Novel lab-on-chip test to find effective cancer cure for patientsOctober 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new lab-on-a-chip process can test whether a patient's tumour cells will react to a given drug, according to a study. Developed by researchers at the Heinz Nixdorf Chair for Medical Electronics at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), the microchips could help in future with the rapid identification of the most effective medication for the individual patient.
Targeted melanoma treatment one step closerOctober 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at the University of Alberta have successfully synthesized a natural substance that shows highly unusual potential to selectively treat melanoma, a type of skin cancer that is often fatal. Dennis Hall, U of A chemistry professor, has said that after three years of work, his research team has successfully produced the substance called Palmerolide A.
Metals could help treat cancerOctober 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has revealed that drugs made from two transition metals ruthenium and osmium could offer effective treatment against colon and ovarian cancers. Researchers from University of Warwick and the University of Leeds have shown that a range of compounds containing the two transition metals, which are found in the same part of the periodic table as precious metals like platinum and gold, causes significant cell death in ovarian and colon cancer cells.
Scientists making new cancer drug with rare metalsOctober 19th, 2009 LONDON - Drugs made out of rare metals could be effective against colon and ovarian cancers, including drug resistant cancerous cells, says a new study. The study, conducted by the universities of Warwick and Leeds, showed that a range of compounds containing the two transition metals Ruthenium and Osmium cause significant cell death in ovarian and colon cancer cells.
Scientists discover new cancer geneOctober 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A research group at the Sahlgrenska Academy has discovered a new cancer gene. The gene causes an insidious form of glandular cancer usually in the head and neck and in women also in the breast.
Meditation improves wellbeing of cancer patientsOctober 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Transcendental Meditation (TM) reduces stress and improves wellbeing among women with breast cancer, according to a new study. A total of 130 women with breast cancer, 55 years and older, participated in the two-year study at Saint Joseph Hospital.
Drug-light combo effective against head, neck cancersOctober 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A combination of medications and a particular light therapy has been found to be effective in treating certain types of head and neck cancers. During a study, researchers focused on the use photodynamic therapy (PDT) in tropical climates.
Statins may help treat 'female sexual dysfunction'September 9th, 2009 LONDON - Cholesterol-lowering wonder drugs known as statins may help treat female sexual dysfunction (FSD), according to a new study. Raised cholesterol levels, or hyperlipidemia, have been linked to erectile dysfunction in men, as the build-up of fats in blood vessel walls can reduce blood flow to erectile tissue.
Natural compounds may help treat cancerSeptember 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Natural food compounds, previously studied for their ability to prevent cancer, may play a more potent role in treating it, says a new study. Conducted by the Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University (OSU), the study found that chlorophyllin (water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll) was 10 times more effective in killing colon cancer cells than hydroxyurea, a drug commonly used in cancer treatment.
Estrogen supplements may not prevent bone loss in postmenopausal womenSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Dietary supplements that claim to have the power of estrogen and help postmenopausal women with bone health may not be as effective as previously believed, says a new study. Women who are menopausal or postmenopausal produce less estrogen, that leads to bone loss.
New discovery may help in developing effective cancer therapiesSeptember 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Canadian researchers have come across a novel mechanism that may be instrumental in the development of new, more effective cancer therapies. They have discovered that activation mechanism of the RAF protein kinase which, when mutated, is responsible for more than 25 per cent of cancers.
Research shows statin use reduces heart attacks, deaths after surgery on blood vesselsSeptember 2nd, 2009 Statin cuts heart problems after artery surgeryNEW YORK — Score another victory for the cheap, cholesterol-lowering wonder drugs known as statins. People getting an artery unclogged or repaired were much less likely to die or have a heart attack afterward if they took preventive doses of the pills before and after their operations, a Dutch study showed.
Natural compounds in vegetables may make chemotherapy more effectiveSeptember 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Natural compounds present in plants and some vegetables may help treat cancer even more effectively, when used side-by-side with chemotherapy drugs, according to new research. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer has found that chlorophyllin-a water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll that makes possible the process of photosynthesis and plant growth from the sun's energy-is, on a dose-by-dose basis, 10 times more potent at causing death of colon cancer cells than the chemotherapeutic drug hydroxyurea.
Breathalyser screening may help spot lung cancer earlyAugust 31st, 2009 LONDON - Israeli scientists have come up with a device that can help spot lung cancer molecules on the breath of patients. Dr. Hossam Haick and colleagues at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa think that the technology may lead to pocket-friendly, portable breath-test devices with the potential to save large numbers of lives by detecting cancer early.
New Cytotron treatment effective in treating cancer patients in BangaloreAugust 28th, 2009 BANGALORE - The new Cytotron treatment that includes use of radio frequency, high power non-ionizing, non-thermal electromagnetic waves instead of high frequency radiation has emerged as a popular therapy for cancer patients in Bangalore. Developed by Rajah Vijay Kumar of India in 1987, the Cytotron device helps in tissue regeneration, degeneration and repair for the purposes of treating several chronic or degenerative diseases such as cancer and arthritis.
