FOR the second time this month, researchers reported success in using new anticancer pill to control the growth of tumor-derived. These tumors often can not be treated with standard treatment. The pill is called olaparib experimental results, a member of drugs known as PARP inhibitors. This medicine is used to prevent cancer cells repair themselves unstable.
According to researcher Johann de Bono, MD, PhD, from the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, England, 2 / 3 of the 19 patients with cancer due to mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes respond to treatment with olaparib. And, more than half, tumors shrank or stopped growing.
Defects in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes make women at greater risk of developing breast cancer and malignant ovarian cancer at a young age. In addition, the light Bono, BRCA2 gene mutations also increase the risk of men developing prostate cancer.
According to researcher Johann de Bono, MD, PhD, from the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton, England, 2 / 3 of the 19 patients with cancer due to mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes respond to treatment with olaparib. And, more than half, tumors shrank or stopped growing.
Defects in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes make women at greater risk of developing breast cancer and malignant ovarian cancer at a young age. In addition, the light Bono, BRCA2 gene mutations also increase the risk of men developing prostate cancer.
Of the 19 patients in the study who suffered from an inherited BRCA cancer, 15 of them suffering from ovarian cancer, 3 breast cancer, and one suffered from prostate cancer. But, bright Bono, olaparib not helping 41 patients other tumors are not caused by BRCA mutations.
According to Daniel Silver, MD, PhD, from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, PARP inhibitors will most likely change the way of treating patients whose tumors are caused by defects in the BRCA genes.
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How it works PARP inhibitor
PARP is an enzyme that is used by cancer cells to repair DNA damage. All cells, whether cells are cancerous or healthy cells both have a lot of systems to repair DNA. Although the system is off, most of the cells will survive.
In people who have BRCA, one lane closed system. Just as the table who had lost a leg. Table is of course still standing although it is not stable. With the olaparib, this drug will shut down the system path PARP. Making tumor cells is the same as the table that only has two legs. "Consequently, these cells will fall and die," says de Bono, as quoted by WebMD site.
Just as other targeted therapies, light de Bono, the drug is only attack tumor cells without disrupting healthy tissue. PARP inhibitors also cause fewer side effects than regular chemotherapy. "The most common side effects of this drug are fatigue and mild stomach problems."
De Bono states, patients with malignant prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, proved to have improved after using olaparib for 2 1 / 2 years. "This drug is very active and its side effects only to digestive problems." In addition, he explained, this pill is not difficult to use because it only needs to be taken 2 times a day.
How it works PARP inhibitor
PARP is an enzyme that is used by cancer cells to repair DNA damage. All cells, whether cells are cancerous or healthy cells both have a lot of systems to repair DNA. Although the system is off, most of the cells will survive.
In people who have BRCA, one lane closed system. Just as the table who had lost a leg. Table is of course still standing although it is not stable. With the olaparib, this drug will shut down the system path PARP. Making tumor cells is the same as the table that only has two legs. "Consequently, these cells will fall and die," says de Bono, as quoted by WebMD site.
Just as other targeted therapies, light de Bono, the drug is only attack tumor cells without disrupting healthy tissue. PARP inhibitors also cause fewer side effects than regular chemotherapy. "The most common side effects of this drug are fatigue and mild stomach problems."
De Bono states, patients with malignant prostate cancer that has spread to the bone, proved to have improved after using olaparib for 2 1 / 2 years. "This drug is very active and its side effects only to digestive problems." In addition, he explained, this pill is not difficult to use because it only needs to be taken 2 times a day.
