Tag Archives: Early Cancer Detection

Experimental Blood Test May be Used to Detect Melanoma at an Early Stage

Experimental Blood Test May be Used to Detect Melanoma at an Early Stage
Experimental Blood Test May be Used to Detect Melanoma at an Early Stage

Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, has a survival rate of up to 95 percent that is reduced nearly in half by late diagnosis. An experimental blood test for melanoma showing high degrees of accuracy could make it easier for patients to receive timely cancer treatment.

Finding Clues in the Bloodstream

Antibodies are produced by the body’s immune system to attack foreign substances, including cancer cells. A research team at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia conducted a study using blood samples to identify particular antibodies created in the immune response to melanoma.

The 245 test subjects included both melanoma patients and healthy volunteers. After the team identified a combination of 10 antibodies specific to the presence of melanoma, they were able to detect melanoma patients with 79 percent accuracy and healthy participants with 84 percent accuracy.

Progress in Early Cancer Detection

Professor Mel Ziman, leader of the project, said the team is proceeding on a trial with 1,000 participants to get the accuracy rate up to the required 90 percent level. Ziman projects that with a successful outcome, the test could be commercially available within five years.

While early detection makes a vital difference in successful melanoma treatment, current testing methods are costly and invasive. Scientists around the world are also making progress on blood tests to identify several types of cancer, including ovarian, lung and esophagus.

Better Testing = More Effective Cancer Treatment

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Saliva Test May Identify Prostate Cancer High Risk Populations

Saliva Test May Identify Prostate Cancer High Risk Populations
Saliva Test May Identify Prostate Cancer High Risk Populations

As immunotherapy for cancer moves closer to becoming a viable treatment for prostate cancer, scientists continue to seek methods of early detection. Increased use of saliva-based DNA tests prompted a research team to investigate a similar test that identifies men at high risk to develop the disease.

DNA Profiling through Saliva

Now that scientists can extract DNA from white cells called leukocytes, a simple saliva test can provide information about your genetic makeup. This method has given rise to a booming business in commercially available tests that reveal information about people’s genealogical backgrounds.

This past June, a research team at the Institute of Cancer Research in London began a clinical trial of a similar test to determine risk of developing prostate cancer. The disease is currently the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer affecting European men.

When Prostate Cancer Is in the Genes

The trial comes on the heels of a study that identified 63 new genetic variations that increase the risk of prostate cancer. In addition to these variations, the saliva test includes more than 100 others already known to scientists.

On this side of the ocean, another clinical trial of the saliva test is underway at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. According to Dr. Heather Cheng, director of the Alliance’s Prostate Cancer Genetics Clinic, a saliva test could be used in conjunction with existing PSA blood testing to obtain more accurate information.

Immunotherapy for Cancer: Personalized Solutions

Every patient’s case is unique. Genetic testing is one of the tools we use to create individual immunotherapy for cancer programs that focus on specific needs. Contact us for more information.

Losing Too Much Weight When You Are Over 60 May Signify Cancer

Losing Too Much Weight When You Are Over 60 May Signify Cancer
Losing Too Much Weight When You Are Over 60 May Signify Cancer

As the obesity problem in our society has grown, doctors have recommended programs for their patients to lose weight through healthy eating and moderate exercise. But immuno oncology experts warn that unexplained weight loss in people over the age of 60 can be a sign of cancer.

What Is the Relationship between Unexplained Weight Loss and Cancer?

With cancer survival rates that rank well below those of many comparable countries, Great Britain has been searching for ways to improve early detection and treatment. A research team led by the Universities of Oxford and Exeter set out to quantify the connection between unexplained weight loss and cancer.

The team reviewed 25 studies involving 11.5 million patients. Their major findings include:

– Men over the age of 60 with unexplained weight loss had a 14.2 percent risk of cancer, more than double the 6.7 percent risk of women in the same age group.

– Weight loss is a primary factor in prostate cancer, the most common form occurring in men, which accounts for the gender disparity.

– Unexpected weight loss was found to be the second-highest risk factor in colorectal, lung, renal and pancreatic cancers.

Improving Access to Early Testing

There are currently no guidelines for doctors regarding weight loss and how it pertains to cancer. Dr. Richard Roope of the Royal College of GPs expressed hope that this study will help improve access to more accurate diagnostic tools.

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Fast Diagnostic Testing May Improve Cancer Outcome for Many Patients

Fast Diagnostic Testing May Improve Cancer Outcome for Many Patients
Fast Diagnostic Testing May Improve Cancer Outcome for Many Patients

Early detection greatly improves the chances of immunotherapy for cancer and other treatments to have a beneficial effect. A recent literature review by a team of experts emphasizes the importance of patients receiving fast diagnostic testing as soon as possible after a positive screening.

Making the Case for Fast Diagnostic Testing

An interdisciplinary team of cancer experts, led by a group from the University of Pennsylvania, conducted a review of studies involving patients with breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer. All studies were published between January 1998 and December 2017 and were drawn from average-risk populations except in the case of lung cancer.

Patient outcome data in the studies provided clear support for the policy of receiving quick diagnostic testing, such as a CT scan, after a positive screening result. While the team suggested a target time frame for each type of cancer ranging from 60 to 90 days, they emphasized that there is no specific window of safety.

Why Time Is of the Essence

Dr. Chyke Doubeni, lead author of the review, stated the following benefits of prompt diagnostic testing:

– Reduced mortality risk

– Less worry and uncertainty for the patient

– Reduced likelihood of delays, such as changes in insurance coverage

Researchers will now focus on identifying the data that will allow more precise definitions of time frames for testing.

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Gene-Based Urine Tests Used for Bladder Cancer Discovery

Gene-Based Urine Tests Used for Bladder Cancer Discovery
Gene-Based Urine Tests Used for Bladder Cancer Discovery

What if you could determine your need for bladder cancer treatment from a routine urine sample, just like many other medical conditions? Scientists have recently developed a test that could make this a reality.

Using Gene-Based Testing for Early Cancer Detection

A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has been studying cancer genes to find more effective methods of early detection. Earlier this year, they announced a new blood test called CancerSEEK, which screens for eight different types of cancer, and PapSEEK, which screens for endometrial and ovarian cancers via cervical fluid samples.

In a study published in March, the team revealed the addition of another test called UroSEEK. Urine samples are analyzed for the presence of gene mutations or abnormal numbers of chromosomes, both of which are associated with bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC).

Identifying New Cancer Cases and Recurrences

During clinical studies involving 570 at-risk patients, UroSEEK had an 83 percent success rate identifying those who did develop bladder cancer. When UroSEEK was used in conjunction with cytology, the standard test for bladder cancer, accuracy rose to 95 percent.

According to Dr. David McConkey of the Johns Hopkins Greenburg Bladder Cancer Institute, bladder cancer has a high rate of recurrence. Another benefit of UroSEEK is that it can be used to effectively monitor patients who have already undergone treatment for bladder cancer.

Individually Created Cancer Treatment for Each Patient

At Issels®, we have been using gene-targeted therapies as one of the components of our integrative cancer treatment programs. Contact us for more information about our non-toxic protocols.

Robots May Soon be Performing Lung Laparoscopies for Cancer Detection

Robots May Soon be Performing Lung Laparoscopies for Cancer Detection
Robots May Soon be Performing Lung Laparoscopies for Cancer Detection

Robots are becoming increasingly entrenched in manufacturing, but do they have a place in cancer treatment? Earlier this year, the FDA approved a new robotic device for use in diagnosing lung cancer.

Robotics: Building Better Surgical Devices

As a surgical resident in the early 1908s, Fred Moll became convinced that there was a better way to perform procedures. After resigning his residency, Moll went to work creating high-tech medical devices.

Today Moll has become known for his invention of the $2 million da Vinci Surgical System, which is the top-selling surgical robot used in laparoscopic procedures. Surgeons operate the device using electronic hand controls and a video monitor.

But Moll is not content to rest on his laurels. He’s certain that medical robots will eventually be able to work autonomously, without relying on a surgeon’s control.

The Future of Robotic Surgery

On March 22, the FDA approved use of the Monarch Platform, which is the first step toward Moll’s ultimate vision. The new system includes a pair of arms as well as a long tube for doctors to steer a camera and other instruments inside the patient’s body.

At this point, FDA approval covers the Monarch Platform for use by a doctor to diagnose (and eventually treat) lung cancer. According to Moll, the Monarch will be able to drive itself in as few as 18 months from now.

Issels®: The Future of Cancer Treatment Is Here Today

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