Posted on 07/02/2024 9:06:33 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Researchers found that a targeted gene therapy may make acute myeloid leukemia (AML) more sensitive to chemotherapy, while also protecting the heart against toxicity often caused by cancer treatments.
Acute myeloid leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in adults and the resulting chemotherapy treatment can put patients at an increased risk for cardiac damage. Dr. Xunlei Kang led a study looking at similarities between leukemia and cardiovascular disease. They found a shared target—AGTR1, a receptor responsible for cell reproduction, was overabundant in the blood cells of patients with leukemia.
The researchers used losartan, a common medicine for treating high blood pressure, to inhibit the AGTR1 receptor in mice. This disrupted cancer growth, slowing the development of leukemia and led to longer survival. The next step is to further investigate losartan's effectiveness in treating human leukemia patients.
"Mouse models of leukemia differ from human disease in several ways, including differences in the immune system, the bone marrow microenvironment and responses to treatments," Pan said. "We will now carefully interpret and validate these findings in human studies to ensure translational relevance."
If these findings are confirmed in human clinical trials, the approval process to use losartan would be shorter compared to other medications, since it's already FDA-approved and will not require comprehensive data about the drug.
"When we treated mice with the AGTR1 inhibitor losartan, we observed that this commercially available drug shows great promise in reducing AML development while protecting against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity," Kang said. "This finding shows great potential to both enhance the success of chemotherapy while protecting the heart."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Hubby and I are both on losartan and amlodipine. Both are doing a good job at controlling our hypertension without the nasty side effect of coughing that lisinopril gives.
I take Olmesartan (Benicar), wonder what’s the difference is between them. I know Olmesartan really keeps BP down and fast like in an hour or 2. It’s strong, I take a low 5mg, any higher i get dizzy. I ditched lisinopril as well.
I encourage both of you to consider upping your daily soluble fiber. A study I posted showed it reduces systolic by nearly three points for every 5 grams added, and over two points of diastolic, for the same.
Additionally, make sure you are getting 7.5 times the amount of zinc as you get copper per day. Zinc can reduce blood pressure for some.
Mushrooms, EGCG (green tea extract) also help.
A relative got off and ARB and CCB because her blood pressure was on the low end of normal, all without her drugs.
I had AML and one of the reasons for cardiac damage may be the treatment.
AML is treated with a protocol called 7 + 3.
7 days of 24 hours straight of cytarabine.
Then 3 days of idarubacin or daunorubicin - otherwise known as the red devil - which causes heart damage.
It caused heart damage to me.
But off label use of Ivermectin was outlawed.
EC
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