KENDALL, Fla. – Physician-researchers in South Florida are investigating a new approach to treating cancer that metastasizes to the brain.
The study at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute involves a combination of a medication and stereotactic radiosurgery to attack these cancers in patients who often have few treatment options.
“It turns out that this drug is a RAGE inhibitor. RAGE is the name of the protein and this protein is responsible for some aggressive aspects of cancer -- its ability to multiply, its ability to metastasize, its ability to resist chemotherapy and radiation. In addition, it also stimulates the immune system and we want the immune system to be involved in attacking cancers,” said Dr. Yasim Odia, Chief of Neuro-Oncology.
She said the hope is that the drug, which has already been shown to be well-tolerated, will help stereotactic radiation work even better in patients with brain metastases.
DIET SODA RISK
Drinking diet soda and sugary drinks could boost your risk of a dangerous heart condition.
According to a new study, one medium-sized fast-food diet soda a day can raise the risk of an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, or A Fib, by 20 percent.
A similar size of added-sugar beverages can raise the risk of the condition by 10 percent.
Meanwhile, drinking four ounces of pure, unsweetened juices appeared to lower the risk of A Fib by 8 percent.
Many describe A Fib as having a “flutter” or “flip-flop” in the chest.
About 6 million Americans have the condition, which can lead to stroke, blood clots, heart failure and increase the risk of dementia and kidney disease.