>Recent research I've read about appears to suggest an interesting venue for
>handling aggressive tumor cells, such aa adenocarcinomas. It is a new
>vaccine from genetically engineered cells, reserached mostly, I belive, at
>UCLA. The vaccine would prevent malignant cells from producing TGF-beta, and
>would therefore presumably allow the immune system to function. My
>understanding is that TGF-beta cloaks the cancer cells, thus supressing the
>immune system and protecting the cancer. With the vaccine, the immune system
>would function in an unimpeded manner. Do anyone know where there are
>clinical trials on this agent,and who would be the contact person. Your help
>would be much appreciated.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Howard Katz HKATZ@IS.MGH.MCGILL.CA
Responding to the above...
The vaccine was developed at UCLA. Only animal studies have been conducted
to date, and they are encouraging. The first human study was recently
approved by a committee at the National Institutes of Health and apparently
is still awaiting FDA approval. Initial experimental therapy is planned to
be offerred to brain cancer patients. The lead author of the most recent
study is Dr. Habib Fakhrai, a cancer scientist at UCLA. Dr. Keith Black, a
UCLA neurosurgeon co-authored the study. Contact one of these researchers
through UCLA for more information.
Other new or relatively new treatments in research or recently approved
drugs include CPT-11(Ironotecan), 9-AC (9-aminocampthothecin), Tomudex,
and marimastat (British Biotec). Contact the National Cancer Institute for
the latest guidance and information on these.
Best of luck
ahi@netcom.ca
