 |
|
Injection may prevent infertility in men receiving cancer chemotherapy
June 21, 2006It may be possible to protect the testes of cancer patients against the loss of fertility caused by chemotherapy, a scientist told the 22nd annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Prague, Czech Republic on Tuesday 20 June 2006. Mr. Alon Carmely from Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel, said that his work showed for the first time that the injection of a drug that enhances the immune system could protect the testis from the effects of paclitaxel (Taxol), a widely used chemotherapy drug.
"The effects of chemotherapy treatment on fertility are an important issue for long-term survivors of cancer who may not have started or completed a family at the time of diagnosis", said Mr. Carmely. "AS101 is a Tellurium-based non-toxic immunomodulatory compound developed and synthesised by us. Tellurium is a transition element with similar properties to Selenium, which is also known to have many beneficial effects."
Knowing that AS101 had been shown to have chemoprotective effects in both animal and human studies, he and his team decided to investigate whether it could be used to avoid testicular damage in mice treated with Taxol. "Clinical studies had already shown that AS101 could protect against bone marrow damage and hair loss, and also sensitises the tumour to treatment", he said.
The scientists divided the mice into four groups — Taxol only, AS101 plus Taxol, AS101 only, and a control group. After 30 days they were euthanized and their testes examined and weighed. The researchers found that a single dose of Taxol had induced significant testicular weight loss compared with the control group. An injection of AS101 a day before that of Taxol prevented the Taxol-induced weight loss.
"Tissue analysis of the testes of Taxol-injected mice showed severe atrophy and empty seminiferous tubules, where the sperm-producing cells are contained", said Mr. Carmely. "In contrast, we saw only minimal testicular damage in the group that had previously been injected with AS101, and we could also find mature sperm. Injection of AS101 alone did not alter testicular weight or tissue analysis results.
"These results hold out much promise for fertility preservation in men undergoing cancer treatments", he said. "We now intend to study the mechanism of protection, which is still unclear. Our work suggests that in addition to the direct damage caused by the treatment, significant testicular damage is caused by the immune reaction to it. We hope to begin clinical studies in cancer patients in the next few months.\\\
European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology
The scientists divided the mice into four groups — Taxol only, AS101 plus Taxol, AS101 only, and a control group. After 30 days they were euthanized and their testes examined and weighed. The researchers found that a single dose of Taxol had induced significant testicular weight loss compared with the control group. An injection of AS101 a day before that of Taxol prevented the Taxol-induced weight loss.
"Tissue analysis of the testes of Taxol-injected mice showed severe atrophy and empty seminiferous tubules, where the sperm-producing cells are contained", said Mr. Carmely. "In contrast, we saw only minimal testicular damage in the group that had previously been injected with AS101, and we could also find mature sperm. Injection of AS101 alone did not alter testicular weight or tissue analysis results.
"These results hold out much promise for fertility preservation in men undergoing cancer treatments", he said. "We now intend to study the mechanism of protection, which is still unclear. Our work suggests that in addition to the direct damage caused by the treatment, significant testicular damage is caused by the immune reaction to it. We hope to begin clinical studies in cancer patients in the next few months.\\\
European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology
Chemotherapy Current Events and Chemotherapy News RSSSensitive nanowire disease detectors made by Yale scientists
Yale scientists have created nanowire sensors coupled with simple microprocessor electronics that are both sensitive and specific enough to be used for point-of-care (POC) disease detection, according to a report in Nano Letters.
On the trail of a targeted therapy for blood cancers
nvestigators from the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine are focusing on a family of blood proteins that they hope holds a key to decreasing the toxic effects of chemotherapy in children and adults.
Hodgkin lymphoma -- new characteristics discovered
Researchers are still discovering new characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma, a common form of cancer of the lymphatic system. The malignant cells are derived from white blood cells (B cells), but have lost a considerable part of the B cell-specific gene expression pattern.
Bisphenol A linked to chemotherapy resistance
Exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments, say University of Cincinnati (UC) scientists.
Pediatric study finds alternatives for radiation of low-grade brain tumors
A multi-institutional study led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has found that using chemotherapy alone and delaying or avoiding cranial radiation altogether can be effective in treating pediatric patients with unresectable or progressive low-grade glioma.
Mayo researchers explore issues related to multiple myeloma treatment
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells that affects approximately 3 in 100,000 people each year. Although there is no cure for this disease, researchers have developed treatments that help relieve pain, control complications, and slow the progress of MM in many patients.
News from Cancer: Disparities in head and neck cancer patients
A new analysis finds considerable disparities in survival related to race and socio-economic status among patients with head and neck cancer.
Nanodiamond drug device could transform cancer treatment
A Northwestern University research team has developed a promising nanomaterial-based biomedical device that could be used to deliver chemotherapy drugs locally to sites where cancerous tumors have been surgically removed.
Children's National researchers develop novel anti-tumor vaccine
A novel anti-tumor vaccine for neuroblastoma and melanoma developed by scientists and clinicians at Children's National Medical Center in collaboration with investigators from the University of Iowa is showing significant impact on tumor growth in mice.
Surgical treatment provides new option for some colorectal cancer patients
Research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that a surgical technique not traditionally used in advanced abdominal cancer may be a viable treatment option for some patients previously thought to be untreatable, offering the real possibility of extending survival for those patients.
More Chemotherapy Current Events and Chemotherapy News Articles
 | The Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy Survival Guide (Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Survivor's Guide) by Judith McKay, Nancee Hirano |
 | Physician's Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Manual 2008 (Jones and Bartlett Series in Oncology) by Edward Chu, Vincent T. DeVita Jr. Completely revised and updated for 2008, this practical handbook is an up-to-date guide to all aspects of cancer chemotherapy. The book provides a comprehensive, easy to use catalogue of over 100 drugs-both on- and off-label-commonly used in cancer treatment. A section on Common Chemotherapy Regimens provides a quick reference to management of specific cancers, arranged... |
 | Chemotherapy Heals Cancer and the World is Flat by Lothar Hirneise In the future there will be two groups of cancer patients. Those who have read this book - and those who are uninformed. For many years Lothar Hirneise has been traveling throughout the world looking for the most successful cancer therapies, and he has been explaining to people that there is much more available than just chemotherapy and irradiation. Recognized internationally as Europe's leading... |
 | Chemotherapy and Radiation For Dummies by Alan P. Lyss, Humberto Fagundes, Patricia Corrigan An informative, compassionate guide for cancer patients and their loved ones Each year, more than 1 million people get treated for cancer, and most of these will undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. This reassuring, optimistic guide helps people get a handle on treatment options and explains in plain English how chemotherapy and radiation therapy really work. It offers detailed... |
 | Questioning Chemotherapy by Ralph W. Moss A revealing critique of chemotherapy, this book looks objectively at chemo's successes and... |
 | Coping with Chemotherapy: Compassionate Advice and Authoritative Information from a Chemotherapy Survivor by Nancy Bruning After undergoing chemotherapy herself, author Nancy Bruning decided to write a candid and authoritative book to fill the void of information available for patients facing this procedure. In this completely revised, updated, and thoroughly researched edition, she details every step of the process, providing information even doctors neglect to tell their patients, including possible sexual and... |
 | 57 Good Things About Chemotherapy by Alec Kalla Rare humor that brings laughter to the halls of oncology, 57 Good Things About Chemotherapy provides precious relief from the stress and worry of cancer. Written by cancer survivor Alec Kalla and illustrated by Andy Williamson, this book makes cancer patients, survivors and caregivers smile, laugh and rid themselves of pentup emotional... |
 | Coping With Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy by Daniel Cukier New advances in treatment offer cancer patients more options than ever before. Coping with Chemotherapy and Radiation is an accessible, accurate guide to the latest developments in radiation therapy and chemotherapy. You will find important information on how chemotherapy and radiation treatments work; what to expect from treatments, how to alleviate common side effects, and... |
 | Pocket Guide to Chemotherapy Protocols, Fourth Edition (Pocket Guide to Chemotherapy Protocols) by Edward Chu An indispensable quick reference for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers treating cancer patients! The updated Fourth Edition of the best-selling Pocket Guide to Chemotherapy Protocols is spiral bound and arranged alphabetically by cancer type for easy access, and contains combination as well as selected single-agent regimens for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. In each... |
 | Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice (second edition) Order your copy of the newly revised and updated second edition of your #1 resource for chemotherapy administration! With more than 46,000 copies sold since 2001, you and thousands of your colleagues in oncology nursing have studied and consulted the information found in the first edition. The new second edition is based on current evidence and has been revised and updated to reflect the... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |