With today's new advances in prevention, detection, and treatment, a cancer diagnosis no longer means facing a terminal illness.
Cancer has always been synonymous with loss and fear.
With today's new advances in prevention, detection, and treatment, a cancer
diagnosis no longer means facing a terminal illness. Rather, as new advances
provide more treatment options, cancer is increasingly becoming a chronic
condition.
Recently, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced
that major cancer organizations report that the risk of dying from cancer among
Americans is continuing to decline, indicating that advances in prevention,
early detection, and new treatments are improving the fight against this
disease. Is helping in the fight against.
The roots of the next revolution in cancer therapy are
likely to be found in the ongoing Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), a pilot project
initiated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Public Human Genome
Exploration Establishment (NHGRI). Scientists have begun to discover that many
genes play a role in cancer, but they have uncovered only a small portion of
these genes. The Cancer Genome Atlas aims to help accelerate the understanding
of the genetic architecture of cancer. Researchers hope that a better
understanding of how cancer develops and spreads will lead to new tests to
detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages; new therapies to target cancer;
And, ultimately, new strategies to prevent cancer.
Understanding the genetic basis of cancer has allowed
researchers to develop the first drugs targeting faulty genes, transforming
patients' lives. Just ask Bob Faber. In July 1999, the Los Angeles attorney was
diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia
(CML), a fatal cancer of the bone marrow and blood.
Farber made several futile attempts at treatment before
entering clinical trials of a drug now called Gleevec (imatinib mesylate)
tablets to help fight his disease. Gleevec, approved by the FDA in 2001, is one
of the first "targeted therapies" and works by shutting down the
specific cause of Ph+ CML, something Cancer Genome Atlas hopes to make possible
for many more cancers. Within a few months, Ferber's white blood cell count was
within the normal range and his disease was in remission.
"My CML diagnosis was really scary. But, now I'm
grateful. I'm grateful for every new day."
Sadly, not everyone's story is as positive as Faber's.
Hopefully, with the continued advancement of cancer awareness and research,
preventive treatments, and the Cancer Genome Atlas, cancer patients will one
day
I can breathe a sigh of relief and agree with Ferber when
he says, "Every time I challenge this cancer emotionally or physically and
survive it is a victory for me."
Researchers have developed the first cancer-fighting drug
that targets a faulty gene.
Notes to Editors: About Gleevec Tablets: Gleevec
(imatinib mesylate) Tablets is indicated for the treatment of newly diagnosed
adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid
leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase. Follow-up is limited. Gleevec tablets are
also indicated for the treatment of patients with Ph+ CML in blast crisis,
accelerated phase, or chronic phase after failure of interferon-alpha (IFN-α)
therapy.
Important Safety Information1: Severe (NCI Grade 3/4)
Neutropenia (3%-48%), Anemia (<1%-42%), Thrombocytopenia (<1%-33%),
Hemorrhage (1%-19%), fluid retention (<1%-8%) (e.g., pleural effusion,
pulmonary edema, and ascites) and superficial edema (1%-6%) , musculoskeletal
pain (1%-9%), and hepatotoxicity (3%-8%) were reported among Gleevec®
recipients. Patients should be weighed regularly and monitored for signs and
symptoms of edema, which can be serious or life-threatening. There have also
been reports of cardiac tamponade, cerebral edema, increased intracranial
pressure, papilledema, and gastrointestinal perforation, including death.
Bullous cutaneous reactions (e.g., erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson
syndrome) have also been reported. In some cases, the reaction recurred upon
repeated challenge. Resolution or improvement of bullous reactions following
dose reduction with or without supportive care has been observed in several
overseas postmarketing cases. Portion changes might be important because of
hepatotoxicity, other non-hematologic antagonistic occasions, or hematologic
unfriendly occasions. Treatment with Gleevec was ceased for antagonistic
occasions in 3% to 5% of patients. Patients with severe hepatic impairment
should be treated at a starting dose of 300 mg/day and monitored closely.
Gleevec
is handled by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme and is an inhibitor of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and
CYP2C9. The dose of Gleevec Tablets should be increased by at least 1/2 and the
clinical response should be carefully monitored in patients receiving Gleevec
Tablets concurrently with potent CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampin or phenytoin.
Instances of usually utilized drugs that may essentially collaborate with
Gleevec incorporate acetaminophen, warfarin, erythromycin, and phenytoin.
Please see the attached complete information for other possible drug
interactions. For daily doses of 800 mg and above, the dose should be completed
using 400 mg tablets to minimize iron exposure. The use of Gleevec Tablets is
contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to imatinib or any other
component of Gleevec Tablets. Ladies of childbearing potential ought to be
encouraged to abstain from becoming pregnant while taking Gleevec tablets.
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants,
women should be advised to avoid breastfeeding while taking Gleevec tablets.
Common Side Effects of Gleevec Tablets1: Of the approximately
1700 adult patients receiving Gleevec in clinical studies, most experienced
adverse events at some point, but most were mild to moderate in severity. The
most frequently reported adverse events were superficial edema (58%-81%),
nausea (47%-74%), diarrhea (39%-70%), muscle cramps (28%-62%), vomiting (21%
%-). 58%), rash (36%-53%), fatigue (30%-53%), musculoskeletal pain (30%-49%),
and abdominal pain (30%-40%).* Supportive care helps manage Most mild to
moderate adverse events may be encountered so the prescribed dosage may be
maintained whenever possible. Gleevec tablets should be taken with food and a
large glass of water to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) irritation. Gleevec
tablets ought not be taken with grapefruit juice.
1 Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) tablets Providing
information. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2005.
* Numbers represent the range of percentages across 4
studies among adult patients with Ph+ CML in blast crisis, accelerated phase,
and chronic phase.
FAQs
What is the most successful treatment for cancer?
Surgery: Even today, operation is the biggest and most
effective treatment in the treatment of cancer. In the first and second stages,
the tumor is removed through surgery. Even in the third stage, when the cancer
has not spread to other organs, treatment is still possible with surgery. When
cancer spreads to other organs, other methods are used.
Can body cancer be cured?
If it is identified at the right time and treatment is
started, then cancer can not only be controlled, but in many cases can also be
completely cured. Only a doctor can identify the true symptoms of cancer.
Which hospital is free for cancer treatment in India?
Tata Memorial Hospital' India
Cancer treatment is provided free of cost at Tata
Memorial Hospital.
What is targeted therapy for cancer?
Designated treatment is a sort of disease therapy that
utilizations drugs or different substances to distinguish and go after
particular kinds of malignant growth cells unequivocally. Targeted therapy may
be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as conventional or
standard chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.
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