New cancer treatment revealed

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :20/08/2008 12:33:01

Scientists from Durham University and the North East England Stem Cell Institute have developed a new way of spotting bowel cancer, research published today, August 20, has revealed.

The researchers said that by spotting aggressive forms of the disease early, doctors will be able to develop tailored treatments which will dramatically improve patients’ odds of survival.

According to the report published in the Public Library of Science journal PLOS One, those with the most aggressive kind of bowel cancer can be identified early by testing for a stem cell marker protein called Lamin A.

Patients with the marker protein are then given chemotherapy, in addition to surgery, to increase their chances of survival.

This is a radical step away from traditional treatments where patients normally have an operation to remove a tumour and are rarely given chemotherapy, since the toxic treatment can cause more harm than good.

New test

The discovery is the latest example of new tests being developed that can help doctors decide how and when to treat different types of cancer.

The team now aims to develop a robust prognostic tool that eventually can be used widely in hospitals.