Health News

Attacking Cancer at the Root
Leukemia research has had some of the best results for effective pharmaceutical treatment, with the majority of cancers going into remission. Scientists are now researching how to best attack that remaining stubborn minority of leukemias . As a cell matures, it changes from a very basic, undifferentiated cell to developing characteristics that make it easier to recognize, and susceptible to specialized targeted drugs such as Gleevec ( imatinib ). But cells early in the development process may be unaffected by cancer treatments. Ask your oncologist about beta catenin inhibito...
Best Treatments for Childhood Leukemia
Over the last few decades, the ability of doctors to successfully treat childhood leukemias has risen dramatically. For the small group of patients that don't respond to initial therapy, figuring out why has become an important research topic.
A Double Negative Effect on Lymphoma
Cancer cells are extremely versatile and adaptable. They find ways to wiggle out of any attempts to restrain them. Researchers are working with the very mechanism that cancer uses to avoid death to develop a potentially powerful therapy for lymphoma.
From Fish to Pharmacy
Genetic experiments have come a long way from growing peas. A new line of testing created a zebrafish with cells that can glow under certain conditions, which helps scientists figure out what drug is the best at killing cancer cells.
New Drug Target for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Researchers are always looking for new ways to selectively attack cancers while leaving healthy cells alone, as many of the most common treatments for cancer involve some unfortunate friendly fire.
Inflammation and Cancer
The link between inflammation and cancer has been used to advertise everything from fish oil to aspirin, but the science behind it can be murky. Some new research may show the mechanism behind the link.
Stemming the Return of Leukemia
Since the advent of targeted therapies, chronic myeloid leukemia ( CML ) has become easier to treat. And while the drugs usually put people into remission, the disease can return with full fury.
Antidepressant Teams up Against Leukemia
Vitamin A derivatives, drugs known as retinoids , have been used successfully to treat certain types of leukemia. Not all forms of the disease respond to them, though. Scientists have discovered that adding another medication may overcome this resistance.
Gene to Blame for Drug Resistance
Targeted drugs work by attacking and shutting down the molecular activities that keep cancers thriving and growing. These drugs have saved the lives of thousands of people with cancer. But they don't work in some people.
Chemo Gets the Job Done Alone
A long-term risk analysis of Hodgkin lymphoma patients shows that the traditional practice of using radiation together with chemotherapy may be too much, causing more problems without extending life expectancy.