Johns Hopkins researchers have been focused on epigenetics as a way to eliminate cancer cells. ?Understanding how genes are turned on or off through chemical switches has helped lead them to develop novel cancer treatments currently being tested in clinical trials.? Now, UK researchers report they have found a way to ?flip a molecular switch? in a cancer cell and put it to sleep ? permanently.
Thoracic surgeons who treat lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos, are closely watching this research. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is extremely difficult to treat.? Many patients die within one year of diagnosis. ?However, advances in the successful treatment of any cancer typically benefit mesothelioma patients.
According to an article in the Daily Mail, researchers report that the drug aflibercept, used in the treatment of bowel cancer, tricked cancer cells into becoming dormant. The result was a ?significant? extension of life for the patients.
In a clinical trial with 1,400 patients with bowel cancer, the researchers reported ?statistically significant survival benefit? compared to conventional drugs used for treating bowel cancer that had spread after initial treatment.? Aflibercept is administered with another chemotherapy agent.
Dr Rob Glynne Jones, Macmillan Clinical Lead for Gastrointestinal Cancer at Mount Vernon Hospital in Northwood, Middlesex, said, ?The trial results were positive.?
?I am sure this drug will have a research programme and they will be extending it to all other cancers.?
Aflibercept is approved in the United States for the treatment of wet macular degeneration and metastatic colorectal cancer. European approval is expected.
More articles by Nancy Meredith
Nancy Meredith is a blog and web content writer with more than 20 years of professional experience in the Information Technology industry. She has been writing about Mesothelioma for 4 years. Follow Nancy on Google+
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