Tuesday, July 23, 2019

ANOTHER NEW WEAPON?


Elsie, Linda, and Borrego flowers

Apparently ovarian and pancreatic cancers are similar in some respects:  they both are solid tumors that are difficult to detect early enough to enable successful treatment.  Thus it is potentially important that research performed in Texas may have found a new weapon to combat these tumors when they are full grown, so to speak. 
Most treatments tackle the tumor head-on.  This new approach works by killing off the tumor’s “support troops”.  In order to prosper, a solid tumor must have the proper “micro environment”.  Required in that micro environment are fibers for support, and vessels to supply nutrients.  Apparently the tumor secretes a protein that facilitates this: fibrosis and angiogenesis.  The Houston folks have created a monoclonal antibody that shuts this protein down.

Extensive testing is underway.  It might be ready for people sometime next year.

2 comments:

  1. More on this approach to OVCA treatment

    https://ovariancancernewstoday.com/2019/07/15/scientists-discover-enzyme-that-plays-a-role-in-the-progression-of-hgsc/?utm_source=Ovarian+Cancer+News+Today&utm_campaign=560d2c2d36-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_36b36b35d2-560d2c2d36-72371449

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  2. How wonderful that a treatment might be helpful for reducing tumors in two hard-to-treat cancers.
    Added bonus for me--a photo of Linda and Elsie I didn't have.

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