Cancer Treatment Today

Bortezomib is a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor that has shown remarkable efficacy in multiple myeloma. Bortezomib specifically targets the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway; the proteasome plays a key role in the degradation of ubiquinated proteins in general, and specifically proteins that control tumor cell growth and survival. By targeting the proteasome and acting on the multiple myeloma cells as well as the microenvironment, bortezomib has been

EDTA IV chelation is unproven for any indication. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ("EDTA") is a synthetic amino acid first used in the 1940's for treatment of heavy metal poisoning. It is widely recognized as effective for that use as well as certain others, including emergency treatment of hypercalcemia and the control of ventricular arrhythmias associated with digitalis toxicity. Proponents claim that EDTA chelation therapy is effective against

Sodium phenylbutyrate is an orphan drug, marketed by Ucyclyd Pharma (Hunt Valley, USA) under the trade name Buphenyl and by Swedish Orphan International (Sweden) as Ammonaps. It, along with special diets, has been used to treat urea cycle disorders. It also has received an orphan drug designation by the FDA for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. It appears to have a number of potentially useful effects. Sodium phenylbutyrate was given an

Imetelstat or GRN163L is a drug that blocks telomerase, and is already in clinical trials as a potential treatment for breast and lung cancer.Imetelstat is a short chain oligonucleotide that binds with high affinity and specificity to the catalytic site of telomerase, resulting in competitive inhibition of enzyme activity or cell death. Imetelstat demonstrated anti-tumor effects in a wide range of preclinical models of hematological and solid tumors.

The Oncosorb absorbtion column was invented by Dr. Lentz and described in a monograph, "Unleashing the Immune System: New Insights into Cancer", Equinox Press, 2010. The theory behind this treatment is that absorbing out TNF inhibitors will have an "immunostimulating" effect and be beneficial in cancer therapy. There are two isoforms; TNFR-1 (p55) and TNFR-2. TNFR-1 initiates the majority of the biological activities of TNF-α and is expressed on

Desmoid tumors (also called aggressive fibromatosis, deep musculoaponeurotic fibromatosis, and fibrosarcoma grade I of the desmoid type) are locally aggressive tumors with no known potential for metastasis or dedifferentiation. However, tumor invasion into vital structures and/or organs can result in substantial morbidity and may be fatal. Local control using surgery and radiation has traditionally been the mainstay of therapy for these tumors but

As medical websites appear and proliferate, the patient as well as a practitioner, face complex choices. Many sites claim to deliver accurate, reliable and up to date medical information and some do…but many do not. It is therefore refreshing to encounter a site that delivers what it promises. TTMed Urology is such a site. Chock-full of useful and high-quality information, it an invaluable resource for urology specialists and others interested

Urethral cancer is very rare, encompassing less than 1% of all malignancies. There are less than 2000 cases in the literature. Optimal management, at present, is not defined and often relies on the limited experience gained from reestrospective study of individual cases and case series. Squamous histology is less common than transitional. Case reports suggest that radiation and chemoradiation are more often used in women than men, in whom surgical

The hypogammaglobinemia and impaired T-cell function associated with Waldesntrom's macroglobulinemia predispose patients to potentially serious infections. CLL is a similar condition to Wandenstrom's and is much more common. IVIG is well established for CLL. UNfortunately, it is not similarly establisehd for Waldesntrom's. IgA and IgG hypogammaglobulinemia is common in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and persists despite therapeutic intervention

Intron A is a well established treatment for essential thrombocythemia (ET) and P. Vera, especially effective for control of pruritis. Interferon-(IFN) suppresses growth of multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells. No leukemogenic risk has been reported. No randomized trials have been published. In the Italian guidelines for treatment of ET 15 studies have been summarized, including 292 patients. Complete normalization of platelet counts was achieved