One of the earliest chemotherapy drugs appears to work against a genetic fault that can trigger bowel and other cancers, UK researchers say.
In laboratory tests methotrexate, first administered in the 1940s, was found to destroy cells containing the damaged MSH2 gene.
This raises the hope of targeted treatments for those whose cancer is driven by the faulty gene.
Patient trials have already begun, EMBO Molecular Medicine reports.
The genetic condition HNPCC leaves people with a propensity to develop certain forms of cancer: some 90% of men and 70% of women will have developed bowel cancer by the time they reach 70. Read the rest of this entry »
High blood pressure is one of several ‘risk factors’ that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, a stroke, and other serious conditions. As a rule, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk. Treatment includes a change in lifestyle risk factors where these can be improved – losing weight if you are overweight, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol, stopping smoking, and a low salt and caffeine intake. If needed, medication can lower blood pressure. 