History of the breakthrough of the cancer pill "Gleevec."

While scientists win occasional skirmishes in the battle against cancer, the overall war continues to go badly. Stories abound about revolutionary drugs that may be available in the future, but offer no real help to those who have cancer today. At present, conventional approaches continue to rely on a narrowly focused strategy of treatments, with doctors using, at best, only one or two drugs or other therapies at a time. While this may be acceptable in a laboratory setting or a clinical trial, it has done little to diminish the number of people who die each year from this dread disease. Recently, however, conventional medicine’s core strategy has been re-examined, and a new, potentially more effective approach has emerged—one that combines the best of Eastern wisdom with Western science. Beyond the Magic Bullet—The Anti-Cancer Cocktail by Dr. Raymond Chang takes a penetrating look at this bold new way of treating cancer. The book begins by examining modern medicine’s use of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted drugs in the war against cancer. It then offers a new therapy based on the knowledge that certain off-label drugs, nutrients, and therapies are each somewhat effective against cancer. By combining these therapeutic agents into a “cocktail,” doctors have found that they can attack the cancer all at once, on many different levels and at several different angles, with the goal of overwhelming the disease. Dr. Chang not only discusses the effectiveness of the cocktail, but also provides an examination of the most valuable agents available. For over a thousand years, Traditional Chinese Medicine has used the cocktail approach to safely and effectively fight disease. Throughout the world, the most successful treatments for HIV and Hepatitis C are based on this strategy. Beyond the Magic Bullet—The Anti-Cancer Cocktail leads the way to a bright new future of hope and healing.

Examines the medical controversy surrounding the use and potential benefits of finasteride, a steroid drug shown to drastically cut incidents of prostate cancer among low risk men, as well as cause more aggressive cancers in a small subgroup of patients.

This authoritative volume provides a holistic picture of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Fourteen comprehensive chapters are divided into six sections including an introduction to ADCs, the ADC construct, development issues, landscape, IP and pharmacoeconomics, case studies, and the future of the field. The book examines everything from the selection of the antibody, the drug, and the linker to a discussion of developmental issues such as formulations, bio-analysis, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships, and toxicological and regulatory challenges. It also explores pharmacoecomonics and intellectual properties, including recently issued patents and the cost analysis of drug therapy. Case studies are presented for the three ADCs that have received FDA approval: gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg®), Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®), and ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®), as well as an ADC in late-stage clinical trials, glembatumumab vedotin (CDX-011). Finally, the volume presents a perspective by the editors on the future directions of ADC development and clinical applications. Antibody-Drug Conjugates is a practical and systematic resource for scientists, professors, and students interested in expanding their knowledge of cutting-edge research in this exciting field.

Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.