URINE SMELL DETECTOR - honeybees

URINE SMELL DETECTOR

Idea: to find a substance in the Urine that tells information about kidney cancer (benign or not, severe or slight, early detection.)

Security Research – Techniques for Finding Explosives

Berlin is to host a European Conference on Security Research at the end of March. The German government will present its civil security program which is geared towards dealing with terrorism, organised crime and natural catastrophes.

We take a look at what science has to contribute to improving security including a researcher in Britain, Mathilde Briens, who is training bees to detect explosives.

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A completely new kind of anti-terrorist unit is being bred ten kilometres from London's Luton airport. Inscentinel is training unusual warriors – sniffer bees. Their coach is Mathilde Briens, a bee researcher from Normandy, France. Bees have a very special ability that makes them perfect for work like this she explains: "They are able to detect really low concentrations in a massive background of smells in nature. So we can use this olfactory ability, they are really sensitive."

Life is pretty good for the bees in the institute. There is always plenty of food for them: pollen. And in summer, they're allowed outside. They're on duty for two days at the most – and then they're free for the rest of their lives. Mathilde Briens uses a vacuum cleaner to collect small group of bees for a new training session. The bees are to learn how to recognise the common explosive, TNT. TNT does have a smell, but it does not promise the reward of sweet nectar to eat. So bees usually ignore odours like this – but they can be outwitted.

This might look rather cruel, but the special tweezers cannot squash them. They have to be immobilised for the training session – and this doesn't harm them either. If they're too hungry, they become weak and inactive. And they shouldn't be too well-fed or they won't want to learn. But they are hungry now, and ready for some new smell experiences. So they'll be willing to learn.

During the training session, a bee is placed at the end of a glass tube. Air is blown through tube – some molecules of TNT are included in the air current. Now everything is ready for the explosives training. As soon as the smell of the TNT reaches the bees, they're given some sugar water – as a nectar substitute. The bees associate the TNT smell with the information that there is something to eat here. From now on, just the smell of the explosive will give a promise of food. Now the antiterrorist unit is ready for action.

Mathilde runs a test to see whether the cadets have learnt enough from the training session. When they smell TNT, they stick out their long tongues, even if there's no nectar. After only three sessions, they have learnt to smell TNT – this result is much better than with any robot. This ability is no coincidence, Mathilde Briens says: "In nature, the bees actually learn smells, because what they do is they associate the smell of flowers with the nectar they find in those flowers. So they do that every day. And when there is no more nectar in the flowers, they will forget this smell and learn another one. So they use this learning ability every day in their life."

The researchers make use of this learned reflex. In another experiment, three trained bees are fitted with belts. Their task is just to smell, they're not supposed to fly around. A miniature camera in the box records the bees' reactions and shows the movements of their tongues on a screen. The computer records every time they smell the explosive and stick out their tongues. And the reverse experiment works as well – no smell, no reaction.

But for Mathilde Briens the three bees are only the beginning: "So for the detection, we use not only one bee, but several bees. We want to have statistical reliability and the bees are really cheap to produce. You can have hundreds of bees and they are really small as well, so in the machine you can fit lots of bees. So we have better reliability. And the other thing is, we can use a small group of bees for one compound and another group of bees for another compound, so you can have multiple detection in one box at the same time." The US military and large security firms have shown interest in the bees for security screening purposes.

BIOTHERAPY patent application

George H writes:

I found this patent application listing renal health applications of several herbs. Some antitumour activity is listed, especially under ligustrum/ligusticum (cheap to buy here), some are protective, most protect kidneys by improving immune response, which is the ultimate way to defeat tumours.

That is, a threefold approach:

1) remove stressors, including gluten and casien, free radicals, and obvious chemical carcinogens (e.g., by supplementing antioxidants and digestive enzymes and purifying diet)

2) maximise immunity including macrophage and NK activity (e.g., by using astragalus, and medicinal mushrooms - ganoderma, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps etc.)

3) introduce cytotoxic elements which promote tumor apoptosis (e.g. green tea extract, resveratrol etc.)

Many of these herbs are available here, perhaps all.
http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7498048.html


Renal phyto-nutraceutical composition

7498048 Renal phyto-nutraceutical composition Patent Drawings: Inventor: Olalde Rangel Date Issued: March 3, 2009 Application: 11/420,520 Filed: November 16, 2006 Inventors: Olalde Rangel; Jose Angel (Clearwater, FL) Assignee: Rangel; Jose Angel Olalde (Clearwater, FL) Primary Examiner: Leith; Patricia Assistant Examiner: Attorney Or Agent: U.S. Class: 424/725; 424/195.15; 424/732; 424/746; 424/752 Field Of Search: International Class: A61K 36/16; A61K 36/537 U.S Patent Documents: Foreign Patent Documents: Other References: HIV/AIDS Monitoring; Improved Viral Load Test Approved by FDA; Blood Weekly; Atlanta; Sep. 2002 pp. 1-2. cited by examiner. Animal Models (HBV0; Trimera Disease Model Developed for Hepatitis B; Cancerweekly Plus; Atlanta; Feb. 1999 pp. 1-2. cited by examiner. Davis, G. Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C; British Medical Journal; Nov. 2001 pp. 1-3. cited by examiner. Mylonakis et al. Plasma Viral Load Testing in the Management of HIV Infection; American Family Physician; Feb. 2001 pp. 1-7. cited by examiner. Phillipson, J. New Drugs From Nature--it Could Be YEW; Phytotherapy Research 13 (1999) pp. 2-8. cited by examiner. Revilla et al. Comparison of Several Procedures Used for the Extraction of Anthocynains From Red Grapes; J. Agric. Food Chem. 1998, 46, pp. 4592-4597. cited by examiner. Abstract: A Phytoceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of renal disorders is provided. A specific combination of extracts of plants is taught, as well as principles for varying the formulations based on categorizing plants into one of three groups, Energy, Bio-Intelligence, and Organization and selecting several plants from each group. Such combinations have effects, with minimal side effects. Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A phytoceutical composition, wherein said composition comprises: 6 mg of Rhaponticum carthamoides extract, 10 mg of Schizandra chinensis extract, 50 mg of Astragalusmembranaceus extract, 24 mg of Ganoderma lucidum extract, 24 mg of Grifola frondosa extract, 24 mg of Lentinus edodes extract, 57 mg of Angelica sinensis extract, 398 mg of Chitosan extract, 40 mg of Crataegus oxyacantha extract, 30 mg of Equisetumarvense extract, 24 mg of Fructus lycil extract, 17 mg of Ginkgo biloba extract, 27 mg of Harpagophytum procumbens extract, 30 mg of Hydrocotile asiatica extract, 24 mg of Ligustrum lucidum extract, 24 mg of Salvia Miltiorrhiza extract, 30 mg of Silybummarianum extract, 27 mg of Smilax regetii extract, and 34 mg of Vaccinium myrtillus extract together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Description: PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS Not applicable. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH STATEMENT Not applicable. REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a phytoceutical formulation used to treat renal disease. The formulation is a particular combination of plants that have synergistic effect in combination. Principles for selecting beneficial formulations are provided. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The academic study of medicinal plants for the treatment of diverse diseases has been nearly as pervasive as the study of Western medicines. The active principles from many traditional medicines have been extracted from plants, the curativeagents identified and their mechanisms of action determined. Plant based medicines are typically well tolerated, with less severe side effects as well as a smaller range of side effects. In contrast, while synthetic drugs can be highly effective, theiruse is often hampered by severe side effects. Additionally, while synthetic pharmaceuticals are based upon single chemicals, many phytomedicines exert their beneficial effects through the additive or synergistic action of several chemical compoundsacting at single or multiple target sites associated with a physiological process. As pointed out by Tyler (1999), this synergistic or additive pharmacological effect can be beneficial by eliminating the problematic side effects associated with thepredominance of a single xenobiotic compound in the body. In this respect, Kaufman et al. (1999) extensively documented how synergistic interactions underlie the effectiveness of a number of phytomedicines. This theme of multiple chemicals acting in an additive or synergistic manner likely has its origin in the functional role of secondary products in promoting plant survival. For example, in the role of secondary products as defense chemicals, amixture of chemicals having additive or synergistic effects at multiple target sites would not only ensure effectiveness against a wide range of herbivores or pathogens but would also decrease the chances of these organisms developing resistance oradaptive responses (Kaufman et al., 1999; Wink, 1999). Conclusion: On one hand, synthetics may have the required efficacy for disease treatment; however this can be marred by severe side effects. On the other hand, despite the excellent medicinalqualities of many plants, they are individually insufficient to take chronic degenerative diseases into remission. However, there is mounting evidence which demonstrates that medical plants contain synergistic efficacy and/or side-effect neutralizingcombinations (Gilani and Rahman, 2005). Thus, what are needed in the art are better treatment regimes with improved patient tolerance, while providing sufficient efficacy. Thus, what are needed in the art are better treatment regimes with improvedpatient tolerance, while providing sufficient efficacy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A number of known beneficial plants were classified according to their capacity to enhance the three main elements that support overall health: Energy (E), Bio-intelligence (I) and Organization (O). A synergistic effect is expected when allthree categories of herbs (E, I, O) are included in a formulation, preferably at least two or three or four plants from each category. Thus, one embodiment of the invention provides a method of selecting additional disease treating formulationsaccording to these principles. An example of a formulation prepared this way is provided and additional formulations are being prepared and tested. Another embodiment of the invention provides an effective, natural composition for treating chronic renal diseases. The composition can be used alone, or can be combined with simultaneous use of one or more pharmaceutical compositions. It canbe used for the treatment of acute renal failure, diabetic nephropathy, nephritis, proliferative and non-proliferative glomerular diseases, renovascular hypertension, and other chronic nephropathies. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients" is used herein according to art accepted meanings, and includes those ingredients needed to formulate a medicine for mammalian use, including the use of gelatin capsules. "Synergistic" or "synergy" is used herein to mean that the effect is more than its additive property. In preferred embodiments, the synergy is at least 1.5, 2, 5, or 10 fold. By use of "plants," what is meant herein is that the plant (or that portion with medicinal activity) is used whole, ground, or as an extract. Also included are purified active ingredients and derivatives thereof. However, it is believed thatthe best efficacy of plants used herein is achieved with the use of the entire plant or its extracts, rather than with the use of isolated active ingredients. Further, although plants are named here according to commonly used nomenclature, with improving taxonomy plants are often reclassified. Whenever a plant is referenced, it includes related species with similar active ingredients. The following examples are illustrative only and should not serve to unduly limit the invention. EXAMPLE 1 Plant Characteristics--Renal Disorders Energy Supplying Phytoceuticals Rhaponticum carthamoides (Leuzea, or Maral Root) contains a mixture of compounds called `levseins`. Levseins represents a complex of more than 10 ecdysterones including 20-beta-ecdysterone, makisterone C, 24-dehydromakisterone A,carthamosterone, polypodyne B and ajugasterone C. Researchers extracted and purified various ecdysteroids from Rhaponticum and found that the ecdysteroids increased the muscle mass in a dose-dependent manner, with the rate of increase proportional to theecdysteroids content. In women with Chronic Renal Failure (CRF), low levels of estrogens are observed whereas in men a low level of testosterone is present. Ecdysterone behaves as an anabolic steroid mimicking the effects of these hormones. On theother hand, the severe and terminals cases of CRF are associated with anemia due to the decrease in renal production of erythropoietin. The active principles of Leuzea offer erythropoiesis stimulating properties, which contribute to improve anemia. Incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 10 active principles in a single therapeutic. Schizandra chinensis (also known as Wuweizi and Wurenchum) The major active principles of Schizandra are lignans called schizandrins. These substances have known nephro-protective; and hepato-protective properties. It maintains the integrity ofhepatocyte cellular membranes; increases the levels of ascorbic acid; inhibits NADPH oxidation; inhibits lipid peroxidation at the hepatic microsomal level as well as formation of malondialdehyde; diminishes production of carbon monoxide; has an inductoreffect in the enzymatic anti-toxic microsomal hepatic cytochrome P-450; increases biliary flow and the excretion of toxic substances; promotes recovery of hepatic functions; increases ornithine decarboxylase activity as well as the mitotic index,facilitates DNA and proteins synthesis; increases levels of glutathione and glutathione reductase, improving the regeneration capacity of the glutathione. Schisandra chinensis' different active principles increase energy levels by activating enzymeswhich participate in the production of ATP whose subsequent hydrolysis generates energy which is particularly significant in patients who suffer Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). This plant provides at least 81 active principles in a single therapeutic. Bio-Intelligence Modulators Astragalus membranaceus (Huang-Qi) This plant contains three main types of active principles. Isoflavones, which act as anti-oxidants; astragalans which act as immune-stimulants and anti-inflammatory by stimulating the phagocytic activity ofmacrophages, of the cytotoxic response of T and NK lymphocytes and of the production and activity of interferon; and astragalans which act as modulators of the hypothalamus-hypofisis-adrenal axis response. Cellular and humoral responses are altered inpatients with CRF. The immune stimulating polysaccharides (astragalans) improve cellular and humoral non-specific immunity mechanisms. This is of great importance in patients at risk of infections, due to dialysis or immunosuppressant medication. Progress has been reported in the study of Astragalus therapeutic mechanism in the treatment of nephropathy. This plant provides at least 38 active principles in a single therapeutic. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Ganoderma's main active principles are beta glucans and Proteoglucans. Ganoderma extract may protect the kidney from superoxide induced renal damages, due to the antioxidative effect on kidney lipid peroxidation;diminishing malonic dialdehyde levels, because of its prominent superoxide scavenging effect. Also, Glomerular endothelial dysfunction is believed to be responsible for the proteinuria and nephronal damage, namely tubule-interstitial fibrosis andglomerulosclerosis, observed in severe nephrosis such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. A successful suppression of proteinuria is accomplished by using Ganoderma lucidum. The beneficial effect of Ganoderma lucidum appears to be multi-factorial,including the modulation of immune-circulatory balance, anti-lipid, vasodilator, antiplatelet and improved hemo-rheology. This helps neutralize oxidative stress and suppress the toxic effect to the glomerular endothelial function. Ganoderma lucidumsuppresses endothelial cell citotoxicity and proteinuria in persistent proteinuric focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Other study results suggest that Ganoderma significantly reduces oxidative damages and apoptosis in human Proximal Tubular EpithelialCells (PTEC) induced by Human Serum Albumin (HSA). The differential reductions of IL-8 or sICAM-1, released from HSA-activated PTEC by different components of the Ganoderma, could play different roles and operate different mechanisms in preventingHSA-induced PTEC damage. This mushroom incorporates at least 32 active principles in one therapeutic. Grifola frondosa (Maitake, Dancing mushroom, Hongo bailarin; G. sordulenta, Polyporus umbellatus y Meripilus giganteus) Its active principles are chemically related to the .beta.-D-glucan structure (that is d-glucose with other monosaccharides)or to protein linked .beta.-D-glucans (called peptic-polysaccharides or Proteoglucans). These active principles modulate the human's Immune Intelligence, due to the increase in the production of humoral immune response mediators, such as: interleukin(10, 12), TNF-.alpha., Nitric Oxide and Interferon-gamma; inducing macrophage activation. Also, they improve the NK lymphocytes' activity. D-Fraction, a polysaccharide extracted from the edible Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa), activateimmune-competent cells, thereby eliciting antitumoral activity. A recent study indicates that it also enhances both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. Therefore, its administration may enhance host defense against foreign pathogensand protect individuals from infectious diseases (common in patients with nephropathies). This mushroom incorporates at least 6 active principles in one therapeutic. Lentinus edodes (Shiitake): Lentinus edodes (LE) active principles are mainly present as glucans with different types of glycoside linkages such as (1-->3), (1-->6)-beta-glucans and (1-->3)-alpha-glucans, and as true hetero-glycans, actas immune modulators due to the increase in the concentration of humoral mediators of the immune response, such as: gamma interferon, interleukins 2 and 6, nitric oxide production, catalase activity in macrophages and lymphocytes T. Also, they activatethe citotoxic activity of NK cells and macrophages. Results of in vivo studies demonstrated that the antitumoral activity of the polysaccharide L-II on transplanted sarcoma 180 was mediated by immunomodulation in inducing T-cells andmacrophage-dependent immune system responses. Other studies suggest that LE may induce Th immune responses. Finally, another study points out that the water-soluble rich fraction of LE, had antiviral and immunopotentiating activities. Organization Enhancers Angelica sinensis (Dong quai or Angelica, also Angelica archangelia, Angelica pubescens and Angelica sylvestris Can qui, Angelica china, dangdanggui, dang gui, dong quai, duong qui, handanggui, hashyshat almalak, kara toki, langdu danggui,min-gui, tang-kuei, and ta{grave over ( )}n q ui) Contains terpenes (terpenes, mainly .beta.-phellandrene, with .beta.-bisabolene, .beta.-caryophyllene, .beta.-phellandrene, .alpha.- and .beta.-pinene, limonene, linalool, bomeol, acetaldehyde,menthadienes and nitromenthadienes), macrocyclic lactones (including tridecanolide, 12-methyl tridecanolide, pentadecanolide), phthalates (such as hexamethylphthalate), coumarins (especially furocoumarin glycosides such as marmesin and apterin),angelicin and byakangelicin derivatives (osthol, umbelliferone, psoralen, bergapten, imperatoren, xanthotoxol, xanthotoxin, oxypeucedanin and more), as well as various sugars, plant acids, flavonoids, and sterols. It also, contains alkyl phthalides(Ligustilide); terpenes, phenylpropanoids (ferulic acid) and benzenoids. These substances stimulate the immune system's actions, through diverse lymphokines and have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase and elastase, as well asselectively inhibiting 12-(S)--HHTrE production, a marker of cyclo-oxygenase activity. Angelica has been reported to be clinically effective for erythropoietin (EPO)-resistant anemia in chronic renal failure. These components have vasodilator activity,increase coronary flow and are antithrombotic. The incorporation of this phytomedicine into compositions provides at least 70 active principles in a single therapeutic. Crataegus oxyacantha (Hawthorn, see also C. monogyna) contains mainly flavonoids (such as flavonoglycosyls, hyperoside, rutin, flavonol, kaempferol, and quercetin) and oligomeric procyanadins (1-epicatechol), which relax arterial expansion todecrease peripheral vascular resistance. Also contains amines (phenyletylamine, tyramine, O-methoxyphenethylamine), flavone (apigenin, luteolin) derivatives, vitexin glycosides, tannins, saponins, and cyanogenetic glycosides. Its activeprinciples--tannins--decrease blood levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine and urinary levels of protein and glucose. They increase glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow. Its nephro-protective action is partly due to its antioxidant effect. Tannins produce a reduction in methylguanidine, a substance that accumulates in the blood when there is renal failure. Tannins decrease the progression of renal failure by lessening mesangial proliferation and glomerular sclerotic lesions. It alsoinhibits Thromboxane (TXA2) biosynthesis which in turn lessens mesangial proliferation and pro-coagulant activity within the mesangial cell. High-performance liquid chromatography has been used to analyse qualitative and quantitative compounds inCrataegus such as [3H]-(-) epicatequina 3-O-gallate (ECG). This compound (ECG) is an active component of Onpi-to a chronic renal failure herbal medicine. The incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 52 active principlesin a single therapeutic plant. Chitomax (Chitosan and Vitamin C) Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide composed of randomly distributed .beta.-(1-4)-linked D-glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (acetylated unit). Chitosan is produced from chitin also,which is the structural element in the exoskeleton of crustaceans (crabs, shrimp, etc.). Its major active principle are long amino-polysaccharide molecules (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), which contain groups of positively charged free amino acids allowingchemical bonding with negatively charged fatty and biliary acids. Chitosan also inhibits some pancreatic enzymes such as lipase and amylase; associated with acute pancreatitis. Chitosan's action is boosted when combined with other compounds such asvitamin C. Scientific evidence points to its lipid removal capabilities, 5 to 10 times greater than other fibers such as cellulose, chitin or agar. It also diminishes uric acid levels and acts as an anti-acid, improving Ca absorption. It significantlyreduces total seric cholesterol; lipoprotein, uremic toxins, urea and blood creatinine levels; increasing hemoglobin levels in patients with hemodialysis treatment due to Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). Scientific studies have found Chitosan to be anatural-based nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer with anti-microbial activity. Chitosan and its derivatives could accelerate wound healing by enhancing the functions of inflammatory cells and repairing cells. Recent studies furtherindicated that chitosan and its derivatives also are novel scaffold materials for tissue engineering and are-promising non-viral vectors for gene delivery. Equisetum arvense(Horse tail) This plant contains abundant mineral salts particularly silicic acids and silicates. It also contains phytosterols, phenolic acids, flavonoids (mainly quercetin glycosides and apigenine) and saponins (equisetonin). These active principles block the liberation of arachidonic acid, which diminishes inflammation and confer it diuretic properties, of importance in oliguria, renal failure, hyperuricaemia, arterial hypertension or edemas. Fructus lycii(Lycium barbarum fruits, wolfberry, Gouqi) Contains polysaccharides and carothenoids which improve renal functions; accelerates the depuration--clearance--of degradation products such as blood urea nitrogen. They improve theadaptation to exercise resistance and reduce fatigue. Increase hepatic and muscle glycogen reserves. Fructus lycii can ameliorate insulin resistance, and the mechanism may be involved in increasing cell-surface level of GLUT4, improving GLUT4trafficking and intracellular insulin signaling. The modulation of a polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum (LBP3p) on the immune system has a highly significant effect on tumor weight and improves the immune system. Adding LBP to cancertreatment led to more marked increase in NK and LAK cell activity than LAK/IL-2 without LBP. The results indicate that LBP can be used as an adjuvant in the biotherapy of cancer. In another study LBP demonstrated a strong anti-oxidative activityinhibiting lipid peroxidation, capturing superoxide anions and preventing malondialdehyde formation, diminishing DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. The incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 35 active principles ina single therapeutic. Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo) contains ginkgolides, bilobalides, bioflavones and flavone glycosides. Flavone glycosides include quercetin, 3-methylquercetin and kaempferol. Quercetin, myrcetin and the rest of the flavonoid fraction of the extract haveantioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. The flavonoids diminish infiltration by neutrophils and increase blood flow. Their antioxidant properties and membrane stabilizing activity increase the tolerance to hypoxia. They improve cellularmetabolism and protect against the damage caused by ischemia. Ginkgolide B is a powerful PAF inhibitor, which bonds to membrana receptors and is a antagonist of platelet agregation. A Ginkgo extract demonstrated capabilities to reduce serichiperlipidemia. It also has anti-inflammatory properties by reducing vascular permeability and has vasodilator effects by inhibiting the liberation of thromboxane A2 and protaglandines. Controlled double blind clinical studies conclusively demonstratethe effectiveness of Gingko biloba in treating arterial insufficiency. Gingko is effective in treating incipient nephropathy through the reduction of the reduction of the albumina excretioin rate in urine, regulating lipids in the blood, improving renalfunction and hemeorhology. IN a recent study the administration of gingko during 3 months significantly reduced malonaldehide levels in the erythrocyte membranes, diminished the fibrinogen levels, promoted the deformatoion of erythrocytes and improvedthe viscocity and visco-elasticety of the blood, which facilitated blood perfusion. Gingko improved the kidneys' function, stimulating the anti-oxidative defenses, diminishing the lipidic peroxidation rate, which reduces renal damage. Increases therenal blood flow and improves the renal excretion function. The incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 59 active principles in a single therapeutic. Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) The endothelial damage to the glomerular capillary produces the liberation of the Platelet Aggregation Factor (PAF) and the Hageman factor leading to formation of platelet thrombus. Activated plateletsproduce Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and additional PAF, which increase glomerular sclerosis. The active principles of Harpagophytum procumbens--harpagosides, harpagine, procumbides, procumbosides, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol diminish TXA2 by inhibitionof thromboxane synthetase. They also diminish the inflammation process, inhibiting Cycloxigenase and Nitric Oxide Synthase, which leads to a reduction in the synthesis of the pro-inflammatory substances prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide. Incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 34 active principles in a single therapeutic. Hydrocotile asiatica (Gotu Kola, Bramhi, Pennywort, Marsh Penny) contain terpenoids (triterpenes, asiaticoside, brahmoside and brahminosidea, aglycones-saponin glycosides, asiaticentoic acid, centellic acid, centoic acid and madecassic acid)sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene, trans-B-farnesene), volatile oils (Germacrene D), alkaloids (hydrocotylin), flavones (Quercetin, kaempferol, sesquiterpenes, stigmasterol, and sitosterol), and vallerine, fatty acids, resin, and tannins. Quercetin, an anti-oxidant, has been demonstrated to attenuate diabetic nephropathy. Fitosterols reduce cholesterol levels; have immune-modulating and anti-inflammmatory properties. Incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition providesat least 59 active principles in a single therapeutic. Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy privet, Chinese Privet, Nepal Privet, Nu Chen, Nu Chen P'I Chiu, Nu-zhen-zi, To-Nezumi-Moti) Its main active principles are ligustalosides, ligustrosidic acid, oleuropein, alpha-mannitol, oleanolic and oceanic acids andsecoiridoid glucosides. These substances improve diabetic nephropathy because they suppress the protein glycosylation and reduce the cytokine expression at the renal level; they also exhibit strong antioxidant effect against hemolysis of red blood cellsinduced by free radicals. Data suggest that these phytochemicals may exert antitumoral effects via augmentation of phagocyte and LAK cell activities. Incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 18 active principles in asingle therapeutic. Salvia miltiorrhiza (Chinese Sage, Huang Ken, Radix Salvia, Red Sage, Salvia Root, Dan Shen) The main active principles are cryptotanshinone, hydroxytanshinone, isocryptotanshinone, isotanshinone (I, II and III), methyl-tanshinonate,methyl-tanshinone, miltirone, salvianolic-acid-a, salviol, tanshinone (I, II and IIa); Tanshinolactone, danshenspiroketallactone, tanshinone-IIIb, tanshinonic-acid and lithospermic acid B. In vivo study demonstrated that Salvia miltiorrhiza can protectfrom diabetic nephropathy by suppressing the over-expressions of TGF-beta1, CTGF, PAI-1 and FN in renal cortex. In yet another in vivo study, a formulation which included Salvia was used in chronic and acute renal insufficiency models, improving bothserum creatinine and urea nitrogen in both models. A daily parenteral application of Salvia improves blood microcirculation and decrease the incidence of renal function recovery retardation. These effects are helpful in the recovery of renal functionafter renal transplantation. Salvia can alleviate the injury of free radicals in organism, so it is an ideal remedy for the treatment of Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). Conventional treatment supplemented with Salvia Injection could moreeffectively improve the levels of plasma ET and SIL-2R in treating Primary Nephritic Syndrome children, and hence alleviate the damage of renal tissue. Its administration with other herbal medicine during peritoneal dialysis has important significancein improving the defense function of peritoneal macrophages, reducing the incidence of peritonitis and enhancing the therapeutic effect of peritoneal dialysis. Incorporation of this phytomedicine in a composition provides at least 27 active principlesin a single therapeutic. Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle, Carduus marianus, Holy thistle, Marian thistle, and Mary thistle) The active principles of this plant are flavonolignans, including silibine, silicristine and silidianine and isosilibinin collectively known assylimarin. This compound has the highest grade of nephro-protective, hepato-generating, and anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanisms which explain its therapeutic characteristics are diverse and include anti-oxidation, lipid anti-peroxidation,detoxification increase through a competitive inhibition with toxic substances, as well as protection against the depletion of glutathione. One of the mechanisms that can explain its properties is the increase in protein synthesis, obtained thanks to asignificant boost in the formation of ribosomes, DNA synthesis and proteins at the hepatic level, because the active principles join a specific polymerase receptor, stimulating ribosome formation. Its anti-inflammatory effect is due to the stabilizationof the mastocytes, the inhibition of neutrophils, a strong inhibition of leucotriene (LT) synthesis and formation of prostaglandins. Sylimarin inhibits intestinal beta-glucuronidase enzymes, thus improving glucoronization, which is an important step inhepatic detoxification. More corporal toxins are removed via glucoronization than through other detox pathways. In vitro experiments with kidney cells damaged by paracetamol, cisplatin, and vincristin demonstrated that administration of silibininbefore or after the chemical-induced injury can lessen or avoid the nephrotoxic effects. The incorporation of this phytomedicine into a composition provides at least 57 active principles in a single therapeutic. Smilax spp. (sarsaparilla, zarzaparrilla) Its main active principles are: phytosterols, Steroid Saponins, Phenolic acids, Flavonoids and minerals. These substances adhere to toxins inside the gastrointestinal tract, this way reducing theirabsorption by the circulatory stream. On the other hand it improves the hepatic and renal excretory functions, facilitating the removal of toxic substances and waste found in cells, blood vessels and lymphatic system. Also, phytosterols blockprostaglandin synthetase action, explaining its anti-inflammatory action. Incorporation of this phytomedicine provides at least 35 active principles in a single therapeutic. Vaccinium myrtillus (European blueberry or bilberry, closely related to American blueberry, cranberry, and huckleberry) Vaccinium contains anthocyanosides such as: cianadins, malvidins, petunidins and peonidins. Other ingredients includearbutin, asperuloside, astragalin, beta-amyrin, caffeic-acid, catechin, chlorogenic-acid, cyanadin-3-O-arabinoside, dihydroxycinnamic-acid, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epimyrtine, ferulic-acid, gallic-acid, gallocatechin, hydroquinone, hyperoside,isoquercitrin, lutein, coumaric-acids, m-hydroxybenzoic-acid, monotropein, myrtillin, myrtillol, myrtine, neomyrtillin, protocatechuic-acid, quercetins, quinic-acid, resinic-acid, syringic-acid, ursolic-acid, and vanillic-acid. Evidence suggests thatanthocyanosides may benefit the retina, as well as strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and stabilize collagen containing tissues. The anthocyanosides improve the activity of enzymes lactic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase andphosphoglucomutase, each involved in processes of vascular damage. They reduce the arterial deposits and stimulate the production of vasodilators, like prostaglandin (PGI2), thus protecting the vascular wall. Anthocyanosides have strong antioxidantproperties, as well. The incorporation of this phytomedicine provides at least 63 active principles in a single therapeutic. EXAMPLE 2 Composition--Renal Disorders A particularly preferred composition is shown in Table 1. Ratios reflect the concentration of active ingredient over the natural state, and the amounts provided are mg of extract. Obviously, the amount should be increased where the strength isreduced, and vice versa. A particularly preferred composition is shown in Table 1. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Preferred Renal disorder Protocol Active Agent Ratio Amount (mg) Energy enhancers Rhapontium carthamoides root extract 6:1 6.00 Schizandra chinensis fruit extract 5:1 10.0 Bio-Intelligence modulators Astragalusmembrenaceus root extract 5:1 50.00 Ganoderma lucidum 5:1 24.00 Grifola frondosa 5:1 24.00 Lentinus edodes 5:1 24.00 Organizational Improvers Angelica sinensis root extract 5:1 57.00 Chitosan powder 1:1 398.00 Crataegus oxycantha berry extract 5:1 40.00Equisetum arvense herb extract 5:1 30.00 Fructus lycii 5:1 24.00 Gingko bilova leaf extract 50:1 17.00 Harpagophytum procumbens tuber extract 5:1 27.00 Hydrocotile asiatica herb extract 5:1 30.00 Ligustrum lucidum 5:1 24.00 Salvia miltiorrhiza 5:1 24.00Silybum marianum herb extract 5:1 30.00 Smilax regelii root extract 5:1 27.00 Vaccinum myrtillus fruit extract 5:1 34.00 Total 900 EXAMPLE 3 Tolerance Studies A multicenter, retrospective study was made on 100 healthy volunteers with the intention of evaluating patient tolerance and side effects of the herbaria combination. A capsule containing 900 mg of the herbaria of Table 1 was administered toeach participant three times per day for five days. During that period they were evaluated by a physician, who registered any finding or symptom reported by each subject. The average age of the participants was 37.4 years with a SD of 8.2 years. Gender was 55% female, 45% male. The average weight of the subjects was 70 kilos with a SD of 12.3 kilos. No undesirable effects were observed in 96% of the subjects. Four (4%) subjects reported minor undesirable effects. The study showed that herbaria were well tolerated-only minor symptoms were reported by 4 of the 100 subjects. Results showed the non-toxicity of the herbaria, demonstrating that the formulation is safe. Similar results have been obtained forthe PCOS and Psoriasis formulations. EXAMPLE 4 Chronic Renal Failure Clinical Study Effectiveness and Tolerance A retrospective, descriptive, multicenter, study based in the clinical records of all patients diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure which attended Adaptogenic Medical Centers and Units in Venezuela, during a period that extends from April 2002 toJuly 2004. Data collected was: age, gender, and etiology, degree of CRF according to severity, patients' symptoms, Quality of Life parameters and treatment tolerance. Criterion for classification of severity was a time variation of the creatinineclearance, that is, the quantity of creatinine (milliliters) filtered per minute, according to table 2 below--which also includes gender and age per group. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Patient classification according to CRF severity grading Creatinine clearance N.sup.o of Severity (ml/min) patients % Gender - Average age Slight 30-70 19 16 F: 8; M: 11-51 yrs. Moderate 15-30 47 38 F: 21; M: 26-51 yrs. Severe 10-15 28 23 F: 17; M: 11-51 yrs. Terminal <10 28 23 F: 9; M: 19-57 yrs. Creatinine clearance values under 10 ml/min. were considered a criterion for dialysis requirement. Improvement in life quality was measured according to the Grogono-Woodgate Quality of Life index. All patients continued their treatment withsynthetic pharmaceuticals in accordance with the base pathology. Inclusion Criteria and Systemic therapeutic formulation Patients of any age or gender with a CRF diagnosis examined and controlled in our Adaptogenic Medical Centers or Units which followed the Systemic Treatment. Average age was 52.63 yrs old. Most frequent cause for CRF was arterial hypertension with 35.2%; Diabetes Mellitus was second with 25.4%. The rest of the population was associated with glomerular nephritis, kidney cysts and renal lithiasis. Patients had to follow the product dosage indications i.e. received 10 capsules--900 mg, each--3 times a day, during six months. Results: These are depicted in Table 3. TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Synopsis of CRF Study Results Slight Moderate Severe Terminal Patients Patients Patients Patients Evolution 19 % 47 % 28 % 28 % Improvement 0/19 0 16/47 34.04 19/28 67.85 17/28 60.71 Deterioration 14/19 73.68 22/47 46.87/28 25.0 11/28 39.28 detained Deteriorated 5/19 26.32 9/47 19.14 2/28 7.14 0/28 0 QoL Improvement 15/19 78.94 40/47 85.1 27/28 96.42 27/28 96.42 Conclusions Significant improvements were made in the Terminal and Severe (CRF) groups--60.7% and 67.85% of the treated patients, respectively. The change to a lower stage or degree of severity in 17/28 patients with Terminal CRF raises thepossibility of suspending hemodialysis in those patients. Independently of the severity of CRF, in 54 out of the 122 patients the progression of the illness was stopped. Tests demonstrated the normalization of renal function in 4 patients. This provesnephro-protecting and nephro-regenerating capabilities of this therapeutic combination and establishes the possibility that a more prolonged use of this therapy may lead to the reestablishment of renal functions in a greater number of patients. Thistherapeutic formulation was highly effective in improving life quality in all stages of CRF. However, if in the slight and moderate cases of CRF the improvement in Quality of Life was a successful 78.9% and 85.1% respectively, the improvement in qualityof life for severe and terminal groups was an outstanding 96.4% for both stages. Tolerance to treatment was exceptional. Only one patient presented slight gastric symptoms which did not prevent him from continuing his therapy. In conclusion: weconsider that treatment with medicinal plants under the precepts of Systemic Medicine offers invaluable and unexpectedly superior clinical benefits as well as remarkable improvement in quality of life in patients suffering Chronic Renal Failure which donot always obtain satisfactory results with conventional therapeutic alternatives. EXAMPLE 5 Principles for Selecting Synergistic Combinations In order to explain the range of formulations encompassed by the invention, we have categorized beneficial plants into one of three groups, each of which should be present for synergistic effect. The classifications are: Energy, Bio-Intelligenceand Organization. Plants classified under Energy are associated with ATP synthesis (such as the Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, beta-oxidation, etc.). Plants classified under Bio-Intelligence are those that regulate the neuroendocrine andimmunological systems and cellular processes, thus controlling the interactions between the various systems in the body. Finally, plants classified under Organization are those that relate to the structure and function of specific organs. Combinationsof plants from these three classification groups have synergistic effect because they address each necessary component of cellular and organic health--in effect they provide the triangle on which healing is fully supported. To illustrate this, FIG. 1 isprovided. An illustrative example of synergy in medicinal plants is an in vitro study that demonstrates how the activity of herbal Berberine alkaloids is strongly potentiated by the action of 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC)--an active principle of anotherphytomedicine (denominated Hydnocarpus wightiana). It shows a strong increase of accumulation of berberine in the cells in the presence of 5'-MHC, indicating that this plant compound effectively disabled the bacterial resistance mechanism against theberberine antimicrobial, thus showing the synergy of both substances. Stermitz F R, et al., Synergy in a medicinal plant: antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000Feb. 15; 97(4):1433-7. A further demonstration may be provided of synergistic effect on a molecular scale by studying the gene expression profile changes in response to various plant ingredients and combinations thereof. Experiments are already underway demonstratingthe expression profile in response to the formulations. We will be aided in this work because researchers have already begun studying the expression profiles of various medicinal plants, thus providing a database of knowledge from which to build. E.g.,Gohil, et al., mRNA Expression Profile of a Human Cancer Cell Line in Response to Ginkgo Biloba Extract: Induction of Antioxidant Response and the Golgi System, Free Radic Res. 2001 December; 33(6):831-849. Finally there may be further presentation of gene expression results using whole-genome microarray analysis to demonstrate the formulation's capability to provide gene activation (upregulation or downregulation).

GERMANY Coley's TOXINS ingredients

GERMANY Coley's TOXINS ingredients.

brew it yourself, find a bacteriologist
and a junkie to tell you how to inject:


One doctor in Ohio shared with me his procedure for making Coley's Toxins. He reported this vaccine has effected two complete remissions of cancer. This doctor got the live Streptococcus pyogenes, ATTC #196 15, and the live Serratia marcescens, ATTC #13880, from MicroBiologics (www.microbiologics.com) in the form of Kwik-Stics. For a broth, he used the Todd-Hewitt broth. It was obtained as a powder and is used as a three-percent solution. He used 500 cc of water. To it was added 15 grams of the Todd-Hewitt powder and 50 grams of glucose. The flask was plugged with a plastic foam stopper and autoclaved for 15 minutes at 121°C. The broth was allowed to cool and was stored at 4°C for three weeks. The broth was then seeded with the live streptococcus and allowed to grow at 36°C for seven days. The culture was then gotten to 25°C and was seeded with the live Serratia marcescens and allowed to grow for seven more days, The culture then was killed by heating to 65°C for two hours. Then 7.5 cc of benzyl alcohol was added. The 500 cc of the killed vaccine was then filtered with a 15 micron filter. It was stored at 4°C, ready for use.


== Doctor Y ==

He sets up an IV of Coley's Toxins in his office for his patients. He then shows the patients how to do the injections at home as self-medication and sends them home with a 20 cc bottle of Coley's Toxins. He instructs the patient to have rectal suppositories of Tylenol on hand, since rectal suppositories will terminate a reaction to Coley's Toxins quickly. The patient is to do an injection at about 8:00 AM. For an hour, he cautions, the patient will feel cold and may shake. Then the fever will come on and the pulse will increase to about 125. The patient is told to check temperature and pulse every hour. If the fever exceeds 104°F, or if the pulse exceeds 135, the patient should terminate the reaction with Tylenol. This will not happen often. The fever should end by 6:00 PM.


Doenitz Prolab
Werderstrasse 2
Augsburg
Germany
Phone:+49 821 440 1590
Fax:+49 821 440 1592
prolab@doenitz.de

live Streptococcus pyogenes ATTC # 19615
live Serratia marcescens ATTC #13880

from MicroBiologics (www.microbiologics.com) in the form of Kwik-Stics.
For a broth, he used the Todd-Hewitt broth.

http://www.bd.com/ds/productCenter/249240.asp
Dehydrated Culture Media from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
BD -- Tullastr. 8-12 -- 69126 Heidelberg,
Tel: +49 (0) 6221 305-0 -- Fax: +49 (0) 6221 305-216


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens

http://www.doenitz.de/products.php?term=Streptococcus+pyogenes
http://www.doenitz.de/products.php?term=Serratia+marcescens


NEW ZEALAND (NZ) 0800 222 170

Abacus ALS
PO Box 7183
East Brisbane QLD
Australia
Phone:61-7-3391-9777
Fax:61-7-3391-9799
info --{at}-- abacus-als.com

LIST OF ALL POSTING UNTIL NOW

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FDA Approves Provenge, the First Immunotherapy for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Nick Mulcahy
April 29, 2010 — In a widely anticipated announcement, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an immunotherapy, sipuleucel-T (Provenge, Dendreon), for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Often referred to as a vaccine, sipuleucel-T is an autologous active cellular immunotherapy, meaning that it is made from the patient's own white blood cells and stimulates a patient's immune system to respond against the cancer. The treatment needs to be manufactured individually for each patient.
"The availability of [sipuleucel-T] provides a new treatment option for men with advanced prostate cancer who currently have limited effective therapies available," said Karen Midthun, MD, acting director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a press statement.
Sipuleucel-T becomes the first product approved by the FDA in a new therapeutic class known as active cellular immunotherapies, according to Dendreon press materials.
To be approved by the FDA, investigators had to show that sipuleucel-T would extend survival in men with mCRPC.
In the pivotal phase 3 study, with a median follow-up of 36.5 months, men treated with sipuleucel-T (n = 341) had a median survival of 25.8 months, compared with men treated with placebo (n = 171), who had a median survival of 21.7 months
Thus, with the new therapy, there was a 4.1-month median survival advantage and a 24.1% reduction in the risk for death (hazard ratio, 0.759; P = .017), compared with placebo.
These latest data from the pivotal trial, known as IMPACT (Immunotherapy for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Treatment), were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2010 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in March.
Last year, after a presentation of very similar survival data on sipuleucel-T at the 2009 American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting, one of the study investigators hailed the survival benefit.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702085

"This 4-month extension in survival is very, very significant," said David F. Penson, MD, MPH, at the AUA meeting. Dr. Penson is a professor of medicine at the University of Southern California Los Angeles.
"These patients have a life expectancy of about 2 years, so giving them 4 more months is pretty important. It gives them about 20% more life. And [sipuleucel-T] does it with minimal adverse events. So there is improved survival with good quality of life," he added.
According to the FDA press release, the most common adverse reactions reported with the new product are chills, fatigue, fever, back pain, nausea, joint ache, and headache. The majority of adverse reactions were mild or moderate. Serious adverse reactions, which were reported in approximately one quarter of the patients receiving sipuleucel-T, included some acute infusion reactions and stroke.
Cerebrovascular events, including hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes, were observed in 3.5% of patients in the sipuleucel-T group, compared with 2.6% of patients in the placebo control group
The approval of sipuleucel-T has been a long time coming.
Brantley Thrasher, MD, chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, said that "this will cause a big splash."
"We don't have anything for patients with hormone-refractory disease, which is very aggressive. . . . Improved survival with T cell immunotherapy is really very significant," he said.


FDA News
Data Support PCa Vaccine's Mechanism of Action
Phase 3 trial data presented at the American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting support the mechanism of action of Provenge (sipuleucel-T), a novel investigative immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer, according to a statement issued by Dendreon Corp., of Seattle, which is developing the treatment.
Designed to stimulate a T-cell response to prostate cancer cells, Provenge targets prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), an antigen expressed in 95% of prostate cancer.
The data were from 237 patients who participated in the immune monitoring protocol of the IMPACT (Immunotherapy for Prostate Adenocarcinoma Treatment) trial. Provenge generated antigen-specific responses, including responses to PAP; these responses were not observed in placebo recipients. Provenge also triggered both cellular and humoral immune responses in vivo that were first observed six weeks after dosing; these responses persisted at 26 weeks. In addition, Provenge induced a T-cell response, suggesting the induction of immunologic memory.


Asbestos.com > Mesothelioma & Asbestos News

Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Making Headway in the Fight Against Mesothelioma Cancer
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Malignant mesothelioma research is turning to novel treatment approaches such as immunotherapy to find a combination of therapies that may one day result in a cure for this aggressive cancer.
A rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure, malignant mesothelioma rarely responds to one mode of treatment. To combat the cancer medical professionals have come to learn that more than one mode of therapy is required, such as combining chemotherapy with surgery and radiation therapy. Usually the only patients who qualify for this aggressive treatment approach are the patients who are diagnosed in an early stage of cancer development.
Despite some success with extended mesothelioma life expectancy, a cure for mesothelioma has yet to be found. As a result, researchers are turning to novel treatments like immunotherapy to improve the multimodality approach with up and coming therapies.
According to mesothelioma researchers Dr. Sutapa Mukherjee and Dr. Bruce W. S. Robinson, authors of the chapter “Immunotherapy of Malignant Mesothelioma” in the book Mesothelioma, “Immunotherapy uses unique host defenses to initiate and effect [tumor] regression. This is different from radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which are directly cytotoxic to cancer cells and kill a fixed percentage of [tumor] cells rather than a fixed number of cancer cells. Interestingly, complete responses to several cycles of chemotherapy may not be possible unless there was an effective host immune response generated against the [tumor] when the [tumor] burden had been reduced to a level to allow the immune response to occur.”
Results from one of the more recent studies on mesothelioma immunotherapy were published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The study investigated a potential vaccine that helps to combine a patient’s own dendritic cells (DCs) with an antigen from the patient’s specific mesothelioma tumor. “This is the first human study on DC-based immunotherapy in patients with mesothelioma,” says to Dr. Joachim G. Aerts, a researcher and pulmonary physician at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands.
Other recently completed or active clinical trials on mesothelioma immunotherapy include “Cyclophosphamide Plus Vaccine Therapy in Treating Patients with Advanced Cancer” and “Safety and Immune Response to a Multi-Component Immune Based Therapy (MKC1106-PP) for Patients with Advanced Cancer.”
Additional information on mesothelioma and immunotherapy may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.


Local people with non-small cell lung cancer needed for immunotherapy trial
By James T. Mulder / The Post-Standard
May 13, 2010, 9:40PM
Syracuse, NY -- Syracuse area patients are being recruited to participate in the world’s largest lung cancer treatment trial.
Upstate Medical University and Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY are two of 400 centers in 33 countries participating in the study of a new approach to lung cancer treatment called immunotherapy, which teaches the body’s immune system to fight and destroy cancer cells.
The treatment was developed by GlaxoSmithKline. The trial will seek to determine if the treatment delays the recurrence of cancer in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after they have had surgery to remove their tumors.
The prognosis for lung cancer patients after surgery is not good. Only about 65 percent to 70 percent of patients diagnosed with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer survive five years after surgery. The percentages are much lower for patients diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer.
“What this is trying to do is improve on those statistics,” said Dr. Richard Cherny of Hematology-Oncology Associates, a private cancer practice headquartered in East Syracuse.
Scientists involved in the research found that there is a unique protein on the surface of cells in about 30 percent of non-small cell lung cancers. The treatment developed by GlaxoSmithKline is designed to seek out that protein and initiate an immune response to fight residual cancer cells, Cherny said.
The treatment is a very personalized therapy, said Dr. Leslie Kohman, a surgery professor at Upstate. “The more we learn about the characteristics of patients and tumors on a molecular basis, the more we can avoid treating patients who don’t need it or won’t benefit from it,” Kohman said. “Right now we give chemotherapy to a lot of patients who could not benefit because their tumor is not susceptible, but we don’t know that.”
The trial will be randomized. Two of every three people will get the treatment and one will get a placebo. It’s double-blinded, which means neither the investigator nor the patient will know what the patient gets. Participants will get five injections over 15 weeks.
Side effects can include skin reactions and flu-like illness, according to Cherny. “There have not been serious side effects we know of,” he said.
Lung cancer kills more people than any other type of cancer. There are about 1.2 million new cases diagnosed worldwide annually. Non-small cell cancer is the most common type. Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer.
Only about 5 percent of adults with cancer participate in clinical trials, according to Kohman. “If they have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial for cancer or any other disease, they should strongly consider it,” Kohman said. “Not only might they get some individual benefit, but they certainly will benefit future patients with the knowledge gained from participating in such a study.”