Cancer’s master criminals
A new type of molecular medicine may be needed to halt cancers
Doctors must look to proteins rather than genes to tackle tumours
Dec 17th 2016
Timekeeper
ONE of the most important medical insights of recent decades is that cancers are triggered by genetic mutations. Cashing that insight in clinically, to improve treatments, has, however, been hard. A recent study of 2,600 patients at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas, showed that genetic analysis permitted only 6.4% of those suffering to be paired with a drug aimed specifically at the mutation deemed responsible. The reason is that there are only a few common cancer-triggering mutations, and drugs to deal with them. Other triggering mutations are numerous, but rare—so rare that no treatment is known nor, given the economics of drug discovery, is one likely to be sought.
Facts such as these have led many cancer biologists to question how useful the gene-led approach to understanding and treating cancer actually is. And some have gone further than mere questioning. One such is Andrea Califano of Columbia University, in New York. He observes that, regardless of the triggering mutation, the pattern of gene expression—and associated protein activity—that sustains a tumour is, for a given type of cancer, almost identical from patient to patient. That insight provides the starting-point for a different approach to looking for targets for drug development. In principle, it should be simpler to interfere with the small number of proteins that direct a cancer cell’s behaviour than with the myriad ways in which that cancer can be triggered in the first place.
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This week, therefore, in a paper in Nature Reviews Cancer, he and Mariano Alvarez, a colleague at Columbia, pull together over a decade of work in an effort to understand how the proteins that regulate cancer are organised. Dr Califano and Dr Alvarez call this organisation “oncotecture”.
The 300 club
Creating the oncotectural blueprint for a cancer starts by analysing the gene-expression profiles of cells from samples of that cancer. A gene-expression profile describes which genes are active in a cell’s DNA, and how active they are. Because genes encode proteins it gives a sense of which proteins, and how much of them, a cell is making. Many of these proteins are involved in regulating cellular activity, including growth and cell division (the things that go wrong in cancer), via signalling pathways in which one protein changes the behaviour of others (sometimes hundreds or thousands of others), each of which then changes the behaviour of others still—and so on. Applying a branch of mathematics called information theory to these data, to make them manageable, Dr Califano then maps the connections inside a cell.
One of his most important discoveries is that the resulting networks have a few “master regulator” proteins, which control the largest numbers of other proteins. Dr Califano, whose father-in-law was a Mafia prosecutor in Italy, likens these to the bosses of a network of organised criminals. He sees his job as working out the links between them, in the same way that a detective might study a gang in order to find out who is in charge.
So far, he has analysed data from 20,000 tumour samples and generated maps for 36 types of tumour. All told, he has identified about 300 proteins that are probably master regulators in at least one sort of cancer. These are organised into groups of ten to 30 in each tumour type, and are probably, collectively, responsible for controlling most human cancers.
The master regulators, it turns out, are mostly proteins that affect transcription—the process that copies information in DNA into messenger molecules that carry it to a cell’s protein factories. In Dr Califano’s view, it is these master regulators that drugmakers should concentrate on, since drugs that modify such proteins’ activities are likely to be widely applicable, in contrast to those focused on genetic mutations.
Indeed, the choice of best targets may be even narrower than this, he says—for among his master regulators lurk a few capi di tutti capi. In the view of Gordon Mills, of M.D. Anderson, one example of such a capo is an oestrogen-receptor that is involved in breast cancer. This is a transcription factor that controls the expression of many genes. Disabling it with a drug such as tamoxifen, so that it can no longer run its part of the network, is thus particularly effective. Dr Mills says it gives an “incredible outcome”, regardless of the mutations that triggered the cancer in the first place. A second example he cites is Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, which regulates various malignancies of white blood cells.
On top of these specific actions master regulators, like pieces of badly written software, can also set up loops that feed back on themselves and so, once activated, do not shut down. In aggressive prostate cancer, Dr Califano observes, two proteins called FOXM1 and CENPF act together in this way to promote a tumour’s growth. In glioblastoma, a cancer of the brain, three proteins collaborate to start and maintain the cancer. And, according to John Minna of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, in Dallas, two master-regulator proteins in particular govern the malignancy of small-cell lung cancer.
Dr Minna does, though, argue caution in the master-regulator approach. First he observes, lots of known and suspected master regulators are in classes of protein that have proved difficult to affect with drugs. Second, not all of the master regulators suggested by Dr Califano’s modelling work have been shown to act as such in a laboratory. More experiments are needed to see which of his candidates really are proteinaceous mafiosi and which mere stool pigeons that have had the finger pointed at them incorrectly.
To that end, several studies are under way. One, at Columbia itself, is recruiting volunteers with cancer to see if attacking putative master regulators in their tumours works in cell cultures or when parts of the tumours in question are grafted into mice. If this approach yields dividends, that will suggest that attacking master regulators could be an effective way to treat cancer. Along with existing drugs tied to particular mutations, and a newly emerging class of pharmaceuticals that mobilise the immune system against tumours, master-regulator blasters could provide a third form of precise molecular attack upon this most feared of diseases.
This article appeared in the Science and technology section of the print edition under the headline “Cancer’s master criminals”
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420 Supporters Rejoice! What People Are Saying About Duterte Possibly Legalizing Marijuana
October 20, 2016 Jane L 0 Comment cannabis, health benefits, legalization of marijuana, marijuana, weed
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Marijuana is once of the most common and often-abused drugs in the country and even in the whole world. There are those who believe that consuming minimal and prescribed amount can actually prevent cancers or cure illnesses. These, however, have not been proven as of the present and have been subjects for endless debate.
The Philippines, I believe has been left behind by other countries in terms of the legalization of medical marijuana. It seems like the agencies involved are not at all interested in taking the journey towards it.
President Rodrigo Duterte revealed during a past interview that he is open for the legalization of medical marijuana but only if concerned agencies see that it is beneficial for the countrymen.
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He said that he is not the authority for such issue as it’s the Food and Drug Administration. However, he added that if it’s “certified by the government and it’s good fine, no problem.”
The President also said that such proposal will need to go through studies and must have qualifying activities wherein they can establish that it really has something good for the body. But again, it seems like no agency concerned is showing interest. It might be due to several factors, budget included, but I do hope there are more valid and acceptable reasons than just that.
Personally, I am inclined to believe that legalizing medical marijuana have its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, if more research would yield more positive results about marijuana and its medical benefits, then good. But let us not take away from the formula the possibility of abuse. Thus, if this is to push through, the government and concerned agencies should really come up with a strategy that would ensure no one — as in absolutely no one — will abuse it.
It is already difficult to trace houses that have planted marijuana in their backyards and small pots; how much more trace those who have been consuming it or keeping without special permits or those who are keeping an amount that is more than what is allowed?
Meanwhile, actor Robin Padilla is pushing for its legalization after his friend and co-actor Dick Israel died last week. For Padilla, Israel was “another victim of the medical marijuana oppression.”
The actor said he is sorry for failing Israel. He added that the have always thought that the current government is “educated enough to legalize medical marijuana”.
Padilla also said that Israel had asked for relief with medical marijuana after he suffered from stroke.
“Buhayin sa congreso ang #HB180 (Revive the #HB180 in congress),” Padilla wrote.
It can also be recalled that it was earlier this month when Mark Anthony Fernandez, a nephew of the actor, was arrested for possession of at least one kilo of marijuana. Fernandez had already made a statement and had claimed that his use of marijuana is for its medicinal benefits.
“Medical marijuana will be his contribution to the future… For now let us thank and praise God he is alive Alhamdulillah,” Padilla said, relating to Fernandez’ situation.
Meanwhile, the netizens have voiced out their varied opinions with regard to the legalization of medical marijuana. Many believed that it his high time that the Philippines push for the bill while others think otherwise.
The following are some of the reactions of the netizens.
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Marijuana users 'have abnormally low blood flow in every part of the brain - including Alzheimer's danger zones'
Researchers studied brain scans of 1,000 US marijuana users
They found cannabis users all had low blood flow in the hippocampus
The users also had significant restricted blood flow all over the brain
Hippocampus is key for memories, and is a ground zero for Alzheimer's
By MIA DE GRAAF FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 16:41 GMT, 28 November 2016 | UPDATED: 22:18 GMT, 28 November 2016
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Marijuana users have abnormally low blood flow in virtually every part of the brain, new scans reveal.
Sophisticated imaging of 1,000 cannabis users' brains found all of them had widespread restrictions or build-ups of blood flow.
Many had abnormal blood levels in areas affected by Alzheimer's disease, such as the hippocampus.
The findings, published in the latest Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, are an ominous warning as the United States rapidly embraces recreational and medical marijuana legalization.
It comes just weeks after the White House's surgeon general, Dr Vivek Gupta, warned legalization is moving faster than research.
Health dangers? Sophisticated imaging of 1,000 cannabis users' brains found 1,000 marijuana users had widespread restrictions or build-ups of blood flow (file image)
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Health dangers? Sophisticated imaging of 1,000 cannabis users' brains found 1,000 marijuana users had widespread restrictions or build-ups of blood flow (file image)
The researchers at Amen Clinics analyzed data from a broad database including 26,268 patients across the US between 1995 and 2015.
The patients - from California, Washington, Virginia, Georgia and New York - all had complex treatment-resistant issues, and all underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) - a sophisticated imaging study that evaluates blood flow and activity patterns while undergoing concentration tests.
One thousand of the patients were marijuana users.
Comparing those patients' brain scans with 100 healthy controls, the researchers saw a stark difference in blood flow levels.
Every marijuana user had significantly lower blood flow in the right hippocampus compared to the controls.
Marijuana use is thought to interfere with memory formation by inhibiting activity in this part of the brain.
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11-28-16
Teva Will Market the World's First Cannabis Inhaler
The inhaler, which will take biodegradable medical cannabis cartridges, has been designed for a variety of patients with different diseases.
Is the drug industry changing its approach to medical cannabis? This morning, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) subsidiary Teva Israel reported signing a cooperation and marketing agreement with the Israeli company Syqe Medical to market the world's first cannabis inhaler. No financial data on the agreement were disclosed.
According to the agreement, Teva Israel will be the exclusive Israel distributor of Syqe's medical cannabis inhaler, while Syqe will be responsible to produce the inhaler and its cartridges. In addition, the two companies will found a support and instruction array for patients and medical staff, to be composed of a dedicated team of nurses.
Figures indicate that in 2016, Israel had about 26,000 medical cannabis consumption licenses, and estimates are that licenses will double by 2018. In addition, market estimates are that a person with a medical cannabis license spends an average of $1,000 per year on cannabis, which makes this a potential high profit market for Teva Israel and Syqe.
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So far, health ministries in Israel and abroad have had no medical solution to offer most patients, who consume cannabis by inhalation (90% of patients worldwide); Syqe's inhaler provides these patients with an efficient solution which allows them to inhale an optimal dosage to best ease their pain.
Syqe's inhaler will be designated for a wide variety of patients with different diseases, based on indications approved by Israel's Ministry of Health. This inhaler has already been used regularly in the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa for a year. In fact, Rambam is the world's first hospital in which cannabis is used as a regular medical treatment.
The cartridges are biodegradable and will be marketed and distributed by Teva to relevant parties - doctors, nurses, pain clinics, oncological clinics, pharmacies and more. The marketing and distribution of the inhaler will be subject to Teva's highest pharmaceutical standards.
Syqe Medical is an Israeli company developing technologies for pharmaceutical administration of raw medicinal plants by inhalation; it has developed the world's first and only inhaler enabling metered-dose administration of plants, which has the level of precision and safety of a drug. The first plant integrated in this inhalator is medical cannabis. The company has completed several clinical trials which had indicated that the inhaler is accurate and up to the pharmaceutical standards for inhalation-based cannabis delivery. Syqe Medical's technology makes only a structural change in the plant, preserves all of its qualities and provides safe, accurate and metered inhalation-based delivery.
"Teva Israel entered the field of medical cannabis, out of its deep commitment to pain patients, a field which is at the core of the company's operations," said Avinoam Sapir, Teva Israel CEO, director for Africa and the Middle East and director of innovation in emerging markets. "Advanced technology and groundbreaking medical devices - such as the ones developed by Syqe Medical, which generate therapeutical value for both patient and medical staff - fit well into the strategy of Teva Israel which is committed to innovation in all fields of activity, whether as part of in-house development, in investments, or in cooperation with groundbreaking Israeli startup companies."
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How Colloidal Silver Combats Harmful Organisms
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How Colloidal Silver Combats Harmful Organisms
By Dr. Edward F. Group
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Two thousand years ago, the Greeks and Romans used silver containers to hold and protect perishable liquids against harmful organisms. Silver containers were used until the invention of refrigeration to protect food liquids such as milk from spoiling.
Using silver in the medical setting came into practice about one hundred and fifty years ago as a means to protect the body against infection. It remained popular against harmful organisms until the advent of antibiotics.
What is Colloidal Silver?
Colloidal silver is a preparation of silver particles in a pure solution. When properly produced, these microscopic silver particles carry a positive ionic charge that makes them effective against harmful organisms.
Colloidal silver produced with high voltage technology is the most bioavailable and safest form of silver. Silver products made with low voltage means are lower quality and can be ineffective and even contribute to argyria if consumed in excess. This is why it is so crucial to seek out a high-quality colloidal silver supplement produced with high voltage technology from the purest silver and distilled water available.
How is Silver Harmful to Harmful Organisms?
When positive silver ions encounter harmful anaerobic organisms like single-celled bacteria and fungus, it binds to the cell wall. The silver ions absorb into the organism and, once inside, disrupt cellular function and neutralizes the organism. [1]
The complete mechanism of this action remains to be determined. Silver appears to disrupt energy production within the cell of the bacteria. Additionally, silver may oxidize organisms, disrupt cellular respiration, and affect the enzymes in their environment in a way that makes it impossible for harmful organisms to thrive.
How it affects viruses is somewhat different, possibly oxidizing the virus and reducing its function. Some believe silver directly affects the DNA of the organism. This may deactivate the virus, making it inert and no longer harmful.
How Effective is Colloidal Silver?
A 1978 article published in Science Digest reported on clinical studies supporting silver as a potent killer of 650 live tested organisms. The research showed that silver was even successful against resistant strains. Research performed at UCLA Medical Labs verified these findings, documenting how colloidal silver was effective against a variety of live viruses. [2]
Polish researchers conducted a recent study pitting colloidal silver against several common harmful organisms. [3] The success of these tests relied on a colloidal silver product containing the smallest possible silver particles.
Although many organisms have adapted to resist antibiotics, silver’s cellular disruption continues to remain effective against common damaging compounds. Fortunately, silver is nontoxic and shows no sign of micro-organism resistance.
Not All Silver is Created Equal
According to a 1992 Italian study by the Institute of Microbiology, pure electro-colloidal silver worked up to 100 times better than all other forms of silver. Solutions with smaller particle sizes (.005 microns or smaller) allow for a wider distribution of silver particles. The silver particles must also carry a positive electrical charge, as is found in quality preparations of colloidal silver. When choosing a silver solution, the highest quality and purity are necessary for maximum effectiveness and safety.
As with any product you ingest, the higher the quality, the better the results and the less likely the chance of side effects. Colloidal silver produced with high voltage technology does not cause the side effects that can occur with the ingestion of large silver salts or silver particles. Argyria, or the blueing of the skin, can result from ingesting large silver particles. To avoid argyria, it is important that you choose a silver supplement with small silver particles.
Before you invest in a colloidal silver, do your research into any products you’re considering and make sure all these factors add up. I personally use and recommend Silver Fuzion. Do you take colloidal silver? Why, or why not? Please leave us your answer in the comment section to let us know your thoughts on this product!
– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
Lansdown AB. A review of the use of silver in wound care: facts and fallacies. Br J Nurs. 2004 Mar;13(6 Suppl):S6-19. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15126971
Coburn, Dhyana L., Dignan, Patrick D. The Wonders of Colloidal Silver. 1997.
Pokrowiecki R1, Zareba T2, Mielczarek A3, Opaliska A4, Wojnarowicz J4, Majkowski M5, Lojkowski W4, Tyski S2. Evaluation of biocidal properties of silver nanoparticles against cariogenic bacteria. Med Dosw Mikrobiol. 2013;65(3):197-206. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24432559
Previous articles by Dr. Group:
High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to Kidney Stones: 5 Facts to Know
Ten Shocking Facts about Mercury Amalgam
The 9 Best Herbs for Lung Cleansing and Respiratory Support
7 Best Foods to Support Kidney Function
How to Flush the Liver
Lung Cleansing With Peppermint Oil
The Benefits of Organic Hemp Milk + How to Make Your Own
Nine Shocking Dangers of Fluoride Exposure
12 Shocking Facts About the Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs
Seven Facts You May Not Know About Coconut Oil
5 Dangerous Chemicals in Conventional Sunscreens
About the author:
dr-edward-group-iiiDr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.
Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.
For more information, please visit Global Healing Center.
