4 ms·

While we all think of the 'right to die' or 'live life to the fullest', we should also think about how we can stop metastatic cancer. As I continue to read on t

While we all think of the 'right to die' or 'live life to the fullest', we should also think about how we can stop metastatic cancer. As I continue to read on the biology of cancer (due to several family illnesses), it seems so strange how epithelial cells not only bypass cell growth restrictions, but also migrate and survive in places in the body it shouldn't be in. How do tumor cells create a micro environment and thrive? How can we disable this? Although tumor cells vary wildly, my gut feeling is there may be a few commonalities we can surface that can slow down metastatic progression. Car-T cell therapy doesn't seem to be the way forward. Keytruda and immunotherapy seems more likely. Can we do better?

mywacaday 5y ago
Where is a good place to start reading for someone without a medical background, unfortunately my mum has received a terminal diagnosis in the last week.
- adamredwoods 5y ago
  I have been reading "Molecular Biology of Cancer Mechanisms, Targets, and Therapeutics" by Lauren Pecorino, Fifth edition.
- Ocerge 5y ago
  As a complete layman, I read Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee and found it interesting, especially with respect to how little we know about cancer, even today.
- wholinator2 5y ago
  I honestly don't have a reading recommendation but I just wanted to comment my mom also received a terminal diagnosis. She went on to live a number more fulfilling years and we made some fun memories in that time. I do genuinely hope things go as well as they can for you and your mum. <3
mdoms 5y ago
xyzzy21 5y ago
You can think all you want. It won't matter. We are not remotely getting closer (my sister is a VP ops at a major biotech/pharma firm - she provides me with sober sanity about such things). Cancer is not one thing - it's like saying "food is just one thing; how do we replace/control food". Well the goal is far too complex to even have meaning. The easier path is "How do we accept death?" You WILL DIE. I WILL DIE. And it might be cancer or it might be stroke or heart attack. No one gets out alive. My SIL dies of MM metastasis - dead within 1 month of discover of this after 10 years of "successful" experimental treatments. My father died of SSC metastasis within one week of discovery.
- adamredwoods 5y ago
  >> The easier path is "How do we accept death?" These discussions are not mutually exclusive. We can accept death for ourselves, and also make effort in to studying and finding new data points for these serious diseases.

mywacaday 5y ago

Where is a good place to start reading for someone without a medical background, unfortunately my mum has received a terminal diagnosis in the last week.

adamredwoods 5y ago
I have been reading "Molecular Biology of Cancer Mechanisms, Targets, and Therapeutics" by Lauren Pecorino, Fifth edition.
Ocerge 5y ago
As a complete layman, I read Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee and found it interesting, especially with respect to how little we know about cancer, even today.
wholinator2 5y ago
I honestly don't have a reading recommendation but I just wanted to comment my mom also received a terminal diagnosis. She went on to live a number more fulfilling years and we made some fun memories in that time. I do genuinely hope things go as well as they can for you and your mum. <3

mdoms 5y ago

xyzzy21 5y ago

You can think all you want. It won't matter. We are not remotely getting closer (my sister is a VP ops at a major biotech/pharma firm - she provides me with sober sanity about such things). Cancer is not one thing - it's like saying "food is just one thing; how do we replace/control food". Well the goal is far too complex to even have meaning. The easier path is "How do we accept death?" You WILL DIE. I WILL DIE. And it might be cancer or it might be stroke or heart attack. No one gets out alive. My SIL dies of MM metastasis - dead within 1 month of discover of this after 10 years of "successful" experimental treatments. My father died of SSC metastasis within one week of discovery.

adamredwoods 5y ago
>> The easier path is "How do we accept death?" These discussions are not mutually exclusive. We can accept death for ourselves, and also make effort in to studying and finding new data points for these serious diseases.