Researchers at the University of Queensland say they have a vaccine ready for human trials which may be used to treat certain types of cancers. According to the research team, this could be a major breakthrough for cancer patients in the future.

Hope for Cancer Patients

The vaccine is made up of antibodies from humans, which are fused with a protein that is specific to the tumor. Researchers are attempting to find out if it can target cells in humans with the memory of the tumor cells. If the vaccine works, it could be used on blood cancers, such as various types of leukemia, along with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. It may also work for solid tumors, such as cancers of the lung, breast, ovaries, renal glands, and pancreas as well as for glioblastoma. These are some of the most common cancers diagnosed each year.

There are several benefits to the vaccine. One of the major advantages is that it would be a clinical grade formula, which means it is less costly to develop than vaccines that are patient specific. It would be more affordable for the average patient.

Another benefit is that the vaccine targets specific cells, which are necessary for immune responses to tumors. It would maximize the effectiveness of the vaccine while minimizing possible side effects.

Cancer Rates and Fatalities

The most commonly diagnosed cancer for 2019 was breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. For 2019, there were 271,270 expected new cases. Lung and prostate cancer follow next in line.

Lung, liver and pancreatic cancers have some of the highest death rates for diagnoses. With pancreatic cancer, almost all cases are fatal. At the other end of the spectrum, melanoma, thyroid cancer, and prostate cancer have a higher survival rate. The timeline for progression can vary based on the type of cancer. For example, some cancers can be more aggressive with a fast progression. Others progress slowly and can linger for years before causing death.

Many of these cancers are genetic with family history playing a significant part in the likelihood of a person developing the cancer. Others, like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, may be caused by other factors, including exposure to chemicals. For instance, with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, some studies like the cancer to exposure from glyphosate, the chemical found in weed killers like Roundup.

Some agencies have labeled glyphosate as a possible carcinogen. Many countries have banned the use of Roundup because of the possible link between it and cancer. More research is being done to determine if there is a link and how significant of a role it plays in the development of cancer.

With the possibility of a cancer vaccine on the horizon, it gives hope to those who are diagnosed with cancer as well as those who are at a higher risk due to genetics or exposure. Even with clinical trials ready to begin, it is likely to be some time before the vaccine will be ready for public use.

Doctors prescribe steroids known as corticosteroids for chronic conditions, sometimes for an extended period or for just a few days to get inflammation under control. While it has been known that long-term use of these drugs may increase risk to patients for certain serious problems, new research suggests even short-term use can also cause harm.

Dangers of Prescription Steroid Use

Damage from extended use includes cataracts, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. New information from a study also indicates that short-term use may increase risk for gastrointestinal bleeding as well as sepsis and heart failure.

The study conducted in Taiwan had a median of three days for treatment using these steroids. Researchers suggest that medical providers should consider the risks when determining if the benefits are worth it. While the risks are somewhat rare, they can have serious consequences. It is also advised that doctors monitor their patients within the first 30 days of starting steroid therapy.

The study included nearly 16 million adults with over 2.5 million between the ages of 20 to 64 who received steroids for 14 days or less. The majority of prescriptions were for various skin disorders and for respiratory tract infections. According to the researchers, short-term use of steroids is common among patients.

This study follows similar findings of an earlier one which was conducted at the University of Michigan. In that prior study, data was collected on adults with many of them taking prescribed steroids for up to 30 days. It was reported that there was a five-time greater risk for developing sepsis as well as almost double the risk for fractures within the first 30 days of beginning the drug therapy. There was also a threefold risk for developing a condition known as venous thromboembolism.

One of the things these studies reveal is that the increase in risk is to young and healthy patients and not just those with pre-existing conditions or other health problems. In light of this information, some doctors are recommending finding other treatment plans rather than using steroids even for short bursts.

How Steroids Work

These medications work by mimicking the natural hormones in a person’s system but at levels higher than what the body can produce. They can lower the symptoms that come with inflammatory conditions. The steroids can also suppress the immune system, which may be important when it attacks the body by mistake.
Doctors prescribe this type of treatment for a wide range of conditions, such as eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, lupus and more. They may be taken by mouth in pill form, by inhaler or spray, topically or through an injection.

Corticosteroids come with a host of health risks. Side effects often depend on the dosage and length of time of use, but they may include swelling in the legs, high blood pressure, pressure in the eyes, weight gain, mood swings, altered memory and more. Anyone who is prescribed these medications should discuss with the doctor the benefits versus the risks to determine if it is the best option for treatment.

A study has discovered that a drug may reduce the risk for traumatic brain injury after an accident, such as a car crash. The drug would be given within a few hours of the trauma.

Medication to Treat Brain Injury

Clinical trials were conducted in London with a tranexamic acid (TXA), which prevents the breakdown of blood clots. The result is that it would prevent blood from getting into the brain, which occurs in a TBI or trauma to the brain. The study was quite large with 12,000 patients either receiving TXA intravenously or a placebo. They were located in 29 countries at just under 200 different hospitals.

The results showed that patients who were given the medication within three hours of the trauma lowered their risk of death. The best results were seen in those with either mild or moderate brain injury. There was no significant improvement seen in patients with severe brain trauma.

No harmful side effects were noted and no more disability in those who received the medication. TXA has already been recognized for its benefits with chest and abdomen wounds. The researchers noted that TXA can’t repair any damage that is done in a traumatic brain injury, so time is of the essence. The study showed that the effectiveness of TXA was reduced by about ten percent for every 20 minutes that went by without treatment.

What Causes TBI?

Traumatic brain injury is caused by severe trauma to the brain from an outside force. In a car accident, the person may hit their head on the windshield or other part of a car. It can cause them to lose consciousness, but that is not always the case. In some instances, a person can have a TBI and not realize it.

Other symptoms of a TBI include blurred vision, headaches and tiredness, problems remembering things, and vomiting. The symptoms can show up right away or be delayed for a few days. The loss of consciousness can happen for just a few seconds or longer.

The problem with traumatic brain injury is that many people may not realize they aren’t well if their other injuries have healed. TBI can last for days, weeks or even years. It may cause permanent damage to the brain. While severe brain trauma will be evident right away, mild trauma may not be diagnosed immediately. And even though it may not lead to death, it can have a severe impact on the quality of life for the person. They may no longer be able to do the same things as before or require more help with activities.

The impact of a TBI is more than just mental. They may lose the ability to function in other ways, depending on the area of the brain that was damaged. It can impact speech, thinking and even physical movements.

It is critical to get treatment as early as possible after an injury to the brain. Even if you feel fine after a car accident or other incident, you should get checked out. You don’t want to wait until symptoms show up hours or days later. By then, you could have suffered permanent injury.