Cancer Research Journal » AIDS-Related Cancer

Yale and Ugandan Docs Discuss Cancer, Condoms and HIV on Connecticut Radio

Lisa — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:00:42 +0000

Dr Kenneth Miller of the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic and his special guest, Dr Fred Okuku of East Africa, recently discussed cancer and HIV in Uganda on the radio show Yale Cancer Center Answers.

During the interview, the two doctors talked about the ABC program, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, breast, cervical and prostate cancer rates in Africa, as well as other interesting topics. To hear the broadcast, click here.

If you’d like to listen to more broadcasts from Yale Cancer Center Answers, the show airs Sundays on WNPR. The segments usually run about 30 minutes and include a wealth of useful information about breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

Source: Yale Cancer Center Podcast Feed

Chloroquine Blocks Burkitt Lymphoma

Lisa — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:59:52 +0000

A study conducted by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital shows chloroquine, a common prescription drug used to treat malaria, prevents certain types of cancers from developing.

The Scripps and St Jude’s researchers used mouse models to test chloroquine’s impact on tumors. Their investigation revealed the drug blocked Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, and ataxia telangiectasia, an immunodeficiency disease that predisposes humans to leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers.

More research is required, but the scientists are hopeful this discovery will lead to the development of new drugs to prevent cancer. As one explained,

“The fact that the drug attacks premalignant cells, and cells that overexpress transcription factor MYC, a notorious contributor to tumorigenesis that is implicated in more than 70 percent of all cancers, make the use of this drug very attractive for chemoprevention and cancer treatment.”

John Cleveland
Dept of Cancer Biology, The Scripps Research Institute
Jupiter, Florida

The study has been published in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation and is scheduled to appear in January 2008 print edition of JCI.

Source: US News & World Report

Related Links: Science Daily; ASscribe.org; azonano.com; unisi.it

Related Spanish Link: Ataxia-Telangiectasia from the University of Maryland Medical Center

Tags: A-T; chemotherapy; cancer drugs; oncology; amebicide; blood cancers; chromosome 8; Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL); Epstein-Barr Virus; Memphis, TN

Protein May Promote Cancers in AIDS Patients

Lisa — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:00:28 +0000

Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is uncovering new information about a protein that appears to help cancer-causing viruses hide from the body’s natural defense system.

The protein under scrutiny is known as LANA, short for latency-associated nuclear antigen. Penn’s study showed the LANA protein enabled Kaposi’s Sarcoma-associated Herpes Virus (KSHV) to avoid immune system defenses. According to the research, LANA interferes with a crucial signaling molecule called intracellular notch by competing for the same binding site it uses. This interference derails the normal cell degradation process resulting in uncontrolled cell growth in patients who have immune-compromised conditions such as AIDS.

Now the researchers hope to discover more about LANA’s role in tumor development by studying animals infected with KSHV. As they explained, the animal models will be useful for testing drug therapies that may eventually prevent the growth of viral-associated cancers like Kaposi Sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma.

The University of Pennsylvania study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

Source: University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center

Pfizer Warns Physicians about Possible Carcinogen

Lisa — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:00:55 +0000

Pfizer, Incorporated (NYSE: PFE), is contacting healthcare professionals to warn them about a potential carcinogen in Viracept (nelfinavir), a medication used to help control human immunodeficiency virus infections.

The possible carcinogen is known as ethyl methanesulfonate, or EMS. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, EMS has been shown to be teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic in animal studies.

Both the FDA and Pfizer agree the benefits of using Viracept outweigh the possible risks for some individuals. However, physicians are advised not to use regimens containing Viracept for pediatric or pregnant patients beginning HIV or antiretroviral treatments until further notice.

Source: United Press International

Related Podcast: Having a Baby When You’re HIV Positive
from THE BODY

Tags: cancer; AIDS; protease inhibitor; HIV drugs; pharmaceuticals

Medical Marijuana Plan Continues to Grow in New Mexico

Lisa — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:00:16 +0000

Governor Bill Richardson has directed the New Mexico Department of Health to continue plans for a state-run medical marijuana program despite worries that his actions could lead to federal prosecutions for drug trafficking.

New Mexico’s state laws allow the use of medical marijuana by patients who are undergoing treatment for chronic conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS.

The issue of medical marijuana remains a highly divisive one. Advocates for medical marijuana say it is very effective for alleviating serious side effects associated with their disease such as easing chemotherapy-induced nausea or reducing seizures caused by brain tumors. Critics of legalized marijuana are concerned about the potential misuse of crops designated as medical marijuana and other potential health risks associated with the drug.

NM is the 12th state to legalize marijuana use for medicinal purposes, but the first one planning to implement a state-licensed production and distribution program for the drug.

For now, critics and advocates alike are keeping a close eye on developments in New Mexico to see how federal prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice react to Governor Richardson’s plans.

Source: Associated Press Article in Forbes

tags: cannabis; Marinol; Sativex