“Cell phones and other electrical devices can cause cancer among the users” it has been a heated issue for a quite long time.

Origin of this concept

The origin of this widespread concept is those scientific studies that suggest a link between cell phones and brain cancer is found. Similarly, many lawsuits and news headlines show concerns about possible link between cell phones and cancer. Almost 30% American believe that a connection is found between cancer and cell phones.

What is the real thing?

There are some studies that suggest a link between the use of cell phone and some rare kinds of brain tumors but according to some other well-designed population studies no such link is found between cell phone use and brain tumor. It is not an easy task to conduct precise studies to know the risk factors for some rare cancers like brain cancer. The biggest hurdle in the way of precise study is the collection of reliable data. In this connection, those studies that gather information from healthy people about latent risk factors and then follow the cases for many years to observe which diseases development can be relied.

continue reading Use of cell phone as a cause of cancer

In the first suite of Phase II clinical studies for its “vascular disrupting agent (VDA)”, “CYT997” the dosing of patients has been commenced by ‘Cytopia Limited’. The activity of this anti-cancer compound in specific cancer types which are highly unmet medical need and poor diagnosis will be investigated by these studies.

In the treatment of vascular tumors VDAs are a new class of drugs to treat cancer and have the potential for best sales. A dual action mechanism of CYT997 shuts down the established blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the tumor and also direct cyto-toxic properties. The compound was discovered by Cytopia scientists in 2003 can be administered orally as well as intravenously. To commence Phase I study an Investigational New Drug application was accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2005.

Cytopia commences dosing in its first Phase II study, finalized preparations for its second Phase II study, concluded its first Phase I safety and tolerability study with intravenous administration and continued dose-escalation in its Phase I capsule dosing study during the 2008 financial year.

Clinical Programs

After the conclusion of its initial Phase I study ‘Cytopia’ commenced dosing in it first Phase II trial in patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma in January 2008. An extensive body of preclinical studies including studies in cells from heavily pre-treated patients was followed by this clinical study. In this clinical study ‘CYT997’ established the significant anti-myeloma activity. The utility of the drug further is the main point of the Phase II studies in conventional solid tumors is extended by the potential activity of this compound in the multiple myeloma. Cytopia also aims to file an Orphan Drug Designation application in the US which gives development benefits including extended patent protection and increased regulatory consultation for this drug in multiple myeloma within 3 months.

continue reading A Report on the Clinical Trial of CYT997, the Anti-Cancer Drug

“For an effective transfer of genetic material carried by a plasmid, “BioShuttle” technology is an appropriate tool” the results demonstrated by a study.

The beginning of cancer can be described as a genetic accident. More than 200 genes play a role in the generation of cancer. The genetic malfunction can be compensated by introducing one or more therapeutic genes in to the target cells for the treatment of genetic diseases. For the efficient transport of therapeutic genetic material in to the nucleus of the target cells are the direct passage through the nuclear envelope in to the nucleus and the quick transport across the plasma membrane in to the cytosol. To overcome these barriers numerous delivery systems have been developed such as viral vectors, ultrasound and non-viral peptide based carrier systems.

continue reading BioShuttle-A New Technology for Mediated Plasmid Transfer

“The women who took synthetic hormone drugs for more than five years continue to have an elevated risk of developing cancer after years they stopped the drugs” a study says released by a “Journal of American Medical Association”.

According to C.W.Randolph who is an expert in the field of bio-identical hormone therapies the findings of this study is important that even after the results of 2002 of the ‘Women’s Health Initiative Study’ saying that the use of synthetic hormones may develop risks such as breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, the pharmaceutical industry markets these drugs. But after the knowing the results of this study it is difficult for those who manufacture the synthetic hormones for profit and harm the health of innocent women.

Dr. Randolph says that there are medical evidences for decades showing the synthetic hormones are dangerous. According to Randolph Barbara Seamen documented in her book, “The Greatest Experiment Ever Performed on Women”, Edgar Allen, MD of the anatomical department of ‘Yale Medical School’, published an article in a journal that there is a connection between synthetic estrogens and cancer. At the same time the FDA was examining applications to approve synthetic estrogens products for the treatment of menopause from various pharmaceutical companies. FDA ignored the possible carcinogenic properties of these drugs because of the popularity of these drugs. The people started suffering as the marketing get ahead of science. Women are being administered with synthetic hormones putting them to a category of high risk for developing breast cancer and other health risks for more than sixty years.

continue reading Synthetic Hormone Therapy Can Increase the Risk of Cancer

Identification of fully ‘human monoclonal antibodies’ against the intractable disease targets will be the main objective of a new research collaboration between ”Genmab” and “Pepscan Therapeutics”, the companies from Denmark and Netherland respectively.

Present technological set up has its own limitations with such identification and it has become more urgent to device new techniques to address the issue. It could be mainly due to the fact that the target proteins are deposited in a large quantity near the cell surface or within the cell membrane. There may be other reasons as well like the poor immunogenicity of the protein or the epitopes that are required.

Both the companies feel that the collaboration would facilitate detailed evaluation of the disease targets and it will help in addressing and evolving new standard treatments.

Monoclonal Antibodies against intractable targets are a significant unmet need. A combination of ‘Pepscan CLIPS protein mimicry platform’ and the ‘Genmab’s ability to generate fully ‘human monoclonal’ will enable the partners to develop innovative products for poorly served indications.

continue reading Human Monoclonal Antibodies Could Be Beneficial to Address Intractable Diseases

Almost 25 million Americans are affected with ‘Osteoporosis’ every year and 80% of these people are women, according to a recent report of the ‘National Osteoporosis Foundation’. This disease is mainly responsible for thinning of the bones and this may result in to hip fractures and spinal fractures in addition to some extreme complications leading to severe health problems, the report says.

The “Bisphosphonates (BF)” is the compounds that are generally prescribed for patients suffering with this kind of disorders.”Fosamax”, the ‘alendronate sodium compound’, is one such very popular class of drugs which helps in preventing bone fractures. In ‘Osteoporosis ‘patients who are also suffering from some cancerous disease, this drug prevents bone metastases and other related skeletal problems. The types of cancers may include multiple myeloma, metastatic breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

continue reading Bisphosphonates Work in Osteoporosis but Not Effective in Osteonecrosis

A recent study, by the World Health Organization (WHO), revealed the fact that working in night shifts may cause serious problems including an enhanced risk of cancer in humans. Women are at specific risk in such an environment of working in the night shifts.

The study findings bring out the fact that after a prolonged exposure to the night shifts women have higher risks of developing breast and colon cancer. Men are equally at risk with the night shift working conditions. Men have more probability to suffer from the prostate cancer.

Almost 15 to 20% of the working class population in the United States and the Europe is undergoing a night shift working schedule. Such night shifts working system is very much prevalent in some specific business sectors including healthcare, transportation, communication, leisure, and hospitality industries.

continue reading Prolonged Night Shifts, Painting and Firefighting May Cause Cancer

Ten students attending the University of Rajasthan in India have recently discovered that two commonly grown Indian herbs, Tulsi or Holy Basil and Pudina actually have cancer-fighting properties. The conclusions were made after a six-month research study was conducted on rats, arriving at unbelievable results according to the leader of the project.

The study involved dividing rats into two separate groups and applying a chemical paste to both. One of the groups of rats also received a mixture of the Indian herbs Pudina and Tulsi on a regular basis as well. After a month, the rats that did not receive the herb concoction had developed severe sores and wounds from the chemical paste, while it took nearly a year more for the rats with the herbal mixture to develop wounds and sores of the same severity.

continue reading Indian Herbs like Tulsi and Pudina can help to Prevent Cancer

Colon Cancer is a disease afflicting humans and is a malignant tumor, which arises from the inner wall of the large intestine (colon), or the rectum (which is the end of the colon). It is also referred to as colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the third leading cause of cancer in males, and fourth in females.

The human colon is a tube shaped muscular organ which is about four feet in length, extending from the small bowel to the anus. It has three main functions, which are digest and absorb nutrients from the food, to concentrate fecal material by absorbing fluids, and store fecal material and control its evacuation.

continue reading Colon Cancer: A Dangerous Disease

Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, is caused by exposure to asbestos. This exposure often occurs in the workplace, or through exposure to someone who works around asbestos. Mesothelioma is a deadly disease, nearly impossible to treat. By the time it is recognized, it is often too late to develop an effective treatment plan. Mesothelioma attacks the lining of organ tissue, forming fluid and tissue mass and affecting organ function. Surgery and radiation treatment can sometimes improve life expectancy for Mesothelioma patients, but the disease is nearly always fatal.

Cancerous (malignant) cells develop in the protective lining the surround the body’s internal organs, known as the mesothelium. The cancer most commonly develops in the pleura, which is the outer lining of the chest cavity. It also occurs, however, in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum, and the sac that surrounds the heart, which is called the pericardium.

continue reading Mesothelioma – An Overview