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New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

economist.com

41–50 of 182 posts

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Cancer is not one thing, I know this is a popular "well actually" to do, but it is not always useful in a conversation. Yes, all cancers are different, but yes, cancer is also one thing: unchecked, harmful division of cells. Bacteria are also all different, but still they are "one thing", and despite their diversity, antibiotics exist that can deal with many species of them at once. It is reasonable to talk about b…

The problem is the similarities of cancer to normal cells. We have penicilin that works against all human cells. We call that poison. Now, "no, i mean poisons that attack the special chemistry of cancer," oh yes, those we call chemo.

For chemo it's often "these chemicals kills cancer cells faster than they kill regular cells".

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#42

To offer context for others: The bigger deal about this is that KRAS was considered an "undruggable" target. Recent advancements have allowed us to design biologics to do things we previously thought impossible, which broadens the horizons for other treatments in the future. Baby steps.

What's next then?

Other cancers, obesity, name it.

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#43

I’m surprised Michael Levin’s research hasn’t expanded much beyond a certain YouTube media bubble. They’re able to start and stop cancer growth with only voltage changes between cells, likewise they can also trigger regeneration or anatomical changes using voltage changes. His research seems to suggest a lot of important anatomical plans are stored in an electric field around the body, not in the DNA. This model’s ex…

[deleted]

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#45

Please remember that science is under attack in the United States - new proposals would gut the nih even beyond the horror that is ongoing. As a scientist I am horrified and I truly hope that we don’t abandon the usas historically strong investment in the future.

I've been wondering why they attack science outside of they think it is woke and liberal.

It makes no sense to cut off the hand that saves you even as a rich billionaire who wants to control people in a fascist society.

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#46
post #6

As is often the case, the title is hyperbolic. The discovery applies to 20% of tumors, and "one of cancer's significant defenses" or "a key weakness of cancer" would be more accurate. That said, I'll happily take "we discovered a key weakness in 20% of cancers," please and thank you.

Aren't those 20 per cent of tumors more concentrated on the "intractable" side? If so, then the hyperbole is forgivable.

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Cancer is not one thing, I know this is a popular "well actually" to do, but it is not always useful in a conversation. Yes, all cancers are different, but yes, cancer is also one thing: unchecked, harmful division of cells. Bacteria are also all different, but still they are "one thing", and despite their diversity, antibiotics exist that can deal with many species of them at once. It is reasonable to talk about b…

Benign cancers are a thing. They might not kill like they show in the Hollywood movies, but your quality of life will be significantly diminished.

Squamous cell carcinoma does not metastatize, but my god it can disfigure people really badly if not treated in time.

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#48

Please remember that science is under attack in the United States - new proposals would gut the nih even beyond the horror that is ongoing. As a scientist I am horrified and I truly hope that we don’t abandon the usas historically strong investment in the future.

I've been wondering why they attack science outside of they think it is woke and liberal. It makes no sense to cut off the hand that saves you even as a rich billionaire who wants to control people in a fascist society.

Everyone likes to think that their opponents are evil, highly intelligent, silently scheming types like the legendary Cardinal Richelieu.

In reality, mediocre thinkers with inflated egos and little understanding of long-term consequences are pulling the strings almost everywhere.

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#49
post #6

As is often the case, the title is hyperbolic. The discovery applies to 20% of tumors, and "one of cancer's significant defenses" or "a key weakness of cancer" would be more accurate. That said, I'll happily take "we discovered a key weakness in 20% of cancers," please and thank you.

Only on HN can you get content like this. What a community.

Re: New pancreatic cancer drug might open the door to much longer survival times

#50

Please remember that science is under attack in the United States - new proposals would gut the nih even beyond the horror that is ongoing. As a scientist I am horrified and I truly hope that we don’t abandon the usas historically strong investment in the future.

I've been wondering why they attack science outside of they think it is woke and liberal. It makes no sense to cut off the hand that saves you even as a rich billionaire who wants to control people in a fascist society.

They don’t believe in competence because they’ve never experienced it. They think everything is narrative and spectacle.
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