Oral Cancer News

Chemotherapy breakthrough could dramatically reduce side-effects

Source: www.guardian.co.uk Author: Alok Jha, science correspondent The Guardian, Scientists have developed 'smart-bomb chemotherapy' which can isolate and destroy tumours without damaging healthy cells. Cancer researchers have developed a "smart bomb" treatment that can target tumours with drugs while leaving healthy body cells intact. The technique means that patients will suffer fewer side-effects from the toxic drugs used in chemotherapy. The side-effects of cancer therapy – including hair loss, nausea and suppression of the immune system – can be debilitating. In many cases, the effects of the drugs can contribute to the ultimate cause of death. In experiments on mice, Laurence Patterson of the University of Bradford found that he could localise a cancer drug to the site of tumours and thereby limit its toxic impact in the body. All the animals, which had been implanted with human cancer cells responded to the targeted treatment and saw their tumours shrink. In half the animals, the tumours disappeared altogether. Professor Patterson will present his work at the British Science Festival in Bradford on Monday. "We've got a sort of smart bomb that will only be active in the tumour and will not cause damage to normal tissue," he said. "It's a new cancer treatment that could be effective against pretty much all types of tumour – we've looked at colon, prostate, breast, lung and sarcoma so far, and all have responded very well to this treatment." The drug is based on a modified version of an existing drug called colchicine [see [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-12T20:07:02-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

HPV vaccine may be as easy as just 1-2

Source: American Council on Science and Health Author: Staff Proven to be the leading cause of cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV) has recently been linked to anal and oral cancer as well. That’s why it’s important for young men and women to protect themselves against those strains of the virus with the HPV vaccine. Currently, the vaccine schedule consists of three shots that are spaced months apart, but unfortunately, a three-dose regimen may not be economically feasible for many. That’s why the results of a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute provide hope that receiving only two HPV vaccine doses — or even a single dose — may be enough to confer immunity. For the purposes of their study, researchers from the National Cancer Institute’s epidemiology division recruited 7,500 women between the ages of 18 and 25 who were HPV-negative; these women then received either three doses of the Cervarix vaccine against HPV, or a control (hepatitis A vaccine). Over a four year follow-up period, 929 women received only two doses of the vaccine, while 551 received only one. Surprisingly, the resistance to HPV infection among women who received two shots was just as high as it was among women who received all three shots. The study authors point out that a two-dose regimen has the potential to reduce cervical cancer incidence more effectively than the standard three-dose regimen since more women, especially in low-income regions, would opt to receive the shorter treatment regimen. The results, however, are [...]

Charlotte Parker2011-09-12T17:07:18-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Cancer drug resistance strategy uncovered

Source: Cancer Research UK Author: Staff Friday 9 September 2011- US scientists have identified a way in which cancer cells can become resistant to the cancer drug cetuximab (Erbitux), and suggest that treatments that are already available might be able to overcome this resistance. Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, US, have been studying why some patients only experience short-term benefits with cetuximab, or none at all. Cetuximab is an antibody that interferes with cancer cell growth. It can be given in combination with chemotherapy to patients with bowel cancer or head and neck cancer. Until now, scientists didn't know why some cancers failed to respond to the drug, or initially responded but then became resistant. The new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, found that in some of the drug-resistant cells, a protein known as ErbB2 (also known as HER2/neu) was sending 'grow' signals. These were bypassing the 'stop growing' signals caused by the drug. Pasi Janne, the study's co-senior author, said: "ErbB2 activates a critical signalling pathway that is not normally blocked by cetuximab, and in this way subverts cetuximab's function. "Because ErbB2 isn't affected by cetuximab, this is an easy way for cancers to become resistant to the drug." The researchers suggest that combining cetuximab with already available ErbB2 inhibitors such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) could produce an effective therapy to tackle cancers that previously showed resistance to cetuximab. Henry Scowcroft, science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Unfortunately, patients's tumours can become resistant to treatment, and understanding why this happens is a [...]

Charlotte Parker2011-09-09T12:20:44-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Fighting cancer with scorpions?

Source: www.foxnews.com Author: Chris Kilham In the fight against cancer, scientists and medical researchers around the world are developing new medicines from seemingly unlikely natural substances. Recent reported developments involve the use of a bacteria found in soil, a poison from a highly toxic scorpion, and the virus that causes herpes. All three demonstrate novel properties that may save lives in cases of otherwise hard to treat killer cancers. The use of bacteria for health and therapeutic purposes is in fact quite common. Various beneficial bacteria within the human digestive tract support digestion and elimination, help to detoxify the body, reduce the risk of some types of disease, and help to maintain overall health. These bacteria are widely available in supplements, and in various “live, active” yogurts. But ever since Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine (for cow pox) in 1796, bacteria have also played central roles in the development of vaccines against several diseases, including against tuberculosis, and even for plague, as in the case of Yersinia pestis. A team from North Carolina State University is developing an oral vaccine against deadly Anthrax poisoning, using Lactobacillus acidophilus, a common beneficial bacteria used to culture yogurt. Recent findings from Britain’s University of Nottingham show another ingenious use for bacteria, in the treatment of cancers. A team of scientists led by Professor Nigel Minton has reported that the bacteria Clostridium sporogenes a species widespread in nature, can be used as a vehicle to deliver anovel enzyme that activates a cancer drug [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-09T05:49:57-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Researchers want to introduce breath analysis into clinical pathology laboratory testing

Source: www.darkdaily.com Author: Pamela Scherer McLeod Recent advances in breath analyzer technologies may give pathologists new diagnostic tools Does breath analysis have a promising future in pathology and clinical laboratory testing? That day may not be far off. Scientists in multiple research laboratories are developing cost-effective, non-invasive diagnostic test technologies based on breath specimens from patients. Researchers say that breath analysis can provide critical information in real time and deliver numerous advantages over fluid and image-based testing. In fact, glucose testing via breath specimen may be just around the corner! On May 31, 2011, Xhale, Inc. was issued a patent for its system and method for non-invasive monitoring of glucose concentrations in blood to provide critical information in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The Xhale system consists of a small handheld device that analyzes exhaled breath condensate. Xhale recognizes that blood glucose testing is a huge market for a medical laboratory test that offers benefits over existing clinical laboratory testing methodologies. According to data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, released January 26, 2011, a total of 25.8 million children and adults in the U.S.—that’s 8.3% of the population—have diabetes. “The great value of this [breath analysis] technology lies in its ability to provide important information to patients and healthcare providers that can be used to make better healthcare decisions,” said Richard Melker, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of Xhale, Inc. Other advantages, Melker said, are reduced healthcare costs and improved health outcomes. He added that [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-09T05:39:04-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Strategy to conquer cancer drug resistance uncovered

Source: info.cancerresearchuk.org Author: staff US scientists have identified a way in which cancer cells can become resistant to the cancer drug cetuximab (Erbitux), and suggest that treatments that are already available might be able to overcome this resistance. Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, US, have been studying why some patients only experience short-term benefits with cetuximab, or none at all. Cetuximab is an antibody that interferes with cancer cell growth. It can be given in combination with chemotherapy to patients with bowel cancer or head and neck cancer. Until now, scientists didn't know why some cancers failed to respond to the drug, or initially responded but then became resistant. The new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, found that in some of the drug-resistant cells, a protein known as ErbB2 (also known as HER2/neu) was sending 'grow' signals. These were bypassing the 'stop growing' signals caused by the drug. Pasi Janne, the study's co-senior author, said: "ErbB2 activates a critical signalling pathway that is not normally blocked by cetuximab, and in this way subverts cetuximab's function. "Because ErbB2 isn't affected by cetuximab, this is an easy way for cancers to become resistant to the drug." The researchers suggest that combining cetuximab with already available ErbB2 inhibitors such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) could produce an effective therapy to tackle cancers that previously showed resistance to cetuximab. Henry Scowcroft, science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Unfortunately, patients's tumours can become resistant to treatment, and understanding why this happens is a major [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-09T05:32:14-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Researchers Find New Hope for Oral Cancer

Source: Newswise.com NIH Director: rescuing and repurposing abandoned therapies for new uses could save time and money Newswise — COLUMBUS, Ohio. September 6, 2011. Scientists on the cutting edge of biomedical research know that research is a process – a combination of successes and failures that inform the next step forward. However, for some researchers at The Ohio State University progress means taking a step back. Supported by the Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), these scientists are using failed and forgotten research to uncover future treatments for major health conditions as diverse as oral cancer and stroke. In a recent editorial that detailed the goals of the soon-to-be launched National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS), NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D. noted that the current research process for discovering new therapies is often slow, expensive and unsuccessful. He went on to describe several ways that translational medicine could revolutionize the system, including the idea of “repurposing and rescuing” drugs that could potentially have other uses - an idea being put into action at Ohio State. “The translational science approach puts cross-functional teams and new technologies to work in more efficient ways, ” says Rebecca Jackson, M.D., Associate Dean for Clinical Research in the College of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the Ohio State CCTS. “It allows our researchers to do innovative work – like resurrecting old data – that maintains a focus on answering questions that will make timely, positive impacts on the major health [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-07T16:00:59-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

New Evaluation for HPV16 Related Cancers Using “Pap-Test Equivalent”

Source: Cancer Prevention Research Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for the rising incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (OSCC) in the United States, and yet, no screening strategies have been evaluated. Secondary prevention by means of HPV detection and cervical cytology has led to a decline in cervical cancer incidence in the United States. Here, we explored an analogous strategy by evaluating associations between HPV16 infection, cytopathology, and histopathology in two populations at elevated risk for OSCCs. In the first, a cross-sectional study population (PAP1), cytology specimens were collected by means of brush biopsy from patients presenting with oropharyngeal abnormalities. In the second (PAP2), a nested case–control study, bilateral tonsillar cytology samples were collected at 12-month intervals from HIV-infected individuals. The presence of cytopathologic abnormality in HPV16-positive tonsil brush biopsies (cases) was compared with HPV16-negative samples (controls) matched on age and gender. HPV16 was detected in samples by consensus primer PCR and/or type-specific PCR. Univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate associations. In PAP1, HPV16 alone (OR: 6.1, 95% CI: 1.6–22.7) or in combination with abnormal cytology (OR: 20, 95% CI: 4.2–95.4) was associated with OSCC. In PAP2, 4.7% (72 of 1,524) of tonsillar cytology specimens from HIV-infected individuals without oropharyngeal abnormalities were HPV16 positive. Tonsillar HPV16 infection was not associated with atypical squamous cells of unknown significance (ASCUS), the only cytologic abnormality identified. Therefore, HPV16 was associated with OSCCs among individuals with accessible oropharyngeal lesions but not with cytologic evidence of dysplasia among high-risk individuals without such lesions. [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-05T12:06:20-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

HPV- Related Head and Neck Cancers Increase while Non-HPV Related Head and Neck Cancers Decrease in Canada

Source: SAGE Journals Online Abstract Objective: 1) Learn how the incidence of HPV-related and non-HPV-related Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) in Canada has changed in the time period 1992 to 2008. 2) Learn how the age at diagnosis and overall survival for these cancers in Canada has changed over that period. Method: We used Canadian Cancer Registry Data (1992-2008), categorizing HNCs into 3 groups: (High (HHPV), ie, oropharynx; Moderate (MHPV), ie, oral cavity; and Low (LHPV), ie, larynx); based on the probability that HPV causes the cancer. We calculated age-adjusted incidence, median age at diagnosis, and survival for each category. Results: HHPV cancers increased in incidence at an average annual rate (AAR) of 1.02% (P = .010); MHPV and LHPV cancers decreased at an AAR of 2.38% (P = .000) and 3.67% (P = .000) respectively. The median age at diagnosis for HHPV cancers decreased by an average of 0.23 years/year (P = .000). There was no change for MHPV and an increase for LHPV of 0.10 years/year (P = .008). Survival for patients with HHPV cancers increased by 2.1%/year (P = .000), compared with an increase of 1.6% per year for MHPV (P = .003) and a marginal increase in LHPV of 0.6% per year (P = .002). Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV-related head and neck cancers in Canada is increasing, while the prevalence of non-HPV–related head and neck cancers is decreasing. This has been accompanied by a decrease in both age at diagnosis and mortality in HPV related [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-05T09:01:50-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

A step toward a saliva test for cancer

Source: www.sciencedaily.com Author: staff A new saliva test can measure the amount of potential carcinogens stuck to a person's DNA -- interfering with the action of genes involved in health and disease -- and could lead to a commercial test to help determine risks for cancer and other diseases, scientists reported in Denver during the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS). "The test measures the amount of damaged DNA in a person's body," said Professor Hauh-Jyun Candy Chen, Ph.D., who led the research team. "This is very important because such damaged DNA -- we call this 'DNA adducts' -- is a biomarker that may help doctors diagnose diseases, monitor how effective a treatment is and also recommend things high-risk patients can do to reduce the chances of actually getting a disease," said Chen. The research team is at National Chung Cheng University (NCCU) in Taiwan. "We tried urine and blood and found these adducts. Then we turned our attention to saliva. It's much more convenient to collect a sample of saliva." A DNA adduct forms when a potentially cancer-causing substance is chemically attached to a strand of DNA, which makes up genes. People come into contact with such substances in the environment, certain workplaces and through everyday activities. Cigarette smoke, for instance, contains at least 20 known cancer-causing substances. When such a substance binds to DNA, it changes the DNA so that genes may not work normally. Our body has a built-in repair system that [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-09-02T19:27:30-07:00September, 2011|Oral Cancer News|