GASTRIC GOLD'S BLOG

Researchers have identified a protein that plays an important role in the development of stomach cancers and that could one day be a target for new treatments for the disease, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Scientists based at the Chinese University of Hong Kong explored the role of a protein called RAMP in stomach cancer cell lines and tissues, finding that it is more common in these cells compared to surrounding normal tissues.

The increased presence of RAMP suggests that this protein may play a pivotal role in the multi-step development of stomach cancer. Higher levels of the protein were seen in the very early stages of stomach cancer and were also present throughout the development of the disease. To add further evidence to RAMP's role in this cancer they found that the protein also encouraged cells to grow, fuelling the disease further.


Source
Cancer Research UK
This is the first study to establish a possible link between RAMP and stomach cancer and could help doctors to gain a better understanding of the disease, leading to more effective treatments.

Next the scientists proceeded to 'knock out' RAMP's function in two human gastric cancer cell lines. This slowed down the growth of the cancer in these cell lines and even led to cell death.

It is hoped that these findings could be the first step to developing a new approach to treating stomach cancer by developing treatments that 'switch off' RAMP. This could halt the growth of these tumours and even reduce tumour size.

Study author Dr WK Leung said: "We have established for the first time the role that RAMP plays in stomach cancer. Working out a role for RAMP in stomach cancer gives us more information about the common, but poorly understood steps that lead to the development of this cancer.

"We're very excited about with these results. The next stage of our research will aim to discover more about RAMP's specific role in stomach cancer and begin exploring the possibility of developing new drugs that can stop RAMP in its tracks."

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: "This interesting study helps us understand more about the mechanisms behind the development of stomach cancer. One of the reasons that survival rates for stomach cancers remain low is because they are often at an advanced stage when diagnosed, so making it harder to treat successfully. We welcome new research that could one day help those with stomach cancer face a better prognosis."

In the UK more than 7,700 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, with 95 per cent of cases among the over 50's. Over the last 25 years five-year survival rates have tripled in the UK, but the disease remains very difficult to treat successfully and five year survival is still low at around 15 per cent.

Labels: Cancer, stomach ulcer

Bacteria naturally present in the human gut could produce substances that help to protect against colon cancer and provide therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. In a paper published in the journal Microbiology, researchers from the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and from the MTT Agrifood Research Institute in Finland report initial studies showing that bacteria in the human gut convert linoleic acid, a naturally-occurring fat in the diet, into a form called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is absorbed by the gut wall.

There are different types of CLA and not all of them have beneficial effects. The "good" form of CLA is present in dairy foods such as milk and cheese," said Dr John Wallace of the Rowett Research Institute, "but eating lots of dairy foods won't necessarily help our gut health as most of the fats are digested in the small intestine before they get to the large intestine, where most of our gut bacteria are found." The results of these latest studies showed that several different forms of CLA are produced by gut bacteria. Fortunately, most was of the "good" kind, but Dr Wallace stressed that more extensive studies are needed. One subject produced small amounts of a CLA whose beneficial or otherwise effects are much less clear.

The implications are that, if small quantities of dietary linoleic acid can be delivered to the large intestine, the effects on gut health will be generally beneficial in most people. He added, "The results are of special interest for individuals using anti-obesity treatments that prevent the small intestine from absorbing fats. This means that those fats - including linoleic acid - will pass into the large intestine and the gut bacteria will produce CLA. It has to be the correct CLA, so it is important to understand how individuals produce different CLA. This must depend on which types of bacteria are present."

Labels: Cancer, IBD, Inflamatory Bowel Disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The following is a statement in response to the breaking news about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer from Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure.

"Our thoughts are with Justice Ginsburg as we learn of her pancreatic cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery and we wish her well on her recovery.

"The diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in the early stages is encouraging news for all patients. However, only 20 percent of patients are diagnosed early enough to qualify for surgery. The incidental discovery of pancreatic cancer in Justice Ginsburg reminds us of the urgent need for additional research funding to find early detection methods for the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

"The Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act (H.R. 745) was introduced in Congress last week by U.S. Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) and is the first substantive legislative effort dedicated to advancing pancreatic cancer research and addressing the critical needs facing our research community. Once enacted and fully funded it will provide a greater focus on this disease and will provide the National Cancer Institute with the tools it needs to develop the early diagnostic methods and treatments that are currently lacking for pancreatic cancer patients."

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research--and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. We create a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
http://www.pancan.org

Labels: Cancer, pancreatitis

A new study led by Spanish researchers has revealed that exposure to certain substances may increase the risk of cancer of the oesophagus. The hotel and restaurant trades, animal handling, mining and carpentry are some of the professions posing the highest risk.

Jesús Vioque, a researcher at the Miguel Hernández University in Alicante, is leading a cases and controls study looking into the relationship between occupations and three types of cancer oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach. The article showing the link between certain professions and the risk of suffering cancer of the oesophagus is the first to have been published.

The study, which appears in the latest edition of the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, analyses the two principle types of cancer of the oesophagus, which account for more than 90% of all cases squamous cell cancer (70 - 75%) and adenocarcinoma (15-20%).

"The two major risk factors for this cancer are alcohol and tobacco, but there is an additional number (around 4%-5%) of cases associated with certain occupations," Vioque tells SINC.

The research study, which was carried out in nine hospitals in Valencia and Alicante, involved analysing the cases of 185 men with recently-diagnosed cancer of the oesophagus (147 squamous cell cancer, 38 adenocarcinoma) and 285 healthy controls. All those who took part in the study filled in a questionnaire about their diet, profession and lifestyle. The results were adjusted to take into account factors such as age, educational level and alcohol and tobacco consumption.

For the squamous cell variety, a significant increase in risk was detected among those who worked in the hotel and restaurant trade, mining (stone cutters) and wood-working workshops. With the adenocarcinoma type, the risk rose among those working as carpenters or animal handlers. An increase was also detected among workers involved in construction and electricity, "although these were based upon a very small number of cases".

The study revealed a significant risk of squamous cell cancer resulting from exposure to ionising radiation, and for adenocarcinoma from serious exposure to volatile sulphur and lead compounds. Exposure to other substances such as asbestos could also triple the overall risk of oesophageal cancer, depending upon the level of exposure.

"We are not suggesting that people should give up their jobs, but if they are working in a high-risk profession they should adopt all suitable protection measures (goggles, masks or special machines). This is about trying to educate these workers in order to reduce their alcohol and tobacco consumption, but also to ensure they make use of all appropriate safety measures," says Vioque.

Figures in Spain

Oesophageal cancer represents between 1% and 2% of all cancers. It is the fourth most common tumour of the digestive tract, behind colon, rectal and stomach cancer. It is more common among men than women, and it tends to appear between the ages of 55 and 70, with low numbers of cases among people aged under 40. According to data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), Spain has a medium level of incidence of this cancer (approximately 8 men per 100,000 and 1 woman per 100,000) in comparison with the rest of Europe.

Spain reports an annual incidence of 1,500 men and 250 women with oesophageal cancer, with the disease appearing more frequently in the north than in the rest of the country (Basque Country, Asturias and Navarre).

Plataforma SINC
http://www.plataformasinc.es

Labels: Cancer, oesophagus

Labels: Cancer

New research from Japan found bacteria that cause stomach ulcers and cancer living in the mouths of some people with bad breath, even though they did not show signs of stomach illnesses.

The study was the work of Dr Nao Suzuki from Fukuoka Dental College in Fukuoka, Japan and colleagues and is published in the December issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

Scientists recently discovered that infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is carried by over 90 per cent of people in the developing world and 20 to 80 per cent of people in the developed world, was a possible cause of peptic ulcers and gastric cancers.

More recent research has also suggested that the human mouth, which is home to over 600 different species of bacteria (some of which cause disease), is a possible reservoir for H. pylori, particularly in the presence of periodontal or gum disease, a known cause of halitosis or bad breath.

Suzuki explained that bad breath or halitosis is common in humans and is mostly caused by gum disease, tongue debris, poor oral hygiene and badly fitted fillings (they trap bacteria).

"Bacteria produce volatile compounds that smell unpleasant, including hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Doctors often measure the levels of these compounds to diagnose the problem. Gastrointestinal diseases are also generally believed to cause halitosis," said Suzuki.

Suzuki and colleagues decided to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori in the mouths of people with bad breath.

"Recently, scientists discovered that H. pylori can live in the mouth," said Suzuki, adding that:

"We wanted to determine whether the bacteria can cause bad breath, so we tested patients complaining of halitosis for the presence of H. pylori."

For the study, the researchers did DNA scans of saliva taken from 326 Japanese people; 251 had actual bad breath or halitosis and 75 did not. None showed any signs of stomach illnesses.

They found H. pylori and other bacteria that occur with periodontal or gum disease, called periodontopathic bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Prevotella intermedia.

More spefically the results showed that:

• 21 (6.4 per cent) of the participants had H. pylori in their mouths.


• These participants also had higher levels of other markers for periodontal disease, including higher levels of: methyl mercaptan (a bad breath gas); each of the periodontopathic bacteria; tooth mobility; periodontal pocket depth (PPD); and occult blood in the saliva.


• Of the 102 participants with periodontal disease, 16 (15.7 per cent) had H. pylori in their mouths.

Labels: Cancer, stomach ulcer

caAccording to the American Cancer Society (ACS), more than 16,000 new esophageal cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Unfortunately the survival rate in these cases is only 10 percent. This alarming statistic is due largely to the fact that by the time the majority of cases are diagnosed, the cancerous tumors have grown to the point of inoperability. Raising patient awareness about potential conditions that, if left untreated, could progress into esophageal cancer, will encourage patients to seek the appropriate care through their physician.

Many people are aware that tobacco use increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer; however, there are several other common contributing risk factors including:

- Excessive alcohol consumption;
- Obesity;
- Lye ingestion; and,
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux or heartburn.

A recent ACS Gallup poll revealed that 44 percent of adults in the U.S. have heartburn at least once per month and that approximately 30 percent of esophageal cancer cases can be linked to GERD. GERD is a condition in which acid (with some pepsin and bile) splashes up from the stomach into the esophagus. These three fluids are potentially dangerous to the sensitive esophageal tissue, as they can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus, a condition known as esophagitis.

If GERD becomes a chronic condition, it can develop into Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer. Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the color and composition of the cells lining the lower esophagus change due to repeated exposure to stomach acid. Only a small percentage of people with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, but once it is diagnosed, patients should be sure to meet with their physician regularly as they are at a greater risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Symptoms of advanced GERD or the presence of Barrett's esophagus include:

- Frequent heartburn. A burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen.
- Difficulty swallowing. Often, a narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture) leads to trouble swallowing or dysphagia.
- Bleeding. A person may vomit red blood or blood that looks like coffee grounds, or your stools may be black, tarry or bloody.
- Weight loss and loss of appetite.

According to the ACS, prevention of Barrett's esophagus can begin with controlling GERD by making some simple lifestyle changes, such as:

- Losing weight. Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can then push stomach contents up into the esophagus;
- Eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables, eating smaller and more frequent meals and not eating two to three hours prior to bedtime;
- Smoking cessation, as nicotine relaxes the esophageal sphincter and smoking also stimulates the production of stomach acid;
- Discontinuing the consumption of alcohol.

People with severe GERD and Barrett's esophagus often require aggressive treatment and prevention methods including medications, other nonsurgical medical procedures such as endoscopic therapies, or even laparoscopic and open surgeries. Often times, swallowing difficulty (known as dysphagia) and other symptoms can be treated if identified early.

However, due to the aggressive nature of the disease, the majority of patients who have esophageal cancer are not surgical candidates. In these situations, the primary focus becomes palliative care - providing comfort measures to help maintain quality of life. This includes treating the dysphagia and restoring the patient's ability to swallow food and drink liquids by opening the stricture within the esophagus.

To open the barriers caused by tumor in-growth physicians use an esophageal metal stent. Prior to the stent placement the patient may require dilation of the stricture to allow room for the stent to be positioned, thereby expanding the lumen of the esophagus. Traditionally, the placement of the stent can be a painful process for the patient, yet new technologies are making this procedure easier on the patient and physician.

New, innovative delivery systems enable accurate deployment and recapturability of the stent. This reduces the stent from moving or migrating into the stomach and thus the need for repeat procedures to replace or reposition the stent, one of the more common complications in traditional esophageal stenting.

Raising awareness about the primary pre-cursors to esophageal cancer - GERD and Barrett's esophagus - will encourage patients with these conditions to consult their physicians for the necessary screenings and treatment options. However, when palliative care becomes the primary option for patients with esophageal cancer, recent advancements in medical device technologies enable physicians to more easily implant an esophageal stent and in turn improve patients' quality of life.

Medicalnews

Labels: Cancer, Esophageal, Gastrointestinal, GERD

A pre-cancerous condition linked to chronic acid reflux often gets overlooked. Can the medical community do a better job intervening? Researchers from the Hutchinson-MRC Research Centre in Cambridge think so.

In a review published in the inaugural issue of Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM), experts on a disease known as "Barrett's oesophagus" discuss how "Barrett's" presents unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. They cite key factors which make this illness difficult to detect, and suggest how scientists and doctors can team up to improve the odds of intervention.

Doctors want to understand more about this condition because patients with Barrett's have 30 to 125 times increased risk of an often fatal cancer of the oesophagus. One of the most common indicators of Barrett's is severe and chronic acid reflux. The authors of the review article discuss several reasons why most Barrett's cases are undiagnosed. The wide-spread availability of over-the-counter antacid medications may contribute by suppressing symptoms such that only the most severe and persistent cases of acid reflux are recommended for screening. Additionally, in order to screen for Barrett's, the oesophagus must be examined with a small light and camera (endoscope) which is not a routine procedure.

The biological basis of Barrett's is an abnormal change, or dysplasia, in the oesophagus. Normally, the oesophagus is lined with flat-shaped cells known as squamous cells. However, in patients with Barrett's, the cell lining consists of rectangular-shaped columnar cells. This process of normal cells morphing into abnormal cells is common to several types of cancer, not just oesophageal cancer. Thus, a greater understanding of Barrett's can also lead to potential therapies for similar pre-cancerous conditions.

In order to advance the diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus, researchers recommend identifying standardized indicators which can be used to identify the presence of Barrett's as well as predict the likelihood that it will progress into cancer. Additionally, they recommend developing less costly screening methods to allow routine checks for Barrett's in patients with acid reflux. They point out the need for developing laboratory animal models of this disease in order to study the underlying molecular mechanisms of Barrett's, as well as to test potential novel therapies.

The review was written by Massimilian di Pietro, Christopher J. Peters and Rebecca C. Fitzgerald of the Hutchinson-MRC Research Centre in Cambridge, UK. The report was published in the inaugural July/August issue of a new research journal, Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM), published by The Company of Biologists, a non-profit based in Cambridge, UK.

The DMM website is located at: http://dmm.biologists.org

Labels: acid reflux, Cancer

By Glenn Troelstrup

Until recently, there were few studies documenting the amazingly curative powers of properly processed Aloe products on arthritis, AIDS, some cancers, ulcers, diabetes, sickle-cell anemia and other illnesses.

That's because silent-healing Aloe is an unpatentable, natural product, the wide-spread use of which could wipe out many of the pharmaceutical industry's highly profitable drugs. And the main-stream medical industry is aligned with those drugs.

But arthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease that science has failed to effectively treat. The number of sufferers is growing daily, so they must look for non-medical alternatives. Fortunately, hope is coming from natural nutrition and plant product research.

Stresses Hedendal, 43, a graduate of Harvard College, New York Chiropractic College and American Holistic College of Nutrition: Researchers like Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel Medical Center believe that increased use of Aloe - derived from a cactus-like desert plant - is the most important step forward in disease treatment in human history.

After all, it's a top food concentrate, along with garlic, flax oil, organic minerals and stabilized oxygen products.

For arthritis patients, Aloe has proven to be very nutritional, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Comparative studies now show that Aloe with sitosterol is as effective as the anti-inflammatory drugs prednisalone and indome-thacin, yet lacks their long-term toxicity.

Hedendal's center recommends only whole-leaf, cold-proccessed Aloe products containing active polysaccharides.

He advises use of Aloe cream on arthritic joints to lessen pain and inflammation and improve range of motion. That should be combined with drinking 1 to 2 ounces of Aloe concentrate daily to boost the immune system and improve digestion.

My clinical results show that almost no one fails to benefit from the use of Aloe, he adds.

But, Hedendal warns: The majority of commercial Aloe products are ineffective because they are heat-processed, which destroys their active ingredients, or are bogus - no better than water!

Among other remarkable Aloe breakthroughs:

Alternative studies also show:

Labels: Aloe vera, Arthritis, Cancer, diabetes