meredith
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Posts posted by meredith
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I'm not sure about any clinical trials. The article I think mentions that drugs targeting these proteins are in the development stage, which probably means that there are not any active clinical trials yet. But hopefully they aren't far off!
I can do some research and try to see what's going on ....
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http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/p ... uly/187749
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY 2006
Scientists have suggested it may be possible to reverse drug resistance in lung cancer patients, thereby improving the effectiveness of chemotherapy, according to research published in the EMBO Journal* today (Wednesday).
Most lung cancer deaths are the result of tumours becoming drug resistant, which blocks the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapy. Now Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered the molecular basis of how a type of cancer called small cell lung cancer becomes resistant to treatment. They have identified a number of key proteins in the process that might also promote drug resistance in other forms of cancer.
The research raises the prospect of developing drugs to counteract this type of drug resistance and enable existing chemotherapy to successfully treat more lung cancer patients.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world today and it accounts for more cancer deaths in the UK than any other form of cancer. About 20 per cent of lung cancers are small cell lung cancers. Most small cell lung cancer patients can only be treated with chemotherapy because most are undetected until the disease is at an advanced stage when it is too late for surgery.
Tumours with a protein called FGF-2** are known to be less likely to respond to treatment. The research team, led by Professor Michael Seckl and Dr Julian Downward, found that this is because FGF-2 is involved in the development of resistance to chemotherapy drugs.
Prof Seckl, of Cancer Research UK’s Lung Cancer Biology Group at Imperial College London, said: “The main reason people die of lung cancer is drug resistance. We need to understand the precise mechanisms behind it or we will not be able to beat the disease.”
Dr Downward, head of Cancer Research UK’s Signal Transduction laboratory, said: “Looking at FGF-2 led us to other molecules required for drug resistance, particularly one called S6K2. We knew that S6K2 existed but no one knew exactly what it did before now. It seems to regulate a number of proteins that control whether cells live or die. It is also essential for the development of drug resistance in small cell lung cancer.”
The researchers found that higher levels of S6K2 in both small cell and non small cell lung cancer tissue samples correlated with the development of drug resistance. They also found that patients who had relapsed after treatment had higher levels of S6K2 in their tumours. This suggested that chemotherapy initially killed lots of cancer cells, but cells with S6K2 were able to survive and pass on their resistance. New cancer cells therefore also had increased levels of S6K2 and the tumour became increasingly resistant to treatment.
Prof Seckl added: “There are already drugs in development that can block the action of FGF-2, but because it has important functions in healthy cells as well as generating drug resistance in cancer cells, blocking FGF-2 might have severe side effects in patients. S6K2 has fewer functions in healthy cells, so if we can develop new drugs that stop it working, it may be a better way to reverse drug resistance.”
Professor John Toy, Cancer Research UK’s medical director, said: “This research increases our understanding of how some lung cancer cells survive chemotherapy. If this kind of drug resistance could be overcome, it would be a major step forward in the treatment of lung cancer, which has proved so difficult to beat with existing chemotherapy drugs.”
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Margaret, after my grandmother.
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I am so sorry to hear this Carleen. As others have said, maybe you don't need to be alone right now. Let people comfort and take care of you...
You have my prayers. Just hang on.
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No, it isn't the same. Smoking is the 'Big Bad Guy' today for sure. Both diseases have their stigmas though.
I can certainly see why you say you'd want a different diagnosis other than lung cancer. I often wish I had gotten some other kind of cancer, too, one that isn't related to HPV (and one that isn't so aggressive!)
And I know it might seem weird that I, a cervical cancer patient, would be here on these boards! But I joined because I have so few options--you can hardly find anyone with small cell cervical cancer. This cancer behaves like small cell and it treated as such (because of its rarity, they don't know how else to treat it), so I feel I have more in common with sclc patients than with cervical cancer patients who have the common type of cervical cancer. Often times, the kind of cancer I have isn't even classed as "cervical cancer," but rather "Extrapulmonary Small Cell carcimona."
Sorry, you probably didn't want to read all of that, but I just felt like I had to explain myself and why I needed to come here. I have learned a great deal of invaluable information here, particularly regarding treatments.
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OK, so I don't have lung cancer, and don't get the "Do you smoke?" questions, but I often hear "Were you getting regular Pap tests?" or "I"ve heard cervical cancer is caused by HPV..." Yes, most cerical cancers are caused by HPV, an STD, so it's like they're accusing me of sleeping around (which I DON'T!). I'm glad people can dicuss the causes of cancer, whether it be smoking or HPV or whatever, but why the tone that people deserve disease????
Another thing that bothers me is when people, out of the blue, want to start talking about cancer when I wasn't even thinking about it. I do have moments when I'm not thinking about it and life seems very much "normal," and then they bring it all up! I know I can't expect people not to talk about it, or know when I don't want to talk about it, but still it bothers me.
I probably complain about the neuropathy too much as well. Because people can't "see" the nerve damage, I think some people think I might be making it all up or exaggerating it. It's hard to describe the pain, too, so that makes it worse. But it's very much real and does affect my daily activities.
Also, when I was totally bald from the chemo, and wearing my "doo rags," strangers would openly stare at me with looks of pity. I hated that! The only good thing about it was that other cancer survivors who saw my bald head and knew what what I was going through would come up and talk and encourage me. Once, while in a restaurant, a man about 40 (also bald and wearing a bandana) came up to our table, sat down and said 'So, what kind do you have?" We sat talked forever and it was GREAT! It was like we belonged to an exclusive clud and had known each other forever.
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Sorry to hear about your mom's severe pain--I am glad it's being helped with the dilaudid. Good stuff, eh?! I've had it twice in the hospital. I swear after pelvic surgery I didn't feel a THING for a couple of days! I even apparantly called my good friend and had a long, cheerful conversation with her and don't remember any of it
I am praying that no mets are discovered.
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I so know how you are feeling. I had scans a few weeks ago, and I was a nervous wreck. It's so hard waiting for results--I imagine it's like a person on death row, waiting to hear whether or not he gets a stay of execution. Not that getting a bad report means that death is near, but it's hard not to think that way. I often find myself (even though I try not to do this) planning my life around scans and the results. For example, a week before my last scans, a friend asked me to pet sit the next week and I said 'Well, if my scans are clear, sure!" I KNOW I shouldn't let cancer make plans for me, but still it's hard....
I know how nervous you are right now, and I know nothing I say will make it any less so. But what I want to stick to is a "go with the flow" mentality--I can't do much about the results, it's out of my hands. We deal with them as they come.
I wish you all the best and am hoping for excellent results for you. Hang in there.
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Hi there.
I had radiation concurrent with chemo (cisplatin/irinotecan). It was tough on me, but then everyone is so different. The good news is that chemo combined with radiation tends to be more effective than either one alone for a variety of cancers.
I know the unknown is scary, but try not to be too worried. It's very do-able.
As far as practical advice: keep up with your anti-nausea meds and take them regularly as prescribed. With new medications, you should not have to experience uncontrolled nausea and vomiting. Also, rest as much as you can, as others have mentioned. I know it may be more difficult in your case, as you have 3 children, but perhaps there are people to help?
Good luck with your treatments! We are here for you.
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Carleen, I wish I had some specific answers for you, but I don't. What I have come to realize is that the caregivers, the ones who have to watch the suffering and deal with the loss, often have it harder than the patients. Keith is gone, his suffering has ended, but your's continues. It is tragic and unfair. And ultimately, it is part of life.
I think I do know how you feel about God "hating" you. I have had and continue to have those same thoughts, thinking "what did I do wrong? What did I do to deserve this?" But we have to try to not think that way. YOU did nothing wrong and you don't deserve this suffering.
I haven't lost anyone very close to me, except my grandfather who was old and had lived a full life. His passing was sad, but not tragic. Keith, on the other hand, was so young and in the prime of his life and, by all accounts, was a wonderful man and human being. Tragic, unfair. However, as with many losses in life, time will slowly heal you I think.
In the meantime, hang in there. Please continue to visit here and share your feelings with us. You were among the first to welcome me and give me advice and comfort, and I was moved by your (and keith's) story. Don't be afraid to ask your friends and family for help with whatever you need--most likely they really want to help. Some people are at a loss in these situations, and don't know what to do, or are afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing--so just be open and ask.
Best wishes to you Carleen and the new small life inside you.
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Hanes
_____ are for Kids!
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Big Mac!
How about this one:
They're Grrrrrrreat!
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Hi Rod and welcome.
I would also suggest getting a second opinion, if only because the oncologist rather "jumped the gun" before even having a definite diagnosis. Having said that, if your father likes and is comfortable with this doctor, then he might prefer to stick with him. Feeling comfortable with one's oncologist is very important to the patient. I felt this way about my first oncologist--she used to greet me everytime I saw her with "Hey Kiddo! How ya feeling?" SHe made me feel so at ease.
Best wishes to you, your dad and family.
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Very sorry about your mother.
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SO sorry Carleen that you and your family have suffered another loss.
I hope you are holding up and hanging in there, Carleen, despite how difficult it must be. ((Carleen))
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You have had so much to deal with, and it is so unfair. I am sorry about your father, but I wish the best for you, your mother, your little nephew and the rest of your family. I hope your grief gets more bearable with time. Your life probably won't ever be as it was, but you will hopefully heal and make something new.
Take care,
Meredith
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Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. SHe is so young, and I know how hard it's got to be on both of you. I am 27 now, but was diagnosed last year at 26 with a rare and very aggressive type of cervical cancer which seems to strike young women especially. I joined these boards because my cancer--small cell--behaves and is treated like small cell lung cancer, and so I thought I might find more info and support here. It is a great place to be for support and information and I am inspired by the stories.
Is Tiff getting adequate pain control with her current pain meds? I do hope so.
Please keep us updated. I'm wishing for this best!
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I have a small cell cancer as well--not in the lung, but it behaves and is treated like SCLC. In everything I've read, it says that recurrence is basically a given and almost always ''rapidly fatal'' when it returns. And because my disease is rare, I hardly find any women with it at all, but I have come across several who have beaten back recurrences and have been living for several years. I am further encouraged by the stories here of people who are surviving SCLC (and others).
I think we all live with the fear of the cancer returning. It's normal to be afraid. However, we have to take it one day at a time and get on with life; otherwise, it would be almost impossible to function. When cancer recurs, it can still be treated effectively for many people. And they are discovering new treatments every day!
So, hang in there and continue to hope!
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Oh no...I hardly know what to say. This happened so quickly. I'm sorry that he's been taken away from you and I hope that your grief is somehow bearable.
(((Carleen)))
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I didn't have topotecan, but had irinotecan (with cisplatin). Both belong to the camptothecin class of drugs, so I think they are similar.
The biggest problems I had were low blood counts and diarrhea. However, I was also recieving pelvic radiation which was a factor in the severe diarrhea (lost about 10 lbs in 5 days), but after I started taking the lomotil (anti-diarrhea) it was under control. I also got aranesp and neulasta shots for the blood counts.
But I have to say that the irinotecan along with the radiation seemed to knock the residual cancer out of my small intestine!
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Great news!
And how wonderful that you've offered to talk to people going through the same thing. Once, when I was going through an infusion at the Cancer Institute, my onc nurse came in and told me there was a young man my age about to get his first chemo, and she asked me if I wouldn't mind going over to his room and talk to him. I thought it would have been wonderful to do that, but he didn't want to talk to me
The nurse told me that he was sort of a "tough guy" type and didn't feel that he needed any counseling....but there are so many who do. -
Sorry about your dad's recurrence. I hope that the decision making progress you are now faced with goes smooth for you and your family.
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I started working nights at a restaurant/bar when I was 18, and I would often not even leave work until 2:00 am. Ever since then, I've never been able to sleep well at night! I think I am the world's biggest insomniac
When I wake in the night (which is almost every night), I'll read, watch TV, snack, etc. until I go back to sleep.
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Carleen, I've only "known" you (and Keith) for a few weeks, but this just breaks my heart to read.
I don't know why this is happening to you both (or to any of us), but it makes me angry. I just want to fight it, this cancer, from all of our bodies. Why is this happening? Is it all random? Has God desgined a plan for us through all the suffering? I hope the latter is the case.....
I wish you and Keith all the comfort and peace in the world. He has fought so hard and so long, with bravery and kindness. You are both in my thoughts.
The nurse told me that he was sort of a "tough guy" type and didn't feel that he needed any counseling....but there are so many who do.
Song about my pain
in GRIEF
Posted
That's quite beautiful, Carleen.