 |
|
Penn researchers find targeted therapy combination overcomes treatment resistance in liver cancer
April 14, 2008SAN DIEGO -- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center reported today at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research that combining two targeted therapies overcomes treatment resistance in liver cancer cell lines. The team is currently designing a trial to test the combination in patients.
Liver cancer is resistant to many chemotherapies and to cell-death inducing agents. Last year, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved sorafenib (Nexavar®) as a treatment for liver cancer after a clinical trial showed that the targeted agent prolonged survival in some patients.
Unfortunately not all patients respond to sorafenib and the drug does not cure the disease.
Therefore, Wafik El-Deiry, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Genetics, and Pharmacology, and co-Program Leader of Radiation Biology in the Abramson Cancer Center, and colleagues have tested other targeted agents in combination with sorafenib.
They found that treating liver cancer cells with sorafenib and an antibody or the natural ligand that stimulates programmed cell death via the TRAIL pathway, dramatically increases the rate of cell death.
"Sorafenib by itself causes a little cell death, but not that much," Dr. El-Deiry said. "Now you combine sorafenib and TRAIL, and all of the sudden you get massive cell death. It is a real synergistic interaction. It is very profound killing."
The combination works regardless of whether the researchers use a monoclonal antibody that stimulates the TRAIL receptor, which resides on the surface of the cancer cells, or the receptor's natural ligand, a small protein called TRAIL. Both the antibody and the TRAIL ligand are currently being tested as single agents in patients.
Within the next several months, Dr. El-Deiry's team expects to announce the details for a trial testing the combination in patients.
In a healthy individual, the immune system uses the TRAIL pathway to rid the body of unwanted cells, including precancerous ones. Once cancer develops, however, the cells often become less responsive to TRAIL activation, in part because of an overabundance of a protein called Mcl-1, according to Dr. El-Deiry. His team found that sorafenib reduces the amount of Mcl-1 in the cancer cells, restoring their sensitivity to TRAIL-induced cell death.
Although the Penn investigators focused their current report on liver cancer, they discovered that the sorafenib-TRAIL combination also kills colon cancer cell in vitro and in animal models.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Therefore, Wafik El-Deiry, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Genetics, and Pharmacology, and co-Program Leader of Radiation Biology in the Abramson Cancer Center, and colleagues have tested other targeted agents in combination with sorafenib.
They found that treating liver cancer cells with sorafenib and an antibody or the natural ligand that stimulates programmed cell death via the TRAIL pathway, dramatically increases the rate of cell death.
"Sorafenib by itself causes a little cell death, but not that much," Dr. El-Deiry said. "Now you combine sorafenib and TRAIL, and all of the sudden you get massive cell death. It is a real synergistic interaction. It is very profound killing."
The combination works regardless of whether the researchers use a monoclonal antibody that stimulates the TRAIL receptor, which resides on the surface of the cancer cells, or the receptor's natural ligand, a small protein called TRAIL. Both the antibody and the TRAIL ligand are currently being tested as single agents in patients.
Within the next several months, Dr. El-Deiry's team expects to announce the details for a trial testing the combination in patients.
In a healthy individual, the immune system uses the TRAIL pathway to rid the body of unwanted cells, including precancerous ones. Once cancer develops, however, the cells often become less responsive to TRAIL activation, in part because of an overabundance of a protein called Mcl-1, according to Dr. El-Deiry. His team found that sorafenib reduces the amount of Mcl-1 in the cancer cells, restoring their sensitivity to TRAIL-induced cell death.
Although the Penn investigators focused their current report on liver cancer, they discovered that the sorafenib-TRAIL combination also kills colon cancer cell in vitro and in animal models.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Liver Cancer Current Events and Liver Cancer News RSS1 disease, not 1 demographic
The Asian continent has nearly four billion people living in 47 different countries, and each of these groups has their own unique set of health issues. But when they come to the United States, they're often lumped into one large demographic: "Asian/Pacific Islander."
Parasite growth hormone pushes human cells to liver cancer
Scientists have found that the human liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) contributes to the development of bile duct (liver) cancer by secreting granulin, a growth hormone that is known to cause uncontrolled growth of cells.
Certain cancers more common among HIV patients than non-HIV patients
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that non-AIDS-defining malignancies such as anal and lung cancer have become more prevalent among HIV-infected patients than non-HIV patients since the introduction of anti-retroviral therapies in the mid-1990s.
Discovery could improve hepatitis C treatment
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers are part of an international team that has discovered a genetic variation that could identify those people infected with hepatitis C who are most likely to benefit from current treatments.
Sorafenib significantly improves the length of time before breast cancer worsens
ne of the first of a series of trials to investigate the use of sorafenib - a targeted anti-cancer drug - for the treatment of advanced breast cancer has found that if it is combined with the chemotherapy drug, capecitabine, it makes a significant difference to the time women live without their disease worsening.
Penn State College of Medicine research isolates liver cancer stem cells prior to tumor formation
Penn State College of Medicine researchers, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Southern California, have taken an important step in understanding the role of stem cells in development of liver cancer.
New biomarker predicts response to hepatitis C treatment
Researchers have identified the first genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, and a single letter of DNA code appears to make a huge difference.
Sequential TACE and cryosurgery can improve survival times for patients with HCC?
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)--a liver cancer--is recognized as one of the most common cancers in the world that disproportionately affects Southeast Asians and Africans.
The hepatitis healing power of blueberry leaves
A chemical found in blueberry leaves has shown a strong effect in blocking the replication of the Hepatitis C virus, opening up a new avenue for treating chronic HCV infections, which affect 200 million people worldwide and can eventually lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Conaway Lab uncovers function of potential cancer-causing gene product
The Stowers Institute's Conaway Lab has uncovered a previously unknown function of a gene product called Amplified in Liver Cancer 1 (Alc1), which may play a role in the onset of cancer.
More Liver Cancer Current Events and Liver Cancer News Articles
 |
100 Q&A About Liver Cancer, Second Edition (100 Questions & Answers about . . .) by Ghassan Abou-Alfa (Author), Ronald DeMatteo (Author) EMPOWER YOURSELF! Whether you're a newly diagnosed liver cancer patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. The only text to provide the doctor's and patient's/caregiver's views, 100 Questions & Answers About Liver Cancer gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Written by a medical oncologist and a gastrointestinal surgeon, with actual patient/caregiver commentary, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease. |
 |
Liver Cancer: Current and Emerging Trends in Detection and Treatment (Cancer and Modern Science) by Tamra B. Orr (Author) |
 |
The Liver Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery by Sanjiv Chopra (Author) It is the portal to total body wellness, the great purifier, and the only human organ that can regenerate itself. But what you don't know about the liver can hurt you! Now, in this complete and authoritative guide that anyone can use and understand, Dr. Sanjiv Chopra explains: The what, where, how, and why of the liver and its miraculous functions |
 |
Cancer Be Gone Guided imagery CD taps into the immense power of the mind to enhance comfort, healing, an optimistic attitude and positive expectations. Metaphor of "cancer as weeds in a garden that are easily managed". |
 |
FlameEz-Liver, 60 Capsules/Bottle by FlameEz There are many types of liver disease. Whether the liver is infected with a virus or injured by chemicals, the process of the liver damage always involves inflammation. If properly treated, the inflammation may go away and the liver can heal itself. If left untreated, the inflamed liver will start to scar. As excess scar tissue grows, it replaces healthy liver tissue and leads to fibrosis or cirrhosis. Although it is important to treat the liver disease in the inflammation and fibrosis stages, the treatment choice is limited because many drugs are metabolized by the liver and a few drugs that are used routinely to treat liver disease have significant side effects. Natural remedies are available as alternative approach for liver disease. FlameEz-Liver is a high quality natural liver... |
 |
Liver-Directed Therapy for Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors (Cancer Treatment and Research) by Mark S. Talamonti (Author), Sam G. Pappas (Author) Liver-Directed Therapy for Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors is a comprehensive examination of tumors of the liver. It provides a unique multi-modality approach to management of all types of primary and secondary liver tumors. The biology of liver cancers, state of the art radiologic imaging and novel, non-surgical interventional strategies are given. There is an in depth analysis of surgical options including transplantation, resection, interstitial ablation techniques and liver-directed chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, bile duct cancers, and colorectal and neuroendocrine liver metastases. Because of the unique and comprehensive examination of liver tumors, this work is an excellent resource for surgical, transplant and medical oncologists, surgeons,... |
|
Ali (Follow a young girl's battle with a rare form of liver cancer) Also With: Aquarius Health Care Video (Primary Contributor) | |
 |
Cure Hepatocellular (Liver) Cancer Sweatshirt X-Large White by Shop Zeus |
 |
Liver Cancer Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The Liver Cancer Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Liver Cancer Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Liver Cancer Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness! |
|
|
Cure Hepatocellular (Liver) Cancer Sweatshirt Medium White by Shop Zeus |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |