able to be used to screen for the cancer.
There is also some evidence found just recently of a protein found in urine that might indicate presence of the cancer. [Somewhat OT – the protein is Bcl-2 – I did my prelim in graduate school about Bcl-2 and apoptosis. That was some years ago though and I am not up-to-date on research of Bcl-2, but I will try to follow up on this research.]
So, what can we do meanwhile? All the same things we are always told to do, but can be difficult at times: eat right and stay fit!
One new study shows that women who have a higher than average level of dietary flavonoids might have a lower chance of getting ovarian cancer. Foods high in flavonoids include tea, red wine, soybeans, fruits and vegetables. And recently one new study came out that showed that adding ginger to ovarian cancer cell cultures would cause the cells to die. Whether or not ginger has an effect on ovarian cancer cells in an actual live person is not known.
(Hmm, last weekend I bought some ginger and tofu and vegetables to stir fry – but I’ve been too lazy to get around to doing it! I guess I know what I will be eating tonight! Unless I get to feeling lazy again and grab something fast instead!)
(Technorati Tags: ovarian cancer, women, research)
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Related Posts:
- Women’s Health Weekly Review: June 22 – June 28
- Blood test to detect breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer and stress
April 11, 2006
New treatments for osteoporosis on the way!
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- a transdermal patch to deliver human Parathyroid Hormone 1-34 fragment (hPTH 1-34) to treat osteoporosis just finished its first human clinical trial. Currently hPTH 1-34 is given as a injection only. This patch is being devloped by TransPharma Medical Ltd – it uses a radio frequency (RF)-micro channel technology. This system involves a handheld battery control unit, a microelectrode array and a patch with the medication. The radio frequency waves open microchannels in the skin for the drug to be delivered through.
– a generic nasal spray of calcitonin-salmon – (if I understand this right, the spray has already been approved by the FDA, but the company that makes it now has another facility approved to manufacture it. ) . At any rate, the company – Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. – will be making a generic version of the spray which has been around for a while.
– a new injectable drug for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Denosumab injections were found to be safe and effective as an oral bisphosphonate. Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody and works by binding to and inhibiting the activity of RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand). RANKL is involved with the activation of bone-resorbing osteoclast cells. Denosumab is being developed by Amgen and the results of its open-label multicenter phase II study of 412 postmenopausal women was reported in the February 23 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine
– Reveromycin A – this one has quite a ways to go yet, but a promising discovering by Riken (a research institute in Japan) shows that reveromycin A can inhibit bone loss in mice. Reveromycin A is secondary metabolite Streptomyces sp. SN-593 which is a type of soil actinomycete. It can induce the apoptosis (cell death) of osteoclast cells. Their results will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
(Technorati Tags: osteoporosis., calcitonin, women)
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- FDA approves an injectable form of Boniva for treatment of osteoporosis!
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April 10, 2006
Breast cancer and the environment
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Some new studies present evidence that as much as 50% of breast cancers are not caused by genetic factors – or lifestyle choices such as drinking.
Instead, it is believed by many that environmental factors may contribute to many cases of breast cancer. And some of these environmental factors are items that we encounter on a daily basis.
Estrogen mimicking substances are one of the leading suspects. These include: Bisphenol-A (BPA) – used to make some plastics and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also used in many plastics.
Other environmental substances associated with greater cancer risk are aromatic amines (tobacco smoke, diesel exhaust, grilled meats, polluted air and water), 1,3-butadiene (internal combustion engines, petroleum refineries tobacco smoke), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (fuel combustion), dioxin, heptachlor (an insecticide), some herbicides (atrazine, simazine, cyanazine) , Phthalates (plastics, nail polish, perfumes, skin moisturizers, flavorings, solvents) and many more.
While it is true that much of these dangers are suspected through correlational research – which doesn’t prove causation – it is still important that these substances are more thoroughly tested.
Meanwhile, since we can’t avoid all of these substances, it is best to not panic and wait for more research results – but still avoid unnecessary exposure to known carcingens whenever possible.
This report was put together by two organizations based in San Francisco: Breast Cancer Action and Breast Cancer Fund.
(Technorati Tags: breast cancer, estrogen, health, research, women)
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Related Posts:
- Smoking Part 2: What should be done?
- Estrogen-receptor-positive or estrogen-receptor-negative?
- Don’t forget your baby’s health if you smoke!
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