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.
The next phase of the study is to conduct human trials. To facilitate this, a pill with the active molecule has been developed and is awaiting approval by the relevant authorities. While the effects in the human body are not yet known, the drug has showed great promise and is expected to show similar results as those seen in rats. The mechanism of tumour cell killing in rats is destruction of a structure known as perinucleolar compartment. Humans also have this structure within their cell nuclei.
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 pembrolizumab study, several known HIV/AIDS patients with either refractory or recurrent cancers have been enrolled for follow up. While the use of antiretroviral therapy has significantly improved survival rates of persons with this condition, their immune system has an inherent weakness and they may not always be able to mount an adequate response against some conditions. Pembrolizumab is given to weaken the cancer cells and give their immune cells a fighting chance.
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.
The next phase of the study is to conduct human trials. To facilitate this, a pill with the active molecule has been developed and is awaiting approval by the relevant authorities. While the effects in the human body are not yet known, the drug has showed great promise and is expected to show similar results as those seen in rats. The mechanism of tumour cell killing in rats is destruction of a structure known as perinucleolar compartment. Humans also have this structure within their cell nuclei.
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 pembrolizumab study, several known HIV/AIDS patients with either refractory or recurrent cancers have been enrolled for follow up. While the use of antiretroviral therapy has significantly improved survival rates of persons with this condition, their immune system has an inherent weakness and they may not always be able to mount an adequate response against some conditions. Pembrolizumab is given to weaken the cancer cells and give their immune cells a fighting chance.
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.
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