Health Newsletter:June 2004
Related Links:| Leukemia Green Tea Cancer | Insulin Diabetes Blood Sugar | Cellulite Skincare Dermatology | Antibody Treatments Colon Cancer Cancer Treatment | Eczema Skincare Dermatology |
From WebHealth
Contents |
Green Tea Knocks Out Leukemia Cells
Cancer is less common in eastern Asia, where green tea is the most common beverage. In April 2004 a study was published in the journal "Blood", which shows that green tea has killing powers in the unpredictable and slow form of B cell leukemia. A component in green tea called epigallotechin (EGCG) disturbs the chemical information flow in leukemia cells in lab cultures. It means that the communication between the cells is disturbed, and cancer cells cannot multiply. Dr. Neil Kay of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. is confident that the compound EGCG will be of benefit especially in the treatment of early-stage patients. In the meantime, a flavorful soothing cup of green tea has its benefits.
Based on National Review of Medicine (Canada), April 30,2004
Take A Deep Breath For Insulin
Patients with diabetes sometimes find it difficult to face the daily insulin injections. Studies by Dr. Robert A. Gerber from Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, Mass. are showing that improvements in the lab tests for the diabetes marker hemoglobin A1C were similar for patients who received insulin inhalations to those patients who received the conventional injections.
The ease of use, comfort, as well as the overall satisfaction of inhalation as opposed to injection rated high. Long term improvement in the control of blood sugar is maintained up to the 1 year follow-up. In the future the patients may very well have the choice between inhalation and injection of insulin. Even though the 1 year follow-up results are in, longer follow-up studies are needed, before insulin shots become a thing of the past.
Based on Diabetes Care 2004; 27:1318-1323
Cellulite - Quacks And Facts
California dermatologist Dr. Mitchell Goldman presented an overview at the American Academy of Dermotology, and stated that there are many types of treatment options available to combat cellulite including creams, massage, diet, and exercise. He cautions however, that nobody at this time has done a study which evaluates the 20 creams that are currently on the market. It is true that a large variety of ingredients in the creams directly help stimulating the fat metabolism, increasing circulation and lymphatic flow.
He suggests to his patients to try a product for a month, and if there is no improvement, a switch to a different one should be made. The effectiveness of the creams can be enhanced by wearing bioceramic neoprene shorts. They look like normal work-out shorts, and wearing them a couple of hours per day can keep the cellulite from coming back. Endermology is another treatment which can be useful with cellulite reduction: a mechanical action gently folds and unfolds the affected skin areas under the continous action of rollers. These rollers help improve the microcirculation, stimulate fluid exchange and improve overall cell function.
A variety of scams for treatment lurks on the Internet. Patients seeking treatment should be cautious about the most commonly advertised rip-off treatment called "mesotherapy". It involves injecting toxic substances into the body, including carbon dioxide gas. There has never been a scientific study which proves that it works, yet there is a great deal of publicity enticing patients to try it. It is also important that patients are informed that cellulite is a condition that can be successfully treated, but it cannot be cured. Once you stop using the cream or the controlling treatment, the cellulite will return.
Based on The Medical Post, March 2, 2004, p. 21
New Antibody Treatment For Colon Cancer
The drug Cetuximab landed Martha Stewart in the middle of an insider-trading scandal back in December of 2001. Inside information stated that the FDA had turned down the application for this drug in December. However, now there is good news for patients.
The FDA has recently approved the drug, also known as Erbitux. The medication offers treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who are not tolerating chemotherapy with irinotecan. The most innovative feature of Erbitux is the fact, that it is the first-of-its-kind antibody that inhibits a specific protein, which in turn stops cell division of cancer cells. Clinical trials that were done in Europe consisted of testing stage III colorectal cancer patients with irinotecan (chemotherapeutic agent) alone or in combination with Cetuximab. The survival advantage was almost 9 months better in the combination group. Cetuximab alone also had a certain effect, but was not as good as the combination therapy. In the next few years more of these new antibody therapies will be tested in clinical trials to check out the safety and the effectiveness in various cancer types.
Based on a paper by Harris M - Lancet Oncol - 01-MAY-2004; 5(5): 292-302: "Monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic agents for cancer".
Eczema - More Than Skin Deep
Dermatologists have seen more than a threefold increase of eczema in the last thirty years. The condition is common especially in childhood. Skin irritants can play a role. Dr. Harvey Lui, Professor for Dermatology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, also observed, that eczema is much more common in the Asian population. Patients who came from the warmer climate of Southeast Asia and are exposed to a harsher, colder climate will get into trouble more easily, as dryness of the skin will aggravate the skin condition.
Dr. Lui also stresses, that patient education about sensible skin care is of great importance. Fighting fire with fire - like taking a hot shower to combat itchy and dry skin- will make things worse in the long run. Inflamed skin needs to be kept cool. Dr. Lui also stresses that skin has to be kept from drying out. These simple measures for which no prescription is needed are often neglected.
In severe cases the traditional steroid cream has been replaced by preparations, which have an effect on the immune response. Dr. Lui explains that eczema is partially an exaggerated response of the immune system to whatever is noxious or irritating in the environment. The medication tacrolimus (Prograf) is a naturally derived compound that makes the immune cells (T-cells) less active, as they are responsible for the overactive response. It is called an "immunomodulator". Due to this knowledge more treatment options are available than in the past. Atopic eczema is very often combined with asthma and allergies and tends to run in families.As the immune system gets strengthened during childhood, eczema tends to be worse in the young person, and time can be the greatest ally in the healing process.
The Medical Post, March 2, 2004 (p.2 and 65) and "Guidelines of care for atopic dermatitis"
Hanifin J - J Am Acad Dermatol - 2004 Mar; 50(3), p.391
