Pharmacy and Health Blog from myGenericPharmacy.com

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 23.3 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and 685,000 people died from the disease. It stated that breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with 7.8 million women alive as of the end of 2020 who received a diagnosis within the previous five years. Its widespread occurrence may contribute to the explanation of the various myths that surround it. We’ll address 15 of the most prevalent misconceptions here.

A breast injury can cause breast cancer
Dr. Zeidman clarified that while injuries to the breast cannot directly cause breast cancer, they can result in changes to the breast that may appear on imaging to be breast cancer. He went on, “This process is called fat necrosis, and it can appear on a mammography as an irregular mass with jagged edges, similar to the appearance of a newly discovered breast cancer.”. A needle biopsy is the most reliable method of differentiating between fat necrosis and cancer.

Underwire bras increase the risk of breast cancer
Underwire bras do not raise the risk of breast cancer, but Dr. Zeidman always suggests wire-free bras. He clarifies that skin breakdown may result from irritation of the skin beneath the breast caused by the wire. Bacteria may enter the breast as a result of this breakdown and cause an infection, an abscess, or both.

IVF increases the risk of breast cancer
Doctors often prescribe medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs as part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. These medications imitate the effects of estrogen. This led some experts to question if they could promote the spread of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. These cancer cells have estrogen receptors on their membranes, as the name would imply. According to Dr. Zeidman, despite the lack of randomized controlled trials addressing this issue, a recent meta-analysis of all observational studies conducted over the previous 30 years found no increased risk of breast cancer in women who received ovarian stimulation drugs when compared to the general population.

No one in my family had breast cancer, so I won’t develop it
Dr. Zeidman said he was aware of this myth: It is very common for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time to tell me how shocked they are considering that they have no family history. In response, I say that most patients I see who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any risk factors. Being a woman is, in fact, the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer. One in eight American women will experience breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Just 5–10% of breast cancers are brought on by a genetic mutation that is inherited from family members, as Dr. Fancher clarified for us. This indicates that most cases of breast cancer are unpredictable or not related to a family history. Screening is crucial because family history is not the only factor that affects a person’s risk of breast cancer. The message is that regardless of a family history of breast cancer, every woman starting at age 40 should have a yearly mammogram, according to Dr. Reitherman. By the time they are thirty years old, women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be assessed by a genetic counselor. It may be necessary for these women to start screening for breast cancer before turning 40. Please get your screening mammogram if you are a woman and at least 40 years old.

Being stressed can cause breast cancer
It should come as no surprise that people are worried about the potential health effects of stress given the constant stresses of modern life. But as Dr. Zeidman informed us, there is no proof at all that stress and breast cancer are related. In actuality, there is proof that stress does not raise the risk of breast cancer. That’s not to argue stress has no effect on health, though. He continues: Developing coping mechanisms for the stress that we will all unavoidably experience is a necessary aspect of being human. While there may be significant psychological and physical health benefits, there will be no reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

A healthy lifestyle eliminates breast cancer risk
Dr. Zeidman clarified that although postmenopausal women who are overweight are more likely to get breast cancer, there is nothing a woman can do to completely prevent breast cancer risk. Women who have bilateral mastectomy are still susceptible to getting breast cancer again. He is not, however, advocating that people begin smoking and consuming fast food daily. In general, he feels that since you only have one body, it is vital to take the best possible care of it. However, elite athletes have also received a breast cancer diagnosis.

Breast cancer only happens to older adults
Though the average age of a new breast cancer diagnosis is 61 years, women’s age indeed increases their risk of developing the disease. However, breast cancer can strike at a much younger age; approximately 5% of new cases are diagnosed in women under 40. Regretfully, there have been accounts of women receiving diagnoses who were as young as teens or early in their 20s. These young ladies usually have a strong family history. If your strong family history indicates that you have a significant lifetime risk of breast cancer, you may be eligible for genetic testing and early screening beginning at age 25.

All lumps in the breast signal breast cancer
This is untrue not every breast lump indicates cancer. According to Dr. Zeidman, most newly discovered breast lumps are benign. Additionally, that percentage is probably even higher if your most recent mammography came back normal. Dr. Zeidman did clarify, though, that a medical professional should examine any new lump.

Having an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer
This question arises because, as Dr. Zeidman informed us, estrogen exposure directly increases the risk of breast cancer, and abortion disrupts the normal hormonal cycle of pregnancy. Even though a randomized controlled trial is impossible to conduct to answer this question, a sizable observational study involving 1.5 million women in Denmark found no connection between breast cancer and abortion. He clarified that in addition to this analysis, numerous other extensive studies had reached the same conclusion.

Carrying a phone in your bra can cause cancer
We may discover that this is the case in the future, but we do not currently have any long-term studies. Why can’t you just tuck your phone into your pocket or purse for the time being?

Nipple piercings increase breast cancer risk
This is untrue, according to Dr. Dot Zeidman: having a nipple piercing does not raise your risk of breast cancer. He went on to explain, though, that these may result in more uncommon but dangerous illnesses like HIV and hepatitis B and C, as well as infections, abscesses, nerve damage, keloids, cysts, and trouble nursing because of blocked ducts from scar tissue. He stated, “I always advise against nipple piercing because of these reasons.”. I advise taking it down if the deed is completed.

Sugar causes breast cancer
Dr. Zeidman is adamant about the need to stay away from sugar in general. It’s compulsive. He went on, It can lead to mood swings and insulin spikes, which puts the body in a pro-inflammatory state. Diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic inflammatory disorders can then result from this. Overindulgence in sugar can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of breast cancer.

He did, however, clarify that research on the relationship between sugar and breast cancer has been inconsistent and of mixed results. In the context of sugar talk, it’s important to dispel the related myth that sugar promotes tumor growth. This myth developed because cancer cells require a lot of energy due to their rapid division. According to Dr. Zeidman, I still recommend avoiding added sugar as much as possible for overall well-being, even though there isn’t any hard evidence to support this.

Men do not get breast cancer
According to Dr. Zeidman, men can also develop breast cancer because they have breasts. Indeed, 1 percent of all diagnoses for breast cancer in the U.S. in males. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in 2017, there were 500 deaths and 2,300 new cases of male breast cancer. According to Dr. Dot Fancher, although breast cancer is more common in women than in men, men can still develop the disease.

Since there are no screening recommendations for men, men must be aware of any changes in their breasts. Even if there isn’t a significant family history, you should still report any lumps, pains, or changes to your doctor. Dr. Reitherman continued, “The most common risk factor is a family history of breast cancer. Men are diagnosed with breast cancer rarely. For males who carry the BRCA2 gene, the risk of breast cancer is significantly elevated by this mutation.

Mammograms cause breast cancer to spread
Dr. Zeidman informed us that this is a common misconception she encounters with her patients. The theory is that the cancer will spread to other areas of the breast if it is compressed during a mammography or if it is removed with a needle biopsy. He does, however, affirm: There is no evidence to support this. Dr. Reitherman concurs, saying there is no proof at all that mammograms cause breast cancer. There is no proof or theory linking the very low radiation and compression used during a mammography procedure to the development of breast cancer.

If there is no lump, there is no cancer
Dr. Zeidman stated that mammograms would not be necessary if this were the case. Because mammograms enable us to detect cancer before it becomes palpable in this case, palpable refers to the ability for a person to feel a lump with their fingers they have been shown to save lives. When breast cancer is detected in its early stages and treated, the chance of survival approaches 100%.

As the stage progresses, survival decreases. In fact, Dr. Zeidman continued, the cancer might never become palpable and still spread to other parts of the body. Many breast cancers are discovered on screening mammograms and may not be felt, according to Dr. Dot Fancher. This is particularly true for ductal carcinoma in situ or noninvasive breast cancer, which may only manifest as calcifications on a screening mammography.

Breast cancer is a common disease, and although leading a healthy lifestyle may somewhat lower the risk, awareness is essential. A doctor’s chances of surviving breast cancer increase with early detection.

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-15-breast-cancer-misconceptions?utm_source=ReadNext#The-take-home

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php/therapy,10
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/disease/cancer

One of the main causes of death in the world is lung cancer. Smokers have a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer, though it can also strike nonsmokers. ¹ In the United States, 230,000 people were expected to receive a lung cancer diagnosis in 2023; in the lifetime of an individual, 1 in 16 men and 1 in 17 women will receive a lung cancer diagnosis.

Lung cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stages because it rarely exhibits symptoms until the disease has progressed. Chest pain, coughing up blood, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and wheezing are a few of these symptoms that may be present. Patients may experience additional symptoms, such as headaches, weight loss, appetite loss, and swelling in the face or neck, as the disease progresses.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are the two main subtypes of lung cancer. Less common than NSCLC, SCLC usually affects people who have smoked heavily for years. Large cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma are all included in NSCLC.

First- or second-hand smoke exposure, as well as prior radiation therapy (particularly to the chest) for a prior diagnosis, are risk factors for lung cancer. Lung cancer risk may increase with exposure to cancer-causing agents, such as carcinogens such as nickel, chromium, asbestos, and arsenic. Finally, it has been established that a family history of lung cancer contributes to the disease’s development.

Imaging tests are commonly used in the diagnosis process, and lung cancer cells may also be detected through sputum cytology. While thoracentesis can examine the fluid surrounding the lungs to determine whether it is malignant, a biopsy is an additional method to examine the cells that are proliferating in the lungs. 1, 3.

Patients with lung cancer may receive palliative care in addition to radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other treatments. Wedge resection, segmental resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy are possible surgical options.

REFERENCES:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis/how-is-lung-cancer-diagnosed
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies/approved-drug-list#targeted-therapy-approved-for-lung-cancer

In the United States, about 1.2 million people are HIV positive. 1 Patients with HIV are living longer thanks to the development of contemporary antiretroviral therapy. Nearly two-thirds of HIV-positive people in the US were predicted to be 45 years of age or older in 2021. 2 Treatment of co-morbid conditions must be addressed as the HIV population ages, even though antiretroviral therapy that permanently suppresses HIV replication is of the utmost importance. Statin drugs for HIV, heart disease, stroke, and cholesterol management.

It is well known from research that those living with HIV have an increased risk of heart disease. For instance, research has shown that this patient population has a 20–100% increased risk of myocardial infarction. 3 Unfortunately, even with HIV under control, this risk remains. Research is still ongoing to determine the mechanisms underlying the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, current theories include immunological activation and persistent inflammation; depletion of CD4-positive cells; exposure to toxic, older antiretroviral therapies; and conventional risk factors like diabetes, smoking, and unhealthy eating patterns. Before recently, there was no particular advice available for HIV patients on how to prevent cardiovascular events. Now that the results of the REPRIEVE trial (NCT03455390) have been released, medical professionals have access to data unique to this significant patient population.

7769 people with HIV infection between the ages of 40 and 75 who were receiving antiretroviral therapy and had a low-to-moderate risk of cardiovascular disease were enrolled in the phase 3 Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE)4. A placebo or 4 mg of daily pitavastatin calcium (Livalo; Kowa) was administered at random as a form of treatment. Pitavastatin calcium was selected due to its incompatibility with medications utilized in antiretroviral therapy.

According to a time-to-event analysis, the main outcome was the occurrence of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), which included peripheral arterial ischemia, myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, stroke, revascularization of a peripheral artery or coronary carotid, cardiovascular death, and death from an unknown cause. A composite of a fatality from any cause or a MACE was a significant secondary outcome.

Thirty-one percent were women, 65 percent were non-White, and the median age was 50 years. The median screening CD4-positive count was 621 cells/mm3, and the median screening low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was 108 mg/dL. At the time of the report, 83% of participants were still in follow-up, with 74.8 percent of the pitavastatin group and 71% of the placebo group still receiving their randomized treatment. The median 10-year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease risk score was 4.5 percent. In the pitavastatin and placebo groups, the rates of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events were 2 points 1 percent and 1 point 2 percent, respectively.

After a median of five years, the trial was terminated early for efficacy because the pitavastatin group experienced a twenty-one percent reduction in MACE and a thirty-five percent reduction in MACE or death. Antiretroviral medication plus statins may be even more beneficial in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even though the results are unique to pitavastatin, other statins might offer comparable protection.

The Department of Health and Human Services/National Institutes of Health HIV Clinical Guidelines updated their recommendation to include that all individuals with HIV who are between the ages of 40 and 75 and have a risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease of at least five percent should receive a moderate-intensity statin due to the trial’s efficacy. 5 The majority of people living with HIV can benefit from starting a moderate-intensity statin between the ages of 40 and 75, as nearly two-thirds of those living with HIV are at least 45 years old.

Regardless of the practice setting, pharmacists are especially qualified to assist in putting these recommendations into practice. Enhancing patient health is a shared responsibility among those working in primary care, inpatient, retail, and HIV-focused clinical settings, among others. Proactive chart reviews to ensure appropriate statin use are already standard practice in many of these settings; the patient population that qualifies has simply grown. In other contexts, the payment for medication therapy management may serve as a catalyst for the adoption of statins in this patient population.

Pharmacists can discuss statin use with patients at every interaction, including admission and refills, and can help with the right statin selection when necessary. As the second most prescribed class of drugs, antilipidemic agents require special handling from pharmacists when it comes to insurance claims, formulary substitutions, and appropriate counseling. This may make it possible to switch to a better option or start taking a statin with ease.

When selecting the appropriate statin, it’s important to understand the pharmacokinetics of both antiretrovirals and statins to look for any potential side effects that might be mitigated. The commercially available statins are listed in tables 15, 7, and 25, 7 below according to how much they lower LDL. Based on data from REPRIEVE, guidelines recommend 10 mg of rosuvastatin, 4 mg of pitavastatin, and 20 mg of atorvastatin as the recommended statins and dosages. Consequently, a list of potential drug interactions between them and commonly used antiretrovirals is available.

HIV-positive people live longer and are more likely to experience cardiovascular events. The recent release of REPRIEVE data has impacted the revision of guidelines to include a broader use of statins. The majority of HIV patients are now advised to take a moderate-intensity statin, and pharmacists are well-positioned to assist in putting these new guidelines into practice and helping their patients’ cardiovascular outcomes.

REFERENCES
https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/adult-and-adolescent-arv
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/156513
https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:123251

Although there isn’t a cure for cancer at this time, scientists are looking into some novel treatments that could one day transform the way the disease is treated, such as vaccines and gene editing. A class of diseases known as cancer is distinguished by abnormal cell growth. These cells can invade various bodily tissues, which can cause major health issues. After heart disease, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Is there a real treatment for cancer at the moment, though?

Will we ever cure cancer?

The distinction between a cure and remission must be made to respond to the question, “Is there a cure for cancer? If so, how close are we?. A full recovery from cancer indicates that all signs of the disease have been removed from the body and that recurrence is unlikely. Remission. Remission denotes a decrease in or complete absence of cancerous signs. A person in remission may exhibit little to no physical evidence of cancerous cells. Generally speaking, there are two types of remission: a complete remission, in which the cancer is not showing any symptoms. a partial remission, in which there is still cancer present but the tumor has shrunk. Cancer cells can reappear in the body even after they have completely disappeared.

This implies that the cancer may return. If this occurs, it usually does so in the first five years following therapy. Even though some medical professionals might refer to cancer as “cured” if it doesn’t recur within five years, cancer is never really cured because it can always return. This is why most medical professionals will refer to a patient as being “in remission” rather than “cured.”. We will be looking at novel and cutting-edge cancer treatments in this article. These more recent therapies can be administered in addition to or instead of more traditional cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. Now let’s get started.

Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer cells. The immune system is made up of various organs, cells, and tissues that help the body fight off outside invaders, including:

bacteria, viruses, parasites…
However, cancer cells are a part of us and aren’t seen by our bodies as invaders. Because of this, the immune system may need help identifying them. There are several ways to provide this help.

Vaccines

Most likely, when you consider vaccinations, you consider them concerning the prevention of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, measles, and the flu. Certain vaccines, however, can aid in the prevention or even treatment of specific cancers. For instance, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine offers defense against a variety of HPV strains that can result in throat, cervix, and anus cancers. Furthermore, a chronic hepatitis B virus infection, which can result in liver cancer, is avoided by receiving the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine known as Bacillus Calmette-Geurin (BCG) is typically administered to treat tuberculosis, but it can also be used in the treatment of bladder cancer. During this treatment, a catheter delivers BCG directly to the bladder, stimulating the body’s immune system to target and destroy bladder cancer cells.

Additionally, scientists are working to develop a vaccine that directly supports the immune system’s defense against cancer. Typically, the surface of cancer cells contains molecules absent from healthy cells. These molecules may be included in a vaccine that improves the immune system’s ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved one vaccine to treat cancer thus far. Sipuleucel-T, also known as Provenge, is a medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer in patients who have not responded to prior therapies. The fact that this vaccine is customized makes it special. After being extracted from the body, immune cells are altered in a lab to identify prostate cancer cells. After that, they are reinjected into the body to support the immune system’s search for and elimination of cancerous cells. A review from 2021 states that scientists are now in the process of creating and evaluating novel vaccinations to treat specific forms of cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that these vaccines are occasionally tested in conjunction with approved cancer medications.

Some examples of cancers with vaccines that have been or are currently being tested are:

Pancreatic cancer
Melanoma
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Breast cancer
Multiple myeloma

T-cell therapy

One type of immune cell is the T-cell. They function to eliminate external invaders that your immune system has identified. These cells are taken out of the body and sent to a lab for T-cell therapy. The cells that exhibit the highest degree of reactivity against cancerous cells are isolated and cultured in vast quantities. Then, your body receives another injection of these T-cells. CAR T-cell therapy is a particular kind of T-cell therapy. T-cells are taken out and altered to have a receptor added to their surface during treatment. When cancer cells are reintroduced into your body, this aids the T-cells’ ability to identify and eliminate them more effectively. Six CAR T-cell therapies have received FDA approval as of this writing. These are used to treat blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma and certain forms of leukemias and lymphomas.

In general, CAR T-cell therapy is advised in cases where prior cancer therapies have failed. It has some potentially dangerous side effects, but it can also help patients with cancers that are difficult to treat. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is one of these. This occurs when a significant amount of chemicals known as cytokines are released into the bloodstream by the freshly reintroduced T-cells. The immune system may go into overdrive as a result. Following CAR T-cell therapy, major neurological side effects such as seizures and confusion have also been reported. Clinical trials are underway to investigate the potential applications of this therapy for other cancer types, such as solid tumors, which can present challenges for CAR T-cell penetration. Additionally, researchers are looking into more effective ways to control the side effects of CAR T-cell therapy.

Monoclonal antibodies

The B cell, another kind of immune cell, produces antibodies, which are proteins. They can attach to antigens, which are particular targets that they can recognize. T lymphocytes can locate and eliminate antigens once an antibody has bound to them. Antibodies that recognize antigens typically found on the surface of cancer cells are produced in large quantities as part of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy. Once inside the body, they can assist in identifying and eliminating cancer cells. Many types of mAbs have been developed for cancer therapy. Some examples include:

Alemtuzumab (Campath). This mAb binds selectively to a protein that is highly expressed on the surface of both T and B cell lymphocytes. By targeting this specific protein, both the T and B cells are marked for destruction, which helps your body get rid of any cancer-containing cells.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin). This mAb is specific for HER2, a protein found on some breast cancer cells, and promotes their growth. Trastuzumab binds to HER2, which blocks its activity. This stops or slows the growth of breast cancer cells.

Blinatumomab (Blincyto). Given that it contains two distinct mAbs, this therapy is regarded as both a T-cell therapy and a mAb. One adheres to the cells of the cancer, and the other to the cells of the immune system. This combines the two cell types and makes the cancer cells vulnerable to immune system attack. It is presently used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia and medications akin to it are being created to treat conditions like myeloma.

Additionally, monoclonal antibodies can be linked to chemotherapy medications or radioactive particles. We refer to these as conjugated mAbs. These cancer-fighting agents can be delivered straight to cancer cells because the antibodies are specific for antigens on cancer cells.

Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin).Zevalin, or ibritumomab tiuxetan. Because this mAb has a radioactive particle attached to it, when the antibody binds, radioactivity can be delivered straight to the cancer cells. It is applied to treat certain non-Hodgkin lymphoma types. Emtansine (ado-trastuzumab) (Kadcyla). There is a chemotherapy drug attached to this antibody. The medication is released into the cancer cells by the antibody once it has been attached. Certain forms of breast cancer are treated with it.

Virotherapy

As a normal part of their life cycle, many virus species kill their host cell. This makes viruses a promising cancer treatment option. The use of viruses to specifically destroy cancer cells is known as virotherapy. Oncolytic viruses are the type of viruses used in virotherapy. They have undergone genetic modification so they can only replicate and target cancer cells. According to the NCI, antigens linked to cancer are released when an oncolytic virus destroys a cancer cell. Following their binding to these antigens, antibodies can start an immune reaction. Although multiple viruses are being investigated by researchers for this kind of treatment, only one has received approval thus far. It is a modified form of the herpes virus known as talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC). It is used to treat skin cancer caused by melanoma that is not surgically treatable.

Oncolytic viruses are still being researched as a potential cancer treatment. A review published in 2020 examined research on oncolytic viruses conducted between 2000 and 2020. There were 97 distinct clinical trials identified, the majority of which were phase 1. Melanoma and digestive cancers were the most common cancer types targeted by virotherapy. The most studied oncolytic virus was a modified adenovirus. Only 7 of the studies included information on the levels of tumor-specific immune response, according to the reviewers.

Hormone therapy

Hormones are naturally produced by the body and function as messengers between the various tissues and cells in your body. They support the regulation of numerous bodily processes. Certain hormone levels can have an impact on the growth of certain cancers. For this reason, hormone therapy employs medication to prevent hormone production. Certain types of cancer cells can have their growth and survival impacted by changes in hormone levels. These cancers can grow more slowly if a necessary hormone is blocked or its level is lowered. Prostate, uterine, and breast cancers are occasionally treated with hormone therapy. It frequently serves as a supplement to other cancer treatments like targeted therapy or chemotherapy.

Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are extremely small particles, much smaller than a cell. Because of their size, they can move around the body and interact with various biological molecules and cells. In particular, nanoparticles hold great promise for drug delivery in the treatment of cancer. Nanoparticles have the potential to be used in drug delivery systems that can target cancer cells and penetrate tissue barriers, like the blood-brain barrier. This could reduce side effects and increase the efficacy of cancer treatments.

Additionally, nanoparticles might have an impact on the immune system. In a 2020 study, immune cells were trained to mount an attack against cancer cells using a nanoparticle-based system in mice. Additionally, this strategy increased the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The FDA has approved several nanoparticle-based delivery systems for the treatment of cancer, even though the kinds of nanoparticle therapy we just covered are still in the research and development stage. These systems use nanoparticles to more effectively deliver cancer drugs. A few cancer medications that might make use of a nanoparticle-based delivery system are doxorubicin (Doxil) and paclitaxel (Abraxane).

There are currently clinical trials underway for additional nanoparticle-based cancer treatments. A list of ongoing clinical trials using nanoparticles to treat cancer is available on the U. S. Clinical Trials, National Library of Medicine. There are representations of numerous cancers, such as lung, prostate, and breast cancers.

In summary, there is presently no conclusive treatment for cancer. There is always a chance that cancer may recur, even in cases where a patient has experienced complete remission. Still, scientists are working hard to create fresher, more potent cancer therapies. Hormone therapy, immunotherapies such as monoclonal antibodies, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines are some of the treatments that are currently being used in addition to more traditional cancer therapies. Nanoparticles and gene editing, particularly with the CRISPR system, are other important research areas. Even though these technologies are still in the early phases of development, preliminary research and testing have produced encouraging outcomes.

REFERENCES:
https://www.healthline.com/health/is-there-a-cure-for-cancer#resources

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here

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One dangerous kind of cancer is breast cancer. Scholars continue to investigate potential causes of breast cancer as well as strategies to reduce risk. The distinct relationship between the gut microbiome and mammary gland expression of microRNA was highlighted by data from a recent mouse study. Additionally, eating flaxseed may affect the relationship between mammary gland microRNA expression and the gut microbiota, which may help prevent breast cancer. Scholars are gaining increasing insight into the ways in which the microorganisms found in the human gut, known as the gut microbiome, impact various aspects of health. The goal of a recent study that was published in Microbiology Spectrum was to examine the connection between breast cancer risk and the gut microbiome. Researchers discovered a crucial relationship between the gut microbiome and gene expression in their study utilizing female mice. They also discovered that feeding mice flaxseed lowered their risk of developing breast cancer. Although further research is required, the findings may have practical applications in lowering the risk of breast cancer. The goal of this study’s research was to learn more about one particular strategy for modifying the risk of breast cancer. In this specific study, data from female mice were analyzed. It allowed researchers to examine gut microbiome components and their connection to breast cancer. The bacteria and other microorganisms that reside in the gut are referred to as the gut microbiome. They were able to as well.

Initially, they discovered a relationship between mammary gland microRNA and the microorganisms present in the mice’s guts. They also discovered that breast cancer development may be influenced by mammary gland microRNA. Author of the study Dr. Elena M. Comelli, Ph.D. D. , Associate Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, told MNT We discovered a correlation between the expression of microRNA in the mammary gland and the relative abundance of specific microbiota taxa (gut bacteria). MicroRNAs are tiny molecules that play a key role in controlling how genes are expressed. We discovered that a few of these microRNA are connected to pathways related to breast cancer. Next, the researchers looked at potential modifications to the connection between the gut microbiome and microRNA expression in the mammary gland. It was discovered that feeding mice flaxseed changed the way gut bacteria interacted with microRNA, which may have a protective effect against breast cancer. The theory that consuming flaxseed as a whole food may yield the greatest benefits was reinforced by additional analysis of the flaxseed’s constituent parts. It’s interesting that flaxseed was able to positively alter these associations, according to Dr. Comelli. Lignan, a substance found in flaxseed, must be broken down by the gut microbiota in order to produce metabolites that are subsequently taken up by the bloodstream. A diet intervention was found to be associated with the gut microbiota-mammary gland miRNA relationship.

The research showed the interconnectivity of the gastrointestinal microbial ecosystem relationship to the miRNA of the mammary glands. Dr. Theresa Hubka, an osteopathic physician specializing in OB/GYN and president-elect of the American Osteopathic Association, also shared her thoughts on the study with Medical News Today. They demonstrated how the digestive system interacts with other organs in relation to a particular disease state, such as breast cancer, and the preventive measures that can be taken in the form of dietary modifications. Gaining an understanding of these systems will enable additional research on the regulation of genes implicated in the processes of proliferation and migration in breast cancer. Therefore, certain disease states can be mitigated and one’s health and well-being can be improved through nutrition and dietary changes. One of the most common cancer types and a major cause of cancer-related mortality is breast cancer. 685,000 deaths globally in 2020 were related to breast cancer alone. To treat breast cancer, medical professionals and cancer specialists can work together to develop a combined treatment plan. Radiation therapy, medication, and surgery to remove the cancer are possible treatments. Board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist Dr. Wael Harb, of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers in Orange County, California, and non-study author, provided MNT with the following explanation.

Breast cancer is still a major global health concern. According to the World Health Organization, it is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with over 2.3 million diagnoses and 685,000 deaths from it in 2020. The American Cancer Society projects that there will be 43,250 deaths and 287,850 new cases in the US in 2023. The incidence of breast cancer and its potential severity highlight the need for continued research and public health campaigns, even though improvements in treatment and early detection have increased survival rates. One of the most important aspects of supporting those with breast cancer is conducting research and creating potential treatments. Learning how people can lower their risk of developing breast cancer, however, is also essential. For example, people who regularly exercise, maintain a healthy weight, and drink less alcohol may be able to reduce their risk of breast cancer. This study suggests that the risk of breast cancer may be changed. But there are also significant limitations to the research. The study’s primary drawback is that only female mice were used, which limits the research’s applicability to human subjects. It suggests that further study in this field is necessary. Future research can also examine the special connection and implications between the components of flaxseed, the mammary gland microRNA, and the gut microbiome. Dr. Harb identified the following clinical implications of the data “If these findings are confirmed by additional research, especially with human subjects, it could have important clinical implications.”. It implies that dietary changes, like consuming flaxseed, may affect variables linked to the risk of breast cancer. Before such findings can be applied to clinical practice, however, a thorough investigation is required due to the intricacy of human biology and the impact of multiple factors such as genetics and environment. The study emphasizes the need for rigorous, extensive human trials to validate these preliminary findings while also pointing towards exciting possibilities in preventive strategies. Dr. Regarding upcoming MNTA research, Elena M. Comelli made the following observation “At the moment, we are studying flaxseed hull, which is enriched in lignans vs flaxseed.”. Flaxseed hull adds more lignans to the diet when consumed in the same amount. We’re curious to see if this leads to better responses. It will also be crucial to conduct an experimental investigation to confirm our in silico results. It will be crucial to investigate the potential regulatory role of microRNAs in the preventive effects of flaxseed in breast cancer models. The results will aid in formulating treatment plans. As research advances, it may lead to the creation of clinical guidelines that lower the risk of breast cancer or even the quantity of cases of the disease.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/flaxseed-benefits-gut-microbiome-reduce-breast-cancer-risk
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/flaxseeds-influence-gut-microbiome-and-may-reduce-breast-cancer-risk
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231207161415.htm
https://www.earth.com/news/flaxseeds-influence-on-the-gut-could-reduce-breast-cancer-risk/
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Therapy built on tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes is now being prepared for at least 20 people in the United States with advanced melanoma. More than 35 years after it was invented, a therapy that uses immune cells extracted from a person’s own tumour is finally hitting the clinic. At least 20 people with advanced melanoma have embarked on treatment with what is called tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which target and kill cancer cells. The regimen, called lifileucel, is the first TIL therapy to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is the first immune-cell therapy to win FDA approval for treating solid tumours such as melanoma. Doctors already deploy immune cells called CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cells to treat cancer, but CAR-T therapy is used against only blood cancers such as leukaemia.

The FDA granted approval on 16 February to lifileucel, sold as Amtagvi. The approval is a great accomplishment, He says that it will pave the way for TILs to be used to treat other cancers, including lung and pancreatic tumours, shortly. After a person’s tumour is removed, surgeons send tissue samples to a laboratory that isolates TILs from them and grows the TILs for three weeks until they’ve multiplied into billions of cells. Before the TILs are reinfused back into the treated person, the recipient is given chemotherapy and an immune chemical called interleukin-2 (IL-2) that temporarily kills immune cells to make room for the TILs. For now, lifileucel can be used only as a last-line treatment in people with certain forms of advanced melanoma that haven’t responded to other treatments. But Iovance and others are currently testing lifileucel as a first-line treatment against melanoma. Some evidence suggests that it might be even more effective as a first- or second-line treatment before an aggressive treatment can harm the TILs in tumours.

In Iovance’s trial testing lifileucel in 153 people with melanoma, tumours shrank in 31 percent of the participants. Furthermore, in a second trial conducted in Denmark, 20% of patients receiving TIL therapy experienced complete remission, compared to 7% of patients receiving a different medication. According to Amod Sarnaik, a surgical oncologist who oversaw Iovance’s trial and works at the Moffitt Center in Tampa, Florida, solid tumors typically develop resistance to therapies like chemotherapy. However, Sarnaik claims that often enough “brute force” will defeat the cancer if the majority of the tumor is removed and billions of TILs are infused. The best TILs are then “remembered” by the immune system, which enables it to rapidly expunge them if the cancer returns.

The majority of the adverse effects of the therapy, including fevers and anemia, are related to the IL-2 and chemotherapy administered to patients to get them ready for TIL infusion. TILs target not only tumor cells but also healthy cells. This can lead to autoimmune diseases like vitiligo, where TILs attack pigment cells in the skin, causing discoloration. TILs are naturally occurring, uniquely human cells, much like CAR T cells. However, while CAR T cells are genetically modified to target particular antigens on cancer cells, the specific antigens that each individual’s TILs target are unknown, though it essentially doesn’t matter as long as they are effective for that person. For each patient, the medication is essentially different. The FDA approved Iovance’s method for multiplying TILs and administering them to cancer patients because it is not feasible for the agency to evaluate each patient’s set of TILs. Additionally, since TILs arise spontaneously, businesses can only patent their methods not the cells as a whole. For those of us attempting to devise novel approaches to enhance the procedure, this is welcome news.

REFERENCES:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00673-w
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/fda-amtagvi-til-therapy-melanoma
https://www.statnews.com/2024/02/16/melanoma-solid-tumor-til-therapy-amtagyi-lifileucel-iovance/
https://molecular-cancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12943-023-01723-z

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According to research, some type 2 diabetes medications used for weight loss may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Diabetes and obesity both increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Reducing the risk of colorectal cancer can be achieved by controlling diabetes, getting regular screenings, and maintaining a healthy weight. A recent study published in the journal JAMA Oncology suggests that a class of type 2 diabetes medications, which includes weight loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, may also help prevent colorectal cancer. By reducing blood sugar, boosting insulin production, and delaying stomach emptying, these medications—known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs—help control diabetes and promote weight loss, according to research. Case Western Reserve University researchers were interested in seeing if these medications could lower the risk of colorectal cancer because obesity and diabetes are risk factors for the disease, which is the second leading cause of death from all cancers and the third most common type among adults in the US. Over a 15-year period of study data, the researchers found that individuals treated with GLP-1 RAs had a 44 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer than other type 2 diabetics receiving insulin treatment.

Furthermore, the GLP-1 RA treatment group exhibited a 25% reduced risk of colorectal cancer in comparison to the metformin treatment group. According to Dr. Daniel Landau, a medical oncologist, internal medicine specialist, hematologist, and expert contributor for The Mesothelioma Center in Florida who was not involved in the study, the precise cause of diabetes’s significant risk for colorectal cancer is still unknown. Theories include the following: excessive tissue exposure to endogenous sugars fosters an environment in which cancers can grow; diabetes frequently coexists with other risk factors like obesity; and inflammation is linked to cancer. How well diabetes treatment reduces the elevated risk of cancers has not been well-established, Landau told Medical News Today. Since the discovery of GLP1-Ras, there has been evidence to suggest that these treatments may be superior to other medications in lowering the risk of colorectal cancer in diabetic patients. Landau hypothesized that these specific drugs may be more effective at causing weight loss and that their longer-acting nature may contribute to their superior efficacy when it comes to preventing colorectal cancer when compared to other type 2 diabetes medications. Dr. Wael Harb, a hematologist and medical oncologist at MemorialCare Cancer Institute, stated that the study offers a potentially revolutionary breakthrough in understanding the connection between diabetes treatment and cancer prevention.

I find these preliminary results encouraging as a physician in the biopharma industry,” Harb told Medical News Today. It’s important to stress that these are preliminary findings, and before they are taken into consideration for clinical application, they must be validated through larger, more thorough studies. Dr. The study’s findings, according to Anton Bilchik, a surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in California, are significant and thought-provoking not only for their possible application but also for their ability to advance our knowledge of colorectal cancer in general. According to Bilchik, who did not participate in the study, these medications are being used more frequently because of their significant impact on weight loss, Medical News Today reported. Scientists may be able to learn more about the cause of colorectal cancer if this study results in a decrease in the disease’s development through independent mechanisms. The greatest strategy to lower your risk of colorectal cancer, regardless of medication use, is to prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity, maintain a healthy weight, and schedule routine checkups with your doctor. According to estimates, roughly two-thirds of U. S. Adults either have obesity or are overweight. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are over 52,000 deaths and approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year.

The third most common cancer in the world and in the United States is colorectal cancer. S. Dr. Misagh Karimi, a medical oncologist at the City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center in California who specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, stated that rates are rising among those under the age of 50. Karimi, who was not involved in the new study, told Medical News Today that eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, being physically active, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking tobacco are all important ways to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. It’s critical to follow your doctor’s recommendation and get screened for colorectal cancer because early detection can make a huge difference.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/weight-loss-drugs-such-as-wegovy-and-ozempic-may-help-reduce-colorectal-cancer-risk
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-wegovy-and-other-glp-1-drugs-may-reduce-colorectal-cancer-risk
https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-tied-to-increased-risk-of-severe-stomach-problems/

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Even though colorectal cancer is very treatable when detected in its early stages, most cases are discovered when the disease has progressed. Within five years of receiving treatment for colorectal cancer, recurrence rates range from 7% to 29%. A good diet and other lifestyle modifications can help prevent colorectal cancer. Recent studies have shown that including navy beans, sometimes referred to as haricot beans, in the diets of colorectal cancer survivors improved their gut microbiomes, which may help prevent and treat the disease. The third most common type of cancer worldwide is colorectal cancer, which affects the large intestine, including the colon and the rectum. When detected early enough, colorectal cancer is very treatable and in certain cases even curable. On the other hand, colorectal cancer does not always exhibit symptoms right away. Merely 35 percent or approximately three to four out of ten colorectal cancer cases are detected during the early stages of the disease, when it is still localized. Even with advancements in treatment, between 7 and 29 percent of patients with colorectal cancer may experience a recurrence within five years of finishing treatment, depending on the location and stage of the disease, according to recent research.

While there is no guarantee against colorectal cancer, research from the past indicates that maintaining a healthy weight, exercising frequently, and following certain dietary recommendations can all be beneficial. Presently, M.D researchers from The University of Texas. Researchers at the Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that including navy beans, sometimes referred to as haricot beans, in the diets of people who have survived colorectal cancer can enhance their gut microbiome, which may help prevent and treat cancer. The nutritional profiles of other dry beans, peas, and lentils may also stimulate the gut microbiome, according to Dr. Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, an associate professor of epidemiology at The University of Texas MdotD. The lead author of this study, from Anderson Cancer Center, told Medical News Today that she was especially motivated by encouraging results from early preclinical or mouse model studies that looked specifically at how navy beans affected the trifecta of obesity, inflammation, and colorectal cancer. Dr. Daniel-MacDougall stated that the Polyp Prevention Trial (PPT) served as an inspiration for these investigations, including her own. She continued, This large study demonstrated that the individuals who consumed the most beans on a daily basis or nearly did so had a lower risk of recurrence of advanced colorectal adenoma, a type of precancerous and high-risk polyp that is very likely to progress to colorectal cancer if not caught promptly upon colonoscopy and completely removed.

Pinto, navy, and black beans were the most popular beans consumed by Americans at the time of the PPT, though their popularity varied. S. area. I knew navy beans here in Texas would also be “new” to participants and have a mild/adaptable taste, so I knew they would be ideal for testing in a consistent and controlled way over the course of eight weeks, she continued. A balanced gut microbiome is crucial for colorectal cancer survivors, according to Dr. Daniel-MacDougall, as it interacts directly with the colon epithelium, which is the site of colorectal cancer development. She went on to say that the immune system is closely related to this “cross-talk” between human cells and bacteria, which can either drive or prevent inflammation as well as the onset and spread of cancer. Dr. Daniel-MacDougall continued, “Survivors of cancer want to avoid other major and debilitating health issues after overcoming the arduous journey of the disease.”. The significance of the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer has also been demonstrated by earlier studies. According to a July 2023 study, microbial therapies for colorectal cancer may target the gut microbiome. According to a June 2020 study, dietary modifications tailored to an individual’s gut microbiota may help stop colorectal cancer (CRC) from starting and spreading while also enhancing the effectiveness of antitumoral therapy.

In order to conduct this study, Dr. Daniel-MacDougall and her colleagues randomly assigned 55 male and female participants over the age of thirty who had previously experienced bowel lesions, colorectal cancer, or were at high risk of developing precancerous polyps. Of these, 48 (87 percent) of the participants finished the study. Participants were asked to consume a cup of organic, canned, pressure-cooked white navy beans every day for eight weeks, or they could continue with their regular diet. Researchers found that individuals who regularly ate navy beans had improvements in their gut microbiome. These alterations included a decrease in pathogenic, or opportunistic, bacteria and an increase in alpha diversity, or beneficial bacteria like Eubacterium, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium. While some doctors might feel at ease discussing healthy living, exercise, and eating more fruits and vegetables and less red and processed meat with their patients, Dr. Daniel-MacDougall noted that beans are frequently less likely to come up in conversation and may be more difficult to sell in a population with a history of bowel lesions or bowel issues. She continued, “I hope that this trial’s results and other supporting evidence will make beans a regular topic of conversation and that more medical professionals and patients will recognize the importance of whole foods to achieve a broader impact on health.”. MNT also had a conversation with Dr. Anton Bilchik, director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatob Institute, chief of medicine, and surgical oncologist.

With between 2 and 3 trillion bacteria in the human body and strong evidence linking these bacteria to a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, Dr. Bilchik stated that he thought this study was highly significant and pertinent. In addition, we may harbor both beneficial and harmful bacteria. Thus, he emphasized, it would be crucial if we could use nutrition to boost the good bacteria that influence the immune system and prevent cancer or cancer recurrence. Additionally, given the wealth of new knowledge about bacteria and how diet can affect them, Dr. Bilchik stated that doctors must discuss gut health with their patients who have colorectal cancer. For instance, it is commonly known that individuals who consume processed foods, red meat, and charred meat have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. And because other foods, like processed food, may be stimulating the bad bacteria to increase the risk of colorectal cancer and cancer currently, it is critical to know that there are healthier foods that can stimulate bacteria to prevent cancer or to prevent cancer recurrence. Therefore, Dr. Bilchik continued, diet and nutrition should play a critical role in the conversation regarding the prevention of colorectal cancer as well as the treatment of patients who already have the disease to reduce the likelihood that it will return.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eating-more-navy-haricot-beans-may-help-colorectal-cancer-prevention-treatment
https://ascopost.com/news/december-2023/consuming-navy-beans-may-improve-gut-health-regulate-immune-and-inflammatory-processes-in-colorectal-cancer-survivors/
https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/eating-beans-improves-gut-health-regulates-immune-inflammatory-processes-colorectal-cancer-survivors.h00-159623379.html
https://medicaldialogues.in/gastroenterology/news/eating-beans-may-prevent-recurrence-of-colorectal-cancer-study-121017

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It is an undeniable fact that lung cancer can be caused by tobacco use. According to Cancer Research UK, a nonprofit organization based in the United Kingdom, smoking is the primary cause of both 72% of lung cancer cases and 86% of lung cancer deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is linked to up to 90% of lung cancer deaths in the US. Lung cancer risk can be significantly decreased by quitting smoking or, better yet, by never starting to smoke. Smoking is not a cause of lung cancer in all cases, though. Furthermore, non-smoking related lung cancer cases are increasing while smoking-related lung cancer cases are beginning to decline. A disease known as cancer occurs when certain body cells proliferate out of control and invade other bodily regions. Any cancer that affects the lung tissue, bronchi (airways), or trachea (windpipe) is classified as lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are the two primary forms of lung cancer. Approximately 80%–85% of lung cancer cases are NSCLC. NSCLC can be classified into three primary types: large cell carcinoma, where cells appear larger than typical when examined under a microscope; squamous cell carcinoma, which tends to grow near the center of the lungs and starts in the flat cells that cover the airway surface; and adenocarcinoma, which begins in the mucus cells lining the airways.

As a whole, in the U. S. the estimated 5-year survival rate for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 28%, which indicates that 28% of patients with NSCLC are expected to survive five years after diagnosis. On the other hand, survival rates are constantly rising. Lung cancer has historically afflicted more men than women. Women’s smoking rates peaked in the U.S. S. as these women grew older, the incidence of lung cancer rose in the 1960s. There has been an alarming increase in lung cancer cases among younger women (ages 30-49) in recent years. The term “EGFR+ lung cancer” refers to a type of lung cancer, typically an adenocarcinoma, that is brought on by a mutation in the protein known as “EGFR,” which is involved in the growth and division of healthy cells rather than smoking. The gene becomes mutated, telling cells to divide continuously, which results in cancerous tumors. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), 10–15 percent of lung cancers in the United States have an EGFR+ mutation. S. The two most prevalent EGFR mutations are the EGFR L858R point mutation, which modifies a single nucleotide (small unit of DNA), and the EGFR 19 deletion, which results in a portion of the gene being absent. The Exon 20 insertion mutation, which accounts for 4–10% of EGFR+ lung cancer cases, is less frequent. Women are more likely than men to develop this kind of lung cancer. Additionally, younger individuals, those who have never smoked, and those who have smoked lightly in the past are more likely to receive a diagnosis than heavy smokers. Thus, it may share some of the blame for the observed increases.

Numerous lung cancer patients experience negative stigma related to their alleged lifestyles. MNT designed the collage, and Rankin took the photos for the See Through the Symptoms campaign. Images courtesy of EGFR+ UK. Prof. Robert Rintoul is a professor of thoracic oncology at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Oncology. K. , an honorary consultant respiratory physician at the Cambridge-based Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, stated to Medical News Today: “Many individuals with EGFR+ status do not consider lung cancer as a possible cause of their symptoms because they are either light or never smokers. “Oh, it can’t be that bad; I’ve never smoked.”. When the disease does manifest, these patients frequently do so at a later stage and with more advanced symptoms. Lung cancer is no longer a disease exclusive to smokers; at present, 15% of all cases of lung cancer that we diagnose (regardless of EGFR status) are never smokers. As per the CDC, 20 percent or more of lung cancer cases in the U.S. S. are identified among non-smokers. Prof. Regardless of smoking history, Rintoul recommended that everyone be aware of the symptoms, which include: a persistent cough lasting longer than three weeks; recurrent chest infections; blood in the cough; weight loss; unexplained fatigue; chest pain; and unexplained dyspnea. EGFR+ survivor Dr. Gini Harrison, a psychologist and research trustee at EGFR+ UK, issued a warning, pointing out that not everyone experiences these common symptoms, especially in the case of EGFR+ lung cancer.

“I was forty years old. After giving birth to my son in February 2021, I experienced excruciating shoulder pain almost immediately. And that was it. My only symptom was that. No wheezing, no breathing problems—none at all. She informed us that my GP [primary care physician] believed it was likely tendonitis brought on by improper breastfeeding posture. Furthermore, she stated that many of us only exhibit musculoskeletal symptoms at diagnosis, such as shoulder, chest, or back pain. Her unusual symptoms contributed to the nine months it took to diagnose her cancer. Funding for lung cancer research is scarce. Despite being the second most common cancer in women and the most common cancer in men, it receives relatively little funding when considering the total cost of cancer. Lung cancer accounts for 14% of all cancer cases and 18% of all cancer deaths worldwide, but between 2016 and 2020, only 53% of all cancer research funding was allocated to lung cancer research. Is it possible that this is a result of the stigma attached to lung cancer? Considering that 80–90% of people who pass away from lung cancer had smoked in the past, and smoking is frequently blamed for the disease, this could be a factor.

It is imperative, however, that this perspective shift, according to Dr. Harrison: “We need to raise awareness that lung cancer can happen to anyone with lungs, regardless of smoking status.”. Eliminating this stigma would increase awareness, support, funding for research, visibility, and knowledge, all of which should eventually improve symptom detection and early identification, treatment options, and survival rates. The prognosis for lung cancer is better the earlier it is identified. A person with NSCLC who is diagnosed at an early, or localized, stage has a 65 percent chance of surviving for five years, according to the American Cancer Society. However, only 9% of those whose cancer has spread to other parts of their bodies prior to diagnosis have a chance of surviving for an additional five years. Nevertheless, as Dr. Harrison indicated, the prognosis is getting better for people with lung cancer of all kinds. People are living far longer these days than they did a few years ago thanks to targeted therapies. When you look up the statistics on Google after receiving a diagnosis, the appalling results you find are shocking. However, those figures are incredibly outdated. She noted that they haven’t considered the targeted therapies. The cancer’s stage determines the course of treatment for NSCLC. Early detection allows for complete removal of the cancer with no need for follow-up treatments when treated with surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), laser therapy, or brachytherapy (internal radiation). The furrier the diagnosis of cancer, the later it comes.

Treatment options for lung cancer in its later stages include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy (drugs that boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer), and/or chemotherapy. To target therapy, gene mutations in the tumors will be examined. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs, are a class of medications used to treat EGFR+ lung cancer. TKIs block the enzymes that activate proteins like EGFR. Tacrieva (erlotinib), Gilotrif (afatanib), Iressa (gefitinib), Vidimpro (dacomitinib), and Tagrisso (osimertinib) are the five TKIs that are approved for the treatment of EGFR+ lung cancer. Patients with EGFR mutations in NSCLC can significantly increase their chances of survival and quality of life with these drugs. Nevertheless, other gene mutations may impact their effectiveness, and tumors may develop resistance to them. The duration of the medications’ effectiveness varies from patient to patient, according to EGFR+ UK. In the event that the cancer develops resistance and grows or spreads, medical professionals will perform genetic testing to determine the specific mutation that has taken place. They will then frequently try radiation therapy or chemotherapy, which many people will respond well to, or another TKI. Genetic testing revealed that Dr. Harrison’s cancer was Exon 20, which is resistant to TKIs. Since there were no specific treatments for Exon 20 at the time of my diagnosis, they chose chemotherapy and radiation because it was a relatively local treatment.

Although she still has some long-term effects from her several months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, she no longer has any evidence of cancer: “What has happened is the top of my lung has collapsed, as a result of the radiation, and my ribs just keep breaking, but it’s not cancer!” Recent advancements in EGFR+ lung cancer research have been made despite funding shortages. A study conducted earlier in 2023 discovered that glioblastoma, the most common type of brain tumor, has been linked to the development of CD70, a gene that promotes cell survival and invasiveness. This gene may be a potential therapeutic target for patients with resistant EGFR+ lung cancer. Although research on this topic is still in its early stages, another study has hypothesized that a vaccine could prevent the development of common lung tumors driven by EGFR mutations by stimulating immune cells. Dr. Elene Mariamidze of Todua Clinic in Tbilisi, Georgia, stated at the ESMO Congress 2023 that “we are entering an era of personalised medicine in NSCLC where we are using combinations of novel, targeted agents, and it will be essential to know the whole mutational burden of each patient at diagnosis so we can properly plan the most effective and least toxic approach.” Targeted, combined therapies appear to be the most promising route. The optimal mix of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, or targeted treatment, for individual patients is what will shape lung cancer care in the future. Marcia K. Horn, the Intern’s president and CEO, is a juris doctor.

“The PAPILLON clinical trial data were announced at the recent ESMO Congress in Madrid, and our patients and care partners who are members of the Exon 20 Group were ecstatic,” she said. The PAPILLON data indicates that amivantamab plus the chemotherapy doublet of pemetrexed/ALIMTA plus carboplatin is now the new first-line treatment for patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. She continued, “It is imperative that our patient population has access to such a game-changing first-line therapy.”. The intention, according to EGFR+ UK, is for EGFR mutant lung cancer to develop into a long-term, chronic condition that can be managed. The care a person receives, however, varies depending on where they live, as Dr. Harrison explained to MNT: “New discoveries are made on a regular basis, but even though there are numerous clinical trials located in the U.S. Few of them have locations in the U.S. K. , and access to medications is far worse here. “There is a huge disparity in care, both within the U.S. K. and between various nations. She said, “It’s incredibly frustrating.”. “Importantly, patient advocacy is crucial. Our job at the charity is to empower patients to advocate for themselves by educating and guiding them. However, things are looking up. People are living longer these days. Dr. Harrison told us that he knew someone who is still alive 34 years after being diagnosed.

REFERENCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/things-you-may-not-know-about-egfr-positive-lung-cancer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7431055/
https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/lung-cancer-in-nonsmokers
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/risk_factors.htm

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