Friday, May 14th, 2010
Some parvoviruses have been shown to kill tumor cells without harming healthy tissue and have been tested previously in cancer therapy.
Using a particular parvovirus, the parvovirus H-1, researchers at the German Cancer Research Center studied with rats who received brain tumor cells by implantation. When the brain tumors reached a specific size the rodents were given parvoviruses either by direct injection into the tumor or into the blood stream. In rodents injected directly into the tumor the tumor shrank visibly after three days and disappeared in eight of the 12 rodents treated. They survived without any symptoms. The untreated rodent controls had severe disease symptoms within 3 weeks following the tumor implantation.
In the rodents who received injections into the blood stream six of nine rodents showed regression of the tumor and all treated rodents survived for one year with no signs of side effects.
There was no infection-related damage in the nervous tissue surrounding the tumor in the treated rodents and the virus did not spread to the whole organism. Parvovirus DNA was found in all organs after several days following transfer but that only lasted for a short time. Despite the viruses infecting healthy tissue they did not reproduce as they did in the tumor tissue where they reproduced and the viral protein production was detected. In rats that did not have tumors, the virus did not reproduce. The researchers concluded that the presence of cancer cells seem to be necessary for the parvovirus to reproduce. They believe these viruses are suitable for use in cancer treatment. More information is available at:
Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers (2010, May 5) Viruses effective against brain cancer in animals. Human trials set to start. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 9, 2010., from http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2010/05/100504095106.htm
Tags: brain cancer, parvovirus, research
Posted in Cancer, Uncategorized, brain cancer, research | 3 Comments »
Friday, November 6th, 2009
Data present by Duke U researchers at the Society for Neuroscience meeting last month showed that exercise is a major factor in improving memory and mood after whole-brain radiation treatment in rodents. This is an exciting finding because whole brain radiation is sometimes used to treat brain cancer in humans.
In the study one group of mice that had radiation stayed in their cages under normal conditions of living with other mice, eating and playing as they liked. A different group of mice having radiation were given daily access to a cage with a running wheel which they could use if they wanted.
The mice were tested for how well they remembered spatial features in their environment for locating a preferred excape hole to exit a well lit maze abd hide., They were tested at two weeks and 3 months after radiation.
The mice that had radiation and access to running did as well as normal mice (without radiation) that didn’t exercise when it came to remembering where the hole was. Irradiated mice that did not have access to exercise eventually showed no preference for that section of the maze with the escape hole.
The researchers concluded that exercise seems to protect against the loss of memory and increased depressive like behavior.
Tags: brain cancer, Dr Carl O Helvie, exercise, memory, mood, radiation, research
Posted in Cancer, exercise | No Comments »
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
On Saturday, July 18, I interviewed 5 cancer survivors pictured from left to right–Aurea McGarry, Linda Wilson, Regina Leeds, Les Thiele, and Lori Kuban .
Aurea is a 9 year Non Hodskins Lymphoma survivor who won the Mrs. U.S. Beauty of Georgia Contest in 2003 and the title of Most Inspirational Contestant. She is the creator, producer and host of the television show Live Your Legacy with Aurea McGarry. Earlier she worked on the soap opera Edge of Night. She discusses her experiences with cancer in her book I Won’t Survive, I’ll Thrive. More information is available at: www.liveyourlegacytv.com
Linda had a tumor of the kidney and used alternative interventions. She and her husband have owned a rare and used book business for 25 years. She has degrees in English Literature, and Respiratory Therapy, and a Masters in Theology. She is an ordained Episcopal Minister but currently works with the Catholic Apolistic Church. She writes when she has time and has a novel placed with an agent currently. She can be reached at: littlegidding@hughes.net
Regina is a 7 year survivor of third stage uterine cancer who used traditional and alternative interventions. She is a professional organizer and authored six books including the New York Times best seller One Year to an Organized Life. More information is available at www.reginaleeds.com
Les is a 3 time ovarian cancer survivor who used complementary interventions. She talks with cancer patients several times a week and is in the process of putting up a web site. She can be reached at: (617) 834-1597.
Lori is a brain tumor survivor who used traditional and alternative interventions. She has a baccalaureate and masters degree and is a research librarian. She is also a cancer and health care advocate who speaks and provides workshops for cancer survivors and professionals including being a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. She also gives radio and television interviews. More information is available at www.cancerologist.com
The interviews for this show follow.
Tags: alternative interventions, Aurea McGarry, brain cancer, chemotherapy, chinese medicine, diet, Dr Carl O Helvie, essiac. red clover, kidney cancer, Les Thiele, Linda Wilson, Lori Kuban, meditation, non-hodgskins lymphoma, ovarian cancer, Regina leeds, surgery, uterine cancer
Posted in Cancer, Podcast, Tamoxifen, Uncategorized, Yoga, body-mind-spirit, brain cancer, cancer survivors, complementary, herbs, kidney cancer, non hodkins lymphoma, ovarian cancer, spiritual health, uterine cancer, weight loss, wellness | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Tags: alternative health, Aurea McGarry, brain cancer, complementary health, Dr Carl O Helvie, kidney cancer, Linda Wilson, Lori Kuban, non hodkins lymphoma
Posted in Cancer, alternative health, brain cancer, cancer survivors, complementary, kidney cancer, non hodkins lymphoma | No Comments »
