Metastatic cancer is, without a doubt, one among the most difficult conditions to manage. It represents a stage of disease where the abnormal cells have spread to distant sites in the body. By this time surgical intervention is off the table. There are a lot of cancer metastasis research activities aimed at reversing this grim picture. The good news is that many of them are quite promising.
It has been established over the years that the underlying problem in cancer is the presence of genetic defects whether congenital or acquired. These defects are also termed at mutations and they interfere with the normal growth process of cells leading to uncontrolled growth and ultimately, tumours. These cancerous cells may break off and travel to other sites leading to what is termed metastasis.
With the understanding of these underlying mechanisms, drug development has taken a different angle; the genetic one. Developers are now looking at ways of preventing the genetic mutations or preparing them if they have already occurred so as to stop the cellular growth that occurs downstream. A study involving the use of a drug called metarrestin is quite promising. In the study mice with pancreatic tumours have been given the drug and its effects observed. There has been a significant shrinkage in the size of tumour cells.
After successful animal model studies, the process now moves to the all important human trials. In preparation for this phase, the drug has been developed into a pill and is awaiting approval by the authorities. Tumour cell destruction in mice is through the disruption of a perinucleolar compartment found within the nucleus. The structure is also present in human cells and it is believed that tumour cells in humans will behave in a similar manner.
Another major trial in this area is that of a drug known as pembrolizumab. This drug is an antibody used in immunotherapy. It mainly works by destroying the protective mechanism of tumour cells. By so doing, the tumour cells are exposed and can easily be destroyed by the immune system of the host. In theory, if all tumour cells are killed, then cure from the cancer will be attained.
In the study, pembrolizumab has been given to a number of HIV/AIDS, patients diagnosed with tumours that are either refractory or recurrent. Improved antiretroviral therapy has helped many patients with the disease to have a lifespan that is comparable to that of persons without. However, because of an inherently weakened immune system, they remain susceptible to a number of cancers. The drug is being studied to see whether it can help their immune system fight off these cancers.
The third study worth a mention involves modified stem cells. Stem cells are what gives rise to the various forms of mature cells in the body such as blood cells, bone cells and nerve cells among others. These cells can be modified and used as carriers of chemotherapeutic agents. They have been shown to selectively target cancer cells which is an important property when one considers the management of metastatic disease.
The examples here are just a tip of the ice berg. A lot more commendable work is going on and is all aimed at felling the great giant that is cancer. Indeed, there is a lot more that us yet to be done but the future already looks promising. There is a need for concerted efforts involving governments and the private sector so as to reach the solution sooner rather than later.
It has been established over the years that the underlying problem in cancer is the presence of genetic defects whether congenital or acquired. These defects are also termed at mutations and they interfere with the normal growth process of cells leading to uncontrolled growth and ultimately, tumours. These cancerous cells may break off and travel to other sites leading to what is termed metastasis.
With the understanding of these underlying mechanisms, drug development has taken a different angle; the genetic one. Developers are now looking at ways of preventing the genetic mutations or preparing them if they have already occurred so as to stop the cellular growth that occurs downstream. A study involving the use of a drug called metarrestin is quite promising. In the study mice with pancreatic tumours have been given the drug and its effects observed. There has been a significant shrinkage in the size of tumour cells.
After successful animal model studies, the process now moves to the all important human trials. In preparation for this phase, the drug has been developed into a pill and is awaiting approval by the authorities. Tumour cell destruction in mice is through the disruption of a perinucleolar compartment found within the nucleus. The structure is also present in human cells and it is believed that tumour cells in humans will behave in a similar manner.
Another major trial in this area is that of a drug known as pembrolizumab. This drug is an antibody used in immunotherapy. It mainly works by destroying the protective mechanism of tumour cells. By so doing, the tumour cells are exposed and can easily be destroyed by the immune system of the host. In theory, if all tumour cells are killed, then cure from the cancer will be attained.
In the study, pembrolizumab has been given to a number of HIV/AIDS, patients diagnosed with tumours that are either refractory or recurrent. Improved antiretroviral therapy has helped many patients with the disease to have a lifespan that is comparable to that of persons without. However, because of an inherently weakened immune system, they remain susceptible to a number of cancers. The drug is being studied to see whether it can help their immune system fight off these cancers.
The third study worth a mention involves modified stem cells. Stem cells are what gives rise to the various forms of mature cells in the body such as blood cells, bone cells and nerve cells among others. These cells can be modified and used as carriers of chemotherapeutic agents. They have been shown to selectively target cancer cells which is an important property when one considers the management of metastatic disease.
The examples here are just a tip of the ice berg. A lot more commendable work is going on and is all aimed at felling the great giant that is cancer. Indeed, there is a lot more that us yet to be done but the future already looks promising. There is a need for concerted efforts involving governments and the private sector so as to reach the solution sooner rather than later.
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