Might this be a real breakthrough in cancer treatment???

@ladyluna (7004)
United States
July 16, 2008 6:28pm CST
Hello All, The other day I was perusing a Czech Republic newspaper, when I stumbled upon this little diddy. [i]"... The new Czech anti-cancer medicine GS-9219 has proved very successful in the treatment of tumours when administered to dogs during the first tests, ... GS-9212 ... will probably mean "a revolution" in the treatment of patients suffering from lymphatic tissue cancer, ... ... the first test results were amazing since the dogs' tumours were removed within five days since the administration of a single dose of the substance in infusion. "The substance, metaphorically speaking, was able to turn fatal cancer into influenza that is being treated in five days," Havlas said. The GS-9219 active substance directly affects the cancer-hit cells while not destroying the healthy tissue, Pravo writes. Gilead Sciences, that will produce the medicine, is now testing the product in five top institutes in the United States and in another five facilities in the Czech Republic."[/i] You can read the full story here: http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/377/czech_national_news/25432/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Hmmm, I find this very interesting given the many recent discoveries that support the theory that cancer is a virally induced trigger to a genetically coded signal to initiate rapid cellular division. Gardasil, the HPV vaccine is the most recent big news about this viral-cancer link. So, my questions to you are: 1. What are your thoughts about this news? 2. Does it sound feasible that cancer could be converted to a treatable influenza? 3. Lymphatic cancer is certainly one of the most dreaded cancers, because of the high mortality rate. So, if lymphatic cancer is being converted into influenza in dogs, is it feasible that GS-9219 might be applied to other types of cancer? 4. What might this mean to the health industry? Yeah, that's a weighty question. Though you're welcome to pass on it, or offer a limited perspective on the possible changes that a non-chemo, non-radiation cancer treatment might usher in to either the patient, the industry, or both. Thanks, I look forward to reading all of your replies!
4 people like this
4 responses
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Oh, Lady, I was so happy when I saw you had started a discussion that is not about politics, and then I saw that is is about western medicine, which is in my book the same thing as politics, Sigh. Well the most interesting part of this was the comparison between cancer and influenza. Now that is not far off from what another scientist whom I greatly respected said a few years back, but she was ignomoniously carted off to jail for her ideas. I am almost afraid even to mention her name here because it was such a witch-hunt. But I think of Elizabeth Kenney, too, of whom even today the men are saying she did not cure anything. Cure? Remedy? Who cares, she spares untold numbers of innocent children from lives of deformity and excruciating pain. If only people knew how closely medicine and politics are entwined.
2 people like this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Well truly, my friend, you are under no obligation to diversify your discussions, as long as you don't get mad at me for not replying. It is just that I get lonesome for our banter back and forth and you make me have to work too hard to find places I can fit in. Smirk. Nice to see we are again in rabid agreement, though.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jul 08
It makes me wonder why this was not discovered in the USA. I wonder why this was not reported in the USA. I wonder if powers that be in the USA really don't want a cancer treatment that is simple, effective, requires only out patient status, and is inexpensive. This is not the only potential cancer treatment meeting these criteria to first be used or researched outside the USA. There's a method for treating several kinds of cancers that involves an advanced sophisticated ultra sound to destroy tumors. It is already patented and approved in China. Here's the kicker. US Doctors invented it and took it to China because of trouble they had doing their research and getting a patent here in the USA. Mind boggling. Medical science here in the USA seems to have become dominated by and pushed aside by Medical business.
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@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
17 Jul 08
Hello Red, I was hoping that you'd find your way to this discussion. Especially since you are the one who directed me to this news find, by way of your vampire post. Incidentally, I have been researching Gilead as a possible investment addition, and in case you're curious, they're releasing their quarterly report tomorrow. If you check out the Gilead website, you'll see that they are deeply immersed in experimental medical treatments. That's extraordiarily difficult for a U.S. company to do inside the U.S.A. So, it makes perfect sense that they would collaborate with foreign researchers to get there experimental products to an F.D.A. certifiable phase. I believe that that explains why the news originated from the Czech Republic, and not from within our own borders. I have read about the ultrasound application. Though, I much prefer the idea of nullifying the cellular division aspect of cancerous growth. Clearly, there is a genetic modification aspect to this treatment -- and gene therapy is a much more wide-open field in countries with less regulated governmental oversight. Which, of course, makes for more rapid advancements to the proposed applications. Quite frankly, I really applaud Gilead for it's innovative approach to side-lining the heavy regulatory restrictions of the U.S. Government by collaborating with responsible, sensible foreign governments. Way to go, Gilead!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Jul 08
"Quite frankly, I really applaud Gilead for it's innovative approach to side-lining the heavy regulatory restrictions of the U.S. Government." Well, me too. It is just a darn shame they have to do it. The FDA is standing in the way of innovation to protect current patent holders. This is blocking progress. I've always viewed people impeding the advancement of knowledge to be the 'bad guys'. As to cancer, imagine an approach that uses the ultra sound technology to destroy a tumor while simutanously using Gilead's pioneering technique. Cancer's days are numbered if we can hold civilization together. I did a quick look at Gilead. In fact, the whole biotech sector. There are some bright spots there that will do well irregardless of the economy as a whole. Gilead, in particular, has a very favorable chart. Absent any unpleasant surprises, this could be an excellant investment.
2 people like this
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
17 Jul 08
I guess its a great news for everyone..that is globally if it will materialize..which means cancer is treatable now not a dreaded disease..well that i dont know for sure i mean im addressing your second question.. however i guess the breakthrough will affect the industry(but its of the advantages of the patients )since it means the machines that being used for the treatment as well as the medicines will totally be of no use anymore..
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
17 Jul 08
i guess so...thanks anyway for that great information here..
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Interesting that lymphatic cancer often starts with influenza and once cured you must always be checked if you come down with influenza because that is the time when it is most likely to recur. However, one thing that is misleading is that lymphatic cancers are the most likely to be cured if caught. Not just caught early just caught. Basil skin cancer is easier to cure, but lymphomas are now easy to cure you just have to always be on your guard for recurrances. The Influenza thing is what is interesting, because they were already connected. It makes it more plausable as a cure. Most cancers are caused by mutated viruses. That was my thesis in college. When I got started on it, I was totally amazed at the time, how much was already known and not published publicly to let people know how much of a role viruses did play in killing them. Shalom~Adoniah t
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Well, if you'd ever be open to PMíng me with a link or some other way to access your thesis, I really would love to read your work. Though, if that's in any way a problem -- I completely understand. I'm sorry that that slight disagreement interfered with your ability to get that degree. I'll bet that you worked diligently for it!
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
22 Jul 08
I had to, to get my degree. But then I had a slight disagreement with the school and never did get that degree.lol.
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
23 Jul 08
The only copies that I had burned with my house. I have no clue if the school would have it after all these years. It was preinternet. I could look into the Scientific Mag that I printed it in and see if there are issues still that old, but that is even out of print for years. Shalom
1 person likes this