MsC1210

Randy I am over the moon happy for you!!!!!!!!!! Now, let's keep those voices shouting out loud until we reach that pinnacle we are all striving for, called THE CURE!!!! Hugs Chris

Hi Debbie Just a little bit of advice for you. When the dr's are explaining things, if you are not clear on it, have them explain it in laymans terms. Most are more than willing to take that extra minute to make sure you are able to comprehend what they are talking about. It can be so overwhelming dealing with the disease itself but some of the other aspects, side effects and treatments just compound things. Remember the motto here... Get a notebook and write it ALL down. Prayers continue for you and hubby, Hugs Chris

Hello Chris and welcome. I am so sorry about your dad. I can understand how difficult this is for you. I cannot offer much as far as advice but I did want to welcome you and let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted and let us know how we can help you through this, My best to you and your family, Chris

My sincere condolences on your loss. Prayers for you and your family. Chris

applewe, You have gotten more great advice here. Hopefully things will begin to fall into a routine that is comfortable for everyone, including you. Just wanted to touch base and let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Chris

Sharon Wonderful news, thank you so much for sharing this. May your success continue!!! Chris

5 Lung Cancer Symptoms Most People Don't Know About Shoulder or upper back pain: Pain in the shoulder or upper back is a often unnoticed lung cancer symptom. The pain results from a tumor pressing on the lining of the lungs. Swelling of the face and neck is also a lung cancer symptom: Tumors can often put pressure of blood vessels, not allowing fluids to to travel as efficiently throughout the body. The fluids then build up, causing swelling of the face and neck. Frequently having pneumonia or other lung infections: Tumor cells can trap bacteria causing frequent lung infections. Frequently getting pneumonia is also a symptom of lung cancer. Male breast development : Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of the male breast and can be a symptom of lung cancer in men. Breast growth in men is normally due to the increase of estrogen. Lung cancer has been known to produce estrogen. Hoarseness: Do you constantly feel like you have to clear your throat or your throat feels hoarse. This is a very common symptom of lung cancer. Lung cancer tumor cells can block passageways leading to many symtpoms, like hoarseness. More About Lung Cancer: If you are experiencing the symptoms of lung cancer, please see your doctor. Keep in mind that these symptoms of lung cancer are also the symptoms of many other benign condition. http://cancer.about.com/od/lungcancer/p/5lungcancer.htm

Patty I have no words to make things easier, but I can tell you, I UNDERSTAND and I feel your pain as I feel my own. Hugs and prayers, Chris

Hello Bobby and welcome. I am sorry you had the need to find this site, but glad you have joined us. There are so many wonderful and caring people here and I am sure that you will have answers to your questions in short order. First and foremost, the initial diagnosis of this disease is a SHOCK and things are going to be very overwhelming for a while. Have your sister get a small notebook and document EVERYTHING, from her own questions and concerns to the test results, treatment plans and so on. It is too easy to forget things with all that she will be facing. As crazy and scary as things are right now, once her treatments begin, it will get easier to cope with. Just keep a positive attitude, it will help. Keep us posted here and let us know how we can help you and your sister through this. Read some of the survivor stories and the good news here. There is so much hope to be found there. My best to you and your sister, Chris

Ned, While none of us here can guarantee you NED, I personally can tell you I think you are AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing this with us. Especially now when there has been so much sadness, your positive attitude and optimistic outlook are like a breath of fresh air. I wish you ALL the best, and yep, NED too! Hugs Chris

Introgen's INGN 241 Works Synergistically With Avastin® To Cut Blood Supply To Cancers 20 Sep 2006 Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: INGN) reported data from preclinical studies in which mda-7, the active component of INGN 241, in combination with Avastin® (Bevacizumab), produced a complete and synergistic therapeutic effect in models of lung cancer. INGN 241 and Avastin each inhibit the development of blood vessels in tumors, called angiogenesis, through distinct mechanisms, and the combination of the two agents significantly increases antitumor activity compared to the activity of either agent used alone. Researchers at Introgen and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center conducted the study. Dr. Rajagopal Ramesh, Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Medicine at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was principal investigator of the study and presented the data today at the 4th Annual Angiogenesis and Vascular Targeting conference held in Boston. "These results are very encouraging because they suggest that the anti- cancer activity of targeted, anti-angiogenic agents can be enhanced without increasing toxicity," said Sunil Chada, Ph.D., associate vice president, Clinical Research and Development, at Introgen. "The data presented today, and our robust body of clinical data demonstrating the favorable safety and tolerability profiles of INGN 241 suggests that this investigational cancer therapy may be combined with Avastin to make a more potent weapon in the fight against cancer." Tumor angiogenesis -- the formation of new blood vessels within a tumor -- is essential to support the growth of tumors beyond a minimum size. Avastin is a therapeutic antibody designed to inhibit angiogenesis by binding to and inhibiting the activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key mediator of angiogenesis. Although inhibiting VEGF activity with Avastin reduces tumor angiogenesis and growth, it does not eradicate tumors. MDA-7 also has been shown to have potent anti-angiogenic activity, and works via a different mechanism than Avastin. The reported study was designed to evaluate the combination of INGN 241 and Avastin on tumor angiogenesis, growth and survival. Dr. Chada continued, "INGN 241 functions to block angiogenesis by inhibiting expression of VEGF -- a critical protein in tumor angiogenesis. In contrast, Avastin blocks binding of VEGF to its receptor. Thus combining these two agents with distinct anti-angiogenic mechanisms provides enhanced anti-tumor effects and completely eradicates tumors in mice, resulting in dramatic improvement in survival." About INGN 241 INGN 241 is being tested in a Phase 2 clinical trial for patients suffering from advanced melanoma and in a Phase 3 clinical trial in combination with radiation therapy in solid tumors. The mda-7 gene was discovered by the laboratory of Dr. Paul B. Fisher, professor of clinical pathology at Columbia University. Introgen holds an exclusive worldwide sublicense to the Columbia University rights for all gene therapy applications from GlaxoSmithKline. About Introgen Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is developing molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and nano-particle tumor suppressor therapies to treat a wide range of cancers using tumor suppressors, cytokines and genes. Introgen maintains integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities including a commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility. Introgen holds a licensing agreement with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to commercialize products based on licensed technologies, and has the option to license future technologies under sponsored research agreements. The University of Texas Board of Regents owns stock in Introgen. These arrangements are managed in accordance with M. D. Anderson's conflict of interest policies. Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's future success with its INGN 241 clinical development program in combination for treatment of cancer. The actual results may differ from those described in this release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and business environment, including Introgen's stage of product development and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen's product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof. Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. http://www.introgen.com Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... wsid=52291

Hello John I wish I had some answers for you but unfortunately I don't. It sounds like your mom has a fighting attitude and that is really a huge plus for her! I am sure that some of the gang here will be along with some great advice and information for you shortly. It definitely sounds like your mom has a wonderful advocate in you. Please keep us posted and let us know how else we can help you out. I have you and your mom in my thoughts, Chris

My prayers, sympathies and condolences to Jimbens family Chris

Dear Randy. Thank you for summing this up so nicely. I pray very, very hard that you are right and that this horribly sad time will pass and soon. It has been personally trying for myself and reading all of the other heartache only makes it seem darker. May God's love be with us all, especially those who are in so much pain at this time. Chris

Don My heart is just broken for you. My God's love comfort you and your family at this very sad time. Mere words and they seem just so inadequate.. My love to you and yours, Chris

Hello Cindy I am not able to add to the great advice you have gotten already but wanted to say Hi and welcome you to the site. I will keep you and your mom in my prayers Chris

Ernie, You can see what I meant now about the great people here~ Chris

I agree with Randy. Very good advice to keep the dr's informed of everything dad is taking so as to avoid any bad reactions along the way. Best to you, Chris

Ernie, I can assure you, you will meet some of the greatest people here. Very glad to make your acquaintance and hope your success story will be an inspiration to many of our members here. Chris

Hello and welcome ernrol It appears that you have gotten the initial workings of this site down and the pic is great! Your story is amazing and such an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! Let us know how we can help you out along the way. My best to you, Chris

Thank you all for the kindness.. It was a rough week, having now also lost yet another very close family friend to this disease. I should be at his wake this evening, but I just cannot bring myself to go. I feel awful about that, but omg just too much for me personally to cope with. Again, you guys are the best and your love and support for ME will never be forgotten. I doubt any of you know how much I mean those words, but they are from the bottom of my heart. Love, Chris

Deb This is a beautiful tribute to your mom. The love you have for her shines through. I am so sorry again for your loss. Chris

applewe I am not 100% sure about how hospice works, but my understanding is that they will give you as much or as little in the way of support as YOU want or need. I am sure they will understand your need for less and will not be insulted. I am sure that someone with much more knowledge of this will be along shortly with better advice and answers. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, Chris

Hello Hof411 and welcome!! I am sorry you had the need to stumble across us here but glad you did. You have come to the right place for support, information and encouragement! I cannot offer much, personally, but will tell you this. A 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc, opinion is DEFINITELY never a bad thing! You will hear that echoed over and over here. Document any and all appointments, treatments, etc in a notebook so you have everything in one spot. Write down the questions you and dad have for the dr or nurse so you do not forget to ask them. Cancer is an overwhelming ordeal and it is so easy to forget things. Please keep posting, look around at the other forums and ask any and all questions you have. This is a wonderful and caring group here, full of compassion, knowledge and we are more than willing to do what we can to help you out and offer support. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Chris

aholler, Hello and welcome! I am sorry you had reason to find this site, but glad you have posted and introduced yourself. I am very glad to see you have a fighting attitude. It will help you so much in the battle you have ahead. Please spend some time and read the survivors forum and see how many people here are beating this disease. It will not be easy, but we will be here to help you out as much as we can along the way. Keep posting and let us know what we can do. Sending you tons of prayers and positive thoughts, Chris