Watch the video and answer the first 12 questions; then go to the websites listed and answer 13-17
What cancer type does Gleevec treat?
Gleevec treats the cancer disease that affects white blood cells, i.e., CML (chronic myeloid leukemia). Other than blood cancer, it is used for treating digestive system tumors like gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
What is translational research?
The type of research that aims to improve human health and welfare by the application of scientific research findings is called translational research. The primary purpose of such type of research is to mitigate the gap between laboratory findings and clinical practice. Finally, multiple inventions, new treatments, modern techniques and different diagnostic tools may be gained by the researchers. In other words, translational research plays role of a bridge between practical life and laboratory outcomes.
What protein does Gleevec target?
Primarily, it targets BCR-ABL. It is an abnormal type of a particular protein that results from genetic mutations in leukemia cells. Gleevec inhibits the BCR-ABL activity and eventually slows down the division and growth of cells which lead to cancer.
What is a strategy to get around those cancer cells that are resistant to Gleevec?
The strategy is to use (TKIs) Tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the purpose to curb cancer cells that are resistant to Gleevec. These inhibitors are usually of second or third generations specifically designed to hit resistant cells of BCR-ABL protein. Hence, the cancer cells growth may effectively be controlled by these inhibitors.
Childhood cancer is relatively rare and much more curable than adult cancer (T/F).
False
Childhood cancer is not more curable compared to adult cancer but usually depends upon the cancer stage and type.
What are the advantages of combinatorial chemotherapy?
Combinatorial chemotherapy has several advantages including massive killing of cancer cells effectively and reduced chances of making the cells drug resistant. In addition, this therapy lowers the side effects of drugs as this approach has main focus on reducing the drug doses on individuals.
Samantha has a low grade glioma. Is this a good or bad prognosis?
It may consider as good prognosis as it refers to such type of brain tumor that is less aggressive and possesses slow growth. Meanwhile, prognosis depends upon several factors like size of tumor, it’s location and its specific characteristics, etc.
Use the armor and sword analogy to describe the combined use of chemotherapy with radiation.
The usage of chemotherapy and radiation in cancer treatment is just like the combination of armor and sword in the battlefield. Chemotherapy plays the role of armor as it targets all the cancer cells throughout human body while radiation therapy acts like sword to target specified body area for radiation process. It annihilates the cancer cells on a particular location.
Describe how PET-CT scans work together to better describe the severity of a cancer.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) work hand in hand to demonstrate the severity of cancer. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans use rapidly growing and dividing cancer cells by pointing out their metabolic activities. It uses traces of radioactive for this purpose. However, CT provides detailed anatomical images of target area. Hence, the PET-CT scans help in locating cancer cells, identifying metabolic activities, planning of treatments and taking care of cancer.
What do therapeutic cancer vaccines attempt to do? How does all this relate to people with autoimmune disease?
These vaccines usually identify and attack cancer cells by stimulation of immune system. These are designed to improve the immunity by targeting antigens or any specific protein on cancerous cells. As these vaccines focus on cancer cells but have specific impacts on people with autoimmune disease, so it is highly recommended to balance the immune system without intensifying autoimmune response.
Why does our immune system not attack cancers very effectively?
Because cancer cells usually develop several mechanisms to escape from the immune system actions. In addition, cancer cells originate from body, so it is very difficult for immune system to distinguish cancerous cells form normal cells.
Briefly, summarize the vaccine therapy described the video.
The vaccine therapy is utilized to stimulate immunity against the targeted cells. Resultantly, the cancer cells are identified as foreign agents in the body and immune system attacks them. The vaccines are made within cells by specialized techniques from the tumor part of the patient. In laboratory, these are modified as treatment material which destroy the cancer cells and also hinders the growth of tumors in targeted areas of human body.
13. Go to:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/search
Use the source to find a nearby clinical trial about a cancer of your choice. Fill in the following information:
Name of Trial/Location:
United States, California, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
Type of Cancer clinical trial is treating:
HIV Antigen-specific T-cells Targeting Conserved Epitopes (HST-NEETs) BMTCTN1903
Phase I, II, Or III?
Phase II
What drug/treatment is being tested?
Targeting HIV with CAR T cells
Describe several inclusion and exclusion criteria for being admitted into the trial?
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants have received 2 to 3 prior treatment regimens, must have chemo sensitive disease, may not have HIV refractory to pharmacologic therapy, etc.
Exclusion Criteria:
Pregnant women, uncontrolled infection (bacterial, fungal or viral), and participants with malignancies, etc
14-17: Briefly summarize each of the following articles.
1.
Glioblastoma nanomedicine crosses into brain in mice, eradicates …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201110151140.htm
Summary:
The article addresses the eradication of glioblastoma tumors in mice by applying the nano-medicine. It is considered as lethal brain cancer against which, a very limited treatment options are available. MIT scientist tried to employ nanotechnology technique to deliver the drugs into brain. Liposomes are nanoparticles designed to carry out cross the blood-brain barrier. For this purpose, mice with glioblastoma tumors carriers are used and scientists delivered liposomes into their bloodstream. These liposomes are basically proteins which bind to the receptors on the vessels of brain blood.
However, the results of research shows liposomes successfully delivered the drugs by crossing the blood brain barriers. Eventually, about twenty percent of the treated mice completely get rid of glioblastoma tumors and tumor size was considerably reduced in the reaming sample as well. In addition, the side effects of treatment were minimal indicating that novel technique is safer compared to traditional chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the findings of the study suggest that nanomedicine based on liposomes can effectively treat glioblastoma along with the potential to address other brain diseases.
2.
Revolutionary CRISPR-based genome editing system treatment …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201118161129.htm
Summary:
The article reveals treatment potential for various genetic disorders with the help of a modern technique “CRISPRoff”. It mainly controls gene expression in a very precise way. Gene expression is a process by which a functional unit, i.e., protein is formulated. This new technique “CRISPRoff” permits the scientists to turn them on or off to regulate the activity of any particular gene according to the need. In this particular study, the scientists demonstrated the effective benefits of using “CRISPRoff” system to treat multiple cancer diseases along with Huntington’s disease. The study shows that disease causing genes disorders can be successfully silenced by therapy intervention in coming times. It is worth mentioning that traditional “CRISPR” modifies genetic code while “CRISPRoff” performs its function without modifying DNA sequence. In this context, new technique does not pose permanent change concerning gene expression. The findings of the study demonstrate that “CRISPRoff” system also gives an additional safety layer while treating genetic disorders. However, it is suggested by the scientists to further test this technique before clinical application as it is advance approach in genetic edition. It may open new possibilities and provide potential treatments for diseases to ensure high quality of life.
3.
Personalized cancer therapy improves outcomes in advanced disease
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002141905.htm
Summary:
The article shows the collaborative research findings by scientists to use genomic profiling for individual patient therapy. The sample of study included exhausted cancer patients already undergone standard treatments. However, genomic profiling was applied to each cancer patient for identifying genetic alterations. The specified therapies were recommended to each patient on the basis of genetic profiles on trial purposes. The results demonstrated that compared to standard therapy, the patient showed significant improvement with personalized cancer therapy. In addition, the response rate was increased in cases of personalized therapy along with disease control and more survival chances. In addition, the outcomes of the study revealed that personalized cancer therapy improved the patient condition even in advance stage cancer patients. This therapy targets particular genetic alterations and improves life quality of patients. The researchers suggested validating the findings of study in order to clinical trials at large scales. Meanwhile, the combination of molecular monitoring and genomic profile techniques may provide treatment strategy to improve the overall condition of patients.
4.
For Childhood Eye Cancer, Researchers Investigating “Packaged” CAR T Cells
Summary:
The study depicts the safety of CAR T cell therapy, an immunotherapy that identifies and attacks targeted cancer cells. Several challenges may arise because of anatomical complexities of the eye. To relinquish such difficulties, a hydrogel approach is under experimentation by the researchers where CAR T cells can directly be injected into the eyes. Such matrix controls the after-effects of the therapy and sustains caner proceedings. The mouse samplings of retinoblastoma demonstrated good results. It ultimately reduces inflammation risk and toxicity which may result during the administration of direct injections. The findings of the study present significant improvement and researchers aim to reduce side effects by implementing protective hydrogel system. However, further researches are direly needed to initiate and recommend this technique for clinical trials as packaged CAR T cells have potential to improve eye cancer of childhood age. Ultimately, this groundbreaking technique is particular to improve children’s lives with retinoblastoma.
References
ScienceDaily. (2020, October 2). Personalized cancer therapy improves outcomes in advanced disease. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002141905.htm
ScienceDaily. (2020, November 10). Glioblastoma nanomedicine crosses into brain in mice, eradicates tumors. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201110151140.htm
ScienceDaily. (2020, November 18). Revolutionary CRISPR-based genome editing system treatment. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201118161129.htm
National Cancer Institute. (2020, December 10). For Childhood Eye Cancer, Researchers Investigating “Packaged” CAR T Cells. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/retinoblastoma-car-t-cell-therapy-hydrogel
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