CLINICAL RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION FOR OUR CPRIT SUBMISSION.

Our suggestion of a CPRIT submission formulated on Oct 14th (see our posts) has excited our readers
we felt compelled to dig deeper in this story.  We basically suggested that in Prostate Cancer, the incidence was much higher as opposed to a relative low mortality.  We went on to say that this paradox begs scientists to find ways of discriminating which Prostate Cancer should be considered dangerous for our patient to compel us to aggressively treat the patient.  We suggested that a cancer that is spreading needs to be treated because only metastasis ( spread of the cancer) can kill the patient.  How to tell which cancer will spread?  We submitted that cancer cells before they spread, needed to lose their attachments to other cells by decreasing their Membrane Adhesion Molecules.  One of the Adhesion Molecule of interest was E-Cadherin.  We therefore suggested that in all cancers of the prostate, dosing the amount of Adhesion molecule was a way to predict its potential for spreading.  If we make it simple to quantify E-Cadherin, a kit can be commercialized to determine quickly the spread of disease.  We also suggested that cancer cells to penetrate tissues and leading to organ failure and killing the host, must create its road through cellular tissues.  It needs to secrete enzymes called Metalloproteases (2,9) to break through.  We suggested that a high level of these Metalloproteases in the biopsy tissue could predict a moving cancer.  A Kit to detect Metalloproteases could be commercialized to help Doctors take medical decisions for the benefit of patients.  All this, if proven in our intended research could advance medical practice.

There is further discussion to have about this:

1. Could Blocking Metalloprotease gene stop the spread of disease?
2. Could restoring E-Cadherin level or function stop the spread of disease?
Scientist from California believe that  activating P120 could restore E-Cadherin function efficiently enough to restore or correct deficiency of E-cadherin function.  Should we use this approach to slow down cancer.

The story of E-Cadherin is just beginning.  We know that cancer in fact spread very early.  In small cell lung cancers, Doctors perform a bone marrow biopsy to see that even in early stage, the cancer has already invaded away from the lung.  This is true also in Breast cancer where even in stage I (the first stage of Breast cancer) the Bone marrow could already be invaded.  The meaning of this distant invasion has been interpreted with controversy.  But even in these cases, it portend a bad prognosis.  Worse prognosis then that of patient with negative Bone Marrow finding. DOES E-CADHERIN REDUCTION CORRELATES WITH POSITIVE INVASION OF THE BONE MARROW?  COULD WE SPARE PATIENTS A BONE MARROW PROCEDURE IF THE E-CADHERIN IS LOW. These are some of the question that have a bearing on clinical matter and would impact today practice as we move forward.

The level of E-Cadherin has broad implications.  In Colon cancers, particularly in the Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), The E-cadherin level could predict not only evolution to cancer state of the Polyposis but also and again predict metastasis.  He even beg to suggest that it could have prognosis implication.  The decrease of E-cadherin has profound consequence on the amount the Beta-catenin that E-cadherin can not longer "sequester".   Whether this will lead to increase the Cyclin D level down the line could be assumed and therefore sustain life of cancer cell.  It is also worth mentioning that in the sequence of gene Mutation leading to Colorectal cancer, the loss of 5q (ADENOMA PHASE)which seems to correspond to the phase where Beta- Catenin is important is the earliest stage in the sequence of transformation.  This fact correspond to the "good Prognosis" of these cancer....COULD E-CADHERIN REDUCTION BE  AN EARLY SIGN OF COLORECTAL CANCER METASTASIS?  OR SHOULD THIS MODEL BE CHALLENGED?

Assuming we find a Molecule A which, when it is incorporated by the cell, it opens up and adopt a conformational change increasing phosphorylation of Beta-Catenin leading it to proteasomic destruction, could that decrease Cyclin D formation and induce Apoptosis?  What would be the impact if that incorporation was selective to cancer cells?  These are the challenges we face!

Through genetic intervention, could we restore the wnt-signalling pathways to prevent FAP and prevent removal of the Colon in FAP? Remember this, 80-85% of sporadic colorectal cancers have disturbance in the wnt pathways, what we are talking about could impact the majority of Colorectal cncers (second leading cause of cancer death in the United States)

Does the wide spread use of Calcium based product for Osteoporosis prevention correspond to decrease of Colorectal cancer in the terminal colon.  Calcium is critical in the function of membrane receptors.

The cure is achievable, let get it!

CPRIT Leadership gives answers ...

CPRIT leadership is responding to the Houston Chronicle’s criticism in the Editorial of Nov.1st, 2012. We appreciate their answer and do support the current leadership.  We will also wait to see how they will meet the need to address minority disparities.  We support the leadership position and wait to see what will result from their efforts to reorganize.

-----------------------

I appreciate the Houston Chronicle's affirmation in its Nov. 1 editorial of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas' core mission and goals, and the need to continue improving the agency's administration and effectiveness ("Fighting for life; Our state's anti-cancer agency needs aggressive treatment: Its leaders should resign," Page B8). As executive director of CPRIT, I have a solemn responsibility to uphold the original statute by ensuring taxpayer money is being used only for research, development and prevention projects that will have the strongest impact on defeating cancer.
The Chronicle makes a sound case for a deliberative process and for avoiding any precipitous actions that would defeat CPRIT's mission. At the same time, the newspaper calls for an immediate resignation and across-the-board replacement of CPRIT's leadership. Such an "off-with-their-heads" approach cuts against and undermines the notion of careful consideration and deliberation. As the editorial says, the subject matter is too important for political solutions.
Part of the mandate to CPRIT, in the constitutional amendment approved by an overwhelming majority of voters five years ago, is to fund research and development (R&D) of groundbreaking discoveries in cancer drugs, devices and diagnostics. The amendment specifically calls on CPRIT "to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals or procedures for the cure or substantial mitigation of all types of cancer." That language directly translates into activities that are carried out in the commercial arena.
While research is vitally important in making the discoveries, developing those discoveries for use by cancer patients is equally important if not more so. Without the "D" in "R&D," many amazing scientific discoveries will sit in a laboratory. That does not help cancer patients.
The disagreement that has fueled the Chronicle's coverage is one between basic science labs, well funded by the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute, and activities that are focused on treating patients - such as clinical trials and drug development. Tension of this type is healthy and this is exactly where Texas stands to make a difference - getting lifesaving treatments to cancer patients faster, cheaper and more effectively. I am especially concerned when a former CPRIT basic science peer review chair refers to the process of developing discoveries to make them available to cancer patients as "hucksterism." This type of thinking and lack of vision is perhaps one of the reasons why it is so difficult to get new cancer drugs into practice. CPRIT's mission isn't just to foot the bills for research, but to push that research out of the labs and into clinical trials and into the hands of doctors and patients as safely and quickly as possible.
I was surprised that the editorial questioned my request that four company applications, currently under peer review, undergo additional scrutiny by our scientific reviewers - especially without calling the institute for reaction. Rather than "a major intrusion into scientific review," it is my responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are invested wisely. New information on all four companies was received after the scientific reviewers had given their scores. The request for re-evaluation was to make sure that all the reviewers, science and commercial, had access to the same information to evaluate the projects fairly. That's the least that companies, many with lifesaving projects, can expect - a fair process.
The vetting of commercial projects is different than that of scientific projects. Scientific reviewers many times are not familiar with this type of back-and-forth review because of differences in the culture of academic peer review and business investment. Academic reviewers are used to proposals structured like NIH grant proposals, in which all data are disclosed up front, rather than as a due diligence process geared toward investment. All four of these companies are still undergoing the peer review process.
The public appointees that make up CPRIT's Oversight Committee volunteer enormous amounts of their time. Many have been touched by cancer first hand. They are all committed to public service and receive no personal gain for their work. Any attempt to attribute other motives to Oversight Committee members is completely unfounded. Charles Tate is appointed by the board as the chairman of the Economic Development and Commercialization Subcommittee. Tate, one of the longest serving board members and previously inaccurately identified as a venture capitalist by the Chronicle, is tireless and selfless in the fight against cancer. That same altruistic motivation holds true for Jimmy Mansour, chairman of the Oversight Committee. Mansour was instrumental in the establishment of the institute and is driven by a sincere passion to serve, as are all of the members.
It is important that these citizen Oversight Committee members represent the people of Texas. We are investing billions of dollars and the self interests of a science-oriented board would invite conflict. The temptation would be too great to substitute its judgment for that of the peer reviewers. The Legislature was very careful in writing this legislation. It ensures that the science and business value of grants are reviewed and recommended by experts in the field of cancer. The Oversight Committee is required to accept those recommendations or overturn them with a supermajority vote. To date, every grant recommended by the peer reviewers and brought before the Oversight Committee has been funded.
The editorial goes on to state that "(Albert) Gilman resigned over the rushed approval (since revoked) of an $18 million 'commercialization' grant … " Again this is not accurate. Gilman's own resignation letter of May 8 to me states: "The purpose of this letter is to indicate my intention to resign from CPRIT, effective (with your permission) on October 12, 2012. At that time I will have worked for CPRIT for over three years - I believe longer than originally anticipated." CPRIT employees have always committed themselves to the cause of curing cancer. All left other jobs to come to the institute because of their hearts. Many are cancer survivors themselves. They realize what one drug, one device or one diagnostic can do. They know the importance of getting these products into practice. And most importantly, they know that each dollar CPRIT invests, and each minute of CPRIT's 10 years we expend, means lives saved. Everyone associated with CPRIT strives daily to do the right thing.
I am honored to work with both the Oversight Committee and the staff at CPRIT. They give their blood, sweat and tears to a mission of hope for millions of Texans. We all serve with passion. I've seen that passion before, serving for many years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most recently as the agency's chief operating officer. I also spent time in Iraq in early 2008, a duty for which I volunteered, leading a team to improve health and prevent cholera in the province that includes the city of Tikrit - all in the pursuit of having a positive impact on people's lives.
The teams I have had the privilege to lead, both in this country and in Iraq, truly fall into the category of heroes. The Oversight Committee, employees of CPRIT, cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families are the true heroes in this story.
Because I take this responsibility and recent criticisms of the institute very seriously, my top priority has been to address the concerns and continue to move CPRIT forward. I look forward to working with the CPRIT Oversight Committee, state leaders, the Legislature, academic and nonacademic institutions and the private medical community to consider and reach consensus on the best course to maximize the effectiveness of CPRIT.

Gimson is executive director of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

Reflections at CRBCM

Reflections at CRBCM.

 Life has a way to complicate things
and people who dwell in politics do not know when to stop.
Science is strong when it is full of objectivity,
let the people who know how to do things, work free of politics.
It does not matter how big you are, if you are always wrong, you will become irrelevant to history,
will be brushed aside because the world will realize who you really are...
let people with the vision lead the way because human adventure will have to sustain itself through unwelcome noise and unfriendly  misadventure.  The vision remains the best protector of the adventure and of the place where the adventure tries to reach.   Don't get distracted, if a door is closed, keep looking for one that will open.  For as long as there is hope, the vision is possible. Just find a way to survive a little longer, until your door opens, until the opposition comes to its senses, until your voice is heard, until the critics realize you are not going away, until their bet fails, until they become irrelevant to the race.  Because it will happen without failing.  The truth always wins over falsification.  Politicians always get entangled in their own games.  Unless they speak the truth, they will keep on cheating until they unravel. Give them time to realize it!  If you conspire behind closed door, believe me, over time, those with you could one day change allegiance given shifting conditions of life, and whatever perfidy will come to light. You will lose control of the consequences and outcome.  History did not bring you to your position to fail, win by acting on your conscience and do things to improve the human condition, not reign by division and creating enemies.  I am saddened to meet people who proclaim as true the lies they have been fed, spreading division and blunt racism. Racism is the resort of those with no argument and intrinsic value.  There is no wrong in being proud of yourself as long as you do not impose those values on people who cannot see your positions and change to satisfy you.  Imposing an unfair burden on others is never right. Level the field and give to a chance to all. That is the American way!  

Volunteers keep knocking at our door...

It is encouraging to see the number of men and women passionate about their involvement in medicine and public health. Together, we can fight disease and prompt our patients into action to achieve a healthier lifestyle .

More HYPOTHESIS FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Given what we know now, could intermittent use of Cipro and laxative (5 days every 6-8weeks) be the most effective prevention against Colorectal cancer?  The CRBCM is reviewing data to make this assumption. There is sufficient scientific data to suggest this is true and a larger clinical trial is warranted to assess this hypothesis.
Through the work of others, we now know that Ciprofloxacin has anti-topoisomerase activity.  That is comparable in its mechanism  to some powerful chemotherapy drug.   But compared to chemotherapy drugs, it has been used for longer periods safely.   It is not innocuous, nothing is, however, it has been used broadly and side effects denounced to date may all be reversible.  The major concern of such broad use of an antibiotic will be potential hematologic toxicity and bacterial resistance. This is to be balanced against prevention of a deadly disease (colorectal cancer).  Intermittent use could address some of these concerns.
Development of other safer mild anti-topoisomerase could result to avoid CIPRO use, and preserve it in our Antibiotic armamentarium.

It is now known that certain bacteria produce chemical molecules such as nitrates that affect the colonic epithelium.  And that the progression to Colon cancer is an evolutionary process, possibly this evolution to cancer cells is driven by chronic continuous irritation.  Cleaning intermittently the colon has been assumed to be good as it provides an interruption in these irritations.  It would make sense if the laxative follows the Cipro.

ADDING AN ANTI-PROSTAGLANDIN MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL EFFECT.

Given the fact that this may be controversial, it would make sense to have a broader discussion before implementing this idea. Tell me what you think!

Reflections at the CRBCM

Doing the right thing no matter what because you have a conscience to live with, and because the joy of winning through politics are generally short lived, the truth will catch up with you soon enough.  You will have to cave in.  Acting in the wrong direction because you can, you will have a day of reckoning because you will not know when to stop.   You will cross the line one day and get burned. When you win because you can is not enough, you will continue to believe the wrong is right until you hit the wall, and you will end up backtracking and have to apologize or disappear in disgrace.  If your aim is to profiteer no matter what, do realize that if you choose a cynical way of winning, you lose control of the nature of the outcome and its consequences.  That is when the truth will come to claim its place, you may end up in a harder place than when you first started gambling.  Remember real life is not to be lived like a poker game where you have to win no matter what, life is to be lived with as much closeness to the truth as possible because you have a conscience, and because we all have to account soon or later!

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/