Abstract: T and B lymphocytes are high-profile fighters in the battlefields of immune responses. Antigen-presenting cells take in and process invading elements and tell T and B cells how to respond. These cells are found, however, to be betraying the body and actually helping tumor cells by inducing immunosuppression and tumor angiogenesis. Disabling or killing them becomes a novel therapeutic strategy in cancer therapy. ... Read more

Abstract: One of the major advances in cancer therapy in recent years is the targeted killing of tumor cells. ERBB receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed on many types of cancer cells and has been proven to be an effective target. ERBB targeted antibodies versus small-molecule kinase inhibitors are compared. ... Read more

Abstract: Today's advanced technology allows measurements and analyses of hundreds of components - both molecules and cells - in the blood and other body fluids that can cause or are involved in an immune response. The antigen-specific immune response is a complex biological process with numerous players. What to analyze and how to analyze them are the subjects of this article. ... Read more

Abstract: Some chemicals have been known as carcinogens. Today, many more chemicals have been shown to be carcinogens with many of them being precarcinogens, which are bioactivated through enzymatic conversion into active carcinogens. Cellular pathways targeted by chemical carcinogens and the molecular specificities of these carcinogens are discussed. ... Read more

Abstract: During and following a meal, the ingested nutrients come into contact with their respective receptors in the intestine. These contents trigger the release of a variety of peptide mediators that orchestrate a neural network feedback loop which alters the size of the current meal and subsequent eating behavior. ... Read more

Abstract: Cancer incidence rate was observed to be accelerating or even paradoxically declining among the oldest ages. This seemingly unlikely and contradictory phenomenon is possibly due to the "somatic aging" process. Aging slows down the rates of metabolism, cell proliferation, and so on. The slower-than-normal pace of accumulation of mutations and slower rate of blood-vessel formation (angiogenesis) reduce the occurrence and growth of cancer. ... Read more

Abstract: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and alternative/complementary medicine at large have become more popular and acceptable among patients. TCM takes a systemic view in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Prof. Jiang pointed out "TCM focuses on diseased person instead of person's disease" and that western medicine is often "studying Vincent van Gogh's paintbrush instead of his thoughts about art expression." ... Read more

Abstract: Chemistry has been the cornerstone in developing cancer drugs, from the conventional chemoagents to the target-specific ones such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Gleevec. In combination with forward and reverse genetic approaches and combinatorial screening technology, chemistry and a new breed of structural, molecular, and systems chemists are to play an even greater role in cancer drug discovery. ... Read more

Abstract: The spleen has been considered by some as a dispensable organ. However, recent research findings suggest that the spleen is an important stem cell reservoir. The spleen kicks in to help with many biological emergencies wherein a new source of cells is necessary. It is especially noted that stem cells of the spleen migrate to the pancreas and differentiate into insulin-producing islet cells and help relieve the symptoms of diabetes. ... Read more

Western medicine treats a patient’s disease. Traditional Chinese medicine, one of the longest practiced and used by the most number of people, treats a diseased patient (see Dr. Jiang’s article on page 455). It makes the most sense to treat both the patient’s disease and the diseased patient.

Tuberculosis is a disease that illustrates the importance of both aspects in curing it. Mycobacterium tuberculosis invades and dwells in a compromised body with a weakened immune system. Since the bacteria live within cells, it takes persistent use of anti-mycobacterial drugs for an extended period of time to contain the bacteria. To completely ... Read more