New drug destroys deadly brain tumours

[Kyng]

https://studyfinds.org/drug-destroys-brain-tumors/

Scientists have developed a drug capable of annihilating the most lethal brain tumors. This drug, dubbed Z4P, successfully breaches the blood-brain barrier – a protective layer that shields neurons from foreign threats – and effectively eradicates cancerous cells.

In a series of experiments, this small molecule was found to eliminate all tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. These results were described as “very promising,” as mice subjected to this treatment experienced no relapse even after six months. Z4P works synergistically with chemotherapy. In comparison, tumors rapidly recurred and spread in subjects receiving only chemotherapy. This underlines the urgent need for improved therapies for glioblastomas, which are frequently incurable.

The international team behind Z4P believes it could enter clinical practice within five years, offering a significant breakthrough with potential implications for other aggressive cancers.

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Well, this is certainly good news . It's not like it's easy to perform surgery to eliminate these deadly tumours - and chemotherapy isn't very effective at eliminating them permanently. (Granted, this new method doesn't replace chemotherapy altogether, but does seem to work well alongside it).

Hopefully, this will become widely available soon, so it can start saving lives !

[~ True Legend ~]

In a series of experiments, this small molecule was found to eliminate all tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue

Z4P works synergistically with chemotherapy.

As we know, chemotherapy also kills healthy cells. Kyng hopefully Z4P will be effective without chemotherapy. Ideally we want healthy tissue to remain, not to deprive the immune system.

I don't know if you've heard that there's also a cancer vaccine planned based on mRNA technology, the same used in COVID vaccines. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64176038

It seems like COVID has done us some favours in terms of research into prevention of other diseases!

[Kyng]

In a series of experiments, this small molecule was found to eliminate all tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue

Z4P works synergistically with chemotherapy.

As we know, chemotherapy also kills healthy cells. Kyng hopefully Z4P will be effective without chemotherapy. Ideally we want healthy tissue to remain, not to deprive the immune system.

I don't know if you've heard that there's also a cancer vaccine planned based on mRNA technology, the same used in COVID vaccines. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64176038

It seems like COVID has done us some favours in terms of research into prevention of other diseases!

Indeed - I actually started a thread about the potential cancer vaccines here:
https://tch-forum.com/showthread.php?tid=13700

But, yeah - I do hope Z4P will eventually be able to replace chemotherapy altogether (or work will with some other chemotherapy replacement) - but even what we've got now sounds promising.

[Shiny Star]

I may be wrong but I think a drug working alongside with chemotherapy more effectively is still a win. As mentioned above, chemo does attack all cells but there are different types of chemos that are matched to each cancer that are more effective. We ideally do want to eliminate the use of chemo but it’s still a win if we can reduce the amount of chemo used. Kidney function is a big thing that goes with chemo. After each cycle people undergoing chemo have to have bloods for all sorts of functions. If they do not meet the requirement then they have to stop. 

One step at a time - we take every win we can get along the way. I agree that the COVID vaccine has helped a lot.

[~ True Legend ~]

I may be wrong but I think a drug working alongside with chemotherapy more effectively is still a win. 

Oh yes of course I don't disagree, just saying having the drug without chemo at all is even better

[Shiny Star]

I may be wrong but I think a drug working alongside with chemotherapy more effectively is still a win. 

Oh yes of course I don't disagree, just saying having the drug without chemo at all is even better

Oh for sure. My mum underwent chemotherapy last Summer. She had Carboplatin and something else. At first, it actually did do wonders for her and she felt soooo good. The hair falling out hit harder than she thought it would. She was able to have her cycles back to back. They consisted of going each week for a few hours. In the end though, it took a toll on her heart, red blood cell count and kidney function. She was so exhausted. 

Immunotherapy is something that has a low success rate but I need to read more about it. It’s essentially about tricking the immune system into only targeting the cancer cells. I agree that without chemo would be better if we are able to find that.

[~ True Legend ~]

I may be wrong but I think a drug working alongside with chemotherapy more effectively is still a win. 

Oh yes of course I don't disagree, just saying having the drug without chemo at all is even better

Oh for sure. My mum underwent chemotherapy last Summer. She had Carboplatin and something else. At first, it actually did do wonders for her and she felt soooo good. The hair falling out hit harder than she thought it would. She was able to have her cycles back to back. They consisted of going each week for a few hours. In the end though, it took a toll on her heart, red blood cell count and kidney function. She was so exhausted. 

Immunotherapy is something that has a low success rate but I need to read more about it. It’s essentially about tricking the immune system into only targeting the cancer cells. I agree that without chemo would be better if we are able to find that.

I’m so sorry to hear that! I wasn’t aware that chemotherapy has so many negative impacts, I was under the impression that it’s only the immune system that is impacted

[Shiny Star]

The immune system is the main thing that people notice due to having to be careful in bigger crowds and places like hospitals. They used to do it so before chemotherapy, you would have to present two lateral flow tests for COVID-19 and they’d let you in. Family were never allowed into the actual chemotherapy area. While waiting in the lobby to wait, we would have to get our ears checked for the temperature. 

Chemotherapy attacks everything, which is why people lose their hair. You can get a cold cap but it’s a lot of extra time added on and may not work. Fingernails become brittle and grow slower too. Anaemia is pretty common in cancer patients too so most tend to have to take folic acid and iron syrup supplements anyway. If you have breaks for the chemo, like a week between then the organs can do a bit better but sometimes you can’t afford to not have that week.

[~ True Legend ~]

The immune system is the main thing that people notice due to having to be careful in bigger crowds and places like hospitals. They used to do it so before chemotherapy, you would have to present two lateral flow tests for COVID-19 and they’d let you in. Family were never allowed into the actual chemotherapy area. While waiting in the lobby to wait, we would have to get our ears checked for the temperature. 

Chemotherapy attacks everything, which is why people lose their hair. You can get a cold cap but it’s a lot of extra time added on and may not work. Fingernails become brittle and grow slower too. Anaemia is pretty common in cancer patients too so most tend to have to take folic acid and iron syrup supplements anyway. If you have breaks for the chemo, like a week between then the organs can do a bit better but sometimes you can’t afford to not have that week.

Anaemia causes ppl to lose their hair and have a reduced immune response. So I feel like a lot of what you describe are symptoms of the conditions caused by Chemo. 

I get what you mean about the immune system being easily noticeable. I think that especially true in countries where the weather is either cold or flunctuates a lot e.g. the UK as that’s the season the flu and colds generally tend to spread.

[Moonshroom]

I'm glad we are making moves on that front.