Cancer: a shock breakthrough

[cal04]

Patients with inoperable prostate disease recover after single dose of drug
By Jeremy Laurance, Health editor
Two patients with inoperable prostate cancer have made dramatic recoveries after receiving one dose of an experimental drug that is creating excitement among cancer specialists.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cancer-a-shock-breakthrough-1710727.html

The results were so startling that researchers decided to release details of the two cases before the drug trial – in which the patients took part – was complete. Doctors said their progress had exceeded all expectations. The men were treated at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in the US, one of the top medical centres in the world.

Dr Eugene Kwon, the urologist who was in charge of their treatment, compared the results to the first pilot breaking the sound barrier.

"This is one of the Holy Grails of prostate cancer research. We have been looking for this for years," he said.

[Duer 157099]

1. That sounds dramatic

The outcome was better than any of them could have anticipated. From having an enlarged prostate gland riddled with cancer which had spread, Mr Nelson was found to have a shrunk prostate gland with tiny pockets of cancer that were "very hard to find".

Michael Blute, the surgeon who operated on Mr Nelson, said at one point doctors feared they might have the wrong patient: "I was cutting away scar tissue trying to find cancer cells. The pathologist was checking samples as we proceeded and sent word back asking if we had the right patient. He had a hard time finding any cancer. I have never seen anything like this before. The pathologists were floored."

The procedure was repeated, with the same result, on Mr Solano-Revuelta. A third "inoperable" patient underwent surgery last week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipilimumab

[Captain Hilts]

2. I just read that on the Independent. nt

[Avalux]

3. It's a monoclonal antibody.

These are the new frontier of 'drugs' - not really a drug at all.

We are using a monoclonal antibody to treat people newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. If given early enough - a week's worth of dosing is all that's needed - appears to cure the illness. Of course long-term data will be necessary but it's very exciting.

Great news. :toast:

[donco6]

4. Wow, I hope it's for real.

Sounds very promising.

[Maccagirl]

5. Incredible news

It brings real hope.

[NV Whino]

6. But do the insurance companies cover it?

[ThomCat]

7. If they do, how many tens of thousands of dollars will they charge for it.

:(

You know they will price this so high that they make a fortune and nobody can afford it.

[Peter1x9]

9. pay or die

$$$

[Kablooie]

8. If it sounds too good to be true ... you know.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Oh, thank God...

...for giving us research scientists.

[jazzjunkysue]

11. Bristol-Myers Squibb holds the patent. They'll be overseas by monday, unless they already are.

[sellitman]

12. Alas...too late for Zappa.

But great news none the less.

Wow!

[xchrom]

13. i was too late to rec this wonderful news. nt

[Joanne98]

14. MEDX up 12% today

http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=MEDX

[LeftishBrit]

15. Great news, if it turns out to work for others!