Metastatic cancer is, without a doubt, one among the most difficult conditions to manage. It represents a stage of disease where the abnormal cells have spread to distant sites in the body. By this time surgical intervention is off the table. There are a lot of cancer metastasis research activities aimed at reversing this grim picture. The good news is that many of them are quite promising.
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.
Therapeutic interventions are now being designed based on the existing genetic abnormalities. If the defective genes can be corrected then the disease will not occur. One of the most promising studies has been carried out in mice suffering from pancreatic cancer using a drug known as metarrestin. This drug has been shown to selectively damage tumour cells within the models. There are no documented side effects on organs affected by the tumours.
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.
The third study worth a mention involves modified stem cells. Stem cells are what gives rise to the various forms of mature cells in the body such as blood cells, bone cells and nerve cells among others. These cells can be modified and used as carriers of chemotherapeutic agents. They have been shown to selectively target cancer cells which is an important property when one considers the management of metastatic disease.
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.
Therapeutic interventions are now being designed based on the existing genetic abnormalities. If the defective genes can be corrected then the disease will not occur. One of the most promising studies has been carried out in mice suffering from pancreatic cancer using a drug known as metarrestin. This drug has been shown to selectively damage tumour cells within the models. There are no documented side effects on organs affected by the tumours.
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.
The third study worth a mention involves modified stem cells. Stem cells are what gives rise to the various forms of mature cells in the body such as blood cells, bone cells and nerve cells among others. These cells can be modified and used as carriers of chemotherapeutic agents. They have been shown to selectively target cancer cells which is an important property when one considers the management of metastatic disease.
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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