Lymphoma. Hodgkinlymfomen and non-Hodgkin's disease
Information on current developments in both regular and alternative or complementary treatments and resources for lymphoma - non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease at all stages.
Recent articles in left column more or less in alphabetical order classified
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Prozac and lymphoma: Prozac causes rapid laboratory suicide - apoptosis - in Burkitt's lymphoma, an aggressive form of lymphoma, mainly occurring in AIDS patients.
dated April 16, 2003:Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered that Prozac and perhaps other anti-depressants at least some form of non-Hodgkinlymfomen, known as Burkitt's lymphoma, could heal. Prozac caused a very rapid in laboratory suicide - apoptosis - cancer cells. So quickly and dramatically that investigator Professor John Gordon said that all talks are underway to set up trials with cancer patients. Burkitt's lymphomas occur mainly in Africa but also in the rest of the world in AIDS patients with their immune system is weakened. These patients may also therefore not follow chemotherapy and would therefore benefit from this approach can be.
Below are two press releases from Reuters and the BBC on the same study.
Source: BBC Health
Prozac 'could-beat cancer'
The drug could-help tackle cancer
The anti-depressant drug Prozac could-help doctors tackle cancer, says a UK-based research team. The Drug Has Been around for well over a decade, and is an Established treatment for depression. However, in recent years, doctors have Other Suggested It Might have benefits.
Researchers from Birmingham University Looked at the effects of a variety of chemicals on cancer cells of a type called Burkitt's lymphoma. This type of cancer - a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - frequently initially develop in AIDS patients, Whose weakened state MEANS Conventional chemotherapy That May not be 'appropriate. It is an aggressive and frequently lethal form of the disease.
Cell suicide
The scientists found here That moderate doses of Prozac appeared to trigger cell death "- a process in Which the cancer cells" commit suicide ". The cell death, or apoptosis, was described by the researchers as "rapid and extensification. However, it can not be Certain That The Same effect Would be reproduced in a real patient as opposed to cells in a laboratory test tube. But the experts leading the research are hopeful That It Might do so, and Perhaps even help in the fight against someother cancers.
Clinical trials
Professor John Gordon said: "This new development is very exciting.
"We were intrigued as to the impact of fluoxetine (Prozac) on the cancer and found That by Increasing the dosage ITS Burkitt's cells are killed.
"We Are Already Using Discussing with clinicians about theses drugs as a therapy for Burkitt's lymphoma."
Ken Campbell from the Leukaemia Research Fund, welcomed the research.
He said: "While there is still some way to go before doctors can-start prescribing drugs to patiënten thesis with this cancer, thesis Findings Could Be Those of major Importance to Patients with the AIDS-related form of the disease, and to Those who patiënten are not in a position to Tolerate intensive chemotherapy.
"Alternative treatments Such As this Which are inexpensive and have low levels of toxicity Would be major step forward in the treatment of this disease."
Source: Reuters
Prozac Kills Burkitt's Lymphoma Cells: Scientists Tue April 15, 2003 2:47 PM ET
By Richard Woodman
LONDON (Reuters Health) - British scientists said on Wednesday That early lab research suggests Prozac and similar antidepressants could-treat at least one form of the cancer lymphoma.
The University of Birmingham team They had discovered That said, in the test tube, the drug could-make-Burkitt's lymphoma tumor cells commit suicide. Burkitt's lymphoma is a fast-growing cancer That makes up only a small percentage of all lymphomas, but is common in Africa.
Tested all the drugs belong to a class of anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
"The drugs activate the signaling mechanism That leads to the apoptosis (suicide) program. The end results Is That Within 24 hours the cells are dead," John Gordon, professor of immunology Told Reuters Health.
Last year The Same Team Reported That the brain chemical serotonin activates the suicide program can-And That SSRI drugs block the entry of serotonin, thereby Protecting cancer cells.
But the latest Findings, published in the American journal Blood, That show, by Increasing the quantity of the drug They could-reverse this process, forcing the cell to commit suicide.
Gordon said in a statement: "This new development is very exciting. We were intrigued as to the impact of the SSRIs on the cancer and found That by Increasing the dosage of SSRIs the Burkitt's cells are killed.
"The initial indicators are exceedingly positive and we are Already Discussing with clinicians about thesis Using drugs as a therapy for Burkitt's lymphoma. We are now Examining the effect SSRIs have on the Other cancer types."
Neuro Pharma Colo Yeast Nicholas Barnes said the SSRIs Were associated with very few side effects, even at high dosages When Used. "It Should therefore be Possible to determining our research whethere HAS immediate clinical benefit with the minimum of delay."
At present, Burkitt's lymphoma is Treated with chemotherapy, gene rally Which achieves a high cure rate. However, the scientist said response rates in the case of AIDS-related Burkitt's lymphoma are much lower.
"Further More, the combination of chemotherapy, and the clinical support required is not always readily available in undergraduate Developed Countries Where the disease is endemic," the researcher said.
Britain's Leukemia Research Fund said: "Burkitt's lymphoma is a Particularlyaggressive form of cancer Which ambiguous a huge number of people in Africa and a significant number of people in the UK.
"While there is still some way to go before doctors can-start prescribing drugs to patiënten thesis with this cancer, thesis Findings Could Be Those of major Importance to Patients with the AIDS-related form of the disease, and to Those Who Are not in patiënten a position to Tolerate the intensive chemotherapy.
"Alternative treatments Such As this Which are inexpensive and have low levels of toxicity Would be a major step forward in the treatment of this disease."
A spokesman for Eli Lilly, Which makes Prozac, said the company was not Involved in the latest research. The drug - once the company's biggest earner - no longer HAS patent protection.
