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The experimental
drug Apomine, originally developed to treat high cholesterol,
may be used to prevent and treat melanoma, the most lethal
form of skin cancer, according to researchers at Stanford
University School of Medicine.
Apomine
causes tumor regression by decreasing the activity of Ras,
a protein essential for the growth of melanoma and other tumors,
according to Marianne B. Powell, PhD, senior researcher. The
drug may also deflect some of the DNA damage leading to the
development of melanoma. Apomine can be given either orally
or topically (applied to the skin).
Nine patients
with metastatic melanoma took part in the study, all of whom
had not responded to previous surgery and chemotherapy.
Three
patients responded well to the drug, given orally, and their
cancer did not get worse, according to a report presented
at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for
Cancer Research held in San Francisco, California. One of
the three patients has remained on the treatment for three
years.
Powell
believes that the drug may one day be added to sunscreen and
sunblock lotions to protect people against melanoma.
Two additional
studies are underway that are testing the effectiveness of
Apomine against recurring melanoma and also in the treatment
of metastatic breast cancer.
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of April 14, 2002
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