Tuesday, November 4, 1997
Community Briefs
Spread of cancer may be halted, study finds
The spread of cancerous cells in the body has been blocked in
laboratory experiments at UCLA.
In a seven-year study, Dr. Sanford Barsky and his colleagues at
UCLA’s Johnsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have used
naturally-occurring human cells to block the spread of breast and
prostate cancer.
"Cancer almost always begins in teh ducts" of teh body, said Dr.
Barsky. "However, with rare exception it takes years for cancer to
break out of those ducts. For example, in the case of breast
cancer, it takes between four and twelve years.
"During that time the cancer can almost always successfully be
treated."
While the cancer is stored in the body’s ducts, it is held
captive in the ducts by myoepithelial cells.
Those cells prevent the cancer cells from invading the body and
metastasing.
After the researchers proved that myoepithelial cells block
cancer, they also discovered that a chemical called phorbol ester
enhances these cells, making them more aggressive.
However, the drug can’t be used for treatment because it makes
the cancer cells more aggressive.
"What we are doing now is developing an understanding of the
mechanisms by which myoepithelial cells block the invasion and
spread of cancer," said Dr Barsky, "and how we can enhance those
mechanisms to make them even more effective."
But Dr. Barsky wanted to stress that the successes have, so far,
only been in the lab.
Techniques using myoepithelial cells probably won’t be available
for clinical use until years of testing.
"We have high hopes, but we also have a lot of work to do," said
Dr. Barsky.
Nobel winner to talk about social causes
Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Helen Caldicott is to speak at the
Gallery Theater at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. on Tuesday Nov. 18.
Dr. Caldicott is recognized as the founder of Physicians for
Social Responsiblity (PSR), a group that was awarded the Nobel
Prize in 1985. She founded the group in her Newton, Massachusetts
living room in 1979.
PSR has been a supporter of education on the efffects of nuclear
warfare, environmental degradation, radioactive pollution and urban
violence.
Caldicott wil speak on "A Physician’s Repsonsibility to
Society."
Reservations are mandatory for Dr. Caldicott’s speech, those
interested may call (310) 458-2694. The cost is $5.
The talk is sponsored by Kaiser-Permanente’s Humanities in
Medicine Committee and the Los Angeles Chapter of PSR.
Therapist to speak on dealing with romance
Psychotherapist Deborah Cooper will give a speech entitled "Heal
Your Romance – Heal Your Life," on Saturday, November 8, from 10 am
to noon at the Westside Pavillion, at 10800 W. Pico Blvd.
Nationally recognized, Dr. Cooper practices psychotherapy and
hypnotherapy in Brentwood.
She has appeared on numerous television talkshows and has been
featured in numerous publications, including the LA Times and Time
magazine. She has also developed a series of audio and videotapes n
building and improving relationships.
She will speak in the Community Room, on the third floor of the
Westside Pavilion. There is no admission charge.
Compiled from Daily Bruin staff reports.