Reengineered monoclonal antibodies step up to the plate in cancer studies

Article Abstract:

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are once again attracting attention as a means of fighting cancer. Mabs are antibodies that recognize proteins on the surface of cancer cells that do not occur on healthy cells. In some cases, the antibody is linked to a radioactive isotope that destroys the cancer cell. Radioactive Mabs have produced 85% recovery rates in patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In one study, a single dose of a radioactive Mab produced a complete recovery in half the patients with refractory B-cell lymphoma and half of these were still in remission two-and-a-half years later. This is very important, because many patients produce antibodies against Mabs, which are normally created in mice. Some companies are designing human Mabs, usually by inserting human antibody genes into mice. Another use of Mabs is to block the receptor for epidermal growth factor, which would inhibit tumor growth.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Cancer treatment, Monoclonal antibodies

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Human Genome Studies Expected to Revolutionize Cancer Classification

Article Abstract:

The Human Genome Project will help doctors develop better ways to treat cancer. Some cancers can be caused by different genetic changes. The genetic change causes a molecular change in the tissue, which causes cancer. Different cancer patients may have different molecular changes. Doctors can identify these molecular changes by examining tissue samples from the tumor. They can use that information to develop a treatment plan that will target the particular molecular change. This could explain why some patients do not respond to treatments whereas other patients do.

Research, Identification and classification, Human Genome Project, Molecular biology, Tumors

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Prostate cancer gene hunters track their quarry

Article Abstract:

Researchers are actively searching for a gene that may cause prostate cancer but it could take years to find it. Evidence for such a gene comes from epidemiological studies showing that the risk of developing prostate cancer is higher in men who have a first-degree sibling with the disease. Scientists have also found that the number of repeats of a specific nucleotide sequence on the gene for the male hormone receptor could indicate a man's likelihood of developing the disease. Another gene encodes an antigen that could be the basis of a blood test.

Genetic aspects, Prostate cancer, Hormone receptors

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