Hepatitis C Link for HCC
30 December 2005
"What we've found is that one of the hepatitis C virus proteins targets a cell protein that is critical for suppressing the development of tumors, interfering with its ability to control [cancer] cell proliferation," explained Lemon, who is director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and a professor of Microbiology & Immunology and Internal Medicine. "By knocking out this 'tumor suppressor' and promoting the proliferation of liver cells, this viral protein is setting up the liver for cancer."
The tumor-blocking protein is known as the retinoblastoma protein. It normally lassos growing cancer cells, but when HCV is present, scientists have found that the protein is greatly reduced in liver cells. These cells contain a hepatitis C "replicon", a piece of HCV genetic material that is able to reproduce itself in liver cells used in lab experiments, and can also produce proteins made by the hepatitis C virus.
For full article, click here.
Life Saving Liver Cancer Device
23 December 2005
Previously, malignant tumors in the liver were often considered inoperable because of the risk of massive blood loss. Liver cancer surgery is further complicated by the fact that, frequently, tumors must be shrunk by drug therapy before they are removed, particularly if they are in a location where bleeding will occur too quickly.
The handheld device invented by Dr. Habib checks blood loss through the use of radio waves which seal tissue quickly.
Professor Habib, head of liver services at London's Hammersmith Hospital, states: “Liver surgery can be tricky and blood loss is one of the biggest problems. The liver is naturally engorged with blood and we have to find ways of operating without losing too much.”
The Habib Resection Device delivers high energy radio waves into tissue surrounding a tumor via a series of electrodes. The heat the radio waves create dries and seals off blood vessels within 40 seconds.
For full article, click here.
Lighter HCC Patients Fare Better
29 November 2005
Jot down liver cancer on the list of conditions exacerbated by excess poundage. People who are obese and have hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma have significantly shorter survival than lean patients with liver cancer.
"Obesity may worsen the prognosis of people with hepatocellular carcinoma, and reduction of body weight may improve the clinical course and prognosis of people with HCV by delaying the development of hepatocellular carcinoma," Toshihiko Mazuta, M.D., and colleagues at Saga Medical School reported at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases meeting.
For full article, click here.
Alternative HCC Treatment Found in Mexico
25 November 2005
The treatment includes daily coffee enemas, chelation therapy (a four-hour bag of intravenous solution to remove toxic metals from the body) and laetrile therapy (to infuse the body with vitamin B17). The patient also receives four injections a week, ultraviolet therapy and several 30-minute sessions per week in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
The treatment runs for a period of 30 consecutive days, but a special diet must be kept up for 6 months following treatment.
For full article, click here.
Breakthrough for Hepatitis C Research
06 August 2005
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) afflicts more than 170 million people worldwide but until now HCV research has been severely hampered by the inability to produce infectious virus in cell culture. In a major breakthrough, three papers reporting the replication of full length HCV clones in vitro have just been published, paving the way for developing effective antiviral therapies and vaccines.
For full article, click here.
