does it appear they can do that? what would they have
to do.
Well, John,,,you put forth a tough scientific question.
Let me look at this from a scientist's perspective (is Dr. Watson or Crcik available...-g-).
NMPS can detect a serum marker in patients with breast cancer. Fine and dandy. What patients want are the ability to detect "EARLY" cancer or "Recurrence" of disease. Detecting a large mass that is easily seen or palpated is obviously a no brainer.
The studies that are required to determine the utility of this serum marker will take some time. The model would be the same for all cancers...and NMPS may have markers for a variety of cancers.
For breast cancers, one potential group to study would be the women who currently do not have identified lesions, but who are at high risk due to familial or genetic predispositions. Study their serum markers now, and keep that up for a few months to a few years. Eventually, some of these patients will develop cancer. Then one needs to go back to evaluate the data to see if indeed, the serum marker could predict who would or would not get cancer.
Similar studies could be done on patients with breast cancer....I don't see any reports of whether the levels become normal AFTER the breast cancer is removed. (hey, I need to call the company up to do this study). If the marker is good and of true utility, the levels should be back to normal after successful therapy. Then one can use the marker to determine if recurrence may be starting in areas that are not easily visible to the naked eyes (lungs, liver, bone, etc.). This test could be helpful in determining who would need followup xrays and make the cost of followup much cheaper and more efficient.
Ideally, genetic testing will be available one day to help us determine who are likely to get breast cancer (there are some genes that have already been detected that increase the incidence of breast cancer, but those genes are not universally present in all breast cancer patients,,,but that's another diatribe). One day in the future, gene therapy will be successful in preventing or treating all cancers, but until then, one could use this serum marker (assuming it really works) to help identify when to offer interventions. Today, some patients at high risk for breast cancer choose to undergo elective bilateral mastectomy to prevent the possibility of developing a life-threatenting cancer. With this marker, a genetically predisposed woman may delay surgery until the markers are elevated.
Ok,,,somebody call the company and tell them to put me on the advisory board...-g-
Aren't you sorry you asked me a simple question?
mike |
