tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71544259241398413342024-03-13T00:43:51.346-07:00The Hemoglobin MailCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-20927077246241339822015-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:002015-10-13T13:53:28.083-07:00Public Event - Oct. 15 at New Medical School, MUN, on Primary Immunodeficiencies<b>Event title: WAR WAGED IN THE BODY: A Practical Overview of Primary Immunodeficiencies</b>
<p>
<b>Date:</b> Thurs., Oct. 15, 2015<br>
<b>Time:</b> 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm<br>
<b>Location:</b> New Medical Education Center<br>
(at the north side of Health Sciences Centre)<br>
Rm. 1M101<br>
St.John’s, NL<br>
<br>
Lot 9, Medical School Parking lot
<p>
<b>Description:</b> This event will present Primary Immunodeficiencies in a generalized
comprehension of this large group of conditions, and enables individuals to ask
and researchers about health topics that are missed, misunderstood or overlooked in the clinic.
<p>
You are welcome to show up or register at
PCDS Memorial University: PCDS Memorial University: <a href="https://www.med.mun.ca/pdcs/program_info.asp?programID=2844">https://www.med.mun.ca/pdcs/program_info.asp?programID=2844</a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08ugrqR18AO3sVdfJH2qmRl9DZHA8e_bO7z0REUOWypz1sZ8b4W47AOfEa96dU8dkM5RVANoglZyvo6eHa_GjUnOu21TE04Do5Y7x3iRTykkuzIB4PMnpVzHLwCQglyX34dcL4LtvwXI/s1600/Oct-15-2015-Event-NLTBI-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08ugrqR18AO3sVdfJH2qmRl9DZHA8e_bO7z0REUOWypz1sZ8b4W47AOfEa96dU8dkM5RVANoglZyvo6eHa_GjUnOu21TE04Do5Y7x3iRTykkuzIB4PMnpVzHLwCQglyX34dcL4LtvwXI/s320/Oct-15-2015-Event-NLTBI-sm.jpg" /></a>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-33385448212757678432015-06-04T06:46:00.000-07:002015-06-04T06:46:23.310-07:00Exciting developments in the fight against cancers<b>Harnessing the Immune System</b>
<p>
For years scientists have been trying to find ways to better harness our own immune systems to better fight off cancers. Since <a href="http://newfinland.blogspot.ca/2013/04/promising-t-cell-therapy-for-leukemia.html">2011</a> alone, there have been promising and significant advances in this approach to cancer treatment. Right now, there is more good news and progress in fighting cancer using an immunotherapy type of approach.
<p>
Two medical research announcements are giving hope for a new immune system weapon against at least two types of cancer.
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<b>Progress in Melanoma treatment</b>
<p>
As described in a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/health-32951892">BBC story today</a>, "A pair of cancer drugs can shrink tumours in nearly 60% of people with advanced melanoma". Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and in an international trial of 945 people, it shrank tumours by 58%. Tumours continued to shrink or remain stable for an average of 11.5 months. UK doctors say they have never seen tumour shrinkage over 50%.
<p>
One patient in the story was given 18-24 months to live in 2013, but is now "feeling amazing". Medical research, not surprisingly, especially in the very complicated area of cancer, takes years of research to make any advancement, and with drugs involved there are side effects. In this case, half of patients had non-serious side effects, but there are potentially serious side effects. It also still remains to be seen why some people benefited while others did not. So, there is still much to be done to see why, and how to improve upon this treatment.
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<b>Lung cancer therapy is 'milestone'</b>
<p>
A clinical trial has more than doubled the life expectancy of lung cancer patients.
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Lung cancer is the most deadly cancer. In <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/health-32936877">this trial</a>, patients with advanced lung cancer lived an additional 9.4 months with standard treatments of chemotherapy. With the drug Nivolumab, they lived over 12 months longer, and some, over 19 months longer. According to Cancer Research UK, it is giving real hope to people who had very few options.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUp0c7ZveIOgcyzk-PvOCxs8ECcPMw6fz1ZAtJtF4f13Nm6DEeU1Vyio2SCnyINd6IWB-mE2y5ONQ_Z-fw7rHvm8xlQ4Sz9ugY9i4izRXOVqKLHCEKiQRV_A5ENGXw6NjVVIOP9vZ9A/s1600/lung-tumour-shinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUp0c7ZveIOgcyzk-PvOCxs8ECcPMw6fz1ZAtJtF4f13Nm6DEeU1Vyio2SCnyINd6IWB-mE2y5ONQ_Z-fw7rHvm8xlQ4Sz9ugY9i4izRXOVqKLHCEKiQRV_A5ENGXw6NjVVIOP9vZ9A/s400/lung-tumour-shinks.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>
<blockquote>"It's really exciting, I think these drugs will be a paradigm shift in how we treat lung cancer."<br> - Dr Martin Forster, University College London Cancer Institute</blockquote>
<br>
Here's how both the above therapies work:
<p>
Normally, our immune systems defends us by sending out "killer" cells for diseases, and is often very successful. However, some cancers like lung cancer, produces a protein called PD-L1 which switches off any part of the immune system that tries to attack them. The drug used, Nivolumab, "<i>.. stop cancers turning off the immune system so the body can keep on attacking the tumour... they also stop the cancer cells from hiding from the body's own immune system.</i>"
<p>
In <a href="http://newfinland.blogspot.ca/2013/04/promising-t-cell-therapy-for-leukemia.html">2011</a>, researchers at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York city, took out patients' T-cells, genetically modified them with a "killer" virus, put back into patients, and went on the attach of cancer cells. It had astounding results. This was also a type of immunotherapy.
<p>
Every approach in fighting cancer needs to continue, but this one currently hold significant promise not just for melanoma and lung cancer, but for other types as well.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-88826277827514898102013-09-16T15:33:00.000-07:002013-09-16T15:34:10.532-07:00Public Event - Sept. 17 at GEO Centre "Complete Blood Counts; Types & Transfusions"On behalf of <a href="http://www.med.mun.ca/NLBloodDisorders/Home.aspx">The Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorders Education and Research Project</a>, I would like to invite you and interested parties to a free public event that will include topics on:
<p>
<b><big>The Complete Blood Count</b></big><br>
<li> What can be learned about your health from this very common blood test.
<li> Why it is helpful to understand what all these numbers mean and how they affect your health and wellbeing?
<p>
Presented by Dr. Mary-Frances Scully, Associated Professor, Faculty of Medicine MUN
<p>
And
<p>
<b><big>Blood Types and Transfusions</b></big><br>
<li> Why are there so many different types of transfusions?
<li> How to decide which type is best for each patient.
<p>
Presented by Dr. Christopher Sharpe, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine MUN
<p>
This event will take place on <b>Tuesday, September 17, at the GEO Centre, 175 Signal Hill Rd., St. John's from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. with talks starting at 7:00 p.m. and food and drinks served afterwards from 9:00 – 10:00 pm.</b>
<p>
These talks are especially of interest to people who are living with any type of blood disorder or cancer, anyone booked for major surgery and anyone taking an anticoagulant. The talks will also be of interest to students and health care professionals who wish to learn more about these investigations and therapies which are so fundamental to modern medical practice and to all members of the public who wish to be informed and better able to make decisions about their own health or that of a loved one.
<p>
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-1084044321106131722013-08-16T17:00:00.000-07:002013-08-16T17:02:03.186-07:00Ottawa Doctors make a Breakthrough in Fighting LeukemiaDoctors David Conrad and John Bell have developed a tiny nano-particle that causes human blood cancer cells to kill themselves.
<p>
This is very interesting, and though like any "breakthrough" it is early days and there is much more testing and research trials to be done. However, at this point, it sounds very promising. Please watch and listen to the short clip on the link below. Dr. David Conrad is being interviewed by CTV.
<p>
This is a video link published Aug. 13, 2013 at this <b><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/news-video/doctors-make-breakthrough-in-fighting-leukemia/article13729798/">CTV News web site</a></b>:
<p>
Dr. David Conrad: ".. We've developed a 'particle-based therapeutic', and we can introduce it intravenously to mice that have leukemia. We've observed that not only is the leukemia eradicated but it sets up an immune response so that relapse does not occur... we set up an 'immune memory' with this treatment."
<p>
Wow, this sounds revolutionary - a treatment to kill the cancer, and then even prevent a relapse. Let's hope that this study's finding will be repeated in more trials, so that there will one day be human trials, and similar successful results. Researchers are keeping the hope alive with this study, and the "serial T-Cell" treatment from two years ago in Pennsylvania, and New York labs.
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-66603684842330386242013-06-21T22:18:00.000-07:002013-06-21T22:18:03.233-07:00New drug may be best treatment for leukemia yetThis is the headline from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/20/health/time-leukemia-drug/index.html?hpt=hp_t2">CNN's</a> site June 20, 2013. The following is the actual story text from CNN (just in case the link becomes unavailable).
<p>
<b>It's called ibrutinib, and it's a potential breakthrough in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that could leave patients with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.</b>
<p>
It's called ibrutinib, and it's a potential breakthrough in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that could leave patients with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
<p>
In research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), scientists report that the experimental drug, which differs from broadly acting chemotherapy agents by specifically targeting certain cancer-causing processes, significantly prolongs the life of patients.
<p>
Ibrutinib is currently being tested on tumors that target the body's immune system, such as CLL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
<p>
CLL is the second most common form of leukemia among adults in the U.S., and about 15,000 Americans, most of whom are elderly, are diagnosed with the blood and bone marrow cancer every year.
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The drug is the first to bind to and block the activity of a protein known as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), which plays an important role in helping immune cell tumors, which develop from abnormally growing blood stem cells, to grow.
<p>
Once ibrutinib binds to the immune system's B-cells, it prevents tumors growing in these cells from signaling for the nutrients they need to grow and divide. According to the study, the drug doesn't seem to affect the body's T-cells, as chemotherapy agents do, so patients experience fewer side effects.
<p>
<a href="http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/08/on-the-horizon-at-long-last-cancer-drugs-that-harness-the-bodys-own-immune-system/">TIME: On the horizon at last, cancer drugs that harness the body's own immune system</a>
<p>
Early work on animals showed that the experimental drug effectively shut down tumor cell division, so the researchers tested the compound on 85 CLL patients who had all tried and failed to respond to at least two other anti-cancer treatments. Some even harbored genetic mutations associated with particularly aggressive forms of CLL that typically lead to death within two years of diagnosis.
<p>
The patients were randomized to take one of two different doses of an ibrutinib pill a day. After nearly two years of treatment, 71% of this hard-to-treat group had responded with slower tumor growth, and at 26 months, 75% showed no additional progression of their cancer. At the end of the study period, 83% of the participants were still alive, and most of the patients only complained of diarrhea and fatigue.
<p>
"This is truly a breakthrough drug for CLL. I have been a CLL specialist since 1997, and we have not had a drug like this come into the field yet," says study author Dr. John C. Byrd, the director of the division of hematology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
<p>
"The most common thing I have heard patients say is that it brings their disease under control and makes them feel how they did before their cancer. I've heard that at least a dozen times."
<p>
The scientists and patients were most encouraged by the fact that the the drug helped them to enjoy a longer period of time, on average, in which their tumors remained stable and didn't progress, than they they had while using chemotherapy agents.
<p>
The MCL patients showed similarly positive results. MCL is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that generally doesn't respond to existing chemotherpay, immune-based treatment or stem cell transplants.
<p>
But in a separate study also appearing in NEJM involving 111 advanced MCL patients, about 68% of the participants responded to ibrutinib and 58% were alive after 18 months on the therapy. The response rate was encouraging since the last agent to treat MCL was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a 30% response rate.
<p>
That efficacy data, combined with the experimental drug's favorable side effect profile, has some doctors hoping that ibrutinib might one day replace the harsher chemotherapy agents that are currently the standard of care for these cancers.
<p>
"With chemotherapy, you get it for a specific period of time because patients cannot tolerate the side effects long term. This is an oral medicine that targets something the leukemia cells are dependent on but the rest of the body isn't," says Byrd.
<p>
"People can take a pill once a day and generally they tolerate it well. The side effects are much less than the chemo or other therapies that would be used in this setting."
<p>
Ibutrinib is the first agent to specifically target the BTK pathway, but it's part of a wave of new anti-cancer agents that have been developed to act as more precise, smart bomb medications that destroy just cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. That allows them to minimize the often intolerable side effects of harsher drugs like chemotherapy agents, which tend to wipe out both healthy and cancerous cells at once.
<p>
"In some situations there have been some medications we have tested where patients have said they would rather not be treated and pass (away) from their leukemia than go through the side effects of their medicine that is not going to cure them," says Byrd.
<p>
<a href="http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/01/scientists-identify-opium-poppy-genes-that-make-promising-cancer-drug/">TIME.com: Scientists identify opium poppy genes that make promising cancer drug</a>
<p>
Both of the clinical trials, which were sponsored by ibrutinib's developer, Pharmacyclics, involved older adults, who are most often affected by these cancers, so the researchers believe the results should be applicable to most patients diagnosed with these diseases.
<p>
The studies also suggest that patients may benefit from longer progression-free survival if they start therapy earlier in the course of their disease.
<p>
"Right now, after this drug gets approved, it will likely be used in the setting of relapse initially, but there are ongoing studies that are looking at it for initial therapy. It is something that is especially (beneficial) for elderly patients who do not tolerate chemotherapy well. This will likely replace chemotherapy," says Bryd.
<p>
The fact that even patients with the most aggressive types of CLL, which are driven by genetic mutations, responded to ibrutinib also hints that the experimental drug may become an important part of treating these cancers in coming years.
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The FDA designated it as breakthrough therapy, and Pharmacyclics and Janssen, who are jointly developing the drug, plan to file a New Drug Application (NDA) with the FDA for the use of ibrutinib to treat B-cell malignancies by 2014.
<p>
This article intially published on TIME.com.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-43083448069799082732013-04-17T18:09:00.002-07:002013-04-17T18:30:58.701-07:00Promising T-cell Therapy for Leukemia and other cancers - Event May 30There is an exciting buzz about a new "serial killer" T-cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and CLL. T cells, which are part of your immune system, are taken out of patients' blood; are genetically modified with a virus; put back into the leukemia patient; and the "killer" T-cells hunt for cancer cells, and kill them. Two years ago, researchers at the University of Penn. reported that a small study showed astounding results. Patients who had no other alternative were given this treatment, and went into remission. Other medical centres have been testing similar methods since, and the results are showing promising results.
<p>
While this new therapy is in its infancy stage, it could potentially treat leukemia, and make transplants unnecessary, and also treat other forms of cancer.
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On May 30, 2013, the Newfoundland & Labrador Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorders Research and Education Project will host an event with keynote speaker Dr. Kevin Curran, of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York city. Dr. Curran is one of the researchers in this new treatment. This presentation is open to the public, and should be very interesting for anyone in the community and among health care workers. See details below, and see links to web sites which describe the T-cell therapy which Dr. Curran is involved in.
<p>
Links on T-cell Immunotherapy
<p>
NY Times Article
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/health/altered-t-cell-therapy-shows-promise-for-acute-leukemia.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/health/altered-t-cell-therapy-shows-promise-for-acute-leukemia.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&hp</a>
<p>
ABC News Story
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/experimental-cancer-treatment-offers-hope-18785966?tab=9482931§ion=1206835&playlist=1363742">http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/experimental-cancer-treatment-offers-hope-18785966?tab=9482931§ion=1206835&playlist=1363742
</a>
<p>
Washington Post Article
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/leukemia-treatment-shows-good-results-in-a-handful-of-patients/2013/03/20/b807450e-919a-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/leukemia-treatment-shows-good-results-in-a-handful-of-patients/2013/03/20/b807450e-919a-11e2-bdea-e32ad90da239_story.html</a>
<p>
<b>Adoptive T cell Therapy for Cancer- How your Immune System Can Cure Cancer</b>
<p>
<b>Keynote Speakers:</b><br>
Dr. Kevin J. Curran, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center NY< NY<br>
Dr. Paul Moorehead, Faculty of Medicine at MUN<br>
Holly King and Charlie Cheeseman, patient and family advocates
<p>
Date: Thurs., May 30, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: GEO Centre, St. John's
<p>
Description: This is an exciting and promising leukemia/cancer therapy news event. Topics include leukemia, childhood leukemia and a promising new immunotherapy that is exciting the medical community the U.S., Canada and elsewhere. We will hear from Dr. Kevin Curran, a pediatric oncologist who is a member of a large research team, and working at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Clinic, New York. Dr. Curran is the principal investigator for a study using this treatment for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) . This treatment has so far been used successfully with patients with ALL and CLL. Clinical trials are opening for other types of cancer and other conditions currently managed by stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. The hope is that this treatment will be more effective and less toxic than stem cell or bone marrow transplantation.
<p>
6.30 Refreshments<br>
7.00 Introduction Dr. MF Scully and Dr. M. Larijani, Faculty of Medicine at MUN<br>
7.10 A patient and family perspective<br>
Holly King and Charlie Cheeseman, NLTBI Volunteers<br>
7.30 Acute Leukemia in Children, Dr. Paul Moorehead, Faculty of Medicine at MUN<br>
7.50 Question and Answer period<br>
8.00 Adoptive T cell therapy for cancer -How Your Immune System Can Cure Cancer<br>
Kevin J. Curran MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center NY, NY<br>
8.40 Questions and Answer period<br>
8.50 Panel Discussion<br>
9.00 Refreshments<br>
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-50243158761187520152012-11-25T13:45:00.000-08:002012-11-25T13:45:33.040-08:00Get Swabbed! Help save a Life with Stem Cells or Bone MarrowComing up on <b>Wed., Nov. 28 at Memorial University</b>, there is a <b><font color=C00000>Get Swabbed</font></b> event happening. It is sponsored by the <a href="http://www.blood.ca/">One Match network</a>. The idea is to build of database of potential stem cell or marrow donors, so that other who need a transplant will have a better chance of surviving their disease. It worked for me 10 years ago.
The test involves taking 5 mouth swabs, and takes about 5 minutes. The samples will be analyzed, and the results stored, so that if you are a match for a patient, then you can donate your stem cells or marrow. See the poster below for more details.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtIH1jt84bp6-_LvbPR4QYsBBtLGGPUZRblYt9LAZcYeFOAWu30NtBSU_3WWYpcLmqPevRw_boVX9SoBrI0CJCuMavV3juLL_l5jzgUUCkKYwobpBRKvm4yVwTDvUoVqj7g4fyHKPzTU/s1600/Get_Swabbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtIH1jt84bp6-_LvbPR4QYsBBtLGGPUZRblYt9LAZcYeFOAWu30NtBSU_3WWYpcLmqPevRw_boVX9SoBrI0CJCuMavV3juLL_l5jzgUUCkKYwobpBRKvm4yVwTDvUoVqj7g4fyHKPzTU/s400/Get_Swabbed.jpg" /></a></div>
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-57368318381354394062012-11-18T15:08:00.001-08:002012-11-18T15:08:59.848-08:00Primary Immunodeficiency: How we all learn from very rare genetic disorders<b>Tues., Nov. 20 at the Johnson GEO Centre, 6 - 9:30 pm.</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa7O9XryIg_Ean3AUObMVm4-MyTHY7LBZwIvEDwxOl_F8HMUiB7728iFGFqkTTct2SPKbXrLc_OOeTqCA3Rv0h7hXqUA5K_fOXZMjkmOLpdkwj2cRdP5M8j7eeryTxhbTvq2vcD7OgwM/s1600/NL_Blood_Disorders_Poster-Nov20-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa7O9XryIg_Ean3AUObMVm4-MyTHY7LBZwIvEDwxOl_F8HMUiB7728iFGFqkTTct2SPKbXrLc_OOeTqCA3Rv0h7hXqUA5K_fOXZMjkmOLpdkwj2cRdP5M8j7eeryTxhbTvq2vcD7OgwM/s400/NL_Blood_Disorders_Poster-Nov20-sm.jpg" /></a></div>
This event will be of particular interest to individuals living with primary immunodeficiency, hereditary disorders of the immune system, their family and friends, health professionals especially laboratory technologists, nurses, physicians, pharmacists and all those interested to learn more about the immune system. This event will also be of interest for the many patients who develop an acquired immune system defect either due to viral infection, cancer or cancer therapies.
This event is open to the public.
www.med.mun.ca/NLBloodDisordersCharliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-15035664638808627092012-10-09T12:18:00.002-07:002012-10-09T12:19:41.842-07:00"The Platelet: Friend or Foe" - Nov. 1 at GEO CentreThe NL Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorders Education and Research Project will be holding a meeting at the Johnson GEO Centre at 6:30 pm on Nov. 1. See details below.
<b>"The Platelet: Friend or Foe"
</b>
<blockquote><u>Keynote Speakers</u><p>
Dr. Sara J. Israels, Professor of Paediatric Hematology/ Oncology, University of Manitoba
<p>
Dr. Margaret L. Rand, Professor of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology and Paediatrics,University of Toronto
<p>
Presentation and panel discussion 6.30 -9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
</blockquote>
The event will be of interest to anyone living with a platelet disorder, cancer or taking anti platelet agents such as Aspirin or Plavix, their family and friends. The event will also be of interest to physicians, nurses, lab technologists, students
and anyone interested in medical science.
Platelets are small particle which are activated in the blood-stream at the time of injury and help to limit bleeding.They play a key-role in atherosclerosis and metastatic cancer. Understanding how they are produced,
how they function, how to measure their activity and how to inhibit their function is key to progress in fighting many different illnesses.
<p>
This event is open to the public.
<a href="http://www.med.mun.ca/NlBloodDisorders/Home.aspx">http://www.med.mun.ca/NlBloodDisorders/Home.aspx</a>
<p>
<b>November 1 2012<br>
6.30 - 9 pm <br>
GEO Centre, St. John's</b>
Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-70868210922565409022012-08-31T13:14:00.003-07:002012-08-31T13:23:18.554-07:00Primary Immunodeficiency: How we all learn from very rare genetic disordersThe <b>NL Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorders Education and Research Project</b> invites the public to attend an event called <b><font color="C00000">Primary Immunodeficiency: How we all learn from very rare genetic disorders.</font></b>
<p>
National medical experts will present on this and other immune system disorders.
<p>
<font color="0000C0">It takes place at the
<b>Johnson GEO Centre
Sept. 11,
6 - 9:30 p.m.</b></font>
<p>
This will be of interest to people with a primary immunodeficiency, or other immune system or blood disorder, their families, physicians, nurses, students, and other health care workers.
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Everyone is invited and admission is free. Refreshments will be provided.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-77671461633930406702012-03-29T18:10:00.005-07:002012-03-29T18:47:28.936-07:00Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ( CML) A good news story for cancer researchers<font color=black>You're invited to the GEO Centre on Monday, April 2, from 7-10 pm to presentations on CML.</font><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE_a612RbZ3P2UJMfUOTfzA8HC8SAeGYH1gwO0o4cWsoqUQB3fyN9G77Ad0DnjM8-WNFnx1c6rpKgXXpXXQKT1WMDi5KrppUjDIHtmLcgK72mlpC0iazzl7cboJSh421BuRDdTFcdRV0/s1600/Facebook-promo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE_a612RbZ3P2UJMfUOTfzA8HC8SAeGYH1gwO0o4cWsoqUQB3fyN9G77Ad0DnjM8-WNFnx1c6rpKgXXpXXQKT1WMDi5KrppUjDIHtmLcgK72mlpC0iazzl7cboJSh421BuRDdTFcdRV0/s400/Facebook-promo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725494595183468370" /></a>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-76214566714962261342012-03-06T15:06:00.006-08:002012-03-06T15:20:17.027-08:00Support Groups Online<table width="794" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td bgcolor="white" valign="top" style="padding: 0px"><a href="http://www.uptodate.com">Uptodate – Patient Information</a> <br /><a href="http://clinicaltrials.gov">Clinical Trials NIH</a> <br /><br /><p><u><strong>Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma</strong></u></p><a href="http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/default.htm">BC Cancer Agency</a><br /><a href="https://www.cancercare.on.ca">Ontario Cancer Care</a> <br /><a href="http://www.lls.org">Leukemia and Lymphoma Society</a><br /><a href="http://myeloma.org/Main.action">International Myeloma Foundation</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.acor.org">Association of Cancer Online Resources</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.aamac.ca">Myelodysplasia / Aplastic Anemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada (AAMAC)</a> <br /><a href="http://www.marrowforums.org/index.html">Marrow Forums</a> includes support for those with AA-PNH <br /><a href="http://www.cmladvocates.net">CML Advocates Network</a> <br /><br /><u><strong>Hemophilia Bleeding Disorders in Women</strong></u><br /><br /><a href="http://www.womenbleedtoo.org.uk/index.php">Women Bleed Too</a> <br /><a href="http://www.haemophilia.org.uk">The Haemophilia Society</a> <br /><a href="http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=0&contentid=1">The National Hemophilia Foundation</a> <br /><a href="http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=314&contentid=1564&rptname=women">Victory For Women with Blood Disorders</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://hemophilia.ca">THE CANADIAN HEMOPHILIA SOCIETY</a><br /><a href="http://www.haemophilia.org.nz">The Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand</a> <br /><a href="http://womenshealth.about.com">About Women’s Health</a> <br /><a href="http://www.hemophilia.ca">Canadian Hemophilia Society</a> <br /><a href="http://www.wfh.org">World Federation of Hemophilia</a> <br /><br /><u><strong>Clotting Disorders</strong></u><br /><br /><a href="http://www.stoptheclot.org">Stop the Clot</a> <br /><a href="http://www.theheart.org">The Heart.org</a> <br /><a href="http://www.tigc.org/home.aspx">Thrombosis Interest Group of Canada</a> <br /><br /></td></tr></table>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-61898022488712843492012-02-24T11:50:00.002-08:002012-02-24T11:53:05.093-08:00NL Thrombosis, Blood & Immune Disorder Project March 1 EventIf you or someone you know has a blood or immune system health problem like leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma or blood clotting complications, please let them know about event at the Geo Centre. Specialists will speak about these conditions and research being done.<br /><br />March 1, 2012<br />7 - 10 p.m.<br />GEO Centre<br />St. John’s, NL<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dr. M. Larijani will present “The human immune system; links to<br />leukemia and lymphoma”</span> and<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dr. R. Chitsike will present “An overview of Venous Thromboembolic<br />Disease including Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary<br />Embolism (PE)”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This event is open to the public.<br />The talks will be of interest to health-care professionals,<br />students, patients with their families and friends.<br />The lectures will discuss issues of interest for patients<br />living with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma,<br />hypercoagulability, deep venous thrombosis<br />and pulmonary embolism.</span><br /><br />Question and answer period to follow presentation.<br /><br />Cash bar. Refreshments will be provided at 9 p.m.<br /><br />Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-47965997388476796392011-11-17T23:47:00.000-08:002011-11-17T23:49:45.670-08:00Dwindling Family Size Causing Transplant Donor ShortageBlood cancers like leukemia can be treated and possibly cured through bone marrow or stem cell transplants, but because of smaller family size, the number of sibling donors are declining, and so are the chances of patient survival. If you have leukemia for example, there is a 25% chance that a sibling will be a good enough genetic match to pursue the transplant treatment. The larger the family, the better the odds. However, family size is dwindling, and the chances of a patient getting a family match will be half of what it was only some years ago.<br /><br />Transplants can save lives, though different hospitals/doctors put the success rate at anywhere between 40-75% or more. The transplant process itself is very risky for the patient, can be an 15% chance of not making it, due to infections on a wiped out immune system. Some transplants are very successful, and return many people back to their normal lives, and others have side effects (graft versus host disease), sometimes life altering follow up problems, while others just do not make it at all.<br /><br />But the chances of surviving with a transplant is much greater than just from chemo and radiation alone. And, ideally the donor would be a family member, male donors for male recipients preferably too. But with smaller families comes more risks. The other hope is to receive a transplant from an outside donor, and that can save lives too. Sometimes the risks are higher for graft versus host disease complications, but other times, it works well.<br /><br />So if you are ever inclined to feel like saving a life by being a possible bone marrow or stem cell donor, check out <a href="http://www.onematch.ca" target="_NEW">OneMatch</a> to sign up as a donor.<br />p.s. Many thanks to blood donors for saving thousands of lives each year.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-5026639853792736462011-11-10T07:10:00.000-08:002011-11-12T16:38:19.943-08:00Genetically Modified "Serial Killer" T Cells Obliterate Tumors in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia,Only a few months ago, an eye-opening <a href="http://health.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2011/08/t-cells/">breakthrough</a> study at the University of Pennsylvania, excited the leukemia world. Here's why! With only three subjects for the study, the findings were that striking, that it has created a new hope for the treatment of CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and other cancers. The patients were in advanced stages of CLL, with few other treatment options. Researchers took patients' T-cells, then genetically modified them to attack cancer cells, and injected them back into the patients, after chemotherapy.<br /><blockquote>"Within three weeks, the tumors had been blown away, in a way that was much more violent than we ever expected," said senior author Carl June, MD, director of Translational Research and a professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Abramson Cancer Center, who led the work. "It worked much better than we thought it would."</blockquote>Patient's tumors disappeared and they went into remission, up to a year so far.<br /><blockquote>"We saw at least a 1000-fold increase in the number of modified T cells in each of the patients. Drugs don't do that," June says. "In addition to an extensive capacity for self-replication, the infused T cells are serial killers. On average, each infused T cell led to the killing of thousands of tumor cells – and overall, destroyed at least two pounds of tumor in each patient."</blockquote>The research team have plans to try the same gene manipulaton on other lymphomas, and leukemias. Read the full article <a href="http://health.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2011/08/t-cells/">here</a><br /><br />Time and more trials, and patients, will tell a fuller story, but at this point, it sounds promising for CLL patients right now, and possibly for many others in the coming years.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-51659103872370353342011-11-07T23:15:00.000-08:002011-11-07T23:20:19.368-08:00Launch of the NL Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorder Research & Education ProjectThe public is invited to attend this information event at the Geo Centre, St. John's, Nov. 9, 2011 at 7 pm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1Cy1IQh5C65Z6RFrY96ySg9XAQLnpxQUhsBhQyAa6xcb_53Get8v6m-zmv4oo5xIp-zMCRiSwS1QsICTqxG5N_sH52Sftj4QpVlhRGkBDV1KOsAqJ3DushNiJmw0fVatvyRK6j9T28U/s1600/Launch_blood_disorder_Notice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1Cy1IQh5C65Z6RFrY96ySg9XAQLnpxQUhsBhQyAa6xcb_53Get8v6m-zmv4oo5xIp-zMCRiSwS1QsICTqxG5N_sH52Sftj4QpVlhRGkBDV1KOsAqJ3DushNiJmw0fVatvyRK6j9T28U/s400/Launch_blood_disorder_Notice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672520746495287042" /></a>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7154425924139841334.post-32789026406000944962011-11-03T05:09:00.000-07:002011-11-03T05:45:44.920-07:00Welcome to the Hemoglobin Mail!This title began in 2002 while I was undergoing a stem cell transplant, as a treatment for the blood cancer, leukemia. It was a section of a web site where I would update family and friends on my progress and condition. <br /><br />The site was a distraction of sorts and of course a way to share some information on the disease, bone marrow transplants and graft versus host disease. For a while in 2003 I kept it updated, but while life got busy in somewhat normal ways, this distraction began to lie dormant. Lately, it's been a little distracting that I have not posted much on the disease, cancer and any new and promising research. So it's about bloody time, pardon my hemoglobic pun.<br /><br />Part of the motivation for turning a past hobby into a blog, is to just share any relative research news I read and hear about. Just in the last several months there have been several new promising research findings that are giving cause for a new hope for treatments. As well, here in St. John's, there will be a launch of a Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorder research project on Nov. 9. This blogger will talk briefly at the event, and thought that perhaps any information I write here could possibly be in some small way, encouraging to others faced with blood cancers and the side effects of treatments.<br /><br />Realistically, I do not expect to write here daily, but will post whenever I learn something interesting, useful and/or positive, and will reply to any comments readers may have. For now, I say welcome, and will write more interesting posts in the days, weeks and hopefully months to come.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00750561167313922933noreply@blogger.com2