TEACHABLE MEDICAL NEWS

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Tag: cell division

Can we treat breast cancer by targeting a mutation in the cancer cells?

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On November 12, 2022

In cellular basis of life, reproductive system

TeachableMedicalNews article 11122022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of one gene, one protein
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – concept of gene mutation leading to protein malfunction
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – cell division is regulated
  4. female reproductive system chapter – anatomical location of mammary ducts

The news item: Recently the following reporting appeared online:

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The article states that the newly approved breast cancer treatment, Piqray, is for the HR+, HER2 – advanced breast cancer cases. The article also states that this new drug is targeting PIK3CA mutations.

So, Why Do I Care??  There are over 280,000 new breast cancer diagnoses each year in the USA. Deaths from breast cancer is estimated to be over 43,000 each year in the USA. Every new treatment regimen reduces the number of deaths, or increases survival time. In addition, a drug that targets mutated cancer cells also lowers the side effects, because only the mutated cells are attacked.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what breast cancer is. In all cancers the normal cells of a particular portion of the body transformed, so they suddenly gain the ability to divide without control. In the case of breast cancer the epithelial cells of the inner lining of mammary ducts transform into cancer cells. The mammary duct cells divide in controlled fashion to fill gaps where cell died in the duct.

Second, let’s talk about why cancer cells divide without control. Our cells normally divide by going through the steps of interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, the process that divides

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Could a targeted blockage of cell division become a new way to treat breast cancer ?

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On July 16, 2020

In cellular basis of life, chemical basis of life, reproductive system

TeachableMedicalNews article 07162020

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. chemical basis of life – tertiary structure of proteins
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – cell cycle
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – stages of mitosis
  4. reproductive system chapter – structures of the mammary gland

The news item:  Recently a new form of cancer treatment was in the news:

Newer drug extends lives of young breast cancer patients, study finds

The drug Kisqali (ribociclib) is already approved by the FDA, and new research shows it helps some breast cancer patients live longer

The article states that the drug Kisquali extended the survival time of breast cancer patients, and that the drug is a CDK4/6 inhibitor.

So, Why Do I Care??  In the USA alone there will be over 270,000 breast cancer cases in 2020, and it is expected that more than 47,000 breast cancer deaths will happen.  Any improvement in the survival rate over the treatment by traditional chemotherapy is good news.  In addition, attacking breast cancer from a new direction may improve the treatment of other cancers as well.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about breast cancer. This cancer is not actually the cancer of the entire breast. Within the breast tissue there is a gland called mammary gland that makes milk in mothers after giving birth. The milk is made in deeper segments of the gland, and several tubes called lactiferous ducts bring the milk to the skin surface. It is the cells of those ducts that develop cancer in most breast cancers.

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Can you strengthen the immune system of cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment?

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On December 21, 2019

In cardiovascular system, cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system

TeachableMedicalNews article 12202019

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. cellular basis of life chapter – formation of cancer cells
  2. cellular basis of life chapter – DNA and mitosis
  3. blood chapter – formation of white blood cells in red bone marrow
  4. immune system chapter – immune protection by white blood cells 

The news item:  The pharmaceutical Neulasta was in the news recently:

Mylan CEO promises Neulasta biosimilar will offer “significant savings” for patients

It’s been nearly two years since the pharmaceutical giant took tremendous heat for the rising cost of EpiPens

The article mentions that a new company will be making a similar and cheaper drug to Neulasta, and that Neulasta is used to reduce infections in patients during cancer treatment.

So, Why Do I Care??  Cancer patients are frequently treated with drugs to kills the cancer cells. Such chemotherapy drugs are used to treat most of the 1.7 million new cancer cases each year in the USA.  Chemotherapy treatments have many damaging side effects on the patients.  Minimizing of those side effects improves patient comfort, survival, and the success of the chemotherapy treatment.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s; talk about chemotherapy.  Cancers grow by cells dividing faster than normal cells of the body, and the chemotherapy drugs are used to stop or slow the division of cancer cells.  One side effect of chemotherapy treatment is that normal cells are also stopped from dividing. One of those normally quickly dividing group of cells is located in the red bone marrow.

Second, let’s talk about red bone marrow.  This red, toothpaste-like mush of cells is trapped inside our spongy bones, like breastbone, pelvic bone, and others.  Millions of new red and white blood cells are created by cell division in the red bone marrow every day.  Picture cell division as a car driving at normal speed; you have to keep your foot on the gas pedal.  Chemotherapy drugs are like a foot on the brake pedal; as they slow down cell division, they slow down red and white blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Third, let’s talk about white blood cells.  The white blood cells defend our bodies against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Every day we lose thousands of white blood cells during that defense, so we need constant replacement.  When the cell division in the red bone marrow is slowed by chemotherapy drugs, the replacement of white blood cells slows down, and bacteria and virus infections can get a foothold in the body.  Neulasta (and similar drugs) speeds up white blood cell creation; they step on the gas pedal of cell division in the bone marrow even during chemotherapy treatment.  That provides enough white blood cells to defend the body better against invaders during chemotherapy treatment.

 

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