cancer that produces an abundance
of an enzyme that promotes cancer.
The enzyme, called Enhancer of
Zeste 2 (EZH2), blocks several tumor
suppressor genes that usually prevent
controlled cell division. Research is
currently attempting to find
anticancer drugs that
inhibit EZH2 in order to
restore the function of
the tumor suppressor
genes.
When researchers
gave one such drug
to laboratory mice,
the drug prevented the
tumor cells from multiplying.
Information
and Tools about
Treatment, Support,
Clinical Trials & more can
be found on the American
Cancer Society website:
Sounds like good
www.cancer.org/
treatment
news, but after further observation,
the team found that an inflammation
response to the treatment ultimately
helped tumors resume growth and
the cells became more aggressive.
This is where chess comes in. The
researchers used this discovery as a
strategy to essentially get ahead of
the cancer cells. They purposely coax
the cells to a state of inflammation
and then react.
“Although the cells may be extremely
aggressive once they are resistant
to the EZH2 inhibitor,” Dr. Gargiulo
says, “they are dependent on the
inflammatory situation.” He
compared the situation
to chess where each
player tries to anticipate
their opponent’s
next move.
The solution? Give
the mice an anti-inflammatory
drug and
see how the cells react. As
hoped, the observed result
delivered a “checkmate.”
Although this is just a first step and
the process still needs to be studied
in further detail, the results are
promising. The lab setting provides
controls that allow researchers to evaluate
the strategy in a safe setting and
sufficient data needs to be collected
before attempting this on patients.
GOOD DOG! Studies show dogs can be good for heart health.
Owning a pet requires a long-term commitment to loving and caring for
them—but pet owners know how much their little buddies give back in
return! A growing body of evidence suggests that having a dog may even
help improve heart health. Studies show that owning a dog can help you:
• lower blood pressure
• get more exercise.
• lower cholesterol & triglycerides
• reduce stress.
Of course, pets should not be adopted for the primary purpose of
reducing heart disease risk—and definitely don't add a dog to your life if
you're not ready or able to take care of one—but pet ownership can be a
reasonable part of an overall strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE DIGEST • JAN–MAR 2019 | WWW.CHDIGEST.COM 13
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