Re: Way Off Topic: West coast eyes


"Greg G." <GregG@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:hd32r1hu983njq1fohrih8gq0u5t7fiel9@xxxxxxxxxx
> Greg G. said:
>
>>While I harbor a healthy suspicion of drug company claims in general,
>>perhaps you might also consider the studies being performed at the
>>Oregon Health & Science University, testing an experimental drug,
>>which is now on the market as Gleevec. Its maker is Novartis.
>>
>>Dr. Brian Druker, a Howard Hughes investigator at the university's
>>Cancer Institute, who led the Gleevec study, sees this treatment as a
>>pioneer effort in a new frontier of science. The treatment is based
>>not on blasting cancer cells with harsh chemotherapy or radiation but
>>instead on using a sort of molecular razor to cut them out...
>
> Addendum:
>
> Also, since you didn't state the exact cancer involved, this may or
> may not provide any useful information. But since the technology
> involved represents a new paradigm for cancer treatment, it is a
> matter of time until it is adapted for other patients/cancers.
> Brief PR release here:
> http://www.ohsu.edu/news/2003/031203druker.html
>
> I am not a DMS and the only thing I have a degree in is BS. But...
> Traditional chemotherapy involves hammering the body with toxins in an
> attempt to effect the mutant cells responsible for the cancer. Until
> this point, the cell walls of the cancer have been resistant to
> traditional drug targeting, thus resulting in the "poison everything"
> approach to cancer treatment - which is the reason many patients
> become more weakened from the treatment than the disease. And rarely
> is the cancer "cured". The mutant cells are still present in, and
> produced by, the body; lying in wait to re-awaken in the future.
>
> This new drug's methodology has apparently been proven able to
> penetrate the cell walls of the mutant cancer cells, thus allowing
> more precise targeting by other combined drugs. Apparently, however,
> each individual's unique genetic predispositions to cancer and
> variance in the make up of these genetic flaws can require a tailoring
> of the drug to said individual and his/her genetic makeup and
> particular cancer. But with currently available technology combined
> with automated systems, it's only a matter of time until a doctor will
> be able to submit tissue/DNA samples and have a custom engineered drug
> delivered to your door - for a price.
>
> FWIW,
>
> Greg G.
Hi Greg G.
Thanks for your replies to this thread. As you may have noticed from my
previous posts, I am forwarding these on to my friend. I will be doing so
until they peter out, so to speak. :-) I am really impressed with the
response to this call for help. I am also very grateful for all the helpful
replies. On behalf of my friend and his wife, thanks to all for your
continued help and patience.
Best Regards,
Beej


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