The results of clinical trials revealed the effectiveness of a personalized vaccine to treat melanoma skin cancer, as it showed the ability to reduce the risk of death or recurrence of the disease by 42 percent, according to The Telegraph newspaper.
The “Entismeran” vaccine, developed by Moderna, is manufactured specifically for each patient who has undergone surgery to remove a melanoma, based on a sample taken from the tumor itself. The tumor's DNA is analyzed using artificial intelligence to produce the vaccine.
The vaccine is designed to be used in conjunction with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, produced by MSD. The study showed that combining the two treatments reduces the risk of disease recurrence or death in melanoma patients within two years by 42 percent, compared to using Keytruda alone.
Pharmaceutical companies reported that about 82 percent of patients who received the combination treatment remained alive without melanoma returning after two years, compared to 70 percent of patients who received Keytruda alone.
The study focused on more than 1,100 patients with a high-risk type of melanoma who underwent surgery to remove the tumors.
How does the vaccine work?
The vaccine, which experts described as a “paradigm shift,” works by stimulating the immune system and enabling it to fight cancer according to the distinctive characteristics of each patient’s tumor.
The vaccine targets what are known as “neoantigens,” which are markers that appear on tumors and can be recognized by the immune system.
Results that give new hope to patients
Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus UK, said: “These positive trial results represent a very exciting milestone in the treatment of melanoma skin cancer.”
She added: “With more than 20,000 new cases and 2,600 deaths recorded annually due to melanoma in the United Kingdom, innovations that help prevent the recurrence of the disease and stop the spread of cancer give patients new and vital hope.”
For his part, Alan Melcher, professor of translational immunotherapy at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: “These are very impressive results.”
He added: “Research related to cancer vaccines has continued for many years, but the progress made in the fields of genetic sequencing, immunotherapies, and messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, including the experiences gained from Covid vaccines, have all brought about a radical shift in the capabilities available today.”
Professor Melcher continued: “What is particularly exciting is that this vaccine is designed for each patient individually; “It uses information from the patient’s own tumor to set targets specific to the type of cancer he or she has.”
Prostate enlargement is a non-cancerous growth or increase in the size of prostate gland tissue that compresses the urethra and obstructs its flow, causing difficulty in starting urination, frequent urination, weak urine flow, and waking up several times during the night.
There are some medications that may increase the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, antihistamines, some antidepressants, and anticholinergics, because they may make it difficult to empty the bladder or make urination more difficult. It is best to consult a doctor or pharmacist before using these medications for people with prostate enlargement.
What are the common medications that may worsen the symptoms of prostate enlargement?
Decongestants
Decongestants are used to treat congestion that often accompanies the common cold. These medications exacerbate the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, because they cause the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck to contract, and when these muscles contract, it becomes difficult for urine to exit the bladder.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are often used to treat allergic reactions. These medications work to prevent the bladder muscle from contracting, which can slow or impede urine flow.
Antidepressants
An older generation of antidepressants, called tricyclic antidepressants, reduce bladder muscle contractions, which in turn may worsen symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and increase the risk of urinary retention.
Anticholinergics
Anticholinergic drugs are a class of medications that work to inhibit or block the effect of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine in the nervous system. Anticholinergics cause concern about increased symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia because they reduce bladder muscle contractions.
Diuretics
Diuretics help get rid of excess fluid in the body by drawing more water from the bloodstream into the urine.
These medications are used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, liver disease, and glaucoma. Because diuretics increase the frequency of urination, they may worsen existing BPH symptoms.
Sugar cravings are when you feel a strong desire to eat something sweet and have difficulty controlling yourself. This may lead to excessive calorie intake and unintended, sometimes regular, weight gain.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to alleviate this sweet craving, according to Healthline.
Eat fruit
When most people feel sugar cravings, they turn to high-calorie foods like chocolate or sweets. However, replacing junk food with fruit when you're craving sugar may give you the sweetness you need and stop your cravings in their tracks.
Fruit is naturally sweet but also contains beneficial plant compounds such as fibre. To make sure it meets your craving, eat fruits that are slightly higher in sugar, such as mangoes or grapes. You can also add fruit to yogurt to make it a more filling snack.
Dark chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most common foods that people eat when they crave sweets. If you're craving chocolate, you can make a healthier choice by choosing dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate contains healthy plant compounds known as polyphenols. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects may help improve various indicators of cognitive and heart health.
Furthermore, dark chocolate contains approximately five times the polyphenols of milk and white chocolate, while containing much less sugar.
However, dark chocolate still contains sugar and fat; So it is best to limit yourself to one serving or less per day.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a high-protein snack rich in calcium, and may help reduce your appetite and blood sugar levels.
Likewise, a 2015 review suggests that yogurt may be a good snack to help regulate your appetite throughout the day and control your sugar cravings. Make sure to choose yogurt without added sugar.
Dates
Although dates contain approximately 70 percent sugar, they are rich in nutrients and may help reduce sugar cravings.
A 2020 study in people with diabetes found that eating three dates daily for 16 weeks had no effect on blood sugar levels. However, it has helped lower LDL and total cholesterol levels, while significantly improving quality of life.
Try eating dates with nuts like almonds for a sweet and crunchy snack. However, remember that dates are very sweet; So stick to one serving at a time, or about three dates.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are nutritious, sweet and filling. They contain mostly carbohydrates, but they also contain fiber and a number of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
You may have sugar cravings because you don't eat enough throughout the day.
Including a source of carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes in your meals may help combat this by adding calories to your meals and making them more balanced. As its name suggests, sweet potatoes can also provide the sweet taste you crave. For a delicious dish, try roasting them with cinnamon and paprika.
