Thought you might like a copy of the MMSK newsletter. Please notice
that there is an online chat about trials tomorrow evening from 8 to 9.
The URL is down below.
Love,
Barbara
Subject:
Lately@MSKCC
Date:
Mon, 2 Aug 1999 17:19:41 -0500
From:
lately@mskcc.org
To:
silverb@warwick.net
Lately@MSKCC
--------------------
What's new at
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
and its World Wide Web Site
---------------------
http://www.mskcc.org
====================================================
August, 1999
Welcome to Lately@MSKCC!
In this issue
-Pain research
-Clinical trials live chat
-Advances in breast-cancer treatment
Pain is one of the most feared aspects of cancer, and the
control of pain is a key mission for the physicians and
researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Recently, researchers here have made crucial discoveries
about the genetics of receptors on cell surfaces that are
involved in triggering morphine's pain-controlling effects.
These discoveries could lead to better pain treatment with
fewer side effects, and they may also provide a clue to
treating drug addiction.
Dr. Gavril W. Pasternak and his colleagues are zeroing in on
"mu" receptors, the places on cell surfaces to which morphine
and other opiates bind. Early studies of morphine showed that
its actions vary depending on which types of mu receptors its
molecules bind to. The specific type of receptor dictates
what the drug does. For example, when a morphine molecule
bonds to one type of mu receptor, it will dull pain. But when
it binds to another type of mu receptor, it might have a
different effect, such as causing constipation or difficulty
in breathing.
"If there is more than one receptor for a drug, which of the
drug's actions are mediated by receptor A and which by
receptor B?" asked Dr. Pasternak. "By identifying these
receptors and learning how to control them, we could turn on
only those that do what we want them to do."
Dr. Pasternak's laboratory has taken a significant step in
that direction by identifying specific mu receptors that
govern morphine's pain-relieving effects using selective
drugs synthesized in his laboratory. In more recent work with
Dr. John E. Pintar of New Jersey's Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School, the scientists selectively modified the genes
in mice that create different mu receptors. Their research
suggests that the mu receptor responsible for morphine
analgesia is different from the mu receptors involved in the
pain-dulling effects of heroin and M6G, a more powerful
relative of morphine. In laboratory studies, the MSK
researchers also identified a drug that blunted the desire to
self-administer heroin, a finding that may someday prove
useful for treating heroin addiction.
WHAT'S NEW AT MSKCC.org
------------------------
*Clinical Trials On-line Chat*
August 4, 1999 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars. It's just two days away. Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experts will be on-line in a
live chat session about clinical trials and what these
studies can mean for cancer patients. Register now and come
join the discussion Wednesday night.
http://www.mskcc.org/document/chat_portal3.htm
<a href="http://www.mskcc.org/document/chat_portal3.htm">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
*New and Noteworthy*
-Improved treatment for colorectal cancer that has spread to
the liver.
-Scientists map out 3-D structure of tumor-suppressor
protein.
-Bone marrow transplantation helps children who experience a
relapse of leukemia.
http://www.mskcc.org/document/CN990805.htm
<a href="http://www.mskcc.org/document/CN990805.htm">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
*MSK Fine-tunes Treatment for Breast Cancer*
At a recent conference of the American Society for Clinical
Oncology, MSK researchers outlined recent advances in the
treatment of breast cancer. This report summarizes a few of
the newest findings.
http://www.mskcc.org/document/cn990801.htm
<a href="http://www.mskcc.org/document/cn990801.htm">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
In Case You Missed It...
-------------------------
These items were mentioned in the last issue of
Lately@MSKCC, but we wanted to make sure our new subscribers
didn't miss them.
*New Cancer Treatment Guidelines*
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American
Cancer Society have released new treatment guidelines for
breast-cancer and prostate-cancer patients. These guidelines
are presented in an easy-to-follow format.
http://www.nccn.org/patient_guidelines/default.htm
<a
href="http://www.nccn.org/patient_guidelines/default.htm">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
*Breast Reconstruction: A Personal Choice*
After a mastectomy, a woman who wishes to have breast
reconstruction has a number of options. This new area in our
Breast Cancer Overview explains the various reconstruction
techniques, and includes detailed illustrations.
http://www.mskcc.org/document/reconstruct/personal.htm
<a
href="http://www.mskcc.org/document/reconstruct/personal.htm">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
*Integrative Medicine Service*
This new MSK program offers the best of complementary
therapies, including massage therapy, spiritual healing, art
and music therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation,
guided imagery and visualization, yoga, t'ai chi, nutritional
counseling, and more.
http://www.mskcc.org/document/integra1.htm
<a href="http://www.mskcc.org/document/integra1.htm">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
----------------------------------------------------
*Feedback*
Give us a compliment, if you'd like, or some suggestions
using our feedback form.
http://www.mskcc.org/feedback.cfm?address=lately@mskcc.org
<a
href="http://www.mskcc.org/feedback.cfm?address=lately@mskcc.org">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
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possible about the problem.
mailto:webmaster@mskcc.org
<a href="mailto:webmaster@mskcc.org">
AOL Users Click Here</a>
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----------------------------------------------------
Note: The information in Lately@MSKCC and at
http://www.mskcc.org is not intended as a substitute for
medical professional help or advice but is to be used only as
an aid in understanding current medical knowledge. A
physician should always be consulted for any health problem
or medical condition.
----------------------------------------------------
Copyright (C) 1999, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
For information about republishing information from
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