Download sample of this report

CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS AND MANAGEMENT
PERSONALIZED OPTIONS REPORT
METASTATIC MELANOMA
PATIENT
FEBRUARY, 2011
1
Cancer Treatment Options and Management | www.ctoam.com Ph.778-999-5463
Personalized Options Plan: Patient
February 21, 2011
Cancer Treatment Options and Management Disclaimer:
The information and material provided in our reports, by consultation, or on our website and all
technical pages are strictly for educational purposes only.
This information it not intended as medical advice, or for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
medical issues and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
or treatment. Please consult your health care professional before considering any new dietary,
diagnostics, or treatment options.
While we attempt to keep our information accurate, we cannot guarantee it is an accurate
representation of the latest information regarding cancer. If you have any concerns, please
contact the referenced research facility directly.
Cancer Treatment Options and Management Inc. is not responsible for the information found in
the reports, by consultation, on the website, or the referenced list.
Inclusion in any report, consultation, CTOAM’s website or reference list does not imply
endorsement by Cancer Treatment Options & Management Inc.
2
Cancer Treatment Options and Management | www.ctoam.com Ph.778-999-5463
Personalized Options Plan: Patient
February 21, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SECTION
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
4
SECTION I: METASTATIC MELANOMA OVERVIEW
6
SECTION II: TREATMENT OPTIONS
14
SECTION III: MANAGEMENT
27
SECTION IV: CLINICAL TRIALS
35
APPENDIX A: IMPROVING BIOAVAILABILITY
45
APPENDIX B: MELANOMA STAGING
51
APPENDIX C: REFERENCES
54
3
Cancer Treatment Options and Management | www.ctoam.com Ph.778-999-5463
Personalized Options Plan: Patient
February 21, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
This report is a meta-analysis of standard and cutting edge treatment options for Metastatic
Melanoma. In it you will find detailed information on the causes of this disease and most
importantly, recent advances in treatment that have the potential to provide a higher rate of
success and longevity than current standard treatments. It is important to note that, by providing
information on cutting edge treatment options, CTOAM is not advising or recommending any
course of treatment. We are merely researching and presenting scientific, peer reviewed data that
is important for you to know in order to access the most advanced and beneficial treatment for
your cancer that science and medicine have to offer at this time. This information is meant to be
discussed in full with your primary physician and treatment team. We have provided you with
the documentation and information you need in order to be able to ensure that the most
promising new treatments can be explored by your treatment team.
The following is a brief overview of the contents of this report. A more detailed exploration of
each statement is provided (with referenced documentation attached) in the main body of this
report.
Most cancers are perpetuated by cells that exhibit stem cell like properties, that exist in a
dormant state until activated and have unlimited life spans. Cancer results when these cells
harbour mutations that cause them to constantly reproduce, metastasize, and recruit their own
blood supply. The ability of these to remain dormant protects them from standard chemotherapy
and radiation, which only target rapidly reproducing cells.
Melanoma originates in the skin pigment producing cells called melanocytes. Cutaneous
melanoma is composed of four histological subtypes. It is the most common type of malignant
melanoma and can be diagnosed through biopsies. Standard treatments such as chemotherapy,
surgery, and radiation, have limited success with late stage metastatic melanoma, and are
typically done in a palliative manner.
The failure of standard treatments is due to the lack of selectivity of chemotherapy agents,
inability to identify and remove cells that have migrated from the tumor focus during surgery,
and the reactivation of dormant melanoma initiating stem cell populations after treatments.
However, recent advances in imaging and characterization of melanoma genetic subtypes are
greatly improving clinical treatment of late stage metastatic melanoma. New imaging techniques
can be used to identify metastasis from benign growth, delineate metabolic activity, and monitor
effectiveness during treatment regimes.
Characterization of melanoma genetic subtypes (with stem cell like properties) has led to the
creation of targeted therapies, which are selective for tumor-specific molecular derangements
unique to each subtype. While some targeted therapy clinical trials that used single agents have
shown significant results, accurate molecular testing and multi-trial participation is required to
address the heterogeneous nature of metastatic disease.
Cancer Treatment Options and Management | www.ctoam.com Ph.778-999-5463
4
Personalized Options Plan: Patient
February 21, 2011
Further synergistic effects can be achieved by combining multiple targeted approaches with
immune based therapies, which are also achieving significant results as single agents.
While clinical trials provide the basis for molecular targeted therapies, plant phytochemicals
(nutraceuticals), can also provide a means of gene regulation. The characterization of
nutraceutical-based gene regulation has identified four nutraceuticals as single agents that can
greatly inhibit metastatic melanoma stem cells when used in high doses. While issues such as
low bioavailability and rapid metabolism have previously prevented the clinical application of
these nutraceuticals, some issues have recently been resolved by using synergistic combinations.
Specific combinations of nutraceuticals can result in greatly improved tumor-inhibiting activity
at much lower concentrations by improving bioavailability. Additional combinations of
nutraceuticals can be used to over-saturate or inhibit the mechanisms that break down and
remove the beneficial nutraceuticals, allowing tumor-inhibiting activity to occur at levels
achievable through oral administration. Furthermore, these targeted diets can also sensitize
metastatic melanoma cells to other treatment regimes.
Current clinical trials for late stage metastatic melanoma include the combined use of
chemotherapy with vaccines, immunotherapy, vector-based delivery of anti-cancer agents, and
molecular targeted therapies. Although most of these trials have focused on targeting a single
mutation or oncogene, some have reported significant survival rates for the responsive patients,
with a select group of patients achieving complete remission (7yrs to date). Since the majority of
these trials are ongoing, the long-term survival rates have yet to be fully assessed. Furthermore,
trials that use multiple agents are likely to show greater results.
It is clear from our research, that with a combination approach of proper dosing of nutraceuticals
and engagement in some promising clinical trials, options exist currently to provide those with a
diagnosis of Metastatic Melanoma with increased survival rates and, as the research indicates, in
some cases, full remission.
5
Cancer Treatment Options and Management | www.ctoam.com Ph.778-999-5463