Ecstasy drug could treat blood cancer, say researchers

Would you take ecstacy if it were the cure?
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Posted: 19 August 2011

LONDON: Researchers in Britain revealed on Friday they are exploring whether the night clubbers' drug ecstasy could be effective in treating blood cancers.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham in central England said modified forms of the drug boosted its ability to destroy cancerous cells by 100 times.

Six years ago, researchers found that cancers affecting white blood cells appeared to respond to certain "psychotropic" drugs.

These included weight loss pills, Prozac-type antidepressants, and amphetamine derivatives such as MDMA - commonly known as ecstasy.

The Birmingham scientists said their discoveries since then could lead to MDMA derivatives being used in patient trials.

The derivatives could be effective in treating blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

"This is an exciting next step towards using a modified form of MDMA to help people suffering from blood cancer," said Professor John Gordon, from the university's School of Immunology and Infection.

"While we would not wish to give people false hope, the results of this research hold the potential for improvements in treatments in years to come."

The team found that the dose of MDMA required to treat a tumour would prove fatal, so they set about isolating the drug's cancer-killing properties.

They are now looking at ways to get MDMA molecules to penetrate cancer cell walls more easily.

Doctor David Grant, scientific director of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity, which part-funded the study, said: "The prospect of being able to target blood cancer with a drug derived from ecstasy is a genuinely exciting proposition.

"Many types of lymphoma remain hard to treat and non-toxic drugs which are both effective and have few side effects are desperately needed."

The findings are published in the bi-monthly journal Investigational New Drugs.

- AFP/de


Taken from ChannelNewsAsia.com; source article is below:
Ecstasy drug could treat blood cancer, say researchers

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95 new H1N1 cases raise total infected in Singapore to 315

Posted: 25 June 2009 2330 hrs

Health screening officers monitor passengers through a thermal scanner at the Changi International Airport
 
SINGAPORE: The H1N1 virus continues its spread in Singapore. The Health Ministry confirmed 95 new cases on Thursday, raising the total infected to 315.

About half of the new cases have been investigated and they comprise 25 local infections and 22 imported ones.

Of the 25 new local infections, 10 were Butter Factory nightspot patrons and staff, four were from the Maju Camp cluster and two caught the virus from close contact with imported cases.

Nine were linked to a new Republic Polytechnic cluster, which had three previous cases.

The remaining 48 new cases are still being investigated.

Meanwhile, a trainee working in MediaCorp who contracted the H1N1 virus has been cleared and discharged from hospital.

The Health Ministry said those who develop flu symptoms and have a recent travel history to affected countries should call 993 for an ambulance and should avoid taking public transport.

Those who have symptoms but no travel history should put on a mask, visit a general practitioner and avoid crowded areas.

- CNA/ir
 
From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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New H1N1 flu cases in Britain linked to school

Posted: 27 May 2009 0502 hrs 

This picture shows the Clifton Hill primary school in Melbourne closed after two boys were diagnosed with the H1N1 flu.

LONDON - More than 40 children confirmed as suffering from H1N1 flu at a school in Britain on Tuesday are responding well to treatment, health authorities said.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said a total of 44 cases of H1N1 flu were linked to a primary school in the Handsworth area of Birmingham in central England, and the number is expected to rise in the coming days.

But a spokeswoman for the Agency said none of the total of 50 patients linked to the school -- some of which were confirmed last week -- had required hospital treatment. They are being given anti-viral medication at home.

In a statement, the Department of Health said all the cases seen in Britain so far were "mild" and that there was no evidence of "widespread community transmission".

On its website, the 460-pupil Welford Primary School said it had noticed a high number of absences due to illness early last week, and on official advice it closed last Thursday, one day before a scheduled week's holiday.

The local branch of the HPA said the school was undergoing a "deep clean" before re-opening next week.

The 47 new cases of H1N1 flu cases confirmed on Tuesday -- including three cases elsewhere in England -- took the total number of confirmed cases in Britain to 184.

According to the latest tally from the World Health Organization, issued on Tuesday, 12,954 people have been infected with A(H1N1) across 46 countries, including 91 who died.

- AFP /ls

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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ask the paediatrician: Active hygiene care for a healthier life

Active hygiene care for a healthier life
a public education project supported by the Singapore Paediatric Society (www.sps.org.sg) and Lion Corporation

Q1
When my husband comes back from work, he carries and cuddles our baby. I’m concerned that the bacteria on his body will be transferred to our baby. He says it’s fine because he isn’t sick and, therefore, the bacteria on him is minimal. Is he right? 

A
If your husband is working in a clean environment — such as an office — there won’t be more germs on him if he is not unwell. If he is working in a hospital or laboratory or factory where he is exposed to germs or chemicals, then he may want to consider changing his work clothes and having a shower before carrying the baby.

Q2
My teenage son loves sports and he plays soccer in school every day. Recently, I’ve realised that he has developed bad body odour. What can he do to manage this problem? 

A
Body odour is caused by the release of chemicals when bacteria on the skin break down sweat. These chemicals release an unpleasant smell. Some areas of skin, such as the armpits, produce body odour as these glands produce proteins and oily substances that bacteria feed on.

At puberty, sweat glands develop under the stimulation of hormones. So, your teenage son will sweat more after playing soccer and, therefore, be more likely to produce body odour.

To reduce body odour, advise him to take regular showers and use fresh clothes and socks every day.

An antiperspirant may be used to reduce sweating.

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Questions were answered by Dr Anne Goh from the Singapore Paediatric Society. The information provided is for your general knowledge only. You should seek professional advice or treatment for your child’s condition. 

Q1, our question of the week wins a Kirei Kirei gift set worth $60. The winner has been notified. Stand a chance at winning this gift set by emailing your questions on hygiene care to hygienecare@newstoday.com.sg

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From TODAY, Health – Tuesday, 28-April-2009

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