Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:09:15 GMT

Smoking Eventually Leads to Graveyard

This is a typical anti-smoking print advertisement campaign signaling where smoking habit eventually leads. This advertisement was published in Kuwait in Public interest to make people feel the urgency to quit smoking. The apparent message of the advertisement is that all the cigarettes consumed by a person are in turn used in making a coffin for that very person in a graveyard. The advertisement is showing a coffin like structure made of cigarettes in a lush green field and burial place is ready to bury a person addicted of smoking. No doubt, the basic message is communicated but there is definitely a question mark on the effectiveness of the message delivered.

The presentation of the campaign is very plain and not been compelling or engaging at all to hit a person hard to make him think of quitting smoking effectively. The advertisement had ample room of improvement in the sphere of retouching which appears to be considerably weak and it could have been far more effective if the burial place is shown in the real graveyard rather using a lush green background. The text of the ad, which is slightly too long, reads, now you can stop wondering where all those cigarettes you smoked had gone. The advertisement was conceptualized by Graffiti Marketing Communications, Kuwait.

Via Adeaters United Posted by: Balendu      Read more     Source

July 3, 2007, 5:04 AM CT

Gene variations, inflammation and lung cancer

Variations in two genes correlation to inflammation may be a major risk factor for developing lung cancer, as per a team of researchers from the National Cancer Institute and the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The effect of these genes is particularly strong among heavy smokers, suggesting that the inflammatory response is important in modulating the damage caused by tobacco smoke.

Their study, reported in the July 1 issue of Cancer Research, a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, is the first to pinpoint the mechanism by which damage to the lung might trigger an overzealous inflammatory response by the immune system, leading to lung cancer. The variants, or polymorphisms, were found in genes for interleukin 1A and interleukin 1B, two signaling molecules that immune system cells secrete in response to infection or tissue damage.

Our findings help explain how heavy smoking, for example, combines with a genetic predisposition to create a besieged environment within the lungs, said lead author Eric Engels, M.D., MPH, researcher at the Viral Epidemiology Branch of the NCIs Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics. Essentially, sustained inflammation alters the microenvironment of the lung tissue, damaging cells and altering DNA......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

June 29, 2007, 5:06 AM CT

Increasing survival rates in lung cancer

Patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer who receive an initial high dose of chemotherapy before their therapy begins can expect an increase in overall survival, as per a research studyin the July 1 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of ASTRO.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer in the United States, as per the American Cancer Society. Treatment for lung cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, the age and medical history of the patient and the type of cancer to be treated. Patients will often consult with a few medical professionals to determine the best course of therapy for them. In cases where the patient is not eligible for surgery or the tumors location makes surgery impossible, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, sometimes called chemoradiation, is suggested.

Doctors in this study, conducted at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, wanted to test the efficacy of giving a high dose of chemotherapy before chemoradiation begins. This boost of chemotherapy is called induction chemotherapy, where doctors administer the medicine to stop the growth of the cancer in the lungs, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body, an occurrence that sometimes affects patients with NSCLC. Doctors wanted to use the induction dose to kill the cancer cells that would continue to grow and metastasize elsewhere in the body. This allowed the doctors to then focus on treating the tumor site in the lungs with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, helping to extend the survival rates of patients with NSCLC......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

June 29, 2007, 5:05 AM CT

Young smokers want to quit, but don't try

Despite tried and true methods to quit smoking, young adults do not take advantage of these proven smoking cessation therapys that can double their chances of quitting, University of Illinois at Chicago public health scientists report.

The research is published online and will appear in the recent issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Young adult smokers are highly motivated to quit -- almost half have tried to quit in the past year -- but they are much less likely to use certain proven therapys to help them quit smoking when in comparison to adult smokers, said Susan Curry, director of the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy and lead author of the study.

Using data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, the scientists compared young adult smokers (ages 18 to 24) to older smokers (ages 25 and older). They observed that young adults are more likely to smoke (24 percent) in comparison to other smokers (20 percent).

Approximately 70 percent in both age groups said they wanted to completely quit smoking, but only 4 percent to 5 percent of smokers in both age groups use any evidence-based behavioral therapy. As few as 1 percent reported using specific types of behavioral therapy such as group classes, quit lines or internet programs......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:30:30 GMT

US Supreme Court Rules Against Phillip Morris

The US Supreme Court on Monday revitalized some tobacco lawsuits when it declined to permit Philip Morris, the big US cigarette maker, to fight cases involving deceptive marketing of ‘light’ cigarettes in federal court, rather than in more plaintiff-friendly state trials. The Supreme Court inverted an appeals court verdict that a federal court should hear the class-action suit, Watson v. Philip Morris. The lawsuit accuses that Philip Morris has breached Arkansas laws with deceptive marketing of its light cigarette brands Marlboro Lights and Cambridge Lights. The court unanimously ruled that Philip Morris could not transfer the classaction from the Arkansas state court, where it was originally filed, to federal court. US firms usually aspire to fight class-action lawsuits in federal court, which they consider as moderately good to corporate defendants.

In the filed lawsuit of Watson v. Philip Morris, consumers are asserting that the tobacco firm has contravened Arkansas’ unfair business practice law by advertising selected cigarettes as ‘light’ when the company was maneuvering the results of tests in order to make it appeared as if the cigarettes contained less tar and nicotine. The suit had further alleged that the firm manipulated cigarette design and used other techniques that caused its cigarettes to register lower levels of harmful contents on an industry standard test than smokers would actually get.

The subsidiary of Altria contended that the case should be placed in federal court in Little Rock, Ark., as the firm was regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. The federal court approved to take the case, on the ground that Philip Morris has employed the government approved procedure of testing cigarettes and consequently the company was being sued for ‘acting under’ the Federal Trade Commission.

Philip Morris had argued that the Federal Trade Commission was a ‘federal officer’ and since there was an accord in place for standardized benchmarks and tests on light smokes with it, the case is eligible for federal court under a ‘removal statute.’ However, Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for the court, conflicted the view arguing, ‘the fact that a federal agency directs, supervises and monitors a company’s activities in considerable detail does not bring that company within the scope of the removal statute.’

Reacting over the verdict, Philip Morris said the US Supreme Court’s decision to remand a suit over the marketing of light cigarettes to state court will not affect the outcome of the case. William Ohlemeyer, Philip Morris USA’s associate general counsel said, ‘Today’s ruling is narrow and merely determined whether the Watson case should be heard in federal court or state court. We have compelling defenses to the Watson claim that have been advanced in state courts.’

On the other hand, speaking over the issue Edward Sweda, senior attorney for the Tobacco Products Liability Project at Northeastern University School of Law has said that the ruling will also ‘benefit plaintiffs and their attorneys in other ‘light’ cigarette litigation since Philip Morris’ attempt to evade state law simply by virtue of the fact that it is regulated has failed’.

The verdict, though procedural, may also have far reaching implications on the tobacco industry. The tobacco firms have been contending that the government’s oversight of the testing program protects them from suit over light cigarettes in any court. The decision that topples a lower court decision, may also affect several pending lawsuits against Philip Morris and Reynolds American Inc.’s R.J. Reynolds Tobacco unit, including Missouri and Minnesota cases in which the issue has already surfaced.Image

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June 6, 2007, 9:51 PM CT

Talcum powder stunts growth of lung tumors

Talcum powder has been used for generations to soothe babies diaper rash and freshen womens faces. But University of Florida researchers report the household product has an additional healing power: The ability to stunt cancer growth by cutting the flow of blood to metastatic lung tumors.

The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal in April, reveals that talc stimulates healthy cells to produce endostatin, a hormone considered the magic bullet for treating metastatic lung cancer. The UF researchers say talc is an exciting new therapeutic agent for a cancer largely considered incurable.

We found, to our surprise, that talc causes tumor growth to slow down and actually decreases the tumor bulk, said Veena Antony, M.D., a professor of pulmonary medicine and chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at UFs College of Medicine. Talc is able to prevent the formation of blood vessels, thereby killing the tumor and choking off its growth. The tumors appeared to grow much slower and in some cases completely disappeared.

Scientists have only recently discovered that talcum powder stunts tumor growth, though the mineral has been used for almost 70 years to treat the respiratory problems that accompany metastatic lung cancer. About half of all patients accumulate fluid around the surface of the lungs, a condition known as malignant pleural effusion......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

April 23, 2007, 9:38 PM CT

Advances In Lung Cancer Treatment

Scientists at the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals Case Medical Center have developed methods for treating lung cancer cells that have become resistant to new anti-cancer agents.

Led by Balazs Halmos, MD, hematologist/oncologist with the Ireland Cancer Center, the research team followed up on their prior study, reported in the New England Journal (NEJM), which observed that lung cancer cells can become resistant to novel targeted agents, such as Tarceva (erlotinib), a medicine in widespread use for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tarceva is among a new generation of cancer therapies that disrupt the molecular target responsible for stimulating tumor growth. The drug targets the receptor for the epidermal growth factor protein (EGFR) to halt the spread of cancer cells. Clinical applications of the new drug initially yielded good results with approximately 10 percent of patients experiencing complete remission of their disease.

However, in spite of the treatment's initial success, patients inevitably suffered a relapse of their disease. Dr. Halmos' studies confirmed the existence of a mutation, and insertion of this mutation into test cells rendered them resistant to Tarceva. These cells became resistant by undergoing a miniscule molecular change in the EGFR protein that the medicine targets. Further analysis revealed that the newly identified mutation was altering the protein's drug-binding pocket and thereby changing the "keyhole" so that the "key" Tarceva no longer fit. The scientists observed that new second-generation Tarceva-like medications can overcome this change and such drugs are now in development, including in clinical trials at the Ireland Cancer Center......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

April 3, 2007, 10:45 PM CT

Secondhand smoke proves to be serious

A study published in this months issue of the Journal of Periodontology found that subjects with periodontitis who were exposed to secondhand smoke were more likely to develop bone loss, the number one cause of tooth loss.

Researchers studied rats that were induced with periodontal disease. One group was not exposed to cigarette smoke while the other two groups were exposed to either 30 days of smoke inhalation produced by non-light cigarettes (cigarettes containing higher tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels) or light cigarettes (cigarettes containing lower tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels). Results showed that bone loss was greater in the subjects exposed to secondhand smoke regardless of if it was smoke from light or non-light cigarettes than those who were exposed to no smoke at all.

"Previous clinical research has proven a strong positive correlation between smoking and gum disease. However, this study is unique in that it evaluated the impact of secondhand smoke on periodontitis," explained study author Getulio da R. Nogueira-Filho, DDS.

"This study really drives home the fact that even if you dont smoke the effects of secondhand smoke can be devastating. Part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle should include avoiding smoke filled places such as nightclubs, bars and even some restaurants," said Preston D. Miller, Jr., DDS and AAP president. "The Academy applauds the cities that are taking steps to make their hospitality industries smoke free so all patrons can enjoy not only a good time but also good overall health."........ Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

March 29, 2007, 5:09 AM CT

Race affects tobacco absorption in children

New research suggests that a child's race may be a factor in determining his/her susceptibility to tobacco toxins linked to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The study, reported in the recent issue of CHEST, the peer-evaluated journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), reveals that African American children with asthma, who are exposed to ETS, have significantly higher toxin levels when in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts.

"African American children suffer from higher rates of tobacco-related disorders, such as asthma, sudden-infant death syndrome, and low birth weight, and we need to know why," said lead author Stephen Wilson MD, University of Cincinnati. "So our goal is to understand how certain populationsespecially those groups who are most susceptiblerespond to ETS exposure."

Dr. Wilson and his colleagues from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center examined 220 tobacco-exposed children with asthma, who had previously participated in the Cincinnati Asthma Prevention study. Scientists studied a bi-racial, community-based sample (55% African American) of children ranging in ages 5 to 12. All of the children had physician-diagnosed asthma, symptoms consistent with persistent asthma, and were exposed to at least five cigarettes per day in or around the home......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source

March 29, 2007, 4:55 AM CT

Lack Of A Protein In Lung Tumors

A study of human lung tumors indicates that patients with lung cancer who lack a particular protein may do more poorly than those with normal levels of that same protein.

If the findings are verified in a clinical trial, the absence of the protein might be used to identify patients with lung cancer who need more aggressive treatment after surgery.

The protein is the product of a gene called Olig1, which previously has not been linked with lung cancer, and it is located in a chromosome region that is often lost in the tumor cells of a number of lung-cancer patients.

The research examined tumors from people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer. It sought to identify genes that are turned off, or silenced, by a process called aberrant DNA methylation.

The study wanted to learn if the pattern of silenced genes could distinguish between two subtypes of NSCLC, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

The research identified 47 genes that together can differentiate between the two lung cancer subtypes. It also observed that the silencing of the Olig1 gene - which results in the absence or low levels of its protein product - was associated with poor survival in NSCLC patients.

The study, led by scientists at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, is reported in the March 27 issue of PLoS Medicine......... Posted by: Justin234      Read more         Source