New type of treatment may be effective in killing prostate cancer cells

Posted on 2009-01-27 08:59:34 in Cancer | Longevity and Age Management |
A new study published in The Prostate has demonstrated that certain measles virus strains, including MV-CEA, may be effective in treating patients with advanced prostate cancer. The study findings show that this type of treatment, known as virotherapy, may prove to be effective in treating prostate cancer, the leading cause of death among males in the United States. To date, there is no curative therapy available to treat locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. According to the study, the median survival time of mice treated with MV-CEA nearly doubled compared to the controls. In addition, in 20 percent of the treated mice, complete tumor regression was observed. The Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in prostate cancer supported the study. “These viral strains could represent excellent candidates for clinical testing against advanced prostate cancer, including androgen resistant tumors,” says Evanthia Galanis, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, Senior Author of the study.  The oncolytic strains of measles virus are a new class of therapeutic agents. Because they do not show any cross-resistance with existing treatment methods, they can be combined with conventional approaches. Using virotherapy in treating prostate cancer is particularly promising because primary tumor sites can be easily accessed. The agent can be applied directly to the tumor by ultrasound-guided needle injections, and such non-invasive techniques as ultrasound and MRI can be used to closely monitor treatment. The measles vaccine strains also have an excellent track record, with vaccines having been administered safely for more than four decades. News Release: Measles virus may be effective prostate cancer treatment www.godlikeproductions.com January 27, 2009  

Health Headlines MORE »

The best male marathon runners over age 65, and the best female marathon runners over age 45, continue to consistently improve their performance.
UCLA-led team safely uses human embryonic stem cells to treat macular degeneration.
First-of-its-kind study reports that indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances.
Twenty percent of Americans ages 18+ experienced a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in 2010.
In a lab animal model, vitamin D reduced the effects of aging in the eyes and improved the vision of older animals.
For the first time ever, stem cells from umbilical cords have been converted into other types of cells, paving the way for new treatment options for spinal cord
People affected by Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have low blood levels of vitamin E, as compared to people with normal cognitive function.
Virtual reality (VR)-enhanced exercise, that combine physical exercise with computer-simulated environments and interactive videogame features, yield a greater
Providing potent protection for eyes, grapes may help to slow or help prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Review paper confirms the multiple health benefits of consuming fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods.
ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY
Lifelong Fitness Linked to Longevity
People who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who are out-of-shape. Researchers from the University of Otago ( New Zealand) studied 4,384 middle-aged and older adults whose fitness levels were assessed via exercise treadmill tests, then whom were followed for nine years. When the team separated the participants into five groups based on fitness levels, they found that one-quarter of the least-fit men and women had died during the study period, as compared to 13% of those who were slightly more in-shape.