Monoclonal Antibodies prime weapon against Cancer

As a child, your parents most certainly arranged to have you immunised against hooping cough, this virus being a catastrophic illness for many over past century. Imagine now, that we could be so close to a development for a similar control of antibodies that could cease the spread of cancer, either by injection, or by tablet.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Centre suggest that monoclonal antibody therapy can be inproved to become more powerful than it is today, believing it has the capacity to immune people against cancer.
Dr. Louis Weiner, an internationally recognised expert in development and use of monoclonal antibodies said "treatment modifications might be able to prolong, amplify and shape, a continuous immune response to cancer cells.". Advances in drug research have made strides in controlling cell malfunctions in breast cancer, colerectal,
lung and blood cancers, where monoclonal antibodies are offering effective treatment, but appear to primarily work by forcing tumor related receptors to shut down pro-growth signals said Dr. Weiner.
"For years it has been presumed that the ability of antibodies to interfere with malignant cell-related signaling is the dominant mechanism of anticancer activity, but we have also known that the normal job of an antibody is to deliver an antigen to the body's immune system which then destroys the target" Weiner continued.
"Drugs like Herceptin and Rituxan are examples that work in part by immunising people against cancer, but at this point, the magnitude of that response is variable and frequently very small".
Dr. Weiner says scientists now believe that it will be possible to alter the anibodies so that they induce both kinds of human immunity - the innate immune response that is short-lasting and which directly kills tumor cells, and a long lasting "memory" response that comes from the adaptive immune response.
For the first time we are using technology that can measure the immune response that is occuring in monoclonal antibodies that amplify and shape that immune response to become more powerful. These new directions are very exiting, concluded Dr. Weiner. Acknowledge Sciencedaily.com Geoff.

No Jobs ! How do we pay medical bills?

President Obama, speaking at a recent Health Care reform at the White House, expressed his concern of increasing unempolyment on how they expect to pay their medical bills. This is not only inherent of U.S. economy, but nearly all countries who have medical support schemes and insurance.
Have the medical fraternity and pharmacy manufacturing concerns started to review their costs? We know that several of the major pharmacy manufacturing concerns are merging into larger conglomerates, and remember we are talking huge industry profits here. Insurance companies are renowned for negotiating terms in relation to claims.
On a recent tv program on the U.S. scene, a consumer health advocate highlighted the costs a leukemia patient was charged $65.00 for three tablets, while the cancer hospital purchased the drug in 10,000 pack units.
After analysing the purchase price, the cost to the patient was a 4,300% mark-up. For many in the medical environment may think this is a 'gold cup' worth filling.
Australia's Rudd Government is at present researching a complete reform of its Health Care system, reviewing efficiency of operation, improving communications covering rural, outback and city medical facilities, examining cost structures across the board, which at present is running at 9% of GDP., and forecast to rise to over 12%GDP by 2032.
"How are we going to pay our medical bills" is to be a subject not only of Government, but everyone who is ever going to need an aspirin or a band aid. Geoff.

Obarma chops 'Bush' down on Stem Cells

President Obama has applied the chop to former President GWBush's directive, by lifting restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research.
This is expected to provide a major boost to one of the most promising but controversial fields of biomedical research. Since former Pres.Bush imposed the restrictions in 2001, U.S. scientists have mainly relied on private and State funding for much of their stem cell research.
Scientists now claim they will be able to catch up previous research into important causes including diabetes, parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries and many other conditions.
Amy Comstock Rick, Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research said "this move is eight years overdue to have human embryonic stem cell research put back in place with other forms of research for patients in this country".
Acknowledge Michael Shear, Washington Post. Geoff.

Healthier Future for all Australians

An interim Committee has just released its finding and suggestions for comment on how we may like to have our Health Care operated in the future. This timely move by the Australian Federal Government has thrown open to all to consider a new approach for our national Health Care system. Consumer Advocates have already tendered comment to be considered, which will assist the NHHRC to finalise their report by mid 2009.
Among comments made by some Consumer Health Advocates is for the whole Health Care system to be taken over and managed by Federal Health even if delegated out to States to coordinate locally. An improved use of professional and general medical staff, as some medical facilities outside of hospital will be taking over some of the daily hospital strategy to relieve pressure on the system
To improve overall communications, time and save on costs, and to bring closer cooperation between rural, outback and city based medical operations, an Internet Broadband Channel purely for Health, linking every possible hospital and medical facility, GP and Specialist would be able to interlink patient needs far quicker than at present. Another thought is to have a complete re-think on Hospital layouts for more efficient functioning.
All of this is not going to happen overnight, indeed, it may take 5 years or more. But now, while Australia will be evaluating its labor force due to down-changes in the economic situation, and possible climate changes suggested, now is a good time for all to examine our Health Care system, which has been podling along for decades without any major change within, despite all the technological advances that have been made.
Within consideration being given to new Super Clinics and re-vamp of local medical facilities, and the possibilities of Birthing Centres being considered for off-hospital location, some of the new thinking has begun.
What do you think of this new approach to revitalise our Health Care system ? Email your comments to
meningiaware@gmail.com
You may just have one of your suggestions taken up by the Committee. Geoff.