In women with dense breasts an ultrasound examination may improve early diagnosis
Kefah Mokbel, an expert from the London Breast Clinic told the “Daily Telegraph” that women with dense breasts should undergo, in addition to the already recommended mammography, ultrasound examination also: “Women with higher breast density 75% have a risk of cancer 4 times greater than those that have a density less than 25%. Nevertheless, these women exist after a negative mammogram, are sent home and told them that all is well. Submit these women also mean an ultrasound examination early detection of 42% in most tumors and thus saving the lives of thousands of women. ” The expert adds that digital mammography, much more accurate in detecting abnormalities, is a viable alternative to the use of ultrasound.
An antibody “armed” against breast cancer:
ESMA presented a new therapy forms of HER2-positive breast cancer that will ensure maximum effectiveness and minimal side effects by means of monoclonal antibodies.
Al Esma Congress (European Society for Medical Oncology) course in Milan has been made a new molecule that could become a new weapon against certain forms of breast cancer. These are molecules that carry the drug directly into tumor cells. The drug, called T-DM1 consists of two components, that together make it extremely effective: Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody already used successfully in the fight against the form of HER2-positive breast cancer (most common in Italy), and DM1, substance known for some time but very toxic to the body and are not used in therapy.
The antibody carries the toxic molecule within the cancer cell and only then releases it, causing its destruction. Luca Gianni, Cancer Institute of Milan, said that in addition to the obvious benefits of this therapy, there is also a reduction in side effects that occur in a classical treatment with antibody and chemotherapy, separately, for example, Hair loss is reduced from 45% to 2%, as well as diarrhea and neutropenia.
In addition, the president-elect AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology) Mario Venturini, added: “On the one hand we have a revolutionary therapy against the HER2-positive breast cancer, the other T-DM1 is an important example of ‘vehicle specific target cells to chemotherapy. ‘In the future, it will be increasingly widespread development of molecules with these characteristics.”
Currently, the molecule is in Phase II testing and is getting excellent results. Researchers are optimistic and believe that as early as 2013 will be available for patients.
