HAPPY TIMES

It is funny where you can pick up OVCA news if you keep tuned. As many of you know, I often amuse myself by pretending to be Warren Buffett – “playing” the stock market, using my kids’ inheritance. So far, Warren is beating me pretty badly. However, from time to time I run on financial press releases that bear on OVCA research. I did so today. There is this little drug company-that-could, named Immunogen (formerly known as Celsion), located in Lawrenceville, NJ, that seems to have hit the jackpot. It has won fast-track approval from the FDA for one of its products (they call it EAHERE) that seems to be successful in the usual preliminary trials. EAHERE is an ADG, which stands for antibody drug conjugate. It is a means to deliver a lethal dose of toxicity directly to the cancer cells, that causes no harm elsewhere. In my primitive understanding, the process involves extracting T cells that are fighting cancer, cloning them by the billions in the lab, attaching them to a “messenger” molecule, then reinjecting the whole mess, now known as an antigen drug conjugate – ADC – into the patient. Sounds simple, huh? Not likely. But let’s hope. I am, however, not planning to plunk down real money on IMGN stock, I did that several years ago, when CELSION issued an optimistic press release. I doubt if Warren did. So far my loss hovers at 90%

LINDA AT 16

tHERE WILL BE LITTLE NEW HERE, BUT IT IS WELLEXPRESSED AND WORTH A GLANCE

PINEDALE, WYOMING

News about early detection, from a peculiar source/

INSIDE THE CRATER, SANTORINI

This is more of continuing experiment, designed to unfix the “upgrade” Bill Gates foisted on me several weeks ago. I now can get picture and text together but the web address gets plastered on the text part, making it hard to open. So, now I will try simply placing the computer stuff in a Comment. That way, those of you who are into the biology/medical stuff can get at it easily – and those of you who just like the pictures don’t have to feel guilty. Anyway, here goes.

HORNEY LADY

Genuine OVCA “news” has been scarce of late – unless of course, you have at least a MS in microbiology and are not intimidated by technical terms longer than the typical place name in rural Iceland. So, largely to test my new posting technique, I present below a news item from Fred Hutch, laying out their choice of the best Seattle docs for various maladies. I guess it might prove useful someday. Who knows? https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2022/09/seattle-cancer-care-alliance-physicians-named-in-seattle-met-s-2.html

LINDA IN YORKSURE

I can think of almost no reasons to live in Los Angeles. One exception is the presence there of Cedars-Sinai Caner Institute, one of the very best in the world. They have recently published the results of some research, summarized below, done in conjunction with Cambridge University. The work involved the influence of “copy variations” on ovarian cancer susceptibility. Copy variations occur when dividing cells misplace or miscount a segment of DNA. The segment may be duplicated, misplaced, or eliminated altogether. If that “segment” is a gene associated with cancer prevention, such as BRCA, bad things may occur, It isn’t clear to me how this bit of knowledge will help eliminate OVCA – but, then, I’m just a dumb geologist. Anyway, read the article; it’s interesting. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221011/Two-new-studies-help-improve-the-understanding-of-ovarian-cancer.aspx

TEMPLE FOR RAMSES II CHIEF WIFE

Here is some information I hope you will never need. It emanates from MD Anderson, one of the very top cancer clinics in the world. It is deficient in that it doesn’t explain how the cancer is further divided into sub-stages A, B, and C. I will leave that to you. https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/ovarian-cancer-stages--how-they-are-determined.h00-159543690.html

JUST A NICE PICTURE OF LINDA AND CAROLYN

It appears to be a slow news day, regarding ovarian cancer that is. Swedish Hospital in Seattle has leaped into the breech and posted a general description of their efforts to combat OVCA. The web address – the longest I have ever seen – is given below. (Thank God for copy and paste!) Swedish is a top notch oncology hospital. My daughter was treated there, and it was home to the efforts of my favorite human being. Dr. Saul Rivkin. The Rivkin Institute is housed there. So I think it okay to pass on what is essentially their add. Maybe it will do some good. https://www.swedish.org/services/cancer-institute/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer?placement=&target=&keyword=ovarian%20cancer&matchtype=e&hgcrm_channel=paid_search&hgcrm_source=google_adwords&hgcrm_agency=mh&hgcrm_campaignid=10479&hgcrm_tacticid=16131&hgcrm_trackingsetid=23273&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sp22-1151_ps_onc_centralps-ovariancancergrowth&campaign_id=18253982799&adgroup_id=140475936426&utm_term=ovarian%20cancer&target_id=kwd-24208680&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt6aBhDKARIsAAyeLJ0Prcs26td77TyK5rv_j1MJweTVCS6FZMyRAEishMakv8Cc1WIaBPoaAhljEALw_wcB&gad_acct_id=751-070-6692&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt6aBhDKARIsAAyeLJ0Prcs26td77TyK5rv_j1MJweTVCS6FZMyRAEishMakv8Cc1WIaBPoaAhljEALw_wcB

KEEPING WARM AT THE CABIN

Here is more evidence against the quasi-evolutionary theory of Intelligent Design. If I read this article correctly, three OCRA-funded scientists have shown that development of the fallopian tubes – essential for reproduction BUT the place where the most deadly kind of OVCA develops – requires a protein which, together with another protein, PROMOTES the development of the cancer! If that isn’t a Rube Goldberg to build a body I don’t know what is! Geez! One can only hope that new therapies will devolve from this peculiar discovery. I have faith, by golly. https://ocrahope.org/2022/05/study-pax8-sox17-proteins-may-contribute-to-ovarian-cancer/

OUR SKINNY PHASE

You should read this straight through. It highlights the extremely good quality of the people on the front line of the battle against ovarian cancer. It left me encouraged, but with a renewed appreciation of how far we still must go. https://ocrahope.org/2022/09/ie-ming-shih-md-phd-ovarian-cancer-researcher/? utm_source=OCRAEmail&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_content=Oct2022

WITH CAROLYN ON DUNGENESS SPIT

Oh, God! Bill Gates has screwed around with my OS again. It will be touch and go if I manage to post this tidbit. If it doesn’t show up you will know Bill & Co won. Oh, that doesn’t make sense, does it? Anyway, I am trying to tell you that Jeff Bezos, who is even richer than Bill, has just laid more than $700 million on Fred Hutch, for some highly commendable purposes: see below. This amounts to about $70 million per year for the ten year duration of the grant. That will sure buy a lot of test tubes. Bernie Sanders might, in his disgruntled, killjoy fashion, point out that, relative to his net worth, that is less than I contribute to the Hutch annually. However, Jeff undoubtedly contributes to worthwhile causes elsewhere, whereas anything left over after my lavish life style mainly goes to Irish Death beer. Besides, Jeff-sized contributions spur new avenues of research where my pittance probably DOES go for test tubes. So, let’s hear it for greedy capitalism! https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?pli=1#search/fred+/FMfcgzGqQvvRpSsjtMdkSQqRNPrzMXvb

BETTER TIMES

More use for genetic analysis in combating OVCA and BRCA. Maybe, eventually, this will sink into the brains of those who divvy up the research money. At least I sincerely hope so. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-10-gene-mutations-routinely-ovarian-cancer.html

i'm trying

sO, i used to be able to assemble these posts easily, and in a manner that made them easy to peruse. No more. Windows has foisted an "upgrade" on me which has screwed it all up. Or was it Google? Anyway from now on I will put links in the comments section, which I hope will make them easier to navigate. I will do so for the last few entries. I sure hope it works.

PICKING OUT A GOURD TO DECORATE

Mutations cause cancer, right? Well, not always. In fact, rarely. Our bodies are riddled with mutations, but a cancer results only under (blessedly) rare circumstances. Why? Well, it seems largely to be because of the cellular environment; neighboring cells somehow stifle bad tendencies on the part of a flawed cell. How and why are the subjects of this Fred Hutch research report. Easy to read, largely untechnical. But long. Go to it. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/Fred+Hutch/FMfcgzGqQSTbXpzCdgwlZwLpnQhSRHxC

A KALAMAZOO AUTUMN

I am embarrassed to keep peppering you with general discussions about OVCA; the fact is that this seems to be a slack time in reportage of really significant news. Anyway, here is a useful video that takes about five minutes to watch. The two ladies are gynecological oncologists from the well regarded Roswell Park clinic in Buffalo, New York. https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/202209/frequently-searched-questions-ovarian-cancer

LINDA , FRIEND - AND RA HIRAKTI

Slow news day. This maybe usefull https://www.everydayhealth.com/ovarian-cancer/things-to-read-watch-and-listen-to-about-ovarian-cancer/

GENETICS COUNSILOR

My wonderful and intelligent daughter Kristen (center; white coat) trained to be a genetics councilor. Although fully qualified, through a combination of unlucky circumstances, mostly economic, she was unable to secure a suitable position. She now holds an important job as a data analyst for a hospital chain. She is happy, healthy and (well, almost) wealthy now, but I am sorry she didn’t get to follow her plotted course. Here is a glimps of what she would have been doing. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGqQctTXSHBCHwsvMtHCsdNBgbW

MISSMATCH REPAIR

Linda with yet another baby I am still struggling with this new Windows operating system (which was foisted on me, all unknowing, in the dead of night several weeks ago) in an effort to create well organized, attractive and readable blog postings. So there is nothing much of useful information here. Sorry. But: you know about the harmful effects of mutations of the BRCA genes. Turns out there is another mutation they look for: MMR. This stands for mismatch repair. When a cell divides, as you have known for years, the two strands of the DNA double helix separate and are copied to form the code for the new cells. As there are literally billions of bases to copy, inevitably some mistakes occur; MMR searches them out and repairs them. If the MMR gene is buggered, unrepaired mutations will accumulate – and some combination of them may lead to cancer. Google MMR and see if you can understand what comes forth. Now to see if I can post this properly.

LINDA WITH UNKNOWN BABY SNATCHED FROM PARKED CAR!

Here is a PBS film clip on ovarian cancer risk-assessment. Speaks for itself. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/whos-at-the-greatest-risk-of-ovarian-cancer

LINDA WITH ELLA (?), AND CAT

\ You all know that mutations in the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes render a woman much more at risk from breast and ovarian cancer. Heretofore that information has been quite useful as a warning to women carrying such mutations to form a tight and immediate acquaintanceship with a damned good oncologist. (The problem of course is that few women actually know their BRCA status.) Now, however, thanks to the donation described in this article, scientists will be able to research ways to frustrate the knavish tricks (to quote the British national anthem) of the malfunctioning BRCA gene, thus sparing many women a lifetime of worry. This makes me wish that I had spent my life accumulating money, instead of entries on a publication list. I would like to be able to gift Fred Hutch with a cool $50 million. But, nah - I’d have made a piss-poor capitalist. https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/55m-gift-creates-new-cancer-interception-institute-penns-basser-center-brca-stop-hereditary

LINDA AND LAYRA HANSEN

You know how it works, DNA carries the code for what we are; proteins follow that code to do the work. However, there are intermediate steps. Something pries the DNA double helix apart, enabling genes to be “read” and converted into a molecule called mRNA, where the m stands for “messenger”, and the RMA part consists of a single-stranded molecule much like DNA. The purpose of mRNA is to transport the DNA code to a complicated bio-object called a ribosome, where it is “read” and converted into a protein. But, of course, you knew all that. Anyway, if your DNA is carrying something undesirable, you can attempt to halt the process by (1) correcting the malfunctioning gene, (2) somehow destroying the protein at birth, or (3) waylaying the pernicious mRNA object on its way to the ribosome. (2) is the usual practice; (1) is the goal of much investigation, while (3) as many of you know is the basis of many of our attempts to disarm the Covid virus. So, anyway, some smart people in Oregon are working on a way to use mRNA therapy to combat OVCA and a bunch of related diseases. Their mouse-models are encouraging. Read all about it below. It’s relatively easy going. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220913140855.htm

LINDA AND AMANDA

I post this as an example of how basic research concerning ovarian cancer is conducted. We already know that the most lethal type of OVCA originates because of mutations in the fallopian tubes, This study aims at determining what kinds of cells are most vulnerable, and where they are located. This sort of science is difficult to pursue, and expensive, but probably is the only way ever to rid ourselves of this damnable disease! https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/ovarian-cancer-research-highlights/researchers-study-fallopian-tube-cells-from-cancer-free-women-to-learn-about-origins-of-ovarian-cancer.html

LINDA IN ECUADOR

Here is a summary of where we stand in our war against ovarian cancer. Not entirely encouraging. https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/ovarian-cancer-research-highlights.html

EKPERIMENT

GEMM

Ah, bless the little mouse, once again! Do you know what is meant by the letters GEMM? Well, I do now. It stands for “genetically engineered mouse model”. In constructing a GEMM one apparently modifies the normal murine genome in such a way as to cause the poor rodent to contract something like a human disorder, then experiment to find a cure. The research described below is of that nature. The participants have identified a protein that dramatically assists in the growth of ovarian cancer. This protein (USP13) is very scarce in normal ovarian tissue but abundant in cases of disease. More research is underway to determine how USP13 does its dirty work and, of course, how to strangle it at birth. https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/ovarian-cancer-research-highlights/a-new-gene-is-linked-with-the-deadliest-type-of-ovarian-cancer.html

AND MORE PROGRESS

Linda and Ramses As we have discussed many times, early detection of ovarian cancer is vital. A combined British – American research project seems to have made significant progress toward that goal. Here are the details: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/ovarian-cancer-detection-takes-a-step-forward-thanks-to-wilmot

INCHING FORWARD

Trondheim Not much of an advance, but worth noting nonetheless. Another reason to know your BRCA status. https://www.onclive.com/view/olaparib-maintenance-provides-sustained-os-benefit-in-newly-diagnosed-brca-mutated-advanced-ovarian-cancer?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=09102022_OncLive_Eisai%20Lenvima_ESMO%20C360_US%20ONLY&eKey=bWViZWNranJAZ21haWwuY29t

AN EXPERIMENT

I have been wrestling with Windows for about a week, so far, Windows is the clear victor. I suspect that Microsoft, in its supreme wisdom, changed its OS from something I cannot fathom. This is an experiment, to see if my luck has changed, If this shows up in anything like its customary form, know that I am a happy man!

PROGRESS

TEAL TIME

She loved little things

It’s that time again – September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  Time to put on your teal cap and reach for your wallet.  This link tells you what more you might consider doing.

https://ocrfa.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=e53a0a2978c28872a4505bdb51db06dc.1343&s=aef543f8c49e6da908b51f0ba32d7ca4 

  

V

 

 

She
 

OF DOGS AND NANOYUBES

 Linda and Ella

Twelve years ago

 

We have known for some timethat dogs can detect ovarian cancer with their acute sense of smell.  Well, to be safe I ought to say that some dgs can detect OVCA sometimes.  Well, it now appears that we humans can do it, too – with an expensive tool called a nanotube, developed and tested at Sloan Kettering.  Presumably it is more sensitive than a dog, or else they wouldn’t be bragging about it.  So, good for them.  But, you can’t pet a nanotube!

https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/a-molecular-nose-sniffs-out-ovarian-cancer-15462 

MORE ON ASPIRIN AND OVCA

 Linda in Athens

We have discussed this before.  A recent meta-analysis confirms that continued use of low-dose aspirin significantly reduces the risk of contracting OVCA,  (A meta-analysis is a fancy way of combining the results of many individual studies.)  Negative factors include increase in risk of internal bleeding, and (new to me) stroke.  So, I guess, you just pays your money and takes your chance, as they used to say back in Beaumont in the 1950s.  Also new to me was that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol actually INCREASE the risk of OVCA.  As they also said in Beaumont, sometimes you can’t win for losen.   

https://ascopost.com/news/july-2022/meta-analysis-examines-link-between-aspirin-use-and-ovarian-cancer-risk/ 

AN IMPROVED BIO-MARKER?

 The Joyce family

Quite som time ago

Nothing very earth shaking in the anti-OVCA line has crossed my computer lately, but I guess this is worth reporting.  As you surely know, a large part of the reason OVCA is so deadly is that it is very difficult to detect until it reaches an advanced stage.  Thus, much effort is expended in trying to develop sensitive bio-marker routines.  That is what my Fred Hutch research group worked on back then.  This article presents an advance on that front, utilizing a marker protein (HE4) discovered, if I remember correctly, by my Hutch research group.  Catch it early, improve longevity.  Not world class news, but welcome nonetheless.

https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2022/julyaugust/new-blood-biomarker-could-aid-ovarian-cancer-diagnosis 

GOOD HEWS, CHAPTER 3

Two precious creatures 

This is another take on the research, out of Rice University, that had me so excited a few weeks ago.  There is little new here, but it is pleasing to read this good news again.  To capsulize:  It seems to be possible to implant miniscule globules of something that spews out doses of a potent cancer-killer, Il-2.  This not only offs the tumor, it teaches the immune system what to look for (and kill), thereby fighting metastases as well.  This procedure worked perfectly in mice.  I presume studies involving humans are in the offing.

I must not let my hopes climb too high; there are many possible slips lurking out there.  But, Geez!

https://www.wndu.com/2022/06/23/medical-moment-an-implantable-treatment-ovarian-cancer/ 

ONE SMALL STEP FORWARD?

 Linda, Murphy, and Whiskers

I wrote earlier of Celsion, the little drug company that could, and its efforts to use genetics to combat ovarian cancer.  This article announces some encouraging results, and hints at FDA approval.  Be sure to notice that this trial was small – and that Celsion is desperate to raise its stock valuation.  I bought a few shares a year or so ago, and so far have lost over 60% of my initial investment! 

In an aside, I am glad I don’t have to separate cancer victims into a control group and a group that actually gets the stuff.  Thank God for computers and random-number generators!

https://www.curetoday.com/view/gene-therapy-gen-1-shows-promise-in-treating-advanced-ovarian-cancer

 

 

A NASTY KIND OF CANCER

                    In Nogales, a very long time ago

Now here is something REALLY depressing.  The peritoneum is a layer of epithelial cells (think skin) that lines most of your innards.  It acts as a conduit for all sorts of essential things, such as blood vessels, but it also lets cancer cells explore around and find some lethal place to roost.  Cancer can originate in the peritoneum, but more often (I think) originates elsewhere (think fallopian tubes), then uses the peritoneum to metastasize.  The biology here is well beyond my pay grade.  Take a crack at it yourself.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/peritoneal-carcinomatosis-ovarian-cancer

 

 

CRISPR AT TEN

 In the Cairo souk

The NY Times has provided us with a brief discussion of the discovery, usage, and functionality of the almost-famous biological tool, CRISPR.  If you have been diligent in following this blog, nothing here will surprise you.  Read it anyway; it will refresh your memory.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/crispr/FMfcgzGpGdmqLbBnhzvwNwvNDxCFWxGc 

As you know, CRISPR is a powerful “gene editing” devise, discovered and made available to medical science by Drs Jennifer Doudna and Emanuel Charpentier about ten years ago.  The discovery was so important that the pair won the Nobel Prize almost immediately – rather than having to wait 20 or so years, as is commonly the case.

CRISPR stands for CLUSTERED REGULARLY INTERSPACED SHORT PALENDROMIC REPEATS, in case you had forgotten.  We (humankind) learned of it through studies of bacteria, which ubiquitous tribe had evolved it as a protection against viruses.  CRISPR allows one to fabricate a molecule that can search out an undesirable stretch of DNA, and cut it out – and maybe even replace it with something better.  This sounds like an immeasurably potent weapon against disease – even OVCA.  However, I am a little disappointed at progress to date – but, heck, these things take time, I guess.

As you surely can imagine, CRISPR has spawned a bunch of corporate activity.   One such company, Intellia Theraputics has been cleaning up big-time.  Alas, another, with Dr. Doudna in personal attention, has so far been a dog.

Finally, CRISPR is such a big deal that it elicited a full scale biography of Doudna by a prominent biographer, Walter Issacson.  Unfortunately, it isn’t very good.  Dr. Doudna herself wrote a book about the discovery of CRISPR.  It isn’t very good, either.

Vitamin D and ovarian cancer.

 One Kalamazoo Autumn  

Here is a link to the article I mentioned last time, considering the effect of vitamin D on OVCA.  Not much here, I’m afraid, but some of you may want to follow up on it.  If you do, let me know.

https://www.insider.com/vitamin-d-may-reduce-ovarian-cancer-spread-other-organs-study-2022-6 

OSTEOPOROSIS AND OVCA

Linda the Kelly kids, Orcas Island

 

This is interesting.  A massive retrospective study of Australian women seems to show that using bone loss medicines containing bisphosphonates also helps prevent ovarian cancer – statistically,  Unfortunately, the news article I found gives no numerical verification of this hypothesis, nor any discussion of why it might be true.  Of course,  this is merely a correlation, not a proven case of cause-and-effect. It may not mean much – although obviously ever little bit of data helps.  For instance, the following is possible, although very unlikely:  (1) women who fear osteoporosis tend to drink more milk; (2) something in milk helps prevent OVCA.

I wish I could give you a link to this little article, but I can’t.  The work comes out of Queensland University and was published yesterday.  Maybe you can find it.

In passing, another recent news article purports to show that vitamin D helps retard the spread of cancer.  That being the case, I am about to go out on my balcony and “bag some rays”, as my student Dr. Steve Sheriff was wont  to say.

HOW TO EXPAND YOUR BRAIN POWER

She did love babies! 

I get stuff from an outfit called “Onclive”.  Onclive covers all varieties of cancer; OVCA is a minor aspect.  However, what they do cover is quality reporting; unfortunately not always couched in the language of us ordinary mortals.  Thus, Onclive is a good way to expand your brain power,  Google “Onclive learning modules” and give it a try.  Be sure to have a good search engine handy.  I am still working on it.

CAN TRANS WOMEN GET OVCA?

 Linda and her grant-nephew Simon

That little boy is about to start college!

I’m not sure that this is worth blogging about, but with an eye to getting another nice picture out there, here goes.

It appears that there is a minor and somewhat silly kerfuffle going on in Jolly Old over just what sort of human creature should worry about ovarian cancer.  It seems that the NHS has quietly dropped the word “woman” from that discussion, ostensibly in deference to the sensibilities of women of the “trans” variety.  The Health Minister, whom one might have thought was head of the NHS, seems to think that this is somewhat stupid, and points out that only women with ovaries – “biological women” – can get OVCA.  I would have thought that was obvious, but apparently it isn’t!

I can’t give you anything to read on this subject, because all the Brit news rags want you to pay up in advance.  Don’t worry, though.  They will muddle through.

 

WOW!

 Linda and Carolyn on Dungeness Spit

This is such good news that I can hardly believe it!  Scientists at Memorial Slone Kettering Cancer Center (possibly the best of them all) have run a small clinical study to test the efficacy of a new drug called dostarlimab against rectal cancer.  Dostarlimab belongs to a class of drug known as checkpoint inhibitors – Google it, if confused.  The drug currently is manufactured by Big Pharma member GlaxoSmithKline, which financed the trial.  Eighteen people were involved – a tiny number – BUT every one of them achieved full remission.  Cancer gone, completely!  And furthermore, no serious side effects were noted.  This kind of result has no verifiable precedent!  Of course, more testing is required, but ….Jeez!

Read this article.  You will be glad you did.

The link I gave you (above) doesn’t appear to work.  This one does.

https://abc7ny.com/memorial-sloan-kettering-cancer-center-rectal-immunotherapy-msk/11935554/  

Linda’s sister Carolyn Joyce alerted me to this important bit of news.

MORE GOOD STUFF

Linda at Mt. St. Helens

Here is more good research from Fred Hutch.  Several research scientists at that worthy institution have discovered at least part of the reason why immunotherapy techniques that work well to combat blood cancers are less effective against solid tumors.  It appears that such tumors somehow recruit an army of what are known as T-regs – meaning a type of T cell that down-regulates the ordinary sort of T cell which, if left alone, might eat your liver, kidneys, etc.  So, somehow, some solid tumors (including OVCA) have “learned how” to protect themselves with an armor-plating of T-regs.  How something like this could have evolved naturally remains a mystery to me.  I continue to suspect the existence of a Devil!

In passing I note that the PI on this study, although a Ph.D, looks like he belongs in Middle School!  Whole lot of smart young people coming along.  That gives me hope.

news/2022/05/regulatory-t-cells-solid-tumors.html?utm_campaign=hutchnews_may22&team=marcom&utm_source=luminate&utm_medium=email&creator=fh&version=control  

 

RIVKIN CENTER ACTIVITIES

 

Nothing in particular to comment on here, but worth noting.  As you know, the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research is an agency attached to Swedish Hospital, Seattle.  It was established several decades ago by the man shown above, and has raised $15 million or so to fund innovative research into the origin, early detection, mitigation, and cure of OVCA.  This is their quarterly newsletter.  I urge you to keep abreast of the doings of this unusually productive organization

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/rivkin/FMfcgzGpGBGNShfSXxtkjNXLFKpbWsvf?projector=1 

I apologize for the apparent fact that you will need a Google email address to read this Newsletter.  Maybe one of you can figure out how to remedy this.  Eh, Carolyn?

BIOPSIES

 Linda, with Laura Hanson

Well, I’m back – from a long, relaxing visit to Rancho Kelly, my daughter’s (and son-in-law’s) spread of hills, woods and pasture in west-central Wisconsin.  Sitting on a comfortable patio while watching other people work turns out to be good for the soul.  Now, if travel were only easier . . . .

Sometimes I feel a little bit stupid, writing these blogs for women, given that I am plumbed very differently.  For instance, how can I comment intelligently on OVCA symptoms and early detection when I have not the least feel for what goes on in the female gut ordinarily?  Obviously, I can’t – and that is part of the reason I give you little blobs of text to read at the bottom of every posting.  Here is the one for today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ovarian-cancer-screening 

This one tells you what to expect if you need a tumor biopsy.  And a considerably more.  Easy reading.  Useful. 

HPV does not cause OVCA

 One happy Christmas

Apparently a band of anti-vac whackos has spread the false rumor that the HPV vaccine can/will give you ovarian cancer.  This is well-substantiated hog wash.  Read below to get the facts.

Yeah, this isn’t a cutting-edge blog topic – I only am using it to show you a nice picture, and to inform you that I will be away from my computer for several weeks, enjoying the Wisconsin warmth and sunshine.  So, no more blogs for awhile.  Try to restrain your disappointment!

https://www.healthline.com/health/ovarian-cancer/hpv-vaccine-causes-ovarian-cancer 

BIOSIMILARS, ETC.

 Three wonderful women, all dressed up

I have been running onto the term “biosimilar” frequently of late, so I finally got around to looking it up.  Here, more or less, is what I found,

Many (most?) important new anti –cancer drugs are biologics.  These are large organic molecules, usually produced using some biological element – for instance, yeast.  These things tend to be the products of Big Pharma.  It may be that, once discovered, tested, and approved the thing - pill, shot, etc. – can be manufactured for a few bucks a whack.  However, getting to that point may cost the drug company tens of millions of dollars.  Also, as not all such expensively engineered drugs actually work, annually Big Pharma ends up dumping more tens of millions down the rat hole, so to speak.  Thus, to compensate, the FDA allows the drug company to market the drug exclusively for a number of years.  They are granted a patent.  The preposterous prices of some new biologics are the result of the drugs maker’s attempt to cover costs and make a profit.  Maybe not the best system, but of hand I can’t think of one that would work much better.

Then there are these things called “generics”, of which you all have heard.  When the patent runs out on a drug, anybody can step in and market it.  Generics apparently are mostly small-molecule and non-organic.  A common example would be Tylenol and Acetaminophen. 

However, the drugs we are most interested in tend to consist of huge organic molecules, not all parts of which are vital to the function of the drug.  Thus it is possible to produce “biosimilars”, which are much like the original drugs but tweeked a bit to accomplish some useful purpose - most likely, cost reduction.

Neither generics nor biosimilars have to jump through all the FDA hoops that confront their progenitors, although they are still regulated.

So, if all this sounds like a stupid way to run a health system, get in line.  I am all for capitalism and competition on the economic battlefield to lower costs, but do I really want a bunch of Big Pharma behemoths cutting cost and corners on essential drugs?  No way, man!

WORLD OVARIAN CANCER DAY

 Linda and her niece Ella

May 8 is officially World Ovarian Cancer Day.  As it happens, May  11 is the eleventh anniversary of Linda’s death from that deadly disease.  I will be travelling that day, so I am going to make my contribution to Linda’s fund at Fred Hutch today.  In case you want to join me, the correct web address is:

https://secure.fredhutch.org/site/TR/PersonalFundraisingPages/General?px=1148821&pg=personal&fr_id=1573 

The note reminding us of this important day can be read here:

https://wareham.theweektoday.com/article/opinion-may-8-world-ovarian-cancer-day/57783 

RIVKIN CENTER WEBINAR ON BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER

 Linda in the Yukon

at midnight

 

This might be useful.  It is a Rivkin Center Webinar,  Free

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P2d5-mRnTXCa8vrm5vyalQ?utm_source=Zoom 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS, REDUX

 Guess where

For reasons not obvious to me, this article suddenly is all over the Internet.  Not much here you don’t already know, but neatly packaged and convenient - every woman should at least skim it, I guess.  Go to it.

https://theconversation.com/ovarian-cancer-is-not-a-silent-killer-recognizing-its-symptoms-could-help-reduce-misdiagnosis-and-late-detection-181415