Inhibitor of AKT Shows Promising Activity in Colon Cancer

At ASCO in June 2009  a study was presented showing potential benefit of a novel inhibitor of AKT and MAPK in patients with metastatic colon cancer in second and third line chemotherapy.  An update at the 2010 ASCO GI meeting in January further confirmed these promising results.

This was a randomized phase II study comparing Xeloda alone versus a combination of Perifosine and Xeloda. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on February 15th, 2010
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 2 Comments »
Tags: perifosine, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Heart Drugs used for Congestive Heart Failure and Arrhythmia may have Anti-tumor Activity

Swedish scientists  reported in the American Cancer Society Journal of Natural Products that cardiac glycosides, which are a family of naturally derived drugs which are used to treat congestive heart failure and arrhythmia, show anti-tumor activity against colon cancer cells. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on January 5th, 2010
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 3 Comments »
Tags: Treating Colorectal Cancer

Milk Thistle: A Way to Protect Against Liver Damage

I am using milk thistle for many of my patients, particularly the ones with some liver damage through chemotherapy or cancer.

A  new study, published online in the journal Cancer, showed that milk thistle may help reduce the liver inflammation associated with chemotherapy in children with leukemia who undergo aggressive chemotherapies. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on December 18th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 4 Comments »
Tags: milk thistle, silymarin, Treating Colorectal Cancer

No Need to Do Surgery Immediately for Patients with Advanced Colon Cancer

A study from Memorial Sloan Kettering recently showed that patients who have stage IV disease, which means spread to other organs, don’t need to undergo surgery immediately. If the tumor does not cause problems such as obstruction or bleeding, patients appear to do better to start with chemotherapy right away without delay because of the surgery. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on November 5th, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 2 Comments »
Tags: metastatic colorectal cancer, surgery, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Colon Cancer and Alcohol

For years we have known that alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors in developing colon cancer particular in women. This week an interesting article was published by Dr. Christopher Forsyth from Rush University Medical Center suggesting that if you have colon cancer and you drink alcohol that colon cancer may spread easier. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on November 3rd, 2009
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | 6 Comments »
Tags: alcohol, metastasis, Treating Colorectal Cancer