foodconsumer.org: Clinical Testing of Pancreatic Cancer Drug Called to Abrupt Halt

Clinical Testing of Pancreatic Cancer Drug Called to Abrupt Halt
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admin on 10/04/2009 00:11:00
 
By  Rachel Howell Stockton
Pancreatic cancer is one malignancy that has managed to “lie low;” there is
no screening mechanism like a pap smear or mammogram in place that can tell you
if you have it or not.  And, the survival rate is overwhelmingly dismal, as was
demonstrated by the death of actor Patrick Swayze.
SciClone Pharmaceuticals tried to give a ray of hope to pancreatic cancer
patients and their physicians by developing the drug RP101.  However, based on
the recommendation by a safety review board, they’ve called a halt to all
testing of the drug.
RP101 was in the second phase of its trial run; there are three stages drug
companies must go through in order to get final approval from the FDA.
Pancreatic cancer can be hereditary; researchers have identified certain genes
that cause the cells in the pancreas to become cancerous.   However, there are
still some unidentified genes that cause it to run in families; these types of
hereditary risk factors are referred to in the medical field as “genetic
syndromes”.
Research into the non-hereditary form of the disease is taking place all over
the world.
While early detection of pancreatic cancer is problematic, the American Cancer
Society has a list of certain factors that can increase a person’s risk:
*Age
*Gender .  Men are more likely to get pancreatic cancer than are women.
*Diabetes
*Obesity
*Activity Level
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol doesn’t qualify as a risk factor for
pancreatic cancer.  However, heavy alcohol use can lead to cirrhosis of the
liver and pancreatitis; both of these illnesses increase potential pancreatic
cancer risk.