BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough

Subject: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Alan Day
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 05:35 PM

In a small eight inches by two inches article in the Daily Mail today came the news that a cancer drug has been found to reverse the effects of damage to the lungs caused by Cystic Fibrosis.
I was for a few years a Counsellor for the parents of children with this terrible disease.This is great news for thousands of sufferers Worldwide and at last here is the breakthrough that many have been praying for.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 05:50 PM

Oh my god. I surely hope so.

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 05:52 PM

CF affects about 70,000 people. It's no joke. I hope the drug is affordable for people.

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 06:00 PM

REVERSE the effects?????

Really? That would be HUGE news, no?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 06:01 PM

Mucous Breakthrough In Mice Holds Promise For Cystic Fibrosis:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/116613.php

That it, or like what you saw?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 06:06 PM

"His findings on the drug suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid were published in journal Nature Chemical Biology".

From

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1233789/Hope-cystic-fibrosis-sufferers-cancer-drug-repair-lung-damage.html

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: gnu
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:55 PM

Oh my! I have lost a few good friends... one a childhood sweetheart, and now another friend may benifit. This is good.

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 08:01 PM

Here's the story from the above link.

===

Hope for cystic fibrosis sufferers as cancer drug is found to repair almost a third of lung damage

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:39 AM on 07th December 2009


Breakthrough: A cancer drug, that has been found to repair lung damage caused by cystic fibrosis, could bring hope to sufferers like Alex Stobbs.


Lung damage caused by cystic fibrosis has been repaired by a cancer drug in a breakthrough that offers hope to tens of thousands.

In tests, the drug, which was developed to treat blood cell cancers, reversed almost a third of the harm done to cells by CF.

In time, it could be used to ease symptoms and improve quality of life for the 70,000 sufferers around the world.

Researcher Professor William Balch said: 'We are very excited by these results.

'Because we came at the problem from a new perspective these findings have the potential to be game-changing.'

His findings on the drug suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid were published in journal Nature Chemical Biology.

'The results are very promising,' Professor Balch continued.

'We know that cystic fibrosis individuals with 15 to 30 percent of normal cellular function, as can occur with certain mutations, have milder cases of the disease and a more normal lifestyle than patients carrying a severe mutation.

===

While it IS "hopeful," it sounds several logical leaps ahead in the future and, as yet, seems less than totally effective in the small group of patients who have been tried on the approach.

So unfortunately there's still a ways to go, and maybe a long way. Let's hope their funding holds up.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Alan Day
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 04:11 AM

For those of you who do not know, Cystic Fibrosis in an inherited disease from two parents who are carriers of the CF gene. A child from those parents has a one in four chance of having the disease. Many couples of course never realize that they are carriers and can have any number of children without them being affected. The children however could be carriers and this is how this disease misses out generations.
The disease mainly effects the lungs and digestive system, the mucus being much thicker than a normal child.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 05:34 AM

More strength to the Researchers collective elbow ! And pray there are no nasty side effects

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 06:36 AM

Gene therapy, where the patient inhales correct copies of the faulty gene carried in viruses, is also proving successful in extending healthy life.
good eugenics.

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Alan Day
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 09:02 AM

Gnu, I am sorry to hear your news and you can probably realize I have gone through similar sadness. The funeral of a little angel stopped my activities for this organisation, only to lose my little Angel two years before. One Lady I visited , of four children she had three with CF. Tragic stories of a terrible illness.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 09:13 AM

It is in my family. Sadly two cousins died in the 40s and 50s but it was diagnosed as pneumonia - they didn't know. It skipped a generation and appeared in my cousin's two children. A nightmare. Both are hospitalized regularly. They struggle to lead a "normal" life.

A cure would be an amazing gift. Thank you for the heads up.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Arnie
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 10:06 AM

Lung damage used to be thought of as irreversible and if this drug does indeed repair damaged lung tissue then it will be a massive breakthrough and a real beacon of hope to CF sufferers. No mention in the article of whether the tests were on human subjects or laboratory animals - mice are usually used for testing lung treatments. Whatever the outcome, it's nice to know that somewhere behind the scenes there are researchers trying to beat CF - more power, and funding, to their elbows!

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Folkiedave
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 10:31 AM

First of all let me say I sincerely hope for a breakthrough in this disease. It is not in my family but I have known it the the families of two close friends and it is indeed a killer.

The only problem is the Daily Mail publicising this. They do have a bit of a track record in giving out false/unreliable hopes.

Take a look at this.

Like I said I do hope the Mail has got it correct.

Subject: RE: BS: Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough
From: Alan Day
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 12:32 PM

I agree that The Mail are forever giving apologies for false information,I never thought there would be any chance of a breakthrough in my lifetime although fund raising for the charity is the only thing you can do as a parent. So I do hope you are wrong Dave in this case and The Mail are correct with their statement.
In the early days very little was known about this disease and early diagnosis is vital.
Al