HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Promising new technologies in BC treatment

mts · 08-18-2006, 12:34 PM

According to everyone there (all super brains from well established medical universities from all over the USA) -mammos are on their way out. The work horse of the 90's is becomming obsolete. Dense breast tissue in approx 40% of women is difficult to read leading to unecessary surgeries and sometimes hidden tumors that go undetected until its too late. Therefore new imaging technologies are being invented and additional components to existing technology are being improved.
One very interesting research program that was discussed and likely funded was a new innovative approach to targeting cancer at the molecular level. It kind of works like this:
A special nannochemical/drug compound is delivered into the bloodstream which then attaches itself to a cancer tumor as small as 1 millimeter. The imaging apparatus then combines spectroscopic tomography (the future replacement of mammos), MRI technology and microwaves to 3-dimensionalize the tumor and provide an exact position of it as well as surrounding tissues with considerably better resolution than what is currently available. The 3D image is then transfered onto a computer screen where the radiologist can perfectly visualize the entire tumor on a big screen. Because the compound attaches to cancer tumors (because they are warmer by a few degrees than healthy tissue), the cancer is caught VERY early and therefore providing a much better prognosis. This technology is adaptable to existing technology -making it widely available to underserved populations, it does not produce radiation or side-effects, does not hurt and it allows for a smooth transition for radiologists to understand what they see without major training and best of all the low price would make it comparable to mammos and in the end, more women would benefit.
From what I gathered, we are years away from a chemo-cure. Radiology is currently our best defense against cancer. Early detection is the key. Especially screening at a younger age.
For those with higher potential of mets, this is great because again, it catches the cancer early and get this:
The compound that is delivered into the bloodstream also has the potential to carry molecular, radioactive bombs that would penetrate the cancer cell mitochondria and cause it to die. So, here the smaller the better. It would also prevent tumor growth...
The research is to take 2 years, which if successful then goes to another funding source for the trials. Perhaps in about 5 years we will be seeing something at our larger medical universities.

Hope this wan't too long, but you asked!
warmly,
Maria (MTS)

08-18-2006, 12:34 PM	#3
mts Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 503	According to everyone there (all super brains from well established medical universities from all over the USA) -mammos are on their way out. The work horse of the 90's is becomming obsolete. Dense breast tissue in approx 40% of women is difficult to read leading to unecessary surgeries and sometimes hidden tumors that go undetected until its too late. Therefore new imaging technologies are being invented and additional components to existing technology are being improved. One very interesting research program that was discussed and likely funded was a new innovative approach to targeting cancer at the molecular level. It kind of works like this: A special nannochemical/drug compound is delivered into the bloodstream which then attaches itself to a cancer tumor as small as 1 millimeter. The imaging apparatus then combines spectroscopic tomography (the future replacement of mammos), MRI technology and microwaves to 3-dimensionalize the tumor and provide an exact position of it as well as surrounding tissues with considerably better resolution than what is currently available. The 3D image is then transfered onto a computer screen where the radiologist can perfectly visualize the entire tumor on a big screen. Because the compound attaches to cancer tumors (because they are warmer by a few degrees than healthy tissue), the cancer is caught VERY early and therefore providing a much better prognosis. This technology is adaptable to existing technology -making it widely available to underserved populations, it does not produce radiation or side-effects, does not hurt and it allows for a smooth transition for radiologists to understand what they see without major training and best of all the low price would make it comparable to mammos and in the end, more women would benefit. From what I gathered, we are years away from a chemo-cure. Radiology is currently our best defense against cancer. Early detection is the key. Especially screening at a younger age. For those with higher potential of mets, this is great because again, it catches the cancer early and get this: The compound that is delivered into the bloodstream also has the potential to carry molecular, radioactive bombs that would penetrate the cancer cell mitochondria and cause it to die. So, here the smaller the better. It would also prevent tumor growth... The research is to take 2 years, which if successful then goes to another funding source for the trials. Perhaps in about 5 years we will be seeing something at our larger medical universities. Hope this wan't too long, but you asked! warmly, Maria (MTS)