May 20, 2010 -
Tanning Beds Increase Risk of Developing Melanoma Four Fold Tanning beds are popular devices used by millions of adults across North America for esthetic purposes. This population based case controlled study was able to show a massive increase in risk (4 fold) for those individuals who were regular users of these devices. The risk increased with increasing years of use. We should be considering these devices as carcinogens and warnings should be required to be posted in businesses who sell these tanning treatments. read more...
Metastatic Multiple Myeloma is a challenging disease to treat with poor survival even with chemotherapy treatment. Thymosin alpha 1 is an isolated peptide extract from calves thymus that has immunomodulatory properties particularly in T cells. In this study it was shown that Thymosin alpha 1 in combination with decarbazine increased overall survival and reducd diseases progression.
Moderate selenium supplementation during radiation therapy in patients undergoing radiation therapy for cervical or uterine cancer is effective in reducing the number of episodes and severity of radiation induced diarrhea.
Melatonin is highly involved in hormonal secretion or the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm).Melatonin is released by the pineal gland in times of darkness and suppressed by light. Disruption of these processes can lead to various conditions including seasonal affective disorder and jet lag.Since melatonin is involved in hormonal regulation, it is especially relevant to hormonally related cancers such as the breast and prostate.
Melatonin increases GABA receptor stimulation and reduces neurotransmission, thus promoting sleep and inadvertantly promoting immune function.Immunomodulation by melatonin has also been established by its ability to activate monocytes, increase interleukin-2 activity, prevent apoptosis of bone marrow cells induced by chemotherapy, and reduce levels of insulin-like growth factor and prolactin.Melatonin has also demonstrated potent antioxidant effects by reducing cell proliferation, reducing cellular transformation, and DNA synthesis changes.
Clinical trials in cancer patients have shown the anticancer effects produced by melatonin.It works well as an adjunct to cancer therapy, synergizing the effects of certain other anticancer agents including interleukin-2 and interferon.Melatonin supplementation has also proved to increase the survival time of cancer patients.
