FDA OKs ?smart bomb? cancer drug

[Random Variable]

<< WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 ? The government approved a long-awaited treatment for lymphoma Tuesday ? a drug that uses a ?smart bomb? approach to bring radiation directly to cancer cells.

ZEVALIN, made by Idec Pharmaceuticals, becomes the first radioimmunotherapy drug cleared to sell in the United States.

It?s a novel approach, adding radiation to antibodies that search out a protein called CD20 found on lymphoma cells. The antibodies attach to the cells, flagging them for attack by the immune system.

By sending radiation throughout the body intravenously, the treatment can seek and kill several tumor sites at once.

Doctors have long hoped that the radioactive antibodies would prove a potent way of fighting tough-to-treat cancers like non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma. >>


http://msnbc.com/news/711558.asp

 

[Nocturnal]

Awesome man... I'm very excited to see this happening. Cuz my grandma has cancer, but she's somewhat cured. It's still in her, but it's what do you call it... like just dormant right now. Hasn't spread or anything like that. She was in chemotherapy, and radiation. I felt very sorry for her when she had no hair. I hope they can make more break thru's!

 

[Logix]

Anything that brings us closer to a cure for cancer is great news.

 

[b0mbrman]

Agreed. Hopefully this leads to more breakthroughs

 

[Adul]

Now that is some progress

 

[Texmaster]

My sister, Uncle and Grandfather had cancer. All beat it back and won but I don't wish anyone the experience of a family member going through Kemo and you watching without being able to much of anything to help.

I hope this treatment alleviates some of the pain both mentally and psysically for the patients.


Thanks for the Story Vespasian.