I miss Belgium.

Every few weeks, I had several views from there.  They are no more.  Be sure to enjoy Belgium and all the other people and places while you can.  You never know when it (and they) will no longer be there.  All my best to those who miss Belgium even more than I do. - c

United States	2441
Russia	146
United Kingdom	99
Australia	58
Canada	57
Germany	45
Italy	43
China	36
France	35
Israel	34

Almost 50% of Results of Cancer Drug Trials NOT published!

The first link below leads you to the report (in Chemotherapy Advisor) of the article by Nguyen, et al out of Paris that researched an online registry for phase II, III, and IV trials of cancer drugs in the U.S. between Dec. 2007 and May 2010 and the second leads you to an abstract of the article itself (in Journal Of Clinical Oncology) published July 23 and 22 respectively, 2013.

Bottom line:  The researchers identified 646 trials including 209 randomized controlled trials.  At 12 months after completion only 9% of the clinical trial results were posted online at ClinicalTrials.gov., 12% were published in journals, and 20% were available via both.  Of the randomized trials, one year after completion, the results for 12% were posted online at ClinicalTrials.gov., 5% were available in journals, and 17% were found at both sources.  Three years post trial, for clinical trials and randomized controlled trials respectively:  results for 31% and 38% were posted at ClinicalTrials.gov., 35% and 32% were published in journals, and 55% and 56% were found in both.

"The article describes an incomplete picture of cancer drug reporting that has potentially profound effects on patient management and counseling, as timely and complete dissemination of results can refine patient treatments, outcomes, and safety," say the authors in their accompanying editorial.

You don't say?!!!!  Now...you tell me what game the researchers and big pharma and big medical institutions are playing at!!!!  Poor ratties.  Poor, sick patients in need of answers.  I really don't know how some people sleep at night.  Keep up the fight, dear ones.  As if we have a choice.  Best - c

http://www.chemotherapyadvisor.com/almost-50-of-results-of-cancer-drug-clinical-trials-not-published/article/304172/?DCMP=EMC-CTA_Front&CPN=&spMailingID=6626464&spUserID=NDExNzUxMjkwMjIS1&spJobID=80240733&spReportId=ODAyNDA3MzMS1#

http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2013/07/22/JCO.2012.46.9577.abstract

Jenny Hudgeson, Kim Burns, and Fredda Branyon...different or the same????

Remember the "Quack Watch" post of June 20th???  It covered the story of how "Ms. Burns" had been traveling about on the web, hijacking every blog/post with 'cancer' in the title to tout her "doctor" Branyon, including mine.  The comment Burns posted on my ode to Pati and women surviving baldness as well as chemo is noted below.  As you may also recall, Branyon is NOT a physician, but a criminal who pleaded guilty to "manufacturing" stem cells illegally and selling them illegally, while making thousands off the backs of sick and desperate people.  Since posting this info, and following Burns' comments with the truth in a comment of my own on every blog I found her inane writing on, I have succeeded in getting many comments removed.  Additionally....I made a new little discovery.  Suddenly, Ms. Burns deleted her picture and profile page.  It is blank.  The picture of a pretty brunette espousing her interest in L. Ron Hubbard and "learning about makeups" is no more.  BUT!!!!  Just as suddenly, on 7/1/2013, a new page was born, and belongs to none other than Jenny Hudgeson.  Simultaneously, Jenny began hijacking blogs to post comments highlighting Branyon.  AND....while looking around at that sick business, I found that the great Fredda Branyon herself is doing the same thing, albeit in a weird third person style.  Below, you will find samples of the comments made by all THREE of these women.  I ask you.  Do YOU think there are THREE women in this world who would: 
1.  Go to the sick trouble to search the web for blogs and posts by cancer patients and those who have lost dear ones to cancer.
2.  Post comments bringing the criminal Branyon to light on those very posts.
3.  Write so distinctively poorly with the exact same, incorrect, sad, grammar???????

I think not.  But, you can be the judge....

Kim_Burns   June 10, 2013 at 8:27 PM

Well me and Dr Fredda Branyon agrees that everything that we wear and have are all accessories, what's important is what's within and how well you show and impart yourselves to everyone.

 Fredda Branyon Scottsdale AZ said...

I agree on all the points that you have shared and thanks for informing us about brain cancer. Me and Dr Fredda Branyon is so happy about it. Keep inspiring others! Have a nice day.

May 22, 2013 at 8:06 PM

Jun 27, 2013 - Blogger Jenny Hudgeson said... 

Me and Dr Fredda Branyon supports you on this. I believe that this would be such a helpful study to everybody.

To the Ms. Burns, Branyon, Hudgeson trifecta:  You were warned once.  I wasn't kidding.  Keep using cancer patients to push your illegal and illicit agenda and I will make sure you get the PR you deserve.

PS  Since posting on my blog and following your comments...I have been contacted by several people who have very interesting stories to tell about how you swindled their sick loved ones with your QUACK medicines, which happen to be extraordinarily expensive.  Hmmmm.... Wonder if 60 Minutes or Front Line would be interested!!!!????? I'll have to check on that!!!  

Your tenacious 'friend' - c

A turtle a day.....

....keeps melanoma away!!!!  Well, I don't really know about that.  But, since the advent of Sally (check the blog post on July 12 and 13, 2010 for more of Sally the loggerhead turtle....post skin, brain and lung melanoma....but PRE tonsilar melanoma and my vaccine/anti-PD1 trial) and really before that even, when Rosie (Yentle) created the garden by Yertle creek (where she discovered a turtle shell, bleached completely white)....my family has inundated me with turtles.  Turtles.  Sometimes referred to as a living fossil, sea turtles appeared on earth more than 200 million years ago, and even today, live to be around 152 years of age.  In a multitude of cultures, turtles depict longevity, steadfastness, tranquility and support.  As I sit at my desk, I see over 15 turtles.  The silly painted ones with bouncy heads on a wire.  The beautiful one of carved wood with shell inlays depicting the Chinese zodiac from San Francisco.  The funny clay one.  The tiny porcelain baby one. At least four carved from various stones.  The smooth, flat good luck one.  The newest silver turtle with a lady bug catching a ride.  The ornate pill box, topped with two.  The horrifying, but ever so sparkly, turtle broach.  A wooden box, with a silver turtle pendant housed within, and engraved with a turtle without.  There are turtle earrings.  At least two other turtle necklaces.  A turtle refrigerator magnet from St. George.  And if they won't bring a girl longevity and peace.....surely seeing at least one turtle daily for the past weeks definitely should.  Perhaps, it is merely due to the fact that my world has become a virtual rain forest.  But, I'd like to think, that perhaps, Sally and my peeps are right.  The turtle world is looking after me.  There's the turtle I moved out of the road on my way to work this morning.  The turtle digging next to my peonies last week.  The teeny, tiny one that thought it could hide beneath my pulmonaria (lung wart...love that name!!) by Yertle creek.  The big box turtle, with its neck stuck way out above the grass in a neighbor's yard as we ran by.  The turtle calmly ignoring B, as he peered at it rudely on Sunday.  And....all the others....

Thanks to all my terrapin friends.  You're bound to do my heart and soul at least as much good as that extra cup of coffee.  Thanks, Sally. - c

EVERYTHING cures melanoma....so why do we have it??????

B saw the latest "coffee" data yesterday and it got me thinking about all the things that CURE melanoma!!!!  Now, mind you, I'm not claiming they do or they don't. The data is either too vague, too limited, or has so little to do with people that you can't tell.  AND....because there are no big bucks to be made as all of these things are pretty cheap, food, or over the counters...I don't see anybody forking over the money for study.  Oh well....for what it's worth....

COFFEE:  More than once daily...if you have the right genes, shows a "protective effect" for cutaneous melanoma.  Not sure exactly what that means, and not really clear if these genes might be the protection in and of themselves, without the addition of coffee.  Presumably they looked at that, but????

DOXYCYCLINE:  An older antibiotic, causes some nausea, but pretty good in treating acne, but...apparently...it kills and inhibits growth of melanoma cells.

CURCUMIN:  The yellow part of curry and mustard also stops melanoma in its tracks, at least in a petri dish.

CIMETADINE:  aka: tagamet, taken for heart burn, ulcers, etc, as it decreases stomach acid, helped get rid of melanoma in at least three horses.  There's a smattering of human "data" out there, too.

NSAID's:  Non steroidal anti-iflammatory drugs like Advil seem to decrease the risk of melanoma and squamous cell skin cancers.

SHIITAKES:  Good old Lentinula edodes mycelia!  If you're a mouse with melanoma and you have access to mushroom juice...you are in luck, my friend.

THE DATA:  Read at your own risk (the stuff on NAID's and Shiitakes I've posted before)!!

The protective effect of coffee consumption on cutaneous melanoma risk and the role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms.

Fortes C, Mastroeni S, Boffetta P, Antonelli G, Pilla MA, Bottà G, Anzidei P, Venanzetti F.

Source  Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCSS, Via dei Monti di Creta, 104, 00167, Rome, Italy, c.fortes@idi.it.  2013 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

PURPOSES: The authors examined the association between coffee consumption and cutaneous melanoma and the implication of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms.

METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in the inpatient wards of IDI-San Carlo Rome, Italy, including 304 incident cases of cutaneous melanoma and 305 controls. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, smoking, sun exposure, pigmentary characteristics and diet was collected for all subjects. Within the study, individual patterns at two polymorphic genes (GSTM1 and GSTT1) belonging to glutathione S-transferases family were investigated in 188 cases of cutaneous melanoma and 152 controls. Logistic regression was the method used to estimate odds ratio and 95 % confidence intervals.

RESULTS: High frequency of coffee drinking (>once daily), compared with low-frequency consumption of coffee (≤7 times weekly) was associated with a protective effect for cutaneous melanoma (OR 0.46; 95 % CI 0.31-0.68) after adjusting for sex, age, education, hair colour, common nevi, skin phototype, and sunburn episodes in childhood. When stratified by GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype, the protective effect of coffee was extremely high for subjects with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms (OR 0.01; 95 % CI 0.0003-0.54).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a protective effect of coffee consumption for cutaneous melanoma, in particular for those with homozygous deletion for GSTM1 and GSTT1.

Doxycycline inhibits the adhesion and migration of melanoma cells by inhibiting the expression and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). 

Sun T, Zhao N, Ni CS, Zhao XL, Zhang WZ, Su X, Zhang DF, Gu Q, Sun BC.  Source: Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, PR China.Cancer Lett. 2009 Nov. Epub 209 May 30.

Abstract:  Doxycycline has been found to induce apoptosis and to inhibit the growth of a variety of tumor cells, in addition to its use as an antibiotic. However, the mechanism of its actions, especially at the molecular level, remains unknown and needs to be resolved. A crucial step possibly lies in the early period of doxycycline administration, which leads to a series of cascading effects depicting the consequential biological action of doxycycline on tumor cells. The present study focuses on the early-stage effects of doxycycline administration, specifically at the stages of treatment (before 16h). In this paper, we report that doxycycline inhibits the adhesion and migration of melanoma cells. Afterwards, the cells undergo apoptosis (aniokis). Remarkably, doxycycline also inhibits the expression and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a protein tyrosine kinase involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. We further demonstrate that doxycycline down-regulates the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and its effects are stronger than those of an Integrin beta1 antibody. Finally, we suggest that doxycycline might exert its anti-tumor effects by inhibiting FAK signaling pathway. These results provide an insight into the possible mechanisms that underlie the multiple drug actions of doxycycline. The potential use of doxycycline in anti-tumor treatment is promising and warrants further studies.

Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase is essential for mitochondrial membrane potential change and apoptosis induced by doxycycline in melanoma cells.

Shieh JM, Huang TF, Hung CF, Chou KH, Tsai YJ, Wu WB.  Source:  Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.  Br J Pharmacol. 2010 Jul.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tetracyclines were recently found to induce tumour cell death, but the early processes involved in this cytotoxic effect remain unclear.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Viability of human and mouse melanoma cells was determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Kinase/protein/caspase activation was measured by Western blotting and mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)) was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.

KEY RESULTS: Human and mouse melanoma cells were treated with doxycycline or minocycline but only doxycycline was cytotoxic. This cell death (apoptosis) in A2058 cells involved activation of caspase-3, -7 and -9 and contributed to inhibition, by doxycycline, of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and migration of these cells. Doxycycline induced intra-cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1 (ASK1), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation at an early stage of treatment and induced mitochondrial cytochrome c release into cytosol and DeltaPsi(m) change during apoptosis. The JNK inhibitor/small interference RNA inhibited doxycycline-induced JNK activation, DeltaPsi(m) change and apoptosis, but did not affect ASK1 activation, suggesting a role of ASK1 for JNK activation in melanoma cell apoptosis. Two ROS scavengers reduced doxycycline-induced JNK and caspase activation, and apoptosis. Taken together, the results suggest the involvement of a ROS-ASK1-JNK pathway in doxycycline-induced melanoma cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We have shown a promising cytotoxic effect of doxycycline on melanoma cells, have identified ROS and ASK1 as the possible initiators and have demonstrated that JNK activation is necessary for doxycycline-induced melanoma cell apoptosis.

Curcumin-induced antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in melanoma cells are associated with suppression of IκB kinase and nuclear factor κB activity and are independent of the B-Raf/mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway and the Akt pathway

Doris R. Siwak M.S., Shishir Shishodia Ph.D., Bharat B. Aggarwal Ph.D., Razelle Kurzrock M.D.^†,*  Article first published online: 11 JUL 2005

Abstract

BACKGROUND Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a central role in cell survival and proliferation in human melanoma; therefore, the authors explored the possibility of exploiting NF-κB for melanoma treatment by using curcumin, an agent with known, potent, NF-κB-inhibitory activity and little toxicity in humans.

METHODS Three melanoma cell lines (C32, G-361, and WM 266-4), all of which had B-raf mutations, were treated with curcumin, and the authors assessed its effects on viability ((3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay) and apoptosis (flow-cytometric analysis of annexin V/propidium iodide-stained cells). Curcumin-treated cells also were examined for NF-κB binding activity (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) and for the activity of its upstream regulator, IκB kinase (IKK) (immune complex kinase assay). In addition, relevant signaling, as reflected by B-Raf kinase activity (kinase cascade assay), and steady-state levels of activated, downstream effectors, as reflected by mitogen-activated signal-regulated protein kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and Akt phosphorylation levels (immunoblots), were assessed.

RESULTS  Curcumin treatment decreased cell viability of all 3 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner (50% inhibitory concentration = 6.1–7.7 μM) and induced apoptosis.  However, curcumin did not inhibit the activities of B-Raf, MEK, or ERK, and Akt phosphorylation was enhanced. Furthermore, in the presence of curcumin, the Akt inhibitor 1L-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol 2-[(R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate] no longer suppressed Akt phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS  Curcumin has potent antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in melanoma cells. These effects were associated with the suppression of NF-κB and IKK activities but were independent of the B-Raf/MEK/ERK and Akt pathways. Cancer 2005.

Cimetidine for treatment of melanomas in three horses.

Goetz TE, Ogilvie GK, Keegan KG, Johnson PJ.  Source:  Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801. J AM Vet Med Assoc. 1990

Abstract: Cimetidine, an H2 histamine antagonist, was used in the clinical management of progressive, multifocal melanomatosis in 3 adult gray horses. Prior to treatment, the tumors had increased rapidly in size and number in 2 horses (duration of 6 and 27 months, respectively) and slowly in the third horse (duration of 48 months). All 3 horses were treated with cimetidine (2.5 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 8 h) for 2 months to 1 year. During treatment, the number and size of the melanomas decreased substantially (50 to 90%). The progression of the disease was halted in 2 horses and controlled in the third horse, which is still being treated with cimetidine (1.6 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h). The horses in which treatment was terminated have not been treated for 31 and 41 months, respectively, during which time the melanomas have not increased in number or size.

 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of skin cancer:  A population-based case-control study. 

By:  Johannesdottir, Chang, Mehnert, et al.  In:  Cancer, 2012, May 29. [Epub]

Knowing that Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS....like aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) may prevent the development of cancer by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, these folks from Denmark looked at NSAID use and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.  They looked at all cases of those diseases from 1991 through 2009 in northern Denmark. (Squamous = 1,974, basal = 13, 316, and melanoma = 3,242).  They matched 10 population controls (n=178,655) to each case by age, gender, and county of residence.  Use of NSAIDs was noted via a prescription data base.  FINDINGS:  After a great deal of incidence rate ratios and confidence interval statistical shenanigans....they determined that "NSAID ever use compared with nonuse was associated with a decreased risk of squamous cell and melanoma, especially for long-term use and high-intensity use.  NSAID use was not associated with a reduced risk of basal cell.  All estimates of reduced risk were driven primarily by the use of nonselective NSAIDs and older COX-2 inhibitors."

 

Oral ingestion of Lentinula edodes mycelia extract...in mice   

From:  Cancer Science, March, 2011
By:  Tanaka, Ishikawa, Matsui, et al., The Japanese Cancer Association.

Poor little mice "were inoculated subcutaneously in the footpad with B16 melanoma and fed L.E.M. extract [shiitake mushroom juice].  Ingestion of L.E.M. extract significantly inhibited tumor growth, and this in vivo anti-tumor effect was not observed in nude mice, suggesting a T cell-dependent mechanism. In addition, ingestion of [shiitake juice] led to significant restoration of H-2K(b)-restricted and melanoma-reactive T cells in the spleen and draining lymph nodes of melanoma bearing mice....furthermore, an in vitro assay revealed than an immunosuppressive activity of CD4(+) T cells from melanoma-bearing mice was canceled by ingestion of [shiitake juice].  Our results indicate that oral ingestion of L.E.M. extract restores immune responses of class 1-restricted and melanoma-reactive CD8(+) T cells in melanoma-bearing mice, presumably by a mitigation of regulatory T cells-mediated immunosuppression."