Monday 23 March 2015 2:49pm
Whānau affected by hereditary cancers, and CTCR Te Aho Matatū researchers, are excited about research developments that may see preventive surgery being replaced by drug treatments.
Families affected by fatal diffuse gastric cancers may have new drug treatments on the horizon that would replace the current surgical option of having their stomachs removed. Whānau, who have had a 20 year partnership with CTCR scientists identifying and detecting the gene, are excited about improving treatments for their mokopuna who carry the gene.
The research, which is identifying vulnerabilities in the cancer cells, may also have applications to other stomach and breast cancers.
Researchers and families were interviewed in a TV ONE news story:
Researchers hail pivotal breakthrough in cancer treatment 20 March 2015, TVNZ website (2 minutes 4 seconds)
Related news
- Bright new hope for beating deadly hereditary stomach and breast cancers
- Native Affairs highlight whānau's battle with gastric cancer
- Stomach cancer discovery highlighted
Related research
- Professor Parry Guilford
- Inherited and environmental cancer risk
- Inherited gastric cancer susceptibility
- Targeting CDH1 deficient cells using synthetic lethal drugs
Isaia Piho, who has had his stomach removed, hopes that his daughter Tia will have much better treatments available, if she is found to be carrying the stomach cancer gene.