Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. have recently received approval from the FDA for using Alimta (a drug originally approved in 2004 for the treatment of mesothelioma) for maintenance therapy of advanced/metastatic non-smell cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Read more
Sometimes it seems that medical research in America has to jump through so many hoops that the possibility for real innovation is stifled. Great Britain and Japan have made great strides in novel approaches towards treating cancer, and now Aussie researchers from the land down under are beginning human trials using a “Trojan Horse” nano-cell loaded with cancer drugs which can be targeted directly at cancer cells. Read more
A recent Institute of Cancer Research study published in the New England Journal of Medicine describes a novel way of treating BRCA-gene based cancers. Mutations in the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes are routinely linked with higher incidence of breast and ovarian cancers in women; however, in healthy cells, the aforementioned genes are involved in a repair mechanism. Read more
Most of us have heard of Daniel Hauser, the thirteen-year-old boy who (with the support of his parents) has refused conventional chemotherapy to treat his Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. The justification for their decision is rooted in their American Indian religion’s belief of natural remedies over the voluntary injection of “poison” (ie, chemo-drugs) into the body. We’re also familiar with the classic example of religion interfering with medical treatment – Jehovah’s witnesses refusing blood transfusions.
Ever think that a cup of joe was more than the habitual pick-me-up you needed every morning? A study has shown that caffeine actually causes more skin cells damaged by ultraviolet radiation, a major causative agent in nonmelanoma skin cancer, to enter their programmed cell death cycle (apoptosis).
A few days ago, I attended a symposium put together by MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine. The topic: Development of Non-Coding RNA for Cancer Therapy. Having been out of school for over half a year, I thought I might find it difficult to keep up with the material that was covered, but fortunately, my mind hasn’t gone to mush quite yet. 
I’ve always envisioned myself in one of two medical specialties – neurological surgery or oncology; since this symposium was about the latter, I was eager to see what new therapies are on the horizon for oncology.
Think about how often you or your friends use their cell phones. Taking a quick look at my mom’s call history, she was on her cell for an average of two hours a day for the month of July. All that radiation… sheesh. Cancer and other associated brain disorders are an obvious certainty for her. Or are they?
With over a million new cases diagnosed each year in the United States, skin cancer is indeed a widespread reality. In fact, this form of cancer accounts for roughly half of all newly diagnosed cancers. Even with this fact, very few are informed about the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of this potentially preventable and curable condition.
Dale Herrington on 
amy on 
Nikki on 
amy (1)
Dale Herrington (1)