Excerpt from Mind, Body and Soul by Nancy H. Dahm, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

Gene Therapy
Cancer is a disease of the genes. Earlier, I mentioned that genes make proteins that govern a cell's growth. Gene therapy is aimed at regulating the genes and their specific protein synthesis. (Proteins are responsible for much of the structure of body cells and are related to physiological functions.) Gene therapy manipulates genetic material inside the cancer cells or material inside the immune cells. For example, genetically engineered viruses have been used in gene therapy to replace damaged genes with healthy genes.

Breast Cancer Breakthrough
Molecular analysis is an up-and-coming scientific trend. There are many companies involved in molecular diagnostics. ONCOR is one such company. In 1990, ONCOR became the first company to receive FDA approval to market a gene-based cancer testing system for the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma. Most recently, the company received FDA approval to market the first gene-based test for assessing the risk of recurrence and death associated with lymph node-negative, invasive breast cancer.

What is HER-2/neu?
HER-2 /neu is one of 100,000 genes found in every cell of the body. This gene has the potential of becoming an oncogene (cancer causing gene). In some breast cancers, the HER-2/neu gene is present in extra copies. Thus, the protein HER-2 is produced in excess, causing an excessive proliferation of cancer cells. INFORM HER-2/neu Detection System This detection system by ONCOR is a Fluorescence In Situ Hybrid- ization (FISH) DNA probe assay that determines the qualitative presence of HER-2/neu amplification (extra copies of the gene). It is used as a prognostic indicator. If you have had or currently have breast cancer and want to know your HER-2/neu status, your physician can request the test to be performed on archival tumor material. This test does not replace tests currently in use, but it is used as a strong predictor of risk for recurrence of breast cancer. For information, call 1-800-77-ONCOR.

Genetic Vaccine Helps Immune System
Researchers Dr. H. Kim Lyerly and Eli Gilboa from Duke University's Center for Genetic and Cellular Therapies in Durham, NC, are studying the safety and effectiveness of a new immune system therapy called a genetic vaccine. The vaccine creates a precise attack on a particular abnormal cell growth. The vaccine utilizes the patient's own cancer cell's genetic makeup. Researchers say this treatment is safe for the elderly or for people who have a weakened immune system. This does not prevent cancer, but may stop the spread of cancer or recurrence. (On Health, 10/21/98)

Is a Cure on the Horizon?
It seems that the scientific community is getting close to finding not only new answers but new potentially effective means of at least prolonging life for the cancer patient. The new field of biotechnology has grown tremendously and there are now over 200 new drugs relating to cancer.

Antiangiogenesis Drugs
Harvard researcher Judah Folkman has used two drugs, Angiostatin and Endostatin, to stop tumors from creating their own blood supply, essentially starving cancer cells. Dr. Folkman has spent thirty years researching cancer cells. He has determined that the growth and spread of cancer cells are dependent on their ability to form blood vessels. The vessels then carry nutrients to the cells enabling them to grow. Clinical trials for Angiostatin and Endostatin began in the fall of 1999. Meanwhile, there are clinical trials currently in operation for other antiangiogenesis drugs. A new antiangiogenesis agent, called TNP-470, has been developed. This synthetic chemical is being used to slow the growth of kidney cancer. Researchers report that side effects are mild and there is a high incidence of prolonged progression-free survival. They deem this to be very encouraging. For information call 1-800-4-CANCER.

Copyright Nancy Hassett Dahm October 2000. All rights reserved.