Prostate Cancer Protection
This year in the United States, nearly 221,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer. About 30% of those cancers will have already spread outside the prostate. Now, how to keep it from spreading even further.
 |
Transcript of the story
|
|
Healthy For Life Extra
extra information about the story |
|
For More Information
where to go for help |
Robert Miller is a force in front of his congregation. Preaching is his life's work.
His life's battle started 11 years ago when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Robert Miller
Has prostate cancer
"All I heard was the word cancer and I'm thinking cancer, death, cancer, death."
PSA levels, the markers for prostate cancer, are considered high at 4. At diagnosis, Robert's levels were nearly 80. His prostate was removed, but the cancer stayed behind. He soon found Doctor Michael Carducci.
When prostate cancer spreads, it first goes to the bones. Doctor Carducci is studying the drug Atrasentan to keep the cancer from getting there.
Michael Carducci, M.D.
Oncologist
Kimmel Cancer Center
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD
"This may not necessarily kill cancer cells per se, it may slow prostate cancer down to a trickle."
It does that by targeting endothelin - a protein overproduced in men with prostate cancer that has spread.
Michael Carducci, M.D.
"We get to the lock before endothelin does and therefore, the cancer cells never see this growth factor, this protein that really stimulates further growth."
Studies show there was a 52% delay in the time it took for the cancer to progress. Robert still has cancer, but it hasn't reached his bones.
Robert Miller
"Eleven years ago, I never thought I would see 59. I am satisfied that God allowed me to live this long."
There are three separate studies on atrasentan for prostate cancer currently ongoing.
BACKGROUND: According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. There will be about 220,900 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in the year 2003. About 28,900 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer. Although men of any age can get prostate cancer, it is found most often in men over 50. More than 70 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65. Prostate cancer is about twice as common among black men as it is among white American men. It is also most common in North America and northwestern Europe.
HOW PROSTATE CANCER PROGRESSES: Prostate cancer can be treated in a number of ways including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hormone therapy or watchful waiting. Prostate cancer has a high cure rate, but when it spreads, it is more difficult to treat and cure. According to Michael Carducci, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University, more than 85 percent of men who have prostate cancer recurrences have them in their bone. He and colleagues wondered why men with prostate cancer die if it's only in their bones. He says, "It doesn't really go to organs. It's only in their bones. How does that kill anybody?" Their theory is that men may be dying of prostate cancer from proteins circulating in the bloodstream. Endothelin is a protein that every person has, and it's responsible of the fine control of blood pressure. In men with prostate cancer, endothelin is overproduced.
TARGETING ENDOTHELIN: Endothelin targets a specific receptor on cells. The drug atrasentan is a compound that blocks the receptor that endothelin targets. Dr. Carducci, says, "We get to the lock before endothelin does. Therefore, the cancer cells never see this growth factor, the protein that really stimulates further growth. We get here and block it first." Endothelin is still circulating in these men, but it can't do any harm because it's been blocked. Early studies show the drug had a 52-percent delay in the time it took for men to have a new symptoms or disease progression. Studies also show it took double the time for the PSA levels, markers of prostate cancer, to rise again. In addition, In all men in the study, researchers found the atrasentan was actually hitting its target and protecting the bone. Dr. Carducci says: "This may not necessarily kill cancer cells. It may slow prostate cancer down to a trickle. Although the cancer cells may still be alive, they're growing much slower or not at all for a period of time."
There are different studies ongoing using atrasentan for prostate cancer.
Atrasentan Clinical Trials Information Line
(847) 938-0887
Copyright © 2003 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
|
|
|
|
REVERSING SCLERODERMA
A risky treatment could be the answer for patients with serious forms of this disease. 
COLONOSCOPY-NOT JUST FOR COLON CANCER
A virtual colonoscopy detects a wide range of diseases outside the colon, which could save lives. June is national Scleroderma Awareness Month!
CLEARER MRI
A new invention helps doctors get clearer images of people who can't lie still.
HELP FOR BLOOD PRESSURE
An investigational device could help patients with this condition stay healthier.
SEEING THE HEART IN 3D
Researchers in the Netherlands are using virtual reality to see the heart like never before.
PANCREATIC CANCER VACCINE
A vaccine increases survival for patients with this deadly form of cancer.
NEW HELP FOR ALCOHOLICS
People who suffer from addiction may have a new option in the form of a pill.
TREATING URINARY INCONTINENCE
A sling helps women with this common problem find relief.
ROBOT REHAB FOR STROKE
A new robot is helping stroke patients recover without a therapist.
STEM CELLS HEAL HEARTS
Donor stem cells may be the answer for patients who suffer a heart attack.
BREATHING WITH EMPHYSEMA
A new, nonsurgical procedure could help patients breathe more easily.
DOPPLER PREDICTS STROKE
The same technology used to forecast a storm is helping doctors understand strokes and migraines.
BETTER BYPASS SURGERY
Cutting-edge technology allows doctors to fix a coronary bypass operation while the patient is still in surgery.
BETTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TREATMENT
A new treatment could reduce the risk of rejection within six months of a transplant.
WRAPPING RADIATION AROUND TUMORS
New technology allows doctors to target tumors with better precision.
CUTTING-EDGE SURGERY EDUCATION
Huge monitors and microscopic cameras are making it easier for surgeons to teach residents complicated procedures.
LUNG CANCER VACCINE
A vaccine under study offers hope for some patients who are diagnosed with this deadly cancer.
EASIER COLON CANCER TEST
A blood test may be the future in screening for colon cancer.
STEM CELLS FIGHT LUPUS
Using a patient's own stem cells could provide a cure for this devastating disease.
NEW SINUS RELIEF WITH A BALLOON
A new technique pushes sinus blockages out of the way and results in less pain.
HUNTINGTON'S HELP
A drug already approved in Europe and Canada could offer hope to patients who are plagued by this disease.
INHALED CHEMO
A new twist on standard chemotherapy offers less side effects and better precision.
STRENGTHENING BRITTLE BONES
A drug to treat osteoporosis is helping patients with a disease that weakens their bones.
BIRD FLU: BE PREPARED
Find out what you can do to prepare for the flu that experts think will hit the states in the coming months.
|
Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.
