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Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic
MUTATED MEASLES VIRUS SHOWS PROMISE AS CANCER TREATMENT
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I saw a news story about a cancer treatment you
are working on that uses a mutated measles virus to kill cancer cells.
My wife was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme just over a year ago.
She is only 33 years old and otherwise healthy. She has had two surgeries
and two chemotherapy treatments that are only holding the cancer in check.
We are interested in information you could give us on this treatment.
— Benton, Ill.
ANSWER: The treatment you heard about was the result of research
from Mayo Clinic’s Molecular Medicine Program — a team of investigators
who are transforming viruses into cancer-fighting tools.
We have known for some time that the wild form of measles can kill blood
cancer cells. When our team discovered the virus had potential to destroy
solid tumors as well, we began engineering a version that could be used
to treat these cancers. The result was the virus MV-CEA.
Studies found that treatment with MV-CEA resulted in regression of 80
percent of ovarian tumors in mice. Based on that promising data, in 2004
we launched a clinical trial of MV-CEA involving women with ovarian cancer.
Results from this ongoing study have helped us plan the next stage of MV-CEA research,
including application of the virus to tumors that begin in the brain,
such as glioblastoma multiforme.
Our 2003 study found that mice with glioblastoma multiforme
that were treated with MV-CEA had significant reduction in the size of
their tumors, and they lived longer. In 2006, we plan to begin a clinical
trial to study the effectiveness of MV-CEA in patients with glioblastoma
multiforme. Funding for developing this study comes from a Specialized Programs of
Research Excellence grant for brain cancer research that is awarded by
the National Institutes of Health.
Research clinical trials usually offer the latest treatments available.
If your wife is interested in participating in a clinical trial, I encourage
her to talk with an oncologist about studies that may be appropriate for
her.
— Evanthia Galanis, M.D., Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Additional Resources:
Cancer
Treatment
Appointment
Information
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have lost almost 100 pounds after gastric
bypass surgery and have about 60 pounds to go to meet my goal. I still
have a lot of fat around my thighs, and while they keep getting smaller,
the ugly fat is still there. Is there any exercise that I can add to my
regimen to get rid of this, or should I consider surgery? — Springfield,
Mo.
ANSWER: Congratulations on your weight loss!
With gastric bypass surgery, the potential post-surgical issues are often
more complicated than the initial surgery. Two common problems are excess
skin (poor elasticity) and concentrated areas of remaining fat. You are
likely experiencing the combination, and surgery is the only solution.
Most gastric bypass patients were unhappy with their appearance when they
were obese, and while they may be healthier and feel better after losing
weight, they are still displeased with excess skin and concentrated areas
of fat. The inner thigh area retains fat more than any other part of the
body. In fact, an individual of normal body weight can have a collection
of fat in this area. Furthermore, individuals can be genetically predisposed
to hold fat in certain parts of their bodies. These areas will also have
more excess skin following gastric bypass surgery.
There is no exercise or nonsurgical technique that will fix these problems,
so surgery is often needed — a skin-tightening procedure for the excess
skin and liposuction for the areas of fat. Gastric bypass patients often
have such surgeries in their abdomen, arms, face and the inner thighs.
It is important to remember that achieving your healthy body weight is
a long-term process. The best time to have these procedures is three to
six months after your weight has stabilized. You should discuss the timing
and options with a plastic surgeon.
— Paul M. Petty, M.D., Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Additional Resources:
Plastic
and Reconstructive Surgery at Mayo Clinic
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Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t
replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org,
or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite
114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.
© 2005 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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