
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.
Back to top of Abstract Page
Back to Contents: Cancer Watch WWW Edition