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Articles Dog Health and Care How to Fight Cancer - These Dogs May Have The Key
Articles Dog Health and Care How to Fight Cancer - These Dogs May Have The Key | How to Fight Cancer - These Dogs May Have The Key |
| Written by Kirsten Whittaker | ||||||||
| Saturday, 05 September 2009 | ||||||||
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Experts at the Cleveland Clinic have successfully treated cancer in dogs, and this could lead to an interesting new strategy on how to fight cancer in people as well.
Experts at the Cleveland Clinic have successfully treated cancer in dogs, and this could lead to an interesting new strategy on how to fight cancer in people as well. At the 237th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, Joseph A. Bauer, PhD presented research on just this topic, building on more than 60 years of scientific effort toward developing a B12 based attack against cancer. The story begins with a "miracle dog" by the name of Oscar, a ten year old Bichon Frise who had a very aggressive type of cancer known as anal sac adenocarcinoma. After treatment with the standard chemotherapy and radiation, with no improvement, Oscar was left unable to walk and with only three months to live. As a last hope, Oscar was given a potentially cancer killing medicine known as nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl for short). Within 14 days his cancer had improved significantly and he was back on his feet. The compound has since been given to other dogs with promising results and no negative side effects. This drug targets cancer cells like the fabled "Trojan horse", a way to cause damage and death, but delivered by being hidden inside something that looks harmless. The compound is made with nitric oxide that's attached to vitamin B12. Receptors on cell surfaces will attract the vitamin and assist it in getting into the cell. Cancer cells have extra B12 receptors; the drug spots these and is taken in by the unsuspecting cancer cell. Once inside, the nitric oxide is released and the cell dies. Genius, pure genius. Bauer's team is using ultrasound and MRI imaging to keep an eye on tumor size in all three of the dogs currently under treatment. After 9 months of NO-Cbl the spinal tumor of a 6 year old golden retriever, Buddy, has been reduced by 40%, and the inoperable thyroid cancer of a 13 year old female giant schnauzer by 77% in just ten weeks of treatment. A fourth dog, Haley, also a golden retriever, is being treated for a spinal tumor. Once the team successfully treats ten dogs with the drug, they'll try for FDA approval to test the medication in people. Bauer believes firmly that what works in these animals holds promise for treating their humans as well. He points out that people and dogs are genetically similar - enough to make a successful case for approval from the FDA. Interesting to know that the National Cancer Institute has data on pets. After all, they breathe the same air we do; drink the same water we do and eat processed foods just like we do. "We are one of the few research groups that is offering to treat dogs with cancer that otherwise have no hope," Bauer states. "With no other options available, most people in this situation opt to euthanize so that their pets don't go through the pain of disease and trauma of surgery." The good news for dog owners is that this treatment also offers hope for a faithful friend who may be one of the estimated 6 million dogs in the U.S. alone diagnosed with cancer each year. It's a rare thing for research to uncover a treatment that can be used for animals, and may realistically hold promise for people on how to fight cancer. About the Author: Next - just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more information on how to fight cancer, plus for a limited time get 5 free fantastic health reports. Click here for the automated video on this study on how to fight cancer. Views: 93
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