Puffer fish can offer pain relief
Vancouver company is conducting experiments witti a purified toxin.
HOWARD COHEN
The undertreatment of cancer pain continues to be a clinical problem, as more effective therapies lead to patients living longer with unrelieved pain. 'Hic American Pain Society notes that pain is experienced by 60-90 per cent of patients with advanced cancer. Many patients silently tolerate unrelieved pain.
A new treatment that shows promise in preliminary testing may aUow palliative care professionals new options in treating patients with cancer pain resistant to current treatments.
Tetrodotoxin, the toxin of the puffer fish, has been purified by Vancouver-based Wex Pharmaceuticals and has shown to be safe and effective in relieving treatment-resistant cancer pain. Dr. Neil Hagen presented the final results of a multi-centre trial of tetrodotoxin at a Joint Scientific Meeting of the American and Canadian Pain Societies meeting in Vancouver.
In th^ study, 22 subjects with treatment-resistant cancer pain were treated twice a day for fom-days. Of the 22 subjects involved in the study, 72 per cent reported a meaningful fall in pain levels. Patients exhibited a gradual
onset of pain relief that began on or about the third day of treatment and lasted many days after the final injection. Some patients experienced significant pain relief for up to two weeks. Typical side effects included tingling of the lips and tongue. Tetrodotoxin is the poison con-
A purified version oi the pulfer fish toxin has been shown to aid pain reiief in cancer patients.
tained in minute amounts of sushi prepared from the puffer fish. In Japan, specially trained and licensed chefs prepare the delicacy. The ancient Chinese and Japanese were aware of the toxin contained in puffer fish and used the non-poisonous parts of the fish as a general health tonic. Prior to the Second World War, Japanese researchers experimented with crude puffer fish extract to treat migraines and
menstrual cramps.
Puffer fish have fascinated observers aroimd the world for centuries. Symbols of the fish have been identified on Egyptian tombs dated 2700 BCE. The poison, a sodium channel-blodang compoimd that causes a temporary respiratory paralysis, is chiefly contained in the liver and gonads of the puffer fish and each fish can provide up to 660 doses of the medicine. Wex Pharmaceuticals have extracted the waste products of yellow fin puffer fish and purified them to create a drug safe for hmnan use. In overseas clinical trials, the drug has also been shown to reduce withdrawal symptoms in heroin addicts. Based on the initial positive studies, a secondary 150 patient phase trial is currently under way in 25 cities across Canada. St. Paul's and Vancouver General hospitals are among those involved in the trials. Results are expected this year and, if trials go well, the company is optimistic the drug will be available by 2006. □
Dr. Howard Cohen is the
president of Dallas Mind/Body Medicine.
Dealing with Gaucher disease
Rare genetic ailment is mucli more common among Ashl<enazi Jews.
Gaucher disease is an inherited genetic disorder wherein there is a lack of suflicient activity levels of a specific enzyme called gluco-cerebrosidase. The disease is relr atively uncommon, affecting fewer than one in 40,000 to 60,000 people in the general population. Among Jews of Ashkenazi descent, Tyj?c 1 Gaucher is the most common genetic disease, with an incidence of up to 1 in 450 people.
Symptoms of Gaucher disease usually become apparent in childhood or early adulthood. They include fatigue, bone pain, anemia, easy bruising, enlarged spleen and liver and, in children, delayed growth.
TVpe I Gaucher disease is related to the loss of function when lipid gets deposited in the bone, possibly leading to reduced bone strengtii and fi:5ctiu-es. Also, the lipid deposits can interrupt the normal blood supply to the bone.
leading to death of the bone, a painful condition known as "bone crisis." Symptoms may also include abdominal problems due to massive enlargement of the liver and spleen, poor blood clot-. ting and anemia. Type 2 and Type 3 Gaucher disease result in severe neurological impairment or early demise.
Gaucher disease is caused by a genetic mutation received from both parents. The gene that controls the production of the enzyme is passed from parent to child. In people with Gaucher disease, this gene is abnormal, or a mutated and insufficient quantity of the enzyme is produced, or the available enzyme does not function properly. A person develops Gaucher disease by inheriting two of the mutated genes (one from each parent). When only one Gaucher gene is passed to a person, he or she ^vill not develop the disease, but
will become a carrier. A carrier can pass a mutated Gaucher gene to his or her children.
A doctor can diagnose Gaucher disease by using a simple blood test. In healthy individuals, the test shows white blood cells that contain normal enzyme activity. In individuals with Gaucher disease, the enzyme activity is much lower.
Physicians may consider testing for Gaucher disease when associated signs and symptoms are present and unexplained by other causes. Testing may also be considered for family members of individuals with Gaucher disease. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, enzyme replacement therapy is the preferred treatment. Trials of gene therapy for Gaucher disease are imder way; however, much work and time is needed before it becomes a treatment option. □
- Courtesy ofGcnzyme Canada
Does your health and life coverage stack up? If you're not sure \^at health and life insurance choices are appropriate for you, I can help. Ill work with you to identify your needs and dearly explain your options. If you want peace of mind, not a piece of paper, please call me.
Edith Stevettson Bus 604 987-2465
edith.stcvenson@darica.com wwH'.darica.con;/cdit}ustc\'enson
CLARICA
Associated with Qarica Financial Services Inc. and Qarica Investco Inc.
I BODITREE m
pi lates & h eal i ng \
CUSTOM DESIGNED WORKOUTS FOR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
athlefic & sport-specific conditioning Injury retiabllitatlon • pain management
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
RMT • chiropracfic • podiatry • louch 4 health Infrared sauna programs for weight loss, detoxification, & rejuvenation
604-736-2634
210-2006 West lOlh Ave. at Maple St.
www.boditreepilates.com
SAVE GOODBYE TO CELLULITE
BEFORE
New Medical Treatment for Cellulite & Fat Redu
VelaSmooth™
• No Surgery • No Injections
VelaSmooth breaks up & flushes stubboni celiuim deposits on the hips, thighs, stomach &
European Slqn &'Body Clinic
604-737-7060 1520 west Utti (at Granville) www.skinandbodycliniccom
50% OFF NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL
REMOVES HAIR 10 TIMES FASTER THAN OTHER LASERS LESS PAINFUL • LASTS LONGER
o
9