Abstracts: Cancer Watch April 1998

What follows below are abstracts of the various articles and pieces in the print version of the April 1998 issue of Cancer Watch. For details including four color illustrations please examine the print version.

Apoptosis in Cancer: Self-Destruction of the Cell
Abstract: Apoptosis has become a "fashionable" topic; as such, it is still very much in flux which makes a mini-review all the more difficult. In the recent decade, many tenets of oncology have been seriously eroded - which should encourage more humility and caution. Nature operates on the basis of imperfection - as seen by us. This is particularly valid for the phenomenon of cancer; for every complex question, there are simple answers which are almost always wrong. Today, we like to reduce the problem of malignant growth to an imbalance between physiological cell death and cell proliferation - and we affect a sublime indifference for all data which are inconvenient or point to a different direction. In sum: apoptosis occurs in normal as well as in malignant tissues; most cells from eukaryotes eventually self-destruct by activation of a sophisticated, complex suicide program. This appears to be one of the key biological regulatory mechanisms, along with cell growth and differentiation. Too little cell death may have catastrophic consequences; cancer is one of them.
Report from Breast Cancer Prevention Trial
Abstract: Tamoxifen, a synthetic hormone, has been used to treat breast cancer for decades and is now reported to have preventative effect. This agent, however, can have serious side effects. Women should evaluate benefits and risks cautiously before making a decision to take it.
Risk of False Positive Results in Breast Cancer Screening
Abstract: Screening mammography or clinical breast examination can save life, but wrong test results can jeopardize life. A 10-year retrospective study shows that a third of the women undergoing screening had false-positive results. And the risk of false positive results increase with the number of screening tests.
Excess Vitamin C Supplementation may not be Good
Abstract: The antioxidant vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a dietary supplement.. Harmful oxygen radicals are normally produced in the body that damage DNA causing mutation and cancer. These radicals are quenched by antioxidants such as vitamin C. Research shows that excessive vitamin C may also act as a prooxidant causing damage to DNA.
Outpatient BMT Lowers Costs
Abstract: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has traditionally been performed during lengthy, expensive inpatient hospitalization. A recent study at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center shows that outpatient care during BMT is safe and effective, and can lower the costs of this very expensive procedure.
Thiamine Supplementation for Cancer Patients
Abstract: Optimal nutrition in cancer patients supports general well-being, the immune response and corrects the frequent negative protein and lipid imbalances as well as vitamin deficiencies. The course of the malignant process itself and the effects of chemotherapy (including gastrointestinal distress and insufficient food intake) require adequate supplementation. Among others, thiamine deficiency has been readily recognized in many malignancies and since this vitamin has no well-defined toxic levels, it is usually oversupplied.
Mechanism of Action of Anticancer Soy Component
Abstract: Genistein, an isoflavonoids present in soy products, may reduce the expression of response-related genes.
Cancer Immunotherapy
Abstract: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte can be stimulated to elicit immune response against tumor cells by dendritic cells that have been transfected with RNA coding for a tumor-specific protein.
Is it a Mole or a Melanoma?
Abstract: Melanoma begins as a simple mole, but if not paid any attention, it grows and spreads very quickly claiming the life of the victim. However, if it is detected very early when it is less than a millimeter in thickness, total excision has almost 100% chance of cure.
Melanoma-inhibiting Activity in Serum
Abstract: A Protein with melanoma-inhibiting activity was observed in 100 percent melanoma samples and it could serve as a tumor marker. Level of this protein also seems to have correlation with number of tumors and severity of the disease. Additionally, patients treated with combined surgery and chemotherapy, but still were unresponsive to treatment, showed increased level of this protein and died of rapidly progressing disease; while the patients who responded to treatment showed diminishing level of the melanoma-inhibiting protein.
Powerful Effect of Antismoking Advertisement
Abstract: Media campaign is very powerful in sending the message that smoking is hazardous to health. The strategies found to be most effective in antismoking advertisement are aggressive attacks of the tobacco industry and elaboration of the harmful effects of secondhand smoking.