Cure for Cancer?

Discussion in 'Biology & Genetics' started by joepistole, Mar 30, 2015.

  1. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    A very new and innovative process could potentially cure cancer. It is now in phase 1 testing at Duke University. I love this. It uses a genetically modified version of the Polio virus. The Polio virus has been genetically modified so that it can only reproduce in cancerous cells. So it only infects and kills cancerous cells. In addition to directly attacking cancerous cells, the Polio virus triggers an immune response with the Polio virus acting as an antibody. You have to love it. It's ingenious and more importantly, it's working. If all continues to go well, the therapy could achieve "Break Through Status" within a year. This is groundbreaking!

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polio-cancer-treatment-duke-university-60-minutes-scott-pelley/

    My first patient as a young Hospital Corpsman decades ago was a cancer patient. It is a devastating disease. My patient was completely bedridden and severely emaciated. He received the maximum dosage morphine dosage and he was still racked with pain. I had to touch him and move him to prevent decubitus ulcers from forming. But every time I touched or moved him, he cried in pain. I was torn. I didn't want to cause him pain. It was a no win situation. Cancer is a horrible disease. If this therapy works, it will be a godsend. this is big news.
     
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  3. Magical Realist Valued Senior Member

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    This is very exciting. I watched a PBS special last night called "Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies" which goes thru the history of our battle against cancer and the breakthroughs that have been made in it. The series is a 3 part one and continues tonight. My family is relatively lucky, both my parents having been spared anything cancerous. But I had a grandfather die of it. I am lucky to be living in an amazing time when cancer may soon become something our grandchildren read about in history books.

     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2015
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  5. Vexen Registered Member

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    I'm currently studying virology and this idea is absolutely fantastic

    However, I would like to make a few points:

    1) It's promising in principle but it has to overcome many practical problems.

    2) I don't think it will be a cure for all people with cancer. It might be able to cure some but not all.

    3) There have been other attempts at viral based cancer treatment

    Check out Forbes article on this matter:

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/arlenew...you-about-the-miracle-glioblastoma-treatment/
     
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  7. joepistole Deacon Blues Valued Senior Member

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    At least one of the individuals, who died, died because she was over dosed. That is one of the risks involved in a stage one trial. It's interesting that the debate has already turned to the economics of a cure or a treatment. Drug companies can only charge once for a cure versus a life time for ongoing treatment. How much is a cancer cure worth?

    Yes there are many companies out there pursuing cancer cures. It's an exciting time. There are companies out there like Sparks Therapeutics who are developing therapies to fix genetic diseases and has a product in phase 3 trials. http://www.sparktx.com/pipeline
     

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