Looking into the role of Ciprofloxacin in cancer cell apoptosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States among cancers that affect both men and women.
Screening lowers colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. CRC is preventable through the removal of premalignant polyps and is curable if diagnosed early. Increased CRC screening and reduced CRC incidence and mortality are among the Healthy People 2020 objectives.
What if CRC could be prevented, at least to a certain degree?

Here an interesting finding that will need further research and require validation in the endeavor to prevent cancer, CRC being a priority target:
Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Oct;23(5):373-5. Epub 2010 Mar 6.
"Ciprofloxacin can significantly affect eukaryotic cells including human cancer cells. Its bactericidal action relay on inhibition of topoisomerase II, enzyme responsible for alterations in 3D structure of DNA during replication, transcription and chromatin condensation. Thanks to that, ciprofloxacin can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of cancer cells."

The stakes are high. Lives can be saved. The cost to society for premature death from CRC are too high - we need to become even more proactive than with screening alone.
The medical and societal costs of CRC are substantial. Estimated direct medical costs for CRC care in 2010 were $14 billion, with projected costs of up to $20 billion by 2020 (13). In 2006, estimated lost productivity costs for persons who died from CRC were $15.3 billion (14). This equals $288,468 of lost productivity per CRC death in 2006 (14). Screening costs per person vary by test. The lifetime (age 50--80 years) average per person cost of screening ranges from $71 per person for guaiac-based FOBT to $1,397 per person for colonoscopy (15).

Comprehensive Health Intervention Program to Reverse Breast Cancer Mortality in El Paso, TX

We started the application process for a 3-year CPRIT Company Formation Award for our "Comprehensive Health Intervention Program to Reverse Breast Cancer Mortality in El Paso, TX":

CP130064, Application Abstract

This Comprehensive Health Intervention Program to Reverse Breast Cancer Mortality fills the need for a global breast cancer research, prevention,treatment and survivorship program for the underserved and underinsured Hispanic and African-American population on the greater Eastside of the city and county of El Paso.Primary goal is the reversal of breast cancer mortality.However,other health issues are expected to be discovered, we anticipate to find Diabetes Mellitus II, High blood pressure, Anemia, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and cancers of other sites than the Breast. Patients will be referred to nearest available care for those conditions and invited to join our cancer prevention program for free. Monitoring of their weight,education about healthy diet, physical activity and the benefit of screening will be offered to them. Laboratory research collaboration with Dr.Kirken, chair of the Dept of Biology, UTEP, to understand the specificity of the basal cell type breast cancer (a more aggressive cancer seen in minority populations), six molecular targets and the role of e-Cadherine and Metalloproteases.Mobile applications as developed by CPRIT grantee will help monitor patients' efforts and send critical updates on prevention, treatment schedule, track and encourage their healthy lifestyle efforts such as weight control, healthy diet and regular physical activity.The Survivorship Center will offer all standard medical services and a welcoming environment for patients in treatment.

CP130064, Executive Summary

The Coalition for the Reversal of Breast Cancer Mortality in African American Women is a Coalition about research, awareness, prevention, treatment and survivorship of Breast Cancer and all cancers, including targeted scientific research and a grassroots approach to increase screening for cancer, especially in the low income and under-insured population of El Paso, Texas, with a view to expand this new health care model to many other 'minority' populations across the United States and beyond.

The CRBCM’s reason for existence is to combat the famous “Breast Cancer Mortality Paradox” that has been known to exist for years. The paradox states that the incidence of Breast Cancer in minority populations (African American and Hispanic populations) is lower when compared with that in White women. However, their mortality rate is 40% to 70% higher than in White women.

This projects includes the Provision of Services to Patients and the Creation of Infrastructure for a Permanent and Comprehensive Cancer Center on the East side of El Paso to serve this population now and in the future in its needs for the best cancer treatments, most cost efficient medical and psycho-social care in a culturally appropriate setting where patients feel welcome and cared about like members of a large family to which they will stay linked as survivors in order to maintain the benefits of lifestyle changes including weight management, healthy diet, physical activity and regular follow-ups and screenings in their cancer care.

This project is unique as it to feed latest research findings as quickly as possible into research intervention programs in order to benefit patients in an easily accessible and understandable grassroots approach. The long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle and education to raise awareness of risk factors together with a clear understanding of the benefits of appropriate screening routines will, hopefully, allow to improve the overall health of the El Paso population.

The cost/fee per patient care model is a dynamic one where all stakeholders push for efficiency and appropriateness of interventions and avoid wastage of precious resources wherever possible.

The use of mobile technology to communicate with the patient community in an active and regular way seems to be the future of an efficient and beneficial health care model. These technologies can also easily be tailored to language and socio-cultural specific sets of population and therefore increase the positive impact on public health of all these educational and improved healthy lifestyle behavior efforts.

CP130064 / Coalition for the Reversal of Breast Cancer Mortality in African American Women 

Texas, CPRIT and and the Governor, enough with ignoring EL PASO.
Women from El Paso have to starve themselves in front of the White House
to attract attention in a state that can give 3 billions to a club of people who practice
blatant selective attribution of public money.  It is not that we did not try...we have projects submitted
to various organizations that are supposed to be fair!  We are hitting an intangible wall.
Those who have been admitted, such as BRC/BioAlliance of Houston are trying to keep us out of the race!
We will continue to fight...Funding to BioAlliance needs further investigation...
Until our voices are heard and funding is sent to El Paso projects, we will not rest.

Reminder as needs still huge: Border Women Strike for Visibility

By Ambreen Ali Nov. 16, 2010 – 10:46 a.m.

The Obamas had visitors waiting for them when they returned from their Asia trip this week.
Eight women from El Paso, Texas, have been holding daily vigils outside the White House since Nov. 8 in an effort to get government funding for their community.
They have also been on a hunger strike since that date, relying on water and a mixture of water, sugar and salt to restore electrolytes.
It’s a drastic step for what they say is a desperate situation — unemployment and poverty levels that are among the highest in the country.

“We’re basically invisible,” Lorena Andrade, one of the activists. “We had to come here to make ourselves visible.”
The group called La Mujer Obrera, or The Working Woman, wants Congress and the White House to fund a commission that would direct development funds to the border community.
One model could be the Appalachian Regional Commission, set up by President John F. Kennedy in 1964. The women hope President Barack Obama or the first lady will consider a trip to the region such as the one that inspired Kennedy to create the panel.
They delivered a letter to Michelle Obama on Monday, appealing to her woman to woman.
“We are not victims,” they wrote. “We are rebuilding our communities with dignified courage. As women, we know we have and are exercising, the right to determine our own destiny.”
El Paso’s Rep. Silvestre Reyes, a Democrat, helped set up a government commission for the region’s development, but it remains unfunded.
La Mujer Obrera has three demands: for the government to organize a summit of federal agencies to discuss border needs, set aside money for the border commission, and promise to include local women in the decision making.
They have already laid out those demands in meetings with the Departments of Agriculture, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development. They expect to meet with the State Department later this week.
The women say they want to be home for Thanksgiving, but they are willing to stay if their demands are not met.
“We get a lot of support and acknowledgment but we want something in writing,” Rubi Orozco, a spokeswoman for the group, said. “We have left before with that kind of pat on the head, and it doesn’t materialize into anything.”
Orozco said there was an irony in border residents having such few resources when so much money is spent on border security.
“The region gets loads of money but it goes to the fence and security,” she said, adding that the jobs for those projects rarely go to locals.
Many of the women active with the group are former garment workers who lost their jobs when the factories in their area moved to Mexico.
Today, they have refurbished those factories into day care centers and shops to sell imported artisan handiwork from Mexico.
“This is another definition to border security,” Cindy Alford, also with the group, said. “Genuine border security has to include sustainable communities.”http://www.congress.org/news/border-women-strike-for-visibility/

Hypothesis for Cancer Research: Mucinous Cancer

One of the bad types of gastroenterologic cancers such as Gastric and Colon cancers is the one known as Mucinous Cancer.  Basically, this cancer produces a Mucin assumed to be a viscous liquid surrounding the cell.  This tumor spreads early and deeply. At the time it is found, most of the time, the cancer is in advanced stage.  Researchers have explained this phenomenon by stating that this Mucin contains many ingredients suppressive to immunity (including Cytokines), and soluble Molecules (such as Prostaglandin E2) that may down regulate local immunity against the cancer.  It may also have those metalloproteases that we discussed in our earlier post for research suggestions on Oct, 14, 2012
Prostaglandins in general respond to anti inflammatory agents.
CAN WE MEASURE THE LEVEL OF TISSUE PROSTAGLANDINS IN MUCINOUS CANCERS AS A PREDICTOR OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (ASPIRIN) MAINTENANCE THERAPY POST PRIMARY TREATMENT TO DECREASE RATE OF METASTASIS IN COLON AND GASTRIC CANCERS?

CAN ANTI-MUCIN (AFTER WE KNOW THE REAL CONTENT FOR SPECIFIC CANCER TISSUE) PROVIDE AN INCREASE OF ANTIBODY BINDING TO CANCER CELLS?

TREG CELLS are cells involved in tolerance of our own cells.  They work to stop us from killing our own cells.  ARE THEY INCREASED IN CANCERS TO DECREASE CELLULAR IMMUNITY AGAINST CANCERS?

CANCER CELLS SEEMS TO HAVE A SELF GROWTH HORMONE WHICH IS SECRETED IN ITS IMMEDIATE SURROUNDING.  THIS HORMONE ACTS THROUGH RECEPTORS ON THE EXTERNAL MEMBRANE OF THE CELL.  THE PROFILE OF RECEPTORS ON CANCER MEMBRANES IS DEFINITELY DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL CELL.  WHY CAN'T WE PRACTICE "PROFILING" BY INVENTORYING ALL THE RECEPTORS (OR CRITICAL RECEPTORS)?
RECEPTORS ARE MADE BY GENES MOSTLY, WE CAN CONTROL THESE THROUGH OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GENETICS.  IF WE KNOW RECEPTORS EXCLUSIVE TO CANCER CELLS,
CAN WE DEVELOP ANTIBODY TO THESE RECEPTORS?

 

Letter to President Obama

Letter to President Barack Obama (D): Contact Your Federal Officials

President Barack Obama (D-US) 1st term · More Letters to   President Obama · Search All   Letters See Vice President See First Lady Letters To Leaders All messages are published with permission of the sender. The general topic of this message is Women's Issues: Subject: Contact Your Federal Officials To: President Barack Obama Sen. John Cornyn Rep. Silvestre Reyes Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison May 21, 2012  Coalition for the Reversal of Breast Cancer Mortality in African American Women: Dear Mr President, Dear Senators, Dear Representatives, the Coalition I represent would like to call your attention upon the following issue: Of the estimated 6,040 annual deaths in the African American community because of Breast Cancer, up to 3,000 could be prevented. My own mother died of breast cancer and I promised her that I will do something on her behalf before I pass on. I would be glad to forward the full set of statistical and scientific data that supports our findings. With the CRBCM we are now calling for a formal acknowledgement of this issue and a promise that a 10-year priority program should seek the reversal of this mortality of innocent African American women. Let us invest in saving lives at home. 3,000 African American women will die this year alone and effective action is urgently needed. The reasons why African American Women are still today missing out on appropriate and timely screening for breast cancer and early intervention have been researched, analyzed and published. No tangible measures, however, have been suggested to bridge the gap between existing resources, the wealth of scientific and socio-economic knowledge and the effective communication with the African American women who keep missing out on this specific type of time sensitive health care. In the evolving history of breast cancer mortality, interventions by leaders have proven to be effective. Mammograms, the cessation of hormone replacement therapy, the discovery of the BRCA Mutation, all have proven effective in reducing mortality, and led to an adjustment of treatment guidelines. The next main action with the largest impact is to invest in interventions to curb the breast cancer mortality in African American women who take the brunt by their heavy share of reversible mortality. The present Coalition proposes an action plan to reach out to these women who live outside the traditional healthcare and social safety nets in our nation, so that they can finally benefit from the free breast cancer prevention programs that have been made available since 2000. The Coalition will also push for improved and specific breast cancer screening for this segment of the population and initiate further research into the specificity of the histology of breast cancer in African American women as it had been accomplished for the 1% of women of Ashkenazi Jewish descendence with the BRCA mutation and consequently modified guidelines. With advances in radiologic detection methods and genetics (the human genome is decoded) it is time to see the decrease of breast cancer mortality in African American women as a reachable and objective goal within 10 years. I am calling to your human side and compassion to pay closer attention to this priority problem. El Paso , TX

Letter to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas): Contact Your Federal Officials

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) 4th-term Republican from Texas.
· More Letters to   Sen. Hutchison · Search All   Letters		Letters To Leaders All messages are published with permission of the sender. The general topic of this message is Women's Issues: Subject: Contact Your Federal Officials To: President Barack Obama Sen. John Cornyn Rep. Silvestre Reyes Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison May 21, 2012  Coalition for the Reversal of Breast Cancer Mortality in African American Women: Dear Mr President, Dear Senators, Dear Representatives, the Coalition I represent would like to call your attention upon the following issue: Of the estimated 6,040 annual deaths in the African American community because of Breast Cancer, up to 3,000 could be prevented. My own mother died of breast cancer and I promised her that I will do something on her behalf before I pass on. I would be glad to forward the full set of statistical and scientific data that supports our findings. With the CRBCM we are now calling for a formal acknowledgement of this issue and a promise that a 10-year priority program should seek the reversal of this mortality of innocent African American women. Let us invest in saving lives at home. 3,000 African American women will die this year alone and effective action is urgently needed. The reasons why African American Women are still today missing out on appropriate and timely screening for breast cancer and early intervention have been researched, analyzed and published. No tangible measures, however, have been suggested to bridge the gap between existing resources, the wealth of scientific and socio-economic knowledge and the effective communication with the African American women who keep missing out on this specific type of time sensitive health care. In the evolving history of breast cancer mortality, interventions by leaders have proven to be effective. Mammograms, the cessation of hormone replacement therapy, the discovery of the BRCA Mutation, all have proven effective in reducing mortality, and led to an adjustment of treatment guidelines. The next main action with the largest impact is to invest in interventions to curb the breast cancer mortality in African American women who take the brunt by their heavy share of reversible mortality. The present Coalition proposes an action plan to reach out to these women who live outside the traditional healthcare and social safety nets in our nation, so that they can finally benefit from the free breast cancer prevention programs that have been made available since 2000. The Coalition will also push for improved and specific breast cancer screening for this segment of the population and initiate further research into the specificity of the histology of breast cancer in African American women as it had been accomplished for the 1% of women of Ashkenazi Jewish descendence with the BRCA mutation and consequently modified guidelines. With advances in radiologic detection methods and genetics (the human genome is decoded) it is time to see the decrease of breast cancer mortality in African American women as a reachable and objective goal within 10 years. I am calling to your human side and compassion to pay closer attention to this priority problem. Dr Kankonde (Applicant to CPRIT) El Paso , TX

The CPRIT experience

The CRBCM has been considering the creation of an independent CPRIT monitor organization for future generations to learn about government initiatives as it pertains to health promotion and research.  We have 3 years of experience and 7 more to go.  One thing is for sure, this will be an exciting endeavor.  With its ups and downs and our own participation in the submission process to collect data, we look forward to an exciting observation.

CPRIT was created by the Texas legislature to achieve Prevention and cancer research.  With 3 billion Dollars in its coffers to spend on a 10 years period, it is in Texas the most powerful government  health funding organization. Most organizations succeed when the CEO has a vision.  This vision is the unbiased compass that helps choose the organization's path, and resist multiple influences that are bound to happen.  Sorting through the maze of vultures cannot occur without a strong soul to the CEO of the organization.  This is why you need a VISION, Intelligence and Boldness to lead such an organization.  This is CPRIT's challenge.  The legislature had the will and the purse, the CEO needs a soul, vision, the smartness and the boldness to lead towards the goal without being swayed by all kinds of pressures.

When it comes to research, Universities feel entitled because they have the people, the infrastructure and the staff. They provide a safe path when it comes to secure investment for CPRIT.  Biotech companies follow in line mostly because they have the equipment and technology.  CPRIT has responded to this Lobby by pouring 85% of its initial disbursement to these 2 groups.  The problem is that Universities and Biotech Companies can only hire so many, limiting thus job creation and the pool of ideas.  Biotech companies want to locate in certain cities, close to the universities,  thus limiting the impact or foot print of CPRIT. ( After Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth),  El Paso for example, the 6th city in Texas, has received 1 (one) percent of CPRIT disbursement  to date while Houston, San Antonio and Austin received the Lion Share despite the existence of a University in El Paso (UTEP).  This is about who you know and nothing else really. However, like in any low income community, this is where government intervention will have the largest impact in the community -  if the CPRIT foot print is a genuine priority.

The emphasis on Biotech has taken a turn at CPRIT.  There is a perception that there is a fundamental lack of strong Biotech companies in Texas, so CPRIT has hired BioAlliance to vigorously search for out of state companies.  This is being done sometimes at the disadvantage of local companies who can easily expand to provide the same service with only researcher hiring.  A lack of organized use of local community Oncologists is now leading to a crisis.  Too many unused Biotech equipments and labs in some cities.  There is no guarantee that these biotech  companies will stay in Texas with this mounting problem or after CPRIT funding is exhausted.   After having received funds for certain equipment, other funding foundations are finding that the equipment is not used for the intended purpose during or after the period of the mission at hand   Foreign or out of state companies can switch allegiance.  So things need to be kept in proportion and moderation.  The push for Commercialization makes sense for the Survival of CPRIT and continuation of the individual programs.  However, the danger of skewing our emphasis looms around the corner.  Prevention will take a significant brunt in its loss of the support unless serious survivorship programs are considered.  Survivorship programs are a more secure investment for CPRIT, because services under these categories are reimbursed by the federal government.  The idea that a new product of significant potential interest will result in positive financial return, is more of a gamble.  And the impact on living Texans will be more immediate and a sure thing with a survivorship program than it is in the hope of a big discovery.

CRBCM will seek the support of President Obama, Rick Perry (our governor) and local senator and congressmen to weigh in this issue.  CRBCM is a coalition.  And Coalitions are made to fight until the opposition comes to its senses for progress to occur!

Meeting with CPRIT/BioAlliance in Houston, Texas

Following CPRIT recommendation in its latest RFA (Company formation), we submitted for "help" our proposal for review to DR Jeffrey Larson. We were cordially invited to meet at the BRC/ Texas Bioalliance on 6500 Main street today on the 10th floor today November 8th, 2012.  We showed up on time.  We met with Dr Larson and Paul Cossum, the president of the Texas BioAlliance.  Suffice is to say that the 2 men had no clue what the RFA was about.  Paul Cossum was frank: "I did not read your project".   Dr Larson spoke about " your project to open a clinic"
(as opposed to what it is: A comprehensive cancer program including education, prevention, treatment and survivorship).  He apologized because his specialty is "Commercialization".  He is more into bringing Companies from out of State, not  for reviewing project for small businesses inside Texas.  Paul Cossum did not even bother to "read" what was submitted, but already suggested that it was not what they do.  The color of my skin played into this...not read something I spent days writing.

CPRIT has been hijacked by Universities and big companies.  CPRIT has been so focused on attracting new technologies to Texas that it has forgotten that it needs people who are in contact with patients to obtain samples to be tested (and to boost clinical trial participation).  CPRIT is forgetting that it needs expansion of screening for cancer to have more samples to process.  No wonder why we met at the last convention of CPRIT many researchers with big equipment bought through CPRIT funding but lacking connection with Oncologists and patients' samples to process.  Dr Larson seemed to suggest that Commercialization through survivorship programs was not a current CPRIT interest.  Globally the project we submitted did not retain their attention.  They even kindly suggested that we are better off sending our project to the Lance Amstrong Foundation instead.  (if it is good for that foundation, why was it irrelevent to CPRIT?)

What DR Larson and Paul Cossum forgot is that we are a Coalition.  We are going to fight even all the way to the State Supreme Court to make a point.  The Coalition fights for a cure and saving lives, even if we may die in the process!

CPRIT has been taken over by politicians, Universities, large Tech and marketing Companies.
Clinicians are on the sidelines looking in. Some don't want to waste their energy.  Some clinicians are trying to stay away.

Don't hate me because I told the truth.  It is sad to see discrimination  in full display.  CPRIT was a great idea from and for the People of Texas.  Yes, I agree with DR Gilman when he said " Vultures and Hyenas" have been brought in.

The CRBCM has submitted a preliminary project to respond to the latest call for CPRIT application,
we still have not heard about our prior Request for Application.  We should hear something soon, however.  We want to maximize our chances by participating in the new call for application.

We have completed the preliminary analysis of the 65 survey responses, the ranking of Breast Cancer risk factors as perceived by the people of El Paso. Results will be posted soon.

CANCER RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:

El Paso is proud to report that UTEP has a leading Research investigator,
Dr Robert A Kirken, PHD who gave an interesting talk about "New Concepts in Cell signaling and treatment Strategies", an excellent talk to say the least.

The CRBCM intends to approach him with many ideas that may lead to Cure.  I am sure he will tell us what makes sense and what is worth pursuing. These are some of the thoughts:

1.  We know that specialized cells such as Muscle cells become "silent" or "quiescent" when it comes to cell division. These cells lose their ability to multiply. Is cell division quiescence a potential cancer control mechanism?

2. The red blood cell during its maturation loses most of its nuclear material.  The residual cell or mature red cell continues its life delivering Oxygen with a half life of 28 days or so. Can we master the reason of persistence of life in a red cell as a target therapy objective as it comes to cancer control?

3.In some Hereditary Colon cancers, the mismatch repair in gene replication fails to trigger activation of P53.
One may ask if there is a coexisting abnormality of P53?
Is there a transcription factor inhibiting P53 Activation?

4.Pattern of transcription genes in basal cell type breast cancer Vs normal breast cancer.   (by micro-array or gene sequencing. Is there an opportunity for cancer therapeutics?

5. Alteration of pattern of receptor molecules on membranes of cancer cell.  Are some receptors specific to cancer cells?

and so on...

The list of opportunities for research appears endless,
We know cure is possible, let us go get it!  And CPRIT may help us!

The secret for Cure of cancer is located in the selective apoptosis, or cancer cell death

We know there are several ways that lead to cell death.  The main 2 ways are through the Extrinsic pathway which uses Receptors located at the skin of the cell called cellular membrane (receptors such as TNF-R1 and FAS) and Intrinsic pathways that use internal proteins (i.e. Caspases) that may destroy or paralyze  the breathing and energy producing organs of the cell called mitochondria. The challenge is to control these processes in the cell, know how to trigger them, and to do this only in the cancer cells without affecting the normal cells.  We need to know how to tag cancer cells, give that tag to a killing molecule that can attach to the apoptosis receptor.  This is just one way to be looking for a cure.  The complexity and multitude of metabolic pathways presents a problem, but also opportunities to kill the cancer cell.We are in the wee hours of learning them.Target therapy is in its early hour.

When there is a mistake in the gene during replication, there is a repair mechanism. To allow that repair,
the cell needs to be slowed down in its life cycle. This slowing seems to be the main action of P53. If repair does not occur, P53 leads the cell to cell destruction/apoptosis.  That's why most cancers remove or change the P53 to stay alive. Like most Molecules in the cell, the P53 has its own path to destruction. MDM2 seems to be that path to the loss of this so important P53.  Scientists are looking at knocking down MDM2 to see if this may restore the P53 function in those conditions where the P53 is not fundamentally altered.  We will follow this for you and give an update!

The Cure is achievable we know that for sure, we need just need to become better "cell mechanics"....stay tuned...

SWAHAP Meeting Nov.2 & 3, in El Paso TX

will be present at the annual South West Association of Hispanic American Physicians Conference in El Paso Texas

GREETINGS FROM THE USA | Clement Albert | Ubetoo Store - Buy songs and MP3s

GREETINGS FROM THE USA | Clement Albert | Ubetoo Store - Buy songs and MP3s

With the purchase of Dr.Kankonde's CD Album "Greetings from the USA" you actively help support his fight to reverse breast cancer mortality. 
Every single cent goes toward the CRBCM's research, prevention, intervention and survivorship programs!
THANK YOU,  FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT!

Healthy Nutrition and Popular Wisdom

Conversations on metro buses give an interesting snapshot of popular wisdom shared about "Healthy Nutrition": "Mi esposo dice que comer mucha pasta, nueces y cachuetes durante el verano permite hacer grasa para el invierno y quedarse en buena salud." (my husband says that eating lots of pasta, nuts and peanuts during the summer allows to build up fat to stay healthy in winter).

Doing some field work in Houston for 3 weeks.
We will be tracking new CPRIT Requests for Application
Have submitted preliminary summary of our newest submission to Dr. Jeffrey Larson for review and help. Hopefully we will meet the requirements.
This work in Houston is a continuation and preparedness for work to do under the CPRIT funded project if it comes to be.

DR K.

Many exciting Research and Prevention projects: CPRIT Abstracts 2012

http://abstracts.cprit2012.org/

Pictures of CPRIT Projects and Grantees

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.380529448688631.12802222.102553776486201&type=3

Survey Data Extraction

We are working hard to rapidly bring out the results of the surveys on breast cancer risk factors, smoking cessation, physical activity and nutrition collected during the PINK Event at Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso. Stay tuned!

Interview of Dr. Mutombo Kankonde M.D.,M.Ph.by City Beat Magazine

http://www.citybeat.us/the-greater-east-cancer-center/

Building an Electronic Cancer Cell is a necessity

Natural death of cancer cells is the path to cure.
Experience of chemotherapy has shown that a blind and random attack of cancer cells is ineffective at assuring the death of cancer at a 100% curative rate. We believe that this is mostly due to the fact that chemotherapy most of the time does not inflict enough damage to the cell to lead to self destruction or Apoptosis. We believe that certain changes to the cell caused by chemotherapy could work counter the intended effect. This the basis of the trust in target therapy.
Now let us not approach Target therapy the same way we did for chemotherapy.  Target therapy has proven to work, no doubt about it. We need now to organize coordinated attacks on the cancer cells.  We know that Cancer cells' life processes seem to be organized in cascade, redundancy and escape mechanisms, but in a logical way. With one event following another.  This is why Target therapy works by cutting off or promoting upstream events in the cascade.The thing is that cells have downstream escape mechanisms, therefore that mechanism needs also to be struck down in a staged or coordinated attack.

We believe that the construction of an electronic model of a cell will help us identify gaps in the cascade of molecular events, and help identify critical new targets to go after, once these gaps are filled.
Some of the current targets
1. Adhesion Molecules
2. Cell membrane receptors
3. Signal transduction pathways
4. Transcription genes
5. Histones and promoter genes
6. Mitochondrial/ribosomes Metabolism disruption
7. Nuclear genetic material
8. Gene repair and mismatch repair mechanism
This list is not exhaustive, therefore the potential for investigation appears endless.

Ltd Governor David Dewhurst to Visit CPRIT

A surprise visit this morning at the closing of the 3rd CIPRIT Conference in Austin, Texas.
He reiterated his unwavering support for cancer research, prevention and commercialization in favor of reducing the burden of cancer on the Texas population with the hope that the findings and new developments will help save lives nationwide and worldwide. The sooner the better, we all agree!

Free LUNG CANCER Seminar TONIGHT!

You are welcome to our FREE LUNG CANCER Seminar at the Greater East Cancer Center & CRBCM located 2400 Trawood Dr, Suite 303 in the Sierra Providence Eastside Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Time: 6pm - 7pm

Your QUESTIONS are welcomed, take this opportunity to find out what you always wanted to know for sure!

We are looking forward to welcoming and meeting you tonight!
For info and directions call: 915-730-4535 or 765-969-2188

CPRIT Conference update: 
1. Cancer Genetics - implications of risk assessment for risk reduction.
2. Venture capitalists are explaining what they are looking for in fundable projects: Clear data, potential for long-term partnership, transparence and persistence - like in a marriage (their words!)

200 CPRIT Research Poster Abstracts on display!

Posters of CPRIT funded Research Projects

Networking at the CPRIT Annual Conference Austin

It is greatly inspiring and encouraging to meet and speak with current grant recipients, whether in the field of pure research, prevention or intervention. Our various hypothesis seem well aligned with findings in other cities in Texas. I have the impression that thanks to CPRIT, never before was a 'minority' population so well and intensely studied and paid attention to through outreach programs: a totally new health care model may be derived from these experiences! As a consequence of the extremely positive reaction of the target population and their adherence to interventions such as screenings, exercise programs and classes in nutrition and diet, some research programs had to refuse access, being overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to participate in their healthy lifestyle program - isn't that living proof, once again, that education and customized health care will make an individual want to live more healthy and take better care of him or herself!

After our conference on Breast Cancer and discussion on the CRBCM objective
tomorrow in our monthly conference, we will discuss Lung Cancer
we will focus on risk factors, some of the attempts for primary prevention interventions and their results, and discuss some of the new target therapies already in place, and of course future therapeutic strategies/targets.
Come participate by calling 915-307-3354.

DR K.

We believe in the cure for Cancer:

People talk about a cure and skeptics balk!
But the cure is possible and actually exists already in every survivor who had a remote history of cancer.
Remember this, a cancer cell is full of messages encrypted in chemical messages when to grow, when to start aging and when to die.  Yes cancer cells have an internal message when to start apoptosis (self destruction).
It means you could tell it to start apoptosis and kill itself.  Our challenge is to know how to speak to a cell.
Research are starting to learn that language in what is now known as Target Therapy.  Cancer treatment is now becoming a Piano tune.  if you hit the right keys in a song and the cancer cell get it, it will find its way to self destruction.  We are at the early stage of this music, still learning it.  Hitting this key here and seeing what happens.  We are finding out that even tough cancers such as Melanoma, if you hit the BRAF key, things start happening.  In some lung cancers, if you hit the EGFR key, you start getting somewhere.  It is just a matter of time before we start asking to a cell, now time for an increase in BAX or Caspases, and self destruct.  The cell has some redundancy and networking to complicate the road to self destruction, but we still believe that with the right tune, cancer cells will dance to self destruction, and yes cure is within our reach!

The CRBCM Team in Action

Questionnaires handed out

Interested visitors eager to fill out the survey

Concentrated on the surveys

Health is a Family Affair

At our Breast Cancer Awareness Booth in the PINKED OUT Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, we had over 175 visitors signing in and 45 visitors filled out 4 surveys each, totalling 180 surveys in just a few hours! (NB: we run out of surveys and had to run a reprint at 11am and 3pm)

The first feed-back from the surveys shows that :
13 visitors need and want more information in general
3 Visitors want to volunteer with the CRBCM
1 Visitor wants to be trained to teach activities at the CRBCM
1 Visitor wants to become a Navigator for patients
1 Visitor and Survivor wants to teach Lymphedema classes

Participants with a special interest in several health topics signed up for follow-up contact regarding:
5 x Diet
4 x Physical Exercise
7 x Nutrition
4 x Weight Control
4 x Stress Management
5 x Breast Cancer
1 x Uterine Cancer
1 x Cervical Cancer
1 x Prostate Cancer
1 x Lung Cancer
1 x Anemia
2 x Smoking Cessation

Now we know what we need to do!