Highlight HEALTH

Welcome to the 13th edition of the Cancer Research Blog Carnival, the blog carnival devoted to cancer research.

Everyone knows that cancer is a devastating disease. What many people don’t know is that cancer kills more than 1,500 people a day; that’s one person every minute. Tonight, Stand Up To Cancer, a one-hour fundraising event, will be simulcast on all three major U.S. networks. The goal of Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is to enable cutting-edge research aimed at finding a cure to all types of cancer and making cancer part of the national debate.

Since 2001, federal deficits resulting from a number of fiscal pressures, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, increased national defense spending and hurricane Katrina, have together placed significant stress on the resources available for U.S. biomedical research. Between the fiscal years 2004 and 2007, the National Cancer Institute’s budget remained relatively flat. However, factoring in inflation (i.e. a Biomedical Research and Development Price Index (BRDPI) of ~3.8% per year) reveals a 12% loss of purchasing power [1].

This decrease in resources comes as patient demand is growing. There was an estimated 1.5 million new cancer cases in 2007, an increase of 14% since 2001 [2]. The U.S. spends roughly $12 billion dollars every month fighting the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. That’s 33 times more than what is spent on cancer research annually. Imagine what we could do if just a fraction of those resources was dedicated to cancer research.

Join the fight against cancer!

We’re all connected through cancer. Indeed, everyone knows someone affected by the disease. Tonight and in the coming months, join the fight! I encourage you to tune in to Stand Up To Cancer and support the next generation of groundbreaking cancer research.

As we join together to fight cancer, let’s get the the research, discoveries and advances highlighted in this months edition of the Cancer Research Blog Carnival.

Cancer Research Blog Carnival #13

Science-based Medicine

With all the credible health information online, an equal or greater amount of misinformation also exists. Frequently, false or misleading propaganda or marketing claims result in misconceptions about common health matters. Dr. Steven Novella writes about Attitudes and Public Health, reviewing the results of a new global survey showing that the public is misinformed about the risk factors for cancer [3].

The Things I Wish My Mother Would Have Told Me

Mia Perovetz’s mother died of breast cancer. She created a short video for a Breast Cancer Film Festival and as the trailer for her upcoming New York play, contemplating The Things I Wish My Mother Would Have Told Me.

I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps. I knew how great she was. Everyone wanted to be her or even just be liked by her. But how far do I have to follow until I fear that her destiny will become mine?

The Medical Quack

There is a variety of anti-cancer drugs available to oncologists. However, before highly toxic drugs are given to a patient, it would be advantageous to know which drugs are effective against a their cancer cells. Barbara Duck describes a new test called the Microvessel Vascular assay, writing that a Cancer Physician Invents Test For New Drugs That Cut Off Tumor’s Blood Supply [4].

Medication Non-adherence

One in two patients do not take their medications as prescribed. Alex Sicre writes about patient medication adherence, republishing a recent study abstract showing that A Video Game Improves Behavioral Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer [5].

Musings of a Distractible Mind

Zippy is a lobster friend of Dr. Rob (yes, I said lobster friend). Zippy’s goal is to raise money for brain cancer research and to have many adventures doing so. Dr. Rob asks readers to support Zippy the lobster and his Cancer Quest to raise funds for scientific and clinical research through the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation.

BayBlab

Cancer biomarkers have been the focus of a great deal of research over the past few years. Dogs tell us there’s something detectable, as they can identify cancer patients by scent with startling accuracy. Kamel explores Early Cancer Detection: Dogs with Frickin’ Laser Beams [6].

Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)

GrrlScientist asks The Handmaid’s Tale: Fact or Fiction? as she discusses a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) draft document proposing to redefine nearly all forms of birth control as a form of abortion. It would allow any federal grant recipient to obstruct a woman’s access to contraception and prevent women from accessing treatments for diseases such as cancer if those treatments could harm a fetus.

Think Gene

One type of gene therapy involves the introdution of a “good” gene into targeted cells to fight or prevent disease. However, done incorrectly, gene therapy can also cause cancer. Given the extremely low survival rates in pancreatic cancer patients, Josh suggests a gene therapy that may be worth trying, republishing a press release announcing that VCU Massey Cancer Researchers Find Gene Therapy that Kills Pancreatic Cancer Cells [7].

Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You

Like colorectal cancer, the survival rate of ovarian cancer improves greatly with early diagnosis. Dr. Steve Murphy reflects on some facts on ovarian cancer, announcing that September is Now Ovarian Cancer Month.

e-patients.net

E-patients are health consumers who use the Internet to gather information about a medical condition of particular interest to them. Guest posting at e-patients.net, cancer patient Monique tells why she doesn’t see herself as “e”.

Remember the Mayo Clinic study proving that optimists live longer then pessimists, which didn’t surprise the pessimists, not one bit? Well, somebody is going to prove what we already suspect: e- patients get better medical care, without being rich. C-patients get sub-standard care. E-patients live longer. And, e-vidently, e-ssentially, better.

Britannica Blog

Nanotechnology is the science and technology of building devices from single atoms and molecules. Tasha Moideen offers a video from the National Cancer Institue describing the applications of Nanotechnology & Cancer in cancer research, prevention and treatment.

Terra Sigillata

Methadone is a synthetic opioid, which is used medically as a pain reliever, cough suppressant and maintenance anti-addictive for use in patients on opioids. It was reported last month that methadone can kill leukemia cells and overcomes chemoresistance [8]. Abel Pharmboy comments on the development of Methadone For Cancer (No) and Cancer Pain (Yes).

OncoChat

Vytorin is a drug used to treat elivated lipids in the blood by inhibiting the absortipon of cholesterol by the small intestine. However, there’s insufficient data to prove that it reduces cardiovascular disease. Now, scientists are discussing a link between the cholesterol-fighting medicine and cancer [9]. Sally Church asks, Vytorin and Cancer - is there a link?

Conclusion

My thanks to everyone that contributed articles — it’s been great hosting the Cancer Research Blog Carnival for a second time this year. Be sure to take a moment and let your fellow bloggers know this issue is available so that everyone’s hard work can be appreciated and enjoyed by all.

The Cancer Research Blog Carnival is looking for future hosts. You can find both the hosting schedule and past editions at the Cancer Research Blog Carnival website.

For more information on the U.S. investment in cancer research, you can read the NCI’s plan and budget proposal for fiscal year 2009.

References

1. Niederhuber JE. A look inside the National Cancer Institute budget process: implications for 2007 and beyond. Cancer Res. 2007 Feb 1;67(3):856-62.
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2. The Nation’s Investment in Cancer Research. Connecting the Cancer Community. An Annual Plan and Budget Proposal for FY2009. National Cancer Institute. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Jan.
3. Global Survey Highlights Need for Cancer Prevention Campaigns to Correct Misbeliefs. International Union Against Cancer. 2008 Aug.
4. Weisenthal et al. Cell culture detection of microvascular cell death in clinical specimens of human neoplasms and peripheral blood.
   J Intern Med. 2008 Sep;264(3):275-287(13).
5. Kato et al. A video game improves behavioral outcomes in adolescents and young adults with cancer: a randomized trial. Pediatrics. 2008 Aug;122(2):e305-17.
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6. McCulloch et al. Diagnostic accuracy of canine scent detection in early- and late-stage lung and breast cancers. Integr Cancer Ther. 2006 Mar;5(1):30-9.
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7. Lebedeva et al. Chemoprevention by perillyl alcohol coupled with viral gene therapy reduces pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. Mol Cancer Ther. 2008 Jul;7(7):2042-50.
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8. Friesen et al. Methadone, commonly used as maintenance medication for outpatient treatment of opioid dependence, kills leukemia cells and overcomes chemoresistance. Cancer Res. 2008 Aug 1;68(15):6059-64.
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9. Rossebø et al. Intensive Lipid Lowering with Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2008 Sep 2. [Epub ahead of print]
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The Human Genome Project has heralded a new era in our understanding of the molecular basis of disease. Genome-based medicine or personalized medicine is believed to be the future of healthcare. Indeed, genomic medicine is poised to improve disease diagnosis, therapy and prevention.

Although genomics is related to genetics, there is a difference between the two terms. Genetics is the study of single genes and their effects. In contrast, genomics is the study of all the genes in the genome and the interactions among them and their environment. Genetics uses the information from one or two genes to describe a disease state, whereas genomics examines all genetic information to determine biological markers predisposing a person to disease. Genomics is especially relevant for complex or multifactoral disorders such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease and diabetes, which are due to the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors [1].

photo credit: pinkbelt

With the sequencing of the human genome and the development of genomic technologies, medicine is entering a transition period whereby specific genetic knowledge will be critical for the delivery of effective healthcare. Many questions surround the state of this transition. A recent systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association attempted to synthesize peer-reviewed published information on the delivery of genomic medicine for common adult-onset chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and coronary heart disease [2]. While advances in genetics and genomics have been extensive, the review found a large disparity between what is known and what is needed by healthcare professionals [2]:

Our systematic review reveals a large gap between what knowledge is available and what health systems still need to know about the outcomes, consumer needs, organization of health services, and barriers, to ensure appropriate and effective clinical integration of genomic information and technologies for common chronic disease.

Dr. Steve Murphy frequently discusses this disparity at Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You. Steve is also the founder of Helix Health, the country’s first stand-alone genomic medicine practice.

To educate and promote personalized medicine, Steve has announced that Helix Health will host at minimum monthly podcasts on a variety of topics.

The first event is a free 90-minute webcast titled “How Genomic Medicine is Changing the Management of Breast & Ovarian Cancer.” The webcast is scheduled for this Wednesday, May 21st, from 1:00 — 2:30 pm EDT [3].

The webcast will feature David Ewing Duncan, bestselling author of Masterminds: Genius, DNA and the Quest to Rewrite Life and Chief Correspondent and co-host of National Public Radio’s “Biotech Nation”, a panel of distinguished medical and legal professionals, and Jessica Queller, author of Pretty Is What Changes: Impossible Choices, The Breast Cancer Gene, and How I Defied My Destiny.

The group will discuss how the doctor-patient relationship is changing and what the potential liability is for physicians in this transition period for genomic medicine and breast & ovarian cancer.

• What should a doctor and patient do when a patient tests positive?
• What is the risk in taking a “wait and see” approach?
• Are there alternatives to radical surgery?
• What are potential tort issues in predictive genetic testing and medical uses of
  genetic tests?

To register for the free webcast, point your browser here: http://event.netbriefings.com/event/helixhealth/register.html

For more information, contact info@helixhealth.org or visit Helix Health.

Additional resources can be found in the Personalized Medicine category of the Highlight HEALTH Web Directory.

The Helix Health webcast should be very informative. I anticipate an interesting discussion on genetic testing, genomic medicine and breast & ovarian cancer, and encourage everyone to register and listen in this Wednesday, May 21st.

Resources

1. Guttmacher and Collins. Genomic medicine — a primer. N Engl J Med. 2002 Nov 7;347(19):1512-20.
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2. Scheuner et al. Delivery of genomic medicine for common chronic adult diseases: a systematic review. JAMA. 2008 Mar 19;299(11):1320-34.
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3. How Genomic Medicine Is Changing the Management of Breast & Ovarian Cancer. Helix Health Press Release. 2008 May 16.

Welcome to the 7th edition of the Cancer Research Blog Carnival, a blog carnival devoted to cancer research. This edition includes some great articles on cancer research ethics, cancer therapeutics, cancer stem cells, cancer genetics and cancer biology.

I believe it’s important to maintain perspective on the significance of cancer research and the impact it has on patients. As such, this months edition of the Cancer Research Carnival includes narratives from some people affected by the disease. I think their stories will inspire us all with their determination and courage, and serve as motivation to continue searching for therapies to combat cancer.

How is research progressing on the battle against cancer?

The latest American Cancer Society (ACS) annual cancer statistics report finds that cancer deaths have decreased by 18.4% in men and 10.5% in women since mortality rates began to decline in the early 1990s [1]. However, despite a declining death rate, there was an increase in the number of cancer deaths in 2005 compared to 2004. The ACS says that it’s [2]:

… important to understand that for the number of cancer deaths to decrease, the decline in the overall cancer mortality rate must be large enough to offset the increasing numbers due to growth and aging of the population.

Over the last 15 years, researchers have been making progress. Although the rate of decline in cancer deaths in 2005 wasn’t enough to exceed population factors, cancer mortality rates continue to decrease. Indeed, between 1990/1991 and 2004, over a half million deaths from cancer were averted [2].

With these statistics in mind, let’s get to the research highlighted in this months edition of the Cancer Research Carnival.

Cancer Research Blog Carnival #7

Adventures in Ethics and Science

A recent New York Times essay by Andrew Vickers ponders why cancer researchers are so reluctant to share their data [3]. Dr. Janet Stemwedel discusses the essay, asking Should Researchers Share Data?

Bayblab

Autophagy, the self-removal of cellular components, is frequently observed in tumor cells following radiotherapy. Researchers have found that inhibition of genes associated with autophagy results in enhanced cytotoxicity of radiotherapy to otherwise resistant carcinoma cells [4]. Kamel talks about Autophagy and Radiation Resistance.

Mark’s Daily Apple

Increased body-mass index (BMI) is associated with the risk of some types of cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Lancet journal last month assess the strength of associations between BMI and different sites of cancer [5]. Mark’s Daily Apple reports there’s a Higher Cancer Risk if You’re Fat and questions whether public education on the risks of obesity is truly enough.

The Pink Tee Shirt

Beep Beep - Emmy describes what it’s like to be living with breast cancer.

Stage 4 cancer is like a hungry coyote out there, watching, setting traps.
I wonder when he will catch me.

Cancer and Your Genes

Two papers in the February 28th issue of Nature provide understanding into a subset of breast and ovarian cancers, the action of drugs used to treat them and a novel mechanism of drug resistance to chemotherapy [6-7]. Dr. Matt Mealiffe reviews the articles and their significance, describing the Mechanism of Cisplatin-Resistance in BRCA2-Related Ovarian Cancers.

Cancer Genetics

SNPs (pronounced “snips”) are DNA sequence variations that occur when a single nucleotide in the genome is altered, producing different alleles (meaning sequences that code for the same gene). Two papers in the March issue of Nature Genetics identify multiple new SNPs associated with prostate cancer [8-9]. Ramunas breaks it down, describing Prostate Cancer — Old & New SNPs and deCODEPrCa.

Eye on DNA

As research identifies more disease-associated SNPs, new genetic tests allow consumers to test themselves for disease susceptibility. Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei discusses this competitive market, reporting that deCODE Launches PrCa Prostate Cancer DNA Test.

Mystery Rays from Outer Space

Although it’s widely accepted that metastasis is a late event in cancer progress, a recent study demonstrated that tumor cells can spread systemically from early alterations in breast cancer [10]. Dr. Ian York deliberates Early Metastasis.

Z-Mail 101

David’s daughter Beth presents her thoughts on the situation her Aunt Wendy is in as she battles colon cancer.

You have to live life day by day and for each moment. Enjoy what you have in front of you and not take for granted the little things. We’re all going to die at some point; cancer patients just have more information.

Terra Sigillata

The internet is increasing used as a source of health information. A current study of quality criteria for online content, specifically for breast cancer information, finds that most resources are accurate [11]. However, websites that contain information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) were likely to contain inaccurate statements. Abel Pharmboy suggests we Beware of Alternative Medicine Sites Offering Breast Cancer Advice.

Doctor David’s Blog

An investigation examining the role of BRCA1 in human mammary stem cell fate found that BRCA1 plays a critical role in the differentiation of ER-negative stem/progenitor cells to ER-positive luminal cells [12]. Dr. David Loeb reviews study and discusses Cancer Stem Cells and Familial Cancer Risk for Breast Cancer.

Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You

Men with a family history of prostate cancer have a much greater risk of developing the disease than men with no family history. A systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that the risks are greatest for relatives of those diagnosed when they were young and those with more than one affected relative
[13]. The Dr. Steve Murphy evaluates the study and its shortcomings, discussing the New England Journal, Prostate Cancer and Babel.

Britannica Blog

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has been conducting research on the increased risk of cancer in night-shift workers as well as the increased cancer risk in painters and firefighters [14]. Kara Rogers reviews the biology of melatonin secretion and disruption of circadian rhythm, writing about Cancer on the Night Shift: Why Night Workers Are at Risk.

Chrysalis Angel

Chrysalis Angel worries when she hears the word “cured” and reminds us all to Remain Vigilant.

Stay on top of your check ups, follow the recommendations of your doctors, do your own breast self exams. Take back your life and your health. You can only do that by remaining vigilant. Then, get out, enjoy your life and loved ones. Make your life as much of what you want it to be as you can, and maybe someday soon – there will be an absolute cure for cancer.

Conclusion

Thanks to everyone that contributed articles — it’s been a pleasure to host this months edition of the Cancer Research Blog Carnival. Be sure to take a moment and let your fellow bloggers know this issue is available so that everyone’s hard work can be appreciated and enjoyed by all. You can find more information about the carnival as well as the hosting schedule and past editions at the Cancer Research Blog Carnival.

References

1. Cancer Facts & Figures 2008. American Cancer Society. Atlanta, Ga. 2008.
2. Report Says Half a Million Cancer Deaths Have Been Averted Since Death Rate Drop. American Cancer Society Press Release. 2008 Feb 20.
3. Vickers A. Cancer Data? Sorry, Can’t Have It. The New York Times. 2008 Jan 22.
4. Apel et al. Blocked autophagy sensitizes resistant carcinoma cells to radiation therapy. Cancer Res. 2008 Mar 1;68(5):1485-94.
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5. Renehan et al. Body-mass index and incidence of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies. Lancet. 2008 Feb 16;371(9612):569-78.
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6. Edwards et al. Resistance to therapy caused by intragenic deletion in BRCA2. Nature. 2008 Feb 28;451(7182):1111-5. Epub 2008 Feb 10.
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7. Sakai et al. Secondary mutations as a mechanism of cisplatin resistance in BRCA2-mutated cancers. Nature. 2008 Feb 28;451(7182):1116-20. Epub 2008 Feb 10.
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8. Eeles et al. Multiple newly identified loci associated with prostate cancer susceptibility. Nat Genet. 2008 Mar;40(3):316-21. Epub 2008 Feb 10.
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9. Thomas et al. Multiple loci identified in a genome-wide association study of prostate cancer. Nat Genet. 2008 Mar;40(3):310-5. Epub 2008 Feb 10.
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10. Hüsemann et al. Systemic spread is an early step in breast cancer. Cancer Cell. 2008 Jan;13(1):58-68.
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11. Bernstam et al. Commonly cited website quality criteria are not effective at identifying inaccurate online information about breast cancer. Cancer. 2008 Feb 11;112(6):1206-1213 [Epub ahead of print].
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12. Liu et al. BRCA1 regulates human mammary stem/progenitor cell fate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Feb 5;105(5):1680-5. Epub 2008 Jan 29.
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13. Johns and Houlston. A systematic review and meta-analysis of familial prostate cancer risk. BJU Int. 2003 Jun;91(9):789-94.
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14. Straif et al. Carcinogenicity of shift-work, painting, and fire-fighting. Policy Watch, The Lancet Oncology. 2007 Dec;8(12):1065-1066.