From a post to the acor list by Brad RothkopfÂ
Date:Â Â Â Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:03:02 -0400
From:Â Â Â brad rothkopf <72277.3263@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject: telomeres
Hi all, =
this is interesting, as telomeres are ways of immortalizing cells. This=
cmpd also affects stem cells.
best
brad
the ongoing GRN163L solid tumor trial. =
GRN163L and Multiple Myeloma Stem Cells =
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare sub-population of self-renewing,
immortal tumor cells capable of differentiating into the various types of=
cells seen within a bulk tumor. They are now widely believed to be distin=
ct
from bulk tumor cells and to be responsible for many cases of drug
resistance and cancer recurrence. =
GRN163L has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of CSCs in multiple
myeloma, as well as causing cell death in mature bulk myeloma cells
(Matsui, ASH 2006), providing the rationale for the ongoing trial that
tests GRN163L as a single agent in multiple myeloma and a new study testi=
ng
GRN163L in combination with bortezomib. These data on GRN163L were review=
ed
in the broad context of myeloma CSCs in an Educational Session by Dr.
William Matsui of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns
Hopkins, who co-chaired the two hour session entitled, =93The Cancer Stem=
Cell Hypothesis: Biological and Clinical Implications.=94 =
Geron is developing first-in-class biopharmaceuticals for the treatment o=
f
cancer and chronic degenerative diseases, including spinal cord injury,
heart failure and diabetes. The company is advancing an anti-cancer drug
and a cancer vaccine that target the enzyme telomerase through multiple
clinical trials. Geron is also the world leader in the development of hum=
an
embryonic stem cell-based therapeutics, with its spinal cord injury
treatment anticipated to be the first product to enter clinical
development.
I am seriously considering enrolling in a trial for this compound.Although not desperate, I am getting tired of being anemic and tiredall the time. My Revlimid has just been increased to 25 mg since 10stopped working. Although, fortunately, it has not had the mental sideeffects that I was so worried about for me, the fatigue it causes is actually separate from the anemia it causes--which can be permanent.
Dr. Vescio long ago told me of an mm patient he had for whom Revlimid had brought about a complete remission. The problem was, he said, was her hemoglobin was stuck at 10.2, Since mine has not been that high in about 3 years, I would gladly trade places. I do not want my Hgb stuck at 7 or 8 for the rest of my life.
When Revlimid stops working, the next stop is often Revlimid + Velcade.
Since I am getting blood transfusions way too often now, that is probably a combo I do not want to try.
What do you all think? Alex Maas
a.maas@cox.net
San Diego, Ca
NO SCTÂ
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