Experimental Drug Boosts Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates

Hematologist and oncologist Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, practices at Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC, in Howell, New Jersey. With more than three decades of medical experience, he has skillfully divided his time between clinical practice and medical research. Over the years, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has studied numerous conditions, including ovarian cancer.

A deadly form of cancer, ovarian cancer has nearly a 70 percent recurrence rate. The reason for this high rate of recurrence relates to the continued presence of stem-like cells in the body once ovarian cancer is treated. Upon diagnosis, patients usually go through a round of chemotherapy or other treatments. These kill 90 to 99 percent of ovarian cancer cells, thus effectively sending the condition into remission.

However, routine ovarian cancer treatment does not kill stem-like ovarian cancer cells. These cells behave similarly to a plant and can take root in the body after ovarian cancer is destroyed. Over time, the cells grow into a new tumor, a process that can be enabled when as few 11 stem-like cells are left behind.

To address this issue, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI), and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center examined the efficacy of a new drug that targets these stem-like cells. An experimental drug known as 673A was discovered by these researchers and tested in mice with ovarian cancer cells. When used in combination with chemotherapy, this drug significantly improves survival rates among mice with ovarian cancer.

673A works by targeting the ALDH pathway in the body. This pathway clears the toxins produced by stem-like cells, thus allowing them to multiply so quickly. While 673A only kills 3 to 5 percent of stem-like cells, the impact was significant and allowed roughly 60 percent of mice treated with chemotherapy and the drug to survive past the six-month point. Only 10 percent of mice treated with just chemotherapy survived to this point.

Researchers Discover and Block Activating Protein Related to Melanoma

For more than four decades, Kenneth D. Nahum, MD, has been working as a physician. A hematologist and oncologist practicing at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), he treats patients with cancer or blood disorders. Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum routinely conducts research on numerous conditions, including melanoma.

It’s predicted that roughly 96,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2019 and over 7,000 Americans will die of the disease. However, researchers recently discovered a possible way to manage melanomas and other cancers.

Researchers focused on NRAS, a gene responsible for instructing cells to produce an NRAS protein. Mutations in this gene have previously been linked to roughly 25 percent of skin cancers.

However, for NRAS to trigger the development of cancer, it must be activated by another protein. Researchers tested several proteins to determine how they affect NRAS activity and discovered that STK19 appears to be the primary activating protein.

While NRAS activity cannot be disabled, STK19 gene activity can be disabled with a new drug compound. When STK19 was blocked from activating NRAS in animal models and skin cells, it kept melanoma from developing. More research is needed, but researchers hope this discovery will pave the way for new treatments for difficult-to-cure cancer via the identification and blocking of activating proteins.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Higher among Adolescent Female Blood Donors

An oncologist and hematologist, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has been practicing medicine for upwards of 35 years. Through both his clinical and research experience, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum has experience treating dozens of conditions, including iron deficiency anemia.

According to recent research from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, adolescent females have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia and other adverse effects, such as fainting, after they donate blood. This is believed to occur because adolescent girls typically have a lower blood volume and higher iron levels than their adult peers. Because of this, adolescent donors lose more iron than adult donors, despite giving the same amount of blood.

Rather than discouraging adolescent donors from giving blood, this information should encourage adolescent females to prepare for their blood donation by taking iron tablets and eating green vegetables and other iron-rich foods. Further, adolescent females should limit the number of times they donate. 

In the United States, this age group can donate blood every eight weeks as long as they meet weight requirements. However, additional policies to protect this group from adverse health reactions is advised by researchers.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center Offers Collaborative Care

A hematologist and an oncologist at Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC, in New Jersey, Kenneth D. Nahum, DO, has received New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s Top Doctors award four times. Frequently offering his support to health-related charities, Dr. Kenneth D. Nahum served for six years as a co-chair of the Sweetheart Ball fundraiser benefiting the cancer program at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Jersey Shore cancer treatment is built around a collaborative care model. Each patient is assigned a comprehensive care team that includes a radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation therapist, diagnosing and treating surgeon, and primary care physician. For patients with aggressive cancers who may benefit from emerging treatments, Jersey Shore participates in clinical trials run by The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.

The Center also features a unique patient-centered program known as Nurse Navigation, where registered nurses provide patients with logistical and emotional support throughout the treatment process, including with social service and insurance paperwork. Aside from cancer treatments, Jersey Shore offers patients rehabilitation services, nutrition counseling, support groups, and genetic testing to support whole patient care from initial testing through recovery.