Tag: tissues

Can we use an antibody to strengthen patients’ own immune system to fight childhood soft tissue cancer?

On December 18, 2023

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

Teachable moment in classrooms:

tissue chapter – general characteristics of epithelial and connective tissues
cellular basis of life chapter – proteins in cell membranes can serve as receptors
immune system chapter – CD8-T-cells actively destroy target cells
immune system chapter – antibodies can be engineered to bind to specific targets

The news item:

Recently a newly approved treatment for childhood soft tissue cancer was reported:

Drug Approved to Help Young Patients Battle a Rare Cancer

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The article states that the drug Tecentriq was approved for use against alveolar soft part sarcoma (a soft tissue cancer). About 80 children and adults in the USA are diagnosed each year with his sarcoma, and most conventional treatments fail to fight it. The article also states that Tecentriq is an anti-PD-L1 inhibitor, and works by helping the immune system respond more strongly to cancer.

So, Why Do I Care?? While the overall number of cancer patients diagnosed with alveolar soft part sarcoma is low, these patients could not be helped by regular cancer treatments. Finding new cancer treatment approaches for these patients opens the possibility to treat other cancers where traditional cancer treatment failed.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what a sarcoma is. The sarcoma type of cancers start from connective tissue, as opposed to the carcinoma type of cancers that start from epithelial tissues. The general course of the sarcomas is similar to other cancers, and that includes local growth, and the spreading, metastasizing throughout the body. Alveolar soft part sarcoma was named such, because the cancer cells form baggy, alveolus-looking microscopic structures.

Second, let’s talk about how cancer cells can slow down the immune system. One normal function of our immune system is to detect and destroy cells that show evidence of infection or abnormal components.

Why bacterial contamination of baby formula is life threatening for infants?

By admin

On September 29, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, nervous system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 09292022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – linker proteins in the plasma membrane form tight junctions
tissue chapter – tight junctions of epithelial cells prevent movement of pathogens between the cells
immune system chapter – reliance of white blood cells for immune functions
brain chapter – the brain is covered by meninges inside the cranial cavity
microbiology – the pathogen bacterium Chronobacter sakazakii

The news item: Recently a news report appeared about contaminated baby formula:

FDA says maker of powdered infant formula didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated | CNN

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined the company running a plant at the center of a baby formula recall didn’t take steps to prevent products from becoming contaminated during manufacturing, according to a preliminary report filed this month.

The article states that Chronobacter sakazakii bacterium caused death of two infants who used baby formula contaminated with the bacterium.

So, Why Do I Care?? While adults can easily defeat a bacterial infection, the bodies of infants are very vulnerable to such infection. Because the immune system of infants is naturally weak, powdered infant formulas must be free of bacterial contamination. If bacteria are in the infant formula, then the infants are exposed to life threatening infection. The number of infections is about 15 infants each year, but one-fourth of the infants die from the infection.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what a Chronobacterium is. This is a very common bacterium in environment, present on many surfaces and in food items. The well-trained immune system of adults can fight off this bacterium, but the not-yet-fully developed immune system of infants has a

Can a virus test replace the traditional test for cervical cancer?

By admin

On August 12, 2021

In cellular basis of life, microbiology, reproductive system, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 08122021

Teachable moment in classrooms:

cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis, cell cycle controls to limit cell division
reproductive system chapter – anatomy of the female reproductive system
tissues chapter – epithelium that lines the female reproductive system
microbiology – human papilloma viruses

The news item: Recently the following report about cervical cancer testing appeared:

Are Pap smears ‘obsolete’? There’s a better option for cervical cancer screening, American Cancer Society says

The American Cancer Society released new guidelines on cervical cancer screenings Thursday, recommending that people with a cervix start testing at age 25.

The article describes the debate whether the HPV test could replace the Pap smear test. The article states that despite the Pap smear testing, there are over 13,000 new cervical cancer cases per year, and there are over 4,000 deaths. The article also states that the HPV test is screening for human papilloma virus, and the Pap test is screening for cancerous cells.

So, Why Do I Care?? Cervical cancer is a deadly cancer, as the article stated from a yearly 13,000 new diagnoses there are over 4,000 deaths. While vaccination has been available against cervical cancer, a better diagnostic method is still needed until everyone is vaccinated.

Plain English, Please!!!

First, let’s talk about what cervical cancer is. The narrow, tube-shaped part of the uterus, the cervix, opens into the vagina. The cervix has a thin lining epithelium, and that cell layer is where cancerous