Possibly Linda's first quilt
I wrote a
clever little blurb to go with this
https://sciworthy.com/a-personalized-vaccine-to-treat-ovarian-cancer/
but somehow
it disappeared from my computer, never to be seen again. To hell with it! It’s too damned hot (91) to wrestle with
modern technology. Read it yourself, it’s
interesting, and potentially very important.
As many of
you know, I have been supporting ovarian cancer research at Fred Hutch and the
Marsha Rivkin Center for quite a few years.
At first I actually drove to Seattle and tried to help out – but that
activity soon succumbed to the realization that, at my age, I was a potential
deadly threat on I5. Thus, I switched to
helping from home any way I could, and, of course, sent my annual charity in
that direction. Well, for reasons it
would do no good to relate, lately I have switched to Fred Hutch, 100%. However, the Rivkin center still does good
work, so I am happy to relay to you the news that their annual Fun Run will
happen soon – July 11th, to be more precise. Here is the skinny: give it a whirl. I would if I could still get around.
https://summerun.rivkin.org/site/TR/Events/SummeRun?pg=entry&fr_id=1060
It is true
that OVCA, caught in an early stage, is easier to cure, I have long assumed that it followed that
early detection would save lives. I
blogged in that vein several times; i.e.:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/900265558914510650/2033328844619410480
Well, turns
out that that, somehow, that isn’t the case.
The link below will inform you of the results of a massive study
conducted in the U.K., one that lasted decades.
It appears that, although the cancers were detected early, with laudable
success, overall mortality was unaffected! There
is some discussion of why, and a lot of chatter about all that’s been learned,
etc., but the overall impact of the study is profoundly depressing, And, it’s a big deal; Google “ovarian cancer”,
then click on “news” to read several more versions of what is summarized below.
So,
obviously, we need to concentrate more on late-stage treatment and, of course,
prevention. Damn it, anyway!
I have been
away from my computer for several weeks, visiting my daughter and husband at
their beautiful farm in Wisconsin, I
travelled by Amtrack, and one of these days I will write something about that
experience, which was more or less pleasant.
But, in the meantime the 10th anniversary of Linda’s death
rolled by. The picture shows her about
25 years ago, enjoying some serious down time with a creature that grew into
what must have been the world’s most beautiful cat, Patches. Oh how I wish they were here with me today.
God made a
serious blunder when he took Linda instead of me all those years ago. She had a long and productive life left to
live, whereas I was more or less worn out.
Agnostic though I always have been, I even asked Him, as she was about
to go, to let me take her place. Such
are the silly things we think at such moments.
Anyway, if Linda dying of ovarian cancer in such an unnecessarily cruel
way is in any way part of “God’s plan”, then I don’t like Him very much. I prefer to think it was all the result of
brute biology and bad luck. At least we
can fight back against the brute biology part by donating to her research fund
at Fred Hutch. You can track it down
easily; start by Googling “Linda Joyce Beck” and go from there. Thanks.
And those of you who knew her should take a moment to remember how
beautiful, kind and loving she was.
God, how I miss her
Here is a
discussion of the importance of seeking out a clinical trial if you get an OVCA
diagnosis. If at all possible, enroll at
one of the top research hospitals: Fred Hutch, Sloan Kettering, Fox Chase, MD
Anderson, etc. It would be worth a long
commute.
https://www.curetoday.com/view/making-strides-in-ovarian-cancer
And here is
another discussion, of a new anti-OVCA drug, Rucaparib. This bio-weapon belongs to a class of drugs
called PARPi, with which you, as faithful readers of this blog are
familiar. (If not, consult Professor Google).
Apparently Rucaparib is most effective if used before standard, platinum-based,
chemotherapy. For some unfathomable
reason OVCA cells develop an effective defense against Rucaparib if first
attacked by platinum! Nasty little
bastards!
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/uows-nco050321.php
While killing
time prowling through the WiFi jungle in search of useful news about either
either/or ovarian cancer or the stock market, I stumbled upon an article which
may turn out to be a double whammy:
https://www.healtheuropa.eu/promise-for-ovarian-cancer-treatment-from-plant-derived-drug/107818/
Seems as
though some people in Kentucky have uncovered evidence that a drug called
artesunate – heretofore employed as a heavy duty weapon against advanced
malaria – may have genuine value against ovarian cancer as well. At least. In
vitro it looks likely. The authors of
this blurb suggest that it might be combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel as
a first-strike therapy. Probably not a
cure, but welcome nonetheless.
Warning: artesunate is derived from a member of the
very common Artemisia family. For heaven’s
sake, don’t just go out, pick some common
Artemisia plant and steam it for dinner.
Some are poisonous.
As for the
stock market potential – forgetaboutit!
Here is a summary
of recent research directions specific to ovarian cancer. As we all know by now, immunotherapy has been
disappointing in the treatment of OVCA, although to this the author is cautiously (and vaguely)
optimistic. Several treatments that help
prolong life are mentioned – including PARPi, with which you are already
familiar. Acronyms you might not recognize
are TP53 inhibitors, and Wee 1 inhibitors. Both interfere with cell division and thus “inhibit”
the proliferation of fast-dividing cancer cells. Alas, not cures, but helpful all the same.
This is an
oral presentation, which I was unable to play owing to the fact that my
computer was designed sometime in the 19th century. Fortunately, a printed summary also is
required. I wonder what I missed.
https://www.targetedonc.com/view/future-directions-in-ovarian-cancer
