There are a number of new cancer drugs currently undergoing preliminary testing, which are in no doubt raising the hopes of many of those unfortunate enough be battling cancer at this time, as well as the hopes of their families & loved ones.The truth; cancer patient + cancer drugs = huge profits
Iressa (gefitinib)
Iressa may currently be used to treat people with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or NSCLC that has spread to other areas in the body. Iressa attaches itself to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of the cancer cell, preventing the attachment of epidermal growth factor (EGF) onto the receptor. This enzyme instigates the cancer cell's ability to grow & divide, causing the cancer to spread, through a chemical process triggered off within the cancer cell it's self.Iressa has shown good results in many cancer patients initially, however this tends to be followed by a relapse. This is most likely down to the ability of cancer cells to become resistant to drugs they are treated with.
Known Side Effects
Nausea & Vomiting - Usually treated with anti-sickness medication.
Skin rashes - Acne-like rashes, dry, itchy, sore & irritated skin.
Fatigue - Extreme fatigue & lack of energy.
Hair & Nails - Loss of hair & loose, brittle nails.
Increased Blood Pressure - Symptoms are headaches, dizziness, blurred vision.
Conclusion
The ability of cancer cells to become resistant & to return with complete immunity to this drug means it does nothing more than 'bide us more time.
PARP Inhibitors
Early results in the use of PARP inhibitors for treating breast cancer are said to be promising. PARP is found in all cells, including cancer cells & helps damaged cells to repair themselves. According to some doctors, because cancer cells have BRCA gene faults, if they can stop the PARP-1 working then these cells will be unable to repair themselves & will die. As healthy cells do not contain BRCA gene faults they should still be able to repair themselves despite the fact that PARP-1 is blocked in all cells of the body, not just cancer cells.
This treatment is still in the early trial stages, but could be a successful treatment for cancers with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. This drug, when used in conjunction with chemotherapy may reduce the resistance of cancer cells to the chemotherapy.
Conclusion
We should be increasing the strength of our healthy cells & immune system, not obstructing their ability to repair themselves, common sense tells us we are just weakening our entire body in the hope of killing the cancer cells before the damage to our healthy cells kills us first.
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Another drug used against breast cancer & also stomach cancer,apparently herceptin can stop the growth of breast cancer & in some cases can even reduce the size of the tumour. Herceptin is part of a group of cancer drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies recognise & attach themselves to certain proteins which may be found on the surface of cancer cells & are said to trigger the immune system to attack these cells. While assisting in the elimination of certain types of cancer cells, these drugs are said to cause 'little' harm to healthy cells.In around 20-30% of breast cancer & apparently in 6 - 40% of stomach cancer cases there are excessive amounts of a protein called HER2 found on the cancer cells, which encourages the growth of these cells. Such cases of these types of cancer are referred to as being HER2-positive, where breast cancer patients are concerned this can be very aggressive & fast growing. Herceptin attaches itself to the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells & prevents the epidermal growth factor protein from attaching itself, the epidermal growth factor triggers the chemical reaction within the cancer cell causing it to grow & divide.
Common Side Effects:
Allergic Reaction - Affects around half of patients, usually reduces across further treatments.
Heart Problems - Fast & irregular heart beat & is therefore unsuitable for patients with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.
Pain - Abdominal, chest, joint & muscle pain may be experienced.
Lung Problems - Coughing & respiratory distress.
Heart Damage - May cause heart damage, affects around 1 in 25 people, or even heart failure.
Reduced White Blood Cell Count - Causes an increased risk of bacterial infection, which in some cases may be life-threatening.
Liver Problems - Usually monitored with regular blood tests.
Fertility Problems - Unknown effects on fertility (but still listed).
Conclusion
Considering the claims that this drug causes 'little harm to healthy cells,' when you look at the above side effects, this is clearly put into perspective. Chemotherapy causes significant damage to our body & kills more people than cancer. Everyone knows the poor quality of life which results from chemotherapy, especially from repeated treatment, I can only dread to think about the suffering people may endure through a combination of chemotherapy & herceptin. A fair few of the side effects mentioned are treated with 'further medication. Medical Industry figures indicate a 50% increase in the survival rate of those using herceptin against breast cancer; unfortunately just more misleading statistics. Additionally, this drug is currently being tested for its effectiveness against other types of cancer & has actually increased the death rate by 2.5%.
The real cure for cancer:
Certain foods contain nutrients that directly attack cancer cells, others boost the immune system response & also when following a cancer diet you are 'starving' the cancer cells while 'feeding' healthy cells, giving your body the best opportunity of wiping out the cancer.
Source by ezinearticles.com
Iressa (gefitinib)
Iressa may currently be used to treat people with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or NSCLC that has spread to other areas in the body. Iressa attaches itself to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of the cancer cell, preventing the attachment of epidermal growth factor (EGF) onto the receptor. This enzyme instigates the cancer cell's ability to grow & divide, causing the cancer to spread, through a chemical process triggered off within the cancer cell it's self.Iressa has shown good results in many cancer patients initially, however this tends to be followed by a relapse. This is most likely down to the ability of cancer cells to become resistant to drugs they are treated with.
Known Side Effects
Nausea & Vomiting - Usually treated with anti-sickness medication.
Skin rashes - Acne-like rashes, dry, itchy, sore & irritated skin.
Fatigue - Extreme fatigue & lack of energy.
Hair & Nails - Loss of hair & loose, brittle nails.
Increased Blood Pressure - Symptoms are headaches, dizziness, blurred vision.
Conclusion
The ability of cancer cells to become resistant & to return with complete immunity to this drug means it does nothing more than 'bide us more time.
PARP Inhibitors
Early results in the use of PARP inhibitors for treating breast cancer are said to be promising. PARP is found in all cells, including cancer cells & helps damaged cells to repair themselves. According to some doctors, because cancer cells have BRCA gene faults, if they can stop the PARP-1 working then these cells will be unable to repair themselves & will die. As healthy cells do not contain BRCA gene faults they should still be able to repair themselves despite the fact that PARP-1 is blocked in all cells of the body, not just cancer cells.
This treatment is still in the early trial stages, but could be a successful treatment for cancers with an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. This drug, when used in conjunction with chemotherapy may reduce the resistance of cancer cells to the chemotherapy.
Conclusion
We should be increasing the strength of our healthy cells & immune system, not obstructing their ability to repair themselves, common sense tells us we are just weakening our entire body in the hope of killing the cancer cells before the damage to our healthy cells kills us first.
Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Another drug used against breast cancer & also stomach cancer,apparently herceptin can stop the growth of breast cancer & in some cases can even reduce the size of the tumour. Herceptin is part of a group of cancer drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies recognise & attach themselves to certain proteins which may be found on the surface of cancer cells & are said to trigger the immune system to attack these cells. While assisting in the elimination of certain types of cancer cells, these drugs are said to cause 'little' harm to healthy cells.In around 20-30% of breast cancer & apparently in 6 - 40% of stomach cancer cases there are excessive amounts of a protein called HER2 found on the cancer cells, which encourages the growth of these cells. Such cases of these types of cancer are referred to as being HER2-positive, where breast cancer patients are concerned this can be very aggressive & fast growing. Herceptin attaches itself to the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells & prevents the epidermal growth factor protein from attaching itself, the epidermal growth factor triggers the chemical reaction within the cancer cell causing it to grow & divide.
Common Side Effects:
Allergic Reaction - Affects around half of patients, usually reduces across further treatments.
Heart Problems - Fast & irregular heart beat & is therefore unsuitable for patients with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.
Pain - Abdominal, chest, joint & muscle pain may be experienced.
Lung Problems - Coughing & respiratory distress.
Heart Damage - May cause heart damage, affects around 1 in 25 people, or even heart failure.
Reduced White Blood Cell Count - Causes an increased risk of bacterial infection, which in some cases may be life-threatening.
Liver Problems - Usually monitored with regular blood tests.
Fertility Problems - Unknown effects on fertility (but still listed).
Conclusion
Considering the claims that this drug causes 'little harm to healthy cells,' when you look at the above side effects, this is clearly put into perspective. Chemotherapy causes significant damage to our body & kills more people than cancer. Everyone knows the poor quality of life which results from chemotherapy, especially from repeated treatment, I can only dread to think about the suffering people may endure through a combination of chemotherapy & herceptin. A fair few of the side effects mentioned are treated with 'further medication. Medical Industry figures indicate a 50% increase in the survival rate of those using herceptin against breast cancer; unfortunately just more misleading statistics. Additionally, this drug is currently being tested for its effectiveness against other types of cancer & has actually increased the death rate by 2.5%.
The real cure for cancer:
Certain foods contain nutrients that directly attack cancer cells, others boost the immune system response & also when following a cancer diet you are 'starving' the cancer cells while 'feeding' healthy cells, giving your body the best opportunity of wiping out the cancer.
Source by ezinearticles.com
2 comments:
wonderfull blogspot
Hi,
This is really interesting take on the concept of number of new cancer drugs uncovered.I came across this site recently which I think it will be a great use of new ideas and informations regarding to this topic.Thank you for sharing it with us.
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