60 Minutes cancer killing machine

[goops]

Last night 60 minutes had a story about a cancer patient who invented a machine that seems to kill cancer cells with radio waves. Since the treatment may be a cure for all cancers, I can only pray it will work. I think insurance companies should donate funds to test this machine - they would save a fortune if cancer patients could just be treated with this thing and cured. If you missed the story here is part of it:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=7365640&ch=4227541&src=news

[eric]

This is VERY exciting. Thank you so much for posting it. I wonder how far we are from clinical trials starting.

Eric

[CLTann]

Just yesterday, under the thread started by Bill on Thinking out aloud, I made a prediction that cancer cure idea will probably come from a flick of genius' idea. This 60 minutes news is certainly close to what I was hoping to occur. Of course, at this stage, we have no assurance that this flick of genius would actual work. But something resembling this development is what I predicted that could happen. Thats how new invention and discovery are made.

[Bill]

Exactly! I missed the show because I was here, but there's so much going on out there and so many researchers and motivated people working on the cancer problem that I feel that the "Eureka!" moment is close at hand.

[swimangel72]

His invention may just be another way of killing cancer cells less invasively than with surgery, but I don't see how it can actually "cure" cancer. Until the time comes that science can track down every microscropic cancer cell that travels in the bloodstream and kill them all at once, we're still a long way from a cure. I'm more interested in the "vaccine" article that shows some promise for activating antibodies in our own bodies to kill the Hers2+ protein. When scientists develop a vaccine to turn our own bodies into better cancer-fighting machines, then we'll be closer to a cure!

[goops]

They are hoping that they can perfect the machine to track down every cancer cell.

They said that they are at least 4 years away from human trials, the guy who invented it is trying to raise money so that the testing can go faster - he wants to live long enough to see the first person saved by it - but we have to realize that the big drug companies are not going to get behind this machine, sadly they make a lot of money by treating cancer and this would really bite into their profits. That is why I think it would be great to start a grass roots campaign to encourage health insurance companies to pay for the research - The health insurance companies can save a load of money and come out a real hero here.

As for the cancer fighting vaccine - I would also like to see that, I know a guy with skin cancer whose life was saved in that kind of a vaccine trial.

[eric]

I'm wondering if we as a group can't help him raise some of the money. Does anyone have any idea how much they would need?

[CLTann]

For many of us who are not experts on cancer cell structures and their complete characteristic, we really should let the experts do their things. Of course, we all can speculate and put our 2 cents worth of opinion on any subject we choose.

As to the funding, if the various phase trials for any new drug are models, we are looking at at least 1 billion dollars for a start. Drug and device for FDA approval are very time consuming and expensive undertakings.

Nevertheless, I am hopeful that any worthy ideas will get support. If not by drug companies, people like Bill Gates may step in. As a group, we can spread the news and get public attention and support. This will be a worthy political support project.

[Vic]

From the few minutes I saw of this "60 Minutes" segment, I thought the idea was fascinating, including the computer-generated models they were showing with the gold spheres dropping down to eradicate each cancer cell.

I'm with Eric and wonder how we can raise funds and/or showcase this work to get it on the fast track.

Vicki from So. Cal.

[lilyecuadorian]

1 billions ??? that is UN-encouragement ....
Eric you love your wife so much like we love our own life ...with your post I can see that clearly ....this new project it give us hope but it make us desperate the same way ......so what just wait ...wait ...I think we need to figure it something ....like write a tons, tons of letters to all insurance headquarters company and suggest this possibility ...maybe is just a idea and we all can ...download from this site ,make copy to deferents company's .....sign and send with each one address ...of course we can get the address inf in this site ...( but a LOT of letter going OUT ) that how something work here in this country ...letters letters .......maybe I'm little bit desperate ...or crazy call me anything ....but last night I was awake thinking on something ...and we need to figure it ....because...while we keeping breathing everything is possible .

[goops]

I think it is a great idea to start a compaign to raise money, suggesting it to insurance companies as well as start a email compaign to raise money for research. When I get some time I am going to check and see if there is a place on web accepting donations from Paypal - if so, I think it would make an email compaign more successful.

The thing I like best about this machine is it would be non-toxic and it is for all cancers.

[goops]

I just looked and CBS has a lot of information on their website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/10/60minutes/main4006951.shtml

[eric]

Thanks Goops for your efforts on this. Lily, I'm with you...let's go for it if there's enough people here that believe in this approach. I'm very curious about what kind of reactions this gets from someone like Lani (and others) who has (have) a much greater command of this disease than I do. Others...your reactions?

[goops]

I found this in wikipedia:

Fundraising and support

In December of 2005, Rick Santorum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Santorum) and Arlen Specter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlen_Specter), Republican Senators from Pennsylvania, secured $200,000 in federal funding for the project. Specter had requested that the NIH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIH) and NIH Cancer Institute assist with funding the needed animal testing. It is this funding that allowed for initial University of Pittsburgh Medical Center animal testing<sup id="cite_ref-Novel_cancer_treatment_demonstrated_at_UPMC_lab_14-0" class="reference">[15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment#cite_note-Novel_cancer_treatment_demonstrated_at_UPMC_lab-14)</sup>.
On October 25th of 2007, a press release on Arlen Specter's government home page announced approval for additional funding of $100,000 to go to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to advance the cancer treatment research of Kanzius and company. According to the press release, the funding is hoped to be used "...for tests to advance potential submission of radiowave technology for FDA approval to initiate a clinical trial". This funding is still pending full congressional and Presidential approval before it will be final.<sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference">[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment#cite_note-15)</sup>
Actress Sharon Stone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Stone) has expressed interest in helping support and finance the research involving Kanzius RF Therapy. Sharon Stone has been fundraising in an effort to fight HIV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV) and AIDS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS), and is interested in finding out if this new method can be used to fight those diseases as well. Kanzius' corporate board, Therm Med LLC, has convinced him his treatment may be effective against these diseases as well.<sup id="cite_ref-UPMC_set_to_test_cancer_treatment_10-2" class="reference">[11] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment#cite_note-UPMC_set_to_test_cancer_treatment-10)</sup>
Former Erie Mayor Joyce Savocchio (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joyce_Savocchio&action=edit&redlink=1), of the Community United for a Cancer Cure, announced the organizations goal to raise $3 million to fund research at the MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center<sup id="cite_ref-Cancer_research_inspires_Erie_community_16-0" class="reference">[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment#cite_note-Cancer_research_inspires_Erie_community-16)</sup>.
On June 12th of 2007, there was a fundraiser held at Erie Insurance Group's headquarters, which was expected to raise more than $150,000 dollars for the cancer treatment research.
From August 10th to the 12th, in Erie, Pennsylvania, there was hosted a motorcycle rally called "Roar On The Shore", with all proceeds going to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Fund. The event charged a one-time five dollar entrance fee for the event. According to the homepage of the City of Erie, over $50,000 was raised for the cancer fund at this event.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference">[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment#cite_note-17)</sup>
On May 31st of 2007, IAFF Local 293, a group of Erie Professional Firefighters, presented a $1000 dollar donation to aid in funding Kanzius' research. Firefighters are at an elevated risk for several different cancers, and the organization recognized this with the donation aimed at helping fight the disease that had claimed or afflicted many of their own.<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference">[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment#cite_note-18)</sup>



With Patrick Swazye's cancer battle - perhaps Hollywood could get behind this project. One thing his battle shows is that cancer can touch anyone - no matter how rich or successful they are.




There is quite a bit of info out there - here is the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-invasive_RF_cancer_treatment

[Joan M]

Goops, Thanks for this update on the Kanzius anti-cancer contraption. His invention seems to be causing a tsunami -- a good one. Joan

[Joe]

Not having seen this episode on 60 minutes, I can not specifically comment on the machine, but can on cancer research, researchers in general and research dollars.

Cancer is neither unique the the United States nor is it our responsibility to fund the entire effort to fight this disease. This device, if proven effective, would be a boon to all of the countries that have a socialized medical system. I have seen too many presentations where cost analysis is debated in order to keep these systems afloat.

Members of our group have attended cancer meetings in San Antonio, ASCO and the latest AACR meeting here in San Diego. I have talked to many healthcare professionals from industry, academia and laboratories. When posed with the question of what they will do if cancer is ever cured they answer is almost unanimous " We'll move on to another disease". To infer that the drug companies or anyone else would suppress a cure if they had one is simply crazy and should be laid to rest with the invention that makes gasoline out of water.

Every one is critical of government funding yet the overwhelming amount of funding is provided by private capital. Most biotech companies rely on venture capital for funding and are in the "red" for years. The large pharmaceutical companies provide billions of dollars to cancer research not only here but throughout the world. Much of the funding at universities is carried out using private endowments and donations. KOMEN, Avon, Revlon Lance Armstrong and many other Foundations pour billions into cancer research.

There is a big difference between research funding and funding to develop the drug. In 2007 Pfizer dropped a drug that was in Phase III clinical trials after 2 patients died of a rare brain disease. They lost over $800 million dollars.

Funding alone will not solve our problems, we must also curb litigation and class action suits. A Jury in Texas awarded a patient 56 Million dollars in a Vioxx award even though it was never proven that he ever took the drug.

We have a family member who is an OB/Gyn in Florida and pays a malpractice premium of $140,000 a year. Actually he doesn't pay it...his patients do.

Regards
Joe

[Joan M]

Joe, I would agree in two ways: Pharmaceutical companies spend billions to develop cancer drugs. Herceptin is made from the ovaries of the Chinese hamster, and to that I say, "go figure ...," or how many millions of dollars in research was spent to figure out that. Also, malpractice insurance is out of control due to litigation. The daughter of one of my best friends is a young ob/gyn in Lousiana and says that many medical students are steering clear of that career choice due to malpractice issues.

[Sherryg683]

I was also so hopeful when seeing this and the guy with the idea, hoping he will live to see the first patient treated with it. Problem is it will probably take years, years that some will not have. Do you think that another country, like Germany or the like, who doesn't have all the restrictions we have in the USA could possibly start using this method sooner?.sherryg

[goops]

I do not know if another country could take it and use it sooner - there is still the patent on the machine to consider.

The sooner this machine can be developed - the more lifes that will be saved. I would hope that the National cancer society and all the other fund raising cancer groups - would do everything to aid the testing of this technology.