(Press-News.org) BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Will a drug used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other pediatric cancers cause heart problems later in life?
UB associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, Javier G. Blanco, PhD, who sees his work as a bridge between research and clinical practice, has focused recent efforts on trying to answer this question.
Blanco and colleagues' recent study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology looked for the underlying genetic answers to why some childhood cancer survivors who were treated with anthracylines -- powerful antibiotics like Adriamycin and Daunomycin -- developed cardiomyopathy, such as congestive heart failure, later in life.
"Anthracyclines are effective drugs used to treat a variety of pediatric cancers, they are also used to treat breast cancer and other malignancies in adults," Blanco says. "After cancer, survivors can develop cardiac toxicity anywhere from one year to more than 15 years after the initial chemotherapy with anthracyclines. The window separating the effectiveness of these drugs from their toxicity is narrow. The dosage has to be precise to achieve a therapeutic effect without toxicity."
Blanco explains that the key to individualizing any drug treatment comes down to understanding the way an individual is genetically coded to respond to the drug once it enters the body, and then adjusting the dose accordingly.
A photo of Blanco is available here: http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13076.
Working closely with Smita Bhatia, MD, MPH, chair of the Department of Population Sciences at City of Hope National Medical Center in California and senior author of the study, Blanco and a team of researchers decided to look at how the drug was broken down by enzymes encoded by specific genes.
The study, which began seven years ago, compared DNA genotypes of 170 childhood cancer survivors diagnosed with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy to a control group of 317 survivors without heart disease.
Using the candidate gene approach, Blanco and his team were able to identify a tiny gene variant related to the risk of cardiotoxicity.
"We pinpointed the genetic difference or polymorphism that makes an enzyme work faster or slower in patients," said Blanco, "slower is better."
They zeroed-in on carbonyl reductases (CBR1 and CBR3) -- two enzymes that break down anthracyclines into cardiotoxic alcohol metabolites. Blanco notes that in mouse models, higher levels of CBRs or faster enzymes dictate higher levels of these metabolites -- and more cardio toxicity.
The research showed that the risk of cardiomyopathy was significantly increased among individuals with two copies of the "G" version of the CBR3 polymorphism when exposed to low-to-moderate doses of anthracycline.
Blanco says that while the results of the study validated the findings of an earlier study in a totally independent cohort of cancer survivors, further study is required.
"We have to be careful," says Blanco. "So far, we are showing an association, not yet causation. Our next step will be to conduct a prospective study -- where we don't study individuals who were exposed to anthracyclines in the past but follow them in real time as they are receiving the drug and after."
What does this mean for children who are taking or have taken anthracyclines?
"If we stop using anthracyclines we will not be able to cure up to 90 percent of the children who suffer from acute lymphoblastic leukemia." Blanco says. "Parents must continue to have their children's health monitored long after the cancer is cured to identify cardiac problems if they develop."
###Blanco's research is primarily funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, among many others.
The Children's Oncology Group (COG), whose mission is to eradicate childhood cancer, issued the study report. COG also provided the group of researchers Blanco collaborated with and helped to provide the study's subjects. The COG unites more than 7,500 experts in over 200 children's hospitals, universities and cancer centers. Blanco has been a member of the COG since 2001.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.
Childhood cancer drugs cure now, may cause problems later, UB research shows
Study indicates that drug toxicity may be related to genetic factors
2011-12-19
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
"Support Rambam Hospital" Program is The Next Step in XIM's Charity Plan.
2011-12-19
To relieve patients and former patients of the Rambam Hospital who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or in need of financial assistance and generally to support the charitable works of the said hospital is the main object of Xtra Information Management Inc and Rambam Hospital cooperation in the charity program.
Rambam Hospital serves as a referral medical center and Level-1 trauma center, employing a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. XIM's employees voted to establish a "Support Rambam Hospital" program committing their time ...
UCLA physicists report nanotechnology feat with proteins
2011-12-19
The new measurements, by UCLA physics professor Giovanni Zocchi and former UCLA physics graduate student Yong Wang, are approximately 100 times higher in resolution than previous mechanical measurements, a nanotechnology feat which reveals an isolated protein molecule, surprisingly, is neither a solid nor a liquid. "Proteins are the molecular machines of life, the molecules we are made of," Zocchi said. "We have found that sometimes they behave as a solid and sometimes as a liquid.
"Solids have a shape while liquids flow — for simple materials at low stresses. However, ...
Regulatory enzyme overexpression may protect against neurodegeneration in Huntington's disease
2011-12-19
Treatment that increases brain levels of an important regulatory enzyme may slow the loss of brain cells that characterizes Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. In a report receiving advance online publication in Nature Medicine, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based research team reports that increased expression of Sirt1, one of a family of enzymes called sirtuins, in the brain of a mouse model of HD protected against neurodegeneration. They also identified a potential mechanism for this protective effect.
"Diseases such as Huntington's, ...
Dakota Dental Clinic Suggests Preventative Strategies To Protect Teeth During The Holidays
2011-12-19
Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dentistry is wishing the community a happy holiday season while reminding individuals of simple strategies to prevent dental damage from holiday celebrations that could linger throughout the new year.
"Whether it's the platter of holiday cookies and fudge, or the alcoholic beverages served at social gatherings, the holiday season can place an extra strain on dental and oral health." says, Apple Valley dentist, Dr. Shelley Wakefield. "Fortunately, with some understanding and a few preventative strategies, people can enjoy holiday ...
Immunological defense mechanism leaves malaria patients vulnerable to deadly infection
2011-12-19
The link between malaria and salmonella infections has been explained for the first time, opening the way to more effective treatments.
Malaria patients are at high risk of developing fatal bacterial infections, especially salmonella infections. This is commonly believed to be due to generalised immunosuppression by malaria, whereby the entire immune system is weakened and compromised.
However, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have discovered that the increased vulnerability to salmonella infections is a side effect of the body's attempts ...
Upper atmosphere facilitates changes that let mercury enter food chain
2011-12-19
Humans pump thousands of tons of vapor from the metallic element mercury into the atmosphere each year, and it can remain suspended for long periods before being changed into a form that is easily removed from the atmosphere.
New research shows that the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere work to transform elemental mercury into oxidized mercury, which can easily be deposited into aquatic ecosystems and ultimately enter the food chain.
"The upper atmosphere is acting as a chemical reactor to make the mercury more able to be deposited to ecosystems," said Seth ...
Latania Studios and Apartments Announces Luxurious Facilities for Tourists
2011-12-19
"Latania Studios and Apartments", also known as Latania Crete Hotel, announces luxurious facilities for tourist who want a decent accommodation waiting for their arrival. There are many hotels in Crete but what makes this hotel special is its way of preserving this Island's cultures and traditions. The hotel does not have a monetary policy for everything, they strive more to conserve the living style of the place by maintaining a standard none other hotels can.
Majority of the tourist chose these apartments because of their rates which are cheap for the luxury ...
A 50-year quest to isolate the thermoelectric effect is now over: Magnon drag unveiled
2011-12-19
As electrons move past atoms in a solid, their charge distorts the nearby lattice and can create a wave. Reciprocally, a wave in the lattice affects the electrons motion, in analogy to a wave in the sea that pushes a surfer riding it. This interaction results in a thermoelectric effect that was first observed during the 1950´s and has come to be known as phonon-drag, because it can be quantified from the flow of lattice-wave quanta (phonons) that occurs over the temperature gradient.
Soon after the discovery of the phonon drag, an analogous phenomenon was predicted to ...
Premier Hotels of the World and Availpro Announce Extended Partnership
2011-12-19
Premier Hotels of the World announces today its extended Partnership with Availpro the Industry Leader in Online Distribution for Hotels.
Availpro and Premier Hotels of the World work together to develop a unique Online Distribution Extranet Solution including Booking Engines(Web based, Mobile and Facebook), Smart Channel Manager, Rate Screener, and Guest Satisfaction tool to be included into the Premier Connect Suite that already includes a State of the Art cloud based PMS and POS system.
To achieve this Availpro has developed advanced technological solutions, ...
Signalman Publishing Announces Release of "Symbolic Logic and the Binomial Expansion"
2011-12-19
Signalman Publishing is proud to announce the release in paperback and as an ebook for the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble nook and the Apple iBookstore, of "Symbolic Logic and the Binomial Expansion: Two Math Projects" by mathematician and educator Richard Forringer of Durham, North Carolina.
"Symbolic Logic and the Binomial Expansion" are subjects that are often mentioned in High School and College math courses. The two projects contained in this book have been carefully developed by veteran educator, Dick Forringer, to help the student achieve ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Hear here: How loudness and acoustic cues help us judge where a speaker is facing
A unique method of rare-earth recycling can strengthen the raw material independence of Europe and America
Epilepsy self-management program shows promise to control seizures, improve mood and quality of life
Fat may play an important role in brain metabolism
New study finds no lasting impact of pandemic pet ownership on human well-being
New insights on genetic damage of some chemotherapies could guide future treatments with less harmful side effects
Gut microbes could protect us from toxic ‘forever chemicals’
Novel modelling links sea ice loss to Antarctic ice shelf calving events
Scientists can tell how fast you're aging from a single brain scan
U.S. uterine cancer incidence and mortality rates expected to significantly increase by 2050
Public take the lead in discovery of new exploding star
What are they vaping? Study reveals alarming surge in adolescent vaping of THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids
ECMWF - delivering forecasts over 10 times faster and cutting energy usage by 1000
Brazilian neuroscientist reveals how viral infections transform the brain through microscopic detective work
Turning social fragmentation into action through discovering relatedness
Cheese may really be giving you nightmares, scientists find
Study reveals most common medical emergencies in schools
Breathable yet protective: Next-gen medical textiles with micro/nano networks
Frequency-engineered MXene supercapacitors enable efficient pulse charging in TENG–SC hybrid systems
Developed an AI-based classification system for facial pigmented lesions
Achieving 20% efficiency in halogen-free organic solar cells via isomeric additive-mediated sequential processing
New book Terraglossia reclaims language, Country and culture
The most effective diabetes drugs don't reach enough patients yet
Breast cancer risk in younger women may be influenced by hormone therapy
Strategies for staying smoke-free after rehab
Commentary questions the potential benefit of levothyroxine treatment of mild hypothyroidism during pregnancy
Study projects over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030 if USAID defunding continues
New study reveals 33% gap in transplant access for UK’s poorest children
Dysregulated epigenetic memory in early embryos offers new clues to the inheritance of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
IVF and IUI pregnancy rates remain stable across Europe, despite an increasing uptake of single embryo transfer
[Press-News.org] Childhood cancer drugs cure now, may cause problems later, UB research showsStudy indicates that drug toxicity may be related to genetic factors