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EI FUNDED RESEARCH
EIFBCR Funds Vaccine Research
In the first clinical trial of its kind approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center is launching a new treatment against breast cancer. The trial involves vaccinating 18 patients with their own blood, which has been cultivated to produce dendritic cells which stimulate the immune system.
Dr. H. Kim Lyerly, part of a team of cell biologists, microbiologists, cancer specialists and immunologists states, "This is unique because we are employing new techniques and a refined understanding of dendritic cells, which we think are the most potent immune cell stimulators ever found. We are excited. This may be where the future of cancer immunotherapy lies."
Dendritic cells work to alert immune system "killer T" cells that foreign tissue has invaded the body. Before this trial, scientists have been unable to exponentially boost the few dendritic cells a patient has to "naturally" fend off a disease. "There is so much we don't know yet," Dr. Lyerly continued. "But we now have in hand really powerful tools for modulating the immune system."
Benefit Found In EIFBCR Funded Diet Study
UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is conducting research into whether a change in the composition of fat in the diet, not just the quantity of fat intake, can slow or halt the growth of breast tumors. The dietary study conducted over a three-month period showed a positive change in breast composition by reducing intake of foods containing polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) found in cooking oils and shortenings with a corn oil base and increasing the PUFAs called Omega-3, primarily found in fish. The study included a diet heavy in soy products, fish oils and a variety of green leafy vegetables, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and carrots. "We were surprised that we saw such a difference after just three months," Dr. John Glaspy, the lead researcher reported. "I think it shows that not only are you what you eat, you are what you eat very recently."
EIFBCR Funds Study On Exercise and Estrogen
Numerous recent studies, including one from Norway, indicate that four or more hours of exercise a week significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer. Other benefits include reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and arthritis. This research is being expanded through a study at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. The findings thus far indicate that a moderate intensity exercise program can decrease estrogen levels in premenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer.
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