Newswise — A key challenge facing doctors as they treat patients suffering from cancer or other diseases resulting from genetic mutations is that the drugs at their disposal often don’t discriminate between healthy cells and dangerous ones — think of the brute-force approach of chemotherapy, for instance. To address this challenge, Florida State University researchers are investigating techniques for using certain molecules that, when exposed to light, will kill only the harmful cells.

Igor V. Alabugin is an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at FSU. He specializes in a branch of chemistry known as photochemistry, in which the interactions between atoms, small molecules and light are analyzed.

“When one of the two strands of our cellular DNA is broken, intricate cell machinery is mobilized to repair the damage,” he said. “Only because this process is efficient can humans function in an environment full of ultraviolet irradiation, heavy metals and other factors that constantly damage our cells.”

However, a cell that sustains so much damage that both DNA strands are broken at the same time eventually will commit suicide — a process known as apoptosis.

“In our research, we’re working on ways to induce apoptosis in cancer cells — or any cells that have harmful genetic mutations — by damaging both of their DNA strands,” Alabugin said. “We have found that a group of cancer-killing molecules known as lysine conjugates can identify a damaged spot, or ‘cleavage,’ in a single strand of DNA and then induce cleavage on the DNA strand opposite the damage site.

This ‘double cleavage’ of the DNA is very difficult for the cell to repair and typically leads to apoptosis.”
What’s more, the lysine conjugates’ cancer-killing properties are manifested only when they are exposed to certain types of light, thus allowing researchers to activate them at exactly the right place and time, when their concentration is high inside of the cancer cells, Alabugin said.

“So, for example, doctors treating a patient with an esophageal tumor might first inject the tumor with a drug containing lysine conjugates,” he said. “Then they would insert a fiber-optic scope down the patient’s throat to shine light on the affected area.” The light exposure would activate the drug, leading to double-strand DNA damage in the cancerous cells — and cell death — for as much as 25 percent to 30 percent of the cells in the tumor,at a rate that rivals in efficiency any of the highly complex and rare DNA-cleaving molecules produced by nature, Alabugin said — and, perhaps just as importantly, avoids damage to healthy cells.

For tumors located deeper within the body, he pointed to other studies showing that a pulsed laser device can be used to penetrate muscle and other tissues, thereby activating the drugs using near-infrared beams of light.

As proof of principle to the idea that lysine conjugates possess anti-cancer activity, Alabugin collaborated with cancer biologist Dr. John A. Copland of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Fla. In their tests, several of the molecules demonstrated little effect upon cultured cancer cells — in this case, metastatic human kidney cancer cells — without light, but upon phototherapy activation killed more than 90 percent of the cancer cells with a single treatment. Future work will include demonstrating anti-cancer activity in an animal model. Successful completion of the preclinical studies then could lead to clinical trials with human patients.

Alabugin and his FSU colleagues also have applied for a patent on their work.

The month of August has been designated as hair loss awareness month by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Every year the AAD runs a public awareness campaign to educate people and to refute the hair loss myths that may delay millions from seeking diagnosis and treatment.

The public education campaign raises awareness about the signs of hereditary hair loss, a condition that affects 80 million American men and women.

True or false?

1) A man will lose his hair only if his grandfather on his mother’s side was bald.
2) Women rarely lose their hair.
3) The likelihood of hair loss varies by racial heritage or ethnicity.

All of these statements are false says the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The AAD wants to reach those men and women who look in the mirror every morning and overlook the initial signs of hereditary hair loss,” says dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. “Sometimes denial keeps them from seeking treatment. But often it’s a belief in common myths about hair loss that may cause them to wait months, or even years, before consulting their dermatologist – if they seek treatment at all.”

Three of the most common myths about hereditary hair loss are:

Myth #1: Hereditary hair loss is passed only from the mother’s side of the family.

Fact: Men and women should look at both sides of their family tree for relatives with hereditary hair loss. The condition can be inherited from their mother, their father, or from both parents.

Myth #2: Hereditary hair loss is rare among women.

Fact: In the United States, 30 million women—or one in four—experience hereditary hair loss. Less frequent causes for hair loss in women include stress, illness, medication, diet, and pregnancy. But 70 percent of women with thinning hair can attribute it to hereditary hair loss.

Myth #3: Prevalence of hereditary hair loss varies by ethnic or racial background.

Fact: Race neither increases nor decreases a person’s likelihood of experiencing hereditary hair loss. Hereditary hair loss affects all ethnicities.

About Hereditary Hair Loss and Treatment Options

Hereditary hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, is marked by a progressive miniaturization of hair follicles, causing a shortening of the hair’s growth cycle. As the growth phase shortens, the hair becomes thinner and shorter. Eventually there is no growth at all. Because hereditary hair loss is gradual, the sooner treatment is started, the better the chances of results.

There are several different treatment options for men and women suffering from hereditary hair loss:

Minoxidil (Rogaine) topical solution works on hair follicles to reverse the shrinking process and stimulate new growth on the top of your scalp. It is sold over the counter and is FDA-approved for use by men and women. Minoxidil is the only hair regrowth ingredient approved by the FDA for use by women.
 
Finasteride, (Propecia) a pill taken orally, stimulates hair regrowth by blocking the formation of the active male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is FDA-approved for use by men and is available by prescription.
 
Hair transplantation involves removing healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp and transplanting them to the bald areas.

More information about hair loss and treatment options is available online at the American Academy of Dermatology Web site, http://www.aad.org, or visit the American Hair Loss Association web site, http://www.americanhairloss.org/

ROME — Italian golfer Alessandro Pissilli has been suspended after failing a drug test according to the Italian Olympic Committee.

Pissilli tested positive for the drug Finasteride, the active ingredient in the hair loss drug Propecia and the prostate drug Proscar.

Pissilli, who plays on the Italian pro tour, was suspended by the Italian Golf Federation. He could face a two-year ban if found guilty of a doping violation.

His local golf club in Florence released a statement saying he had informed authorities at the time of the test that he had taken the drug for almost two years to treat a prostate problem.

Finasteride has been at the center of several recent doping cases recently because it can also be used to mask steroid use.

Australian soccer player Stan Lazaridis is also facing disciplinary action after having been tested positive for Finasteride.  In his case it appears he took it for hair loss and not for his prostate.

And they are not alone either, American skeleton slider Zach Lund, and French runner Nordine Gezzar, have also tested positive for Finasteride use in the recent past.

CAMBRIDGE, MA –  Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRIS), a drug development company focused on seeking to develop novel targeted medicines primarily for cancer treatment, has just reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007.

For the second quarter of 2007, Curis reported a net loss of $3,998,000 or ($0.08) per share, as compared to a net loss of $3,924,000 or ($0.08) per share for the same period in the prior year.

The most important news for hair loss sufferers is the following statement contained in their report:

“We currently do not expect to further develop our current Hedgehog agonist compounds for hair growth regulation.”

In May 2007, Procter & Gamble notified Curis of their decision to terminate their September 2005 collaboration agreement for topically applied Hedgehog agonist compounds for hair growth regulation, effective November 9, 2007.

Also in May 2007, Ortho Biotech Products notified Curis of their decision to cease its development efforts on the BMP-7 program and terminate their November 2002 license agreement.

Curis is still pursuing the use of their Hedgehog antagonist for use in cancer treatments however.

“While we are disappointed that two of our collaborations concluded during the second quarter of 2007, we continue to make progress on our core small molecule cancer assets. We are pleased with the progress of our Hedgehog antagonist collaboration, the lead molecule of which is currently in Phase I clinical testing. We have also made significant progress on our targeted cancer programs that we are developing under our Targeted Cancer Drug Development Platform,” said Daniel Passeri, Curis’ President and Chief Executive Officer.

DETROIT — Sophomore Jill Gulick of Grosse Pointe Park is donating her lush, blond, long hair so another child will have hair to cover her/his head.

Through the Wigs 4 Kids program, headquartered in St. Clair Shores, hair donations provide Michigan children dealing with the side effect of cancer, alopecia or other medical conditions, wigs at no cost.

It takes a blending of 10 to 12 ponytails to make each wig and the retail value of these wigs range from $1,500 to $3,000.

Says Wigs 4 Kids founder and CEO Maggie Varney:

“Most people do not realize the difference they can make in the life of a young person.  Hair donors have the power to give not only their hair, but the gift of self-esteem to a child dealing with hair loss.”

Jill had to wait patiently for her hair to be at least 10 inches long before she could donate it to the organization.

“I talked it over with my Mom and Dad and both thought it was a good idea,” said Jill. “I don’t want it too short, but I know it will grow back.”

Wigs 4 Kids is a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization providing custom -fitted age appropriate wigs to children and teens through age 17, both male and female, in the state of Michigan. Wigs 4 Kids is committed to serving the community and promoting healthy living, growth and balance. It is funded solely on the basis of contributions.

For more information on hair donations call 586-772-6656 or visit the web site http://www.wigs4kids.org/.

Now you can give yourself a hi-tech hair loss examination with a digital microscope.  

The Dino-lite Digital Microscope connects to the USB port of your computer and can capture magnified images of your hair and scalp, or anything else.

Unlike traditional microscopes, this hi-tech digital microscope also allows you to photograph and capture the images as stills, real-time video, or even time-lapsed video.   These can be saved and then emailed to your physician, or posted to a website.

The microscopes range from 0-50X magnification to 0-200X magnification depending on the model.   There is also a model that connects to a TV instead of a computer.

Prices vary depending on where you get it, but they range from about $100 for the 50X version to around $250 for the 200X version.

They are available from several websites including these ones:

(USA) http://www.minresco.com/dinolite/dinolite.htm

(Japan) http://www.thanko.jp/dinolite/

While society has traditionally regarded hair loss as a problem associated with men, losing your ‘crowning glory’ also can be devastating to women and teens.  Over 40 million women are affected each year and are always looking for a way to stop their hair loss.

Lifes2good, a leading European natural healthcare company, is promoting a new product they claim will help women with hair loss.

The product called Nourkrin(TM) is a unique marine-based food supplement that is 100% natural and contains:

– Marine based extract of proteins and polysaccharides.
– Silica, an important mineral for reducing hair loss and maintaining strong healthy hair.
– Horsetail extract, the organic form of silica that increases the strength of the hair and revitalizes lifeless hair.
– IGG Protein aids in the digestion of the product.

Stress, poor diet, the Pill, HRTs, childbirth, cancer treatment, and menopause are blamed for a national problem that’s ruining the lives of over 40 million women who experience thinning hair and hair loss.

“Hair loss is a much bigger issue to women. Up to 60 % of women will lose hair some time in their life, it affects women’s self esteem, and they can become depressed,” says Dr. David Kingsley, the world’s only trichologist (hair/scalp expert) named as a member of the prestigious AAD. He recently authored the book, The Hair Loss Cure: a Self-Help Guide, operates two hair loss clinics in the U.S. and treats thousands of women. He uses Nourkrin(TM) in his therapies with amazing success rates. “Not all hair loss is genetic or permanent. In many cases, hair loss is a temporary issue and will eventually grow back.”

The company claims in a survey of 1,000 Nourkrin users, 62.5% saw an improvement in their hair after only two months.

A 30-day supply retails for $79.95 and is available at Vitamin World Stores, www.help4hair.com or by calling 1.888.577.7277.

Newswise — The number of cosmetic procedures performed in shopping malls, spas and walk-in clinics has risen dramatically in the past several years. Unfortunately, patients who choose to have these procedures performed in such locations may be forgoing safety for convenience of location and bargain prices. The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) urges patients to select a board-certified physician for cosmetic surgery. The Academy recommends patients do their homework and consider a doctor’s training and credentials before they decide if a particular physician is the right choice for them.

Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, FAAD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, knows the risks involved when a cosmetic procedure is not performed by a qualified physician.

“Today, many non-physicians are performing various cosmetic procedures outside their scope of training in spas, shopping malls and walk-in clinics,” explains Dr. Kauvar. “While these locations may offer convenience, the limited training and supervision of the person performing the procedure, and the equipment available to handle complications or medical emergencies, can jeopardize the health and appearance of the patient.”

Some people may have medical problems or take medications that may increase the risks of side effects. Non-physicians may not be knowledgeable about these conditions.

In a 2007 survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), 56 percent of dermatologic surgeons indicated that there had been an increase in the number of patients they had treated as the result of complications caused by a non-physician performing a cosmetic procedure. Burns, scarring and skin discoloration were some of the most common complications experienced by patients who had procedures performed by non-physicians.

“I have seen many cases of cosmetic procedures gone wrong. These procedures were performed by non-physicians without appropriate physician supervision,” said Dr. Kauvar. “In addition, staff members were not adequately trained in the procedure or knowledgeable about the risks and complications.”

To assist consumers in choosing a qualified dermatologist, the Academy recommends that before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, consumers should ask the following questions:

What are the doctor’s credentials? Is he/she a board-certified physician or other appropriately trained surgeon? What training does the staff have?

“Ask to see their credentials. Dermatologists are surgeons who have received extensive education and training and they safely perform thousands of cosmetic surgery procedures with excellent results for their patients,” explained Dr. Kauvar.

The education and training for dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons involves at least four years of postgraduate residency training in programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This includes at least one year of training in internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, or another ACGME-approved broad-based program, followed by at least three years of intensive training in dermatology including dermatopathology and dermatologic surgery. To become board-certified, dermatologists also must pass a certifying examination given by the American Board of Dermatology, a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Dermatologic surgeons also may participate in post-graduate surgical fellowships lasting one to two years. Beyond this, dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons engage in continuing medical education (CME) throughout their careers (in fact, almost every state requires a minimum number of CME hours per year for relicensure).

How many of these cosmetic surgery procedures has the physician performed? What results can be expected? Ask to see before and after photos of the physician’s previous patients.

“A physician should be up front and honest about the number of specific surgeries they have performed,“ stated Dr. Kauvar. “In addition, the physician you choose to perform your procedure should be willing to share before and after photos of cosmetic procedures he or she has performed, when available.”

How long is the recuperation period?

“With any cosmetic surgery, the results achieved largely depend not only on the skill and experience of the physician, but also on a patient’s general overall health, age, healing capacity, and the specific skin problem,” remarked Dr. Kauvar. A patient’s realistic expectations also help contribute to a positive outcome.

What are the risks?

“The risks involved in most cosmetic surgery procedures are minimal,” explained Dr. Kauvar. “However, there are inherent risks associated with any type of surgery, and these should be discussed with your physician during the initial consultation.”

Where is the cosmetic surgery usually performed?

“Because most cosmetic dermatologic procedures do not require general anesthesia, cosmetic surgery procedures are most often effectively and efficiently performed safely in the surgeon’s office, surgical suite, or outpatient surgical center,” stated Dr. Kauvar. “This venue offers a safe, cost-effective alternative to the hospital.”

What is the cost?

“As with any medical procedure, the cost will vary depending on the nature of the treatment,” explained Dr. Kauvar. “It is important to ask up front how much the procedure will cost and how payment is required.”

“The patient’s safety is the top priority for any physician,” noted Dr. Kauvar. “The overall care a patient receives from a physician in his or her office is unparalleled to the walk-in clinics found in shopping malls and spas. A well-informed patient and a board-certified physician are always the best prescription for a successful outcome.”
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 15,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the Academy at
1-888-462-DERM (3376) or http://www.aad.org/.