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Gene Therapy Found Effective Against Terminal Cancer (melanoma)

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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:19 PM
Original message
Gene Therapy Found Effective Against Terminal Cancer (melanoma)
Scientists for the first time have genetically modified tumor-fighting immune cells, allowing patients to rid themselves of an aggressive form of cancer, according to a study released today.

The technique, used to cure two patients with advanced melanoma, paves the way for a new approach to fighting cancer by harnessing — and boosting — the body's immune system instead of relying on toxic chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

The researchers from the National Cancer Institute, whose findings were published online by the journal Science, say the strategy could be adapted to treat breast, prostate, lung, colorectal and other common cancers.
...


http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-083106genetherapy,0,4059865.story?coll=la-home-headlines
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Caution Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:23 PM
Response to Original message
1. This can't be true! Only tinctures and homeopathy and green tea
can cure cancer. Oh also chelation therapy and of course that guy in mexico. There is no way that modern medicine has been able to help cure and ease the suffering of millions of cancer victims. No chance at all.
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salvorhardin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:27 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Don't forget the pioneering work of Hulda Clark
She cures everything, especially that nasty terminal disease called life.
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MADem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:28 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. You forgot LAETRIL!!!! Made from, what, apricot pits??? NT
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zreosumgame Donating Member (862 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 04:32 PM
Response to Reply #3
13. wasn't that waht Mike Wiener(savage now) used to peddle?
then he turned even more dishonest and started in talk radio...
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shrike Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-01-06 08:29 AM
Response to Reply #3
22. Believe it or not, I know someone who got well after taking Laetril
Not that it cured him, but it was the damndest thing. He was sent home to die, he goes to Mexico to get Laetril and then the tumor disappears. As far as I know, he's still kicking. Now, he never pushed or marketed the drug himself, but he always admitted freely that Laetril was the last "treatment" he had before getting better.
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:48 PM
Response to Reply #1
4. There're also nostrums and elixirs!
Why do tinctures always get all the credit!?

:)
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Igel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 03:36 PM
Response to Reply #1
9. You forgot to mention
magnets.

Then there's my sister-in-law's approach ... become vegan. Something about ingesting incompatible DNA from animals, and if she stops reinforcing the outbreak of animal-tainted tissue ... She's on chemo, too, not that it's doing much.
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pecwae Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:50 PM
Response to Original message
5. I hope this gets out to those who
need it ASAP!!
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 02:57 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. I hope so too!
I feel like I've read several very promising reports lately that would apply to late-stage illnesses; it would be nice if the FDA could fast-track and/or streamline the approval processes for people who need this now...
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DavidDvorkin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 03:13 PM
Response to Original message
7. This is great news for me
I've already had non-malignant skin cancer and am in the quite high-risk group for worse varieties.
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 03:47 PM
Response to Reply #7
10. Me too, in a way...
I had one (extremely early stage) melanoma a year ago, so I'm pretty conscious of these things...
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DavidDvorkin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 10:42 PM
Response to Reply #10
18. What's also scary is all the odd little lumps and bumps
That might be something but probably aren't. But there are so many of them, and they just keep increasing as one gets older, and one day, one of them. . .
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-01-06 01:14 AM
Response to Reply #18
20. Yep - I've got tons of moles and everything else...and they keep appearing
One sort of odd silver lining to having a skin cancer is I'm now on the permanent 6 month schedule with the dermatologist. It's a relief to know I'll be looked at regularly, and he's very quick to cut into anything unusual...
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DavidDvorkin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-01-06 08:08 AM
Response to Reply #20
21. Same here
Every six months.

You're right, it's reassuring.
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Lisa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 03:32 PM
Response to Original message
8. the people on CNN said that volunteers may be needed for clinical trials
Apparently the NIH would be looking at those patients who have not responded to surgery, chemo, or radiation (or are unable to take those courses of treatment due to other health issues).

They said to keep an eye out for developments at this website.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 03:49 PM
Response to Reply #8
12. That's really interesting - I had no idea that site existed... (nt)
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DemFromMem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 03:48 PM
Response to Original message
11. Praying it is so
I'm at the airport on the way home from being with my father who had surgery this morning to remove a melanoma. Don't know yet how bad it is, but obviously this is exciting news for those with later stage melanomas. Just hope they make quick progress.
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 04:59 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. Best wishes for your father
Here's hoping for a quick recovery...
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Selteri Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 05:10 PM
Response to Original message
15. I think it's terrific news!
I personally can't get really helped by it as I'm one of those people who develpoed a real rare kind of cancer, but at least it is another start.
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LiberalEsto Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 08:20 PM
Response to Original message
16. My friend lost an eye to melanoma 3 years ago
It started as a small black spot. The doctor told her it was no big deal. It started growing rapidly, and by the time she could get a biopsy, it was huge. It took some time to get her surgery scheduled. When they operated, they had to remove about a third of her face and one of her eyes.

But at least she is alive.

Melanoma is deadly serious. I'm happy to hear there is hope of a treatment for it.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-31-06 08:23 PM
Response to Original message
17. God damn monsanto.
How dare they take out a patent on curing cancer!

:hide:
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Odin2005 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-01-06 01:04 AM
Response to Original message
19. 3 cheers for for genetic engineering! 3 cheers for science!
We will rebuild him, make him stringer, faster, smarter...

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
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Javaman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Sep-01-06 11:45 AM
Response to Original message
23. Okay, so once the cancer is gone from the body and the
person is left with this "boosted" immune system, then what?

the idea is fantastic but I still want to hear about the side effects. They may prove to be just as bad as the cancer.

Or will it just give rise to a super-race of germ fighting beings who lord over us their superior will to fight disease...stay tuned...
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