Researchers at Johns Hopkins discovered that a drug commonly used to treat toenail fungus could block angiogenesis, blood vessels that feed a tumor.

The drug, itraconazole, is FDA approved for human use, which may fast-track its availability as an anti-cancer drug.

If you are interested in reading more about Angiogenesis and cancer growth you can read my post back in July.

The researchers at this point have yet to determine exactly how itraconazole works to stop vessel growth.

Devastating blood born fungal infections that can be lethal for cancer, HIV/AIDS, and organ transplant patients may be treated more successfully, thanks to a new drug delivery method of Amphotericin B developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Because the oral form of the drug is easier to administer and cheaper than intravenous delivery more patients would have access to the medicine. Amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmBd) has been the gold standard for the treatment of systemic mycoses for the past 5 decades. The intravenous form of the drug caused severe kidney toxicity as well as serious tissue damage at the intravenous injection site. This research was triggered by clinicians needing a way to kill these fungal infections without risking the patient's kidney. The new form can be can be taken by mouth with minimal side effects boosting effectiveness and dramatically reducing toxicity.

It was effective in treating candida albicans an infection prevalent in HIV/AIDS and cancer patients receiving chemotherapy,and can cause symptoms ranging from cough to brain damage. Research funding for this project was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada's major agency responsible for funding health research. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Noxafil (posaconazole), an anti- fungal agent may be better than other anti-fungals in helping cancer patients that have GVHD.

GVHD, graft-versus host disease, is a potential complication that can happen after a stem cell transplant. What is really happening is that the new stem cells given from a donor are now giving the patient a chance to build a new immune system--hopefully one that will give a cure. The foreign immune system can begin to attack the cancer patients body that received the transplant. Just like your immune system might reject a heart transplant, the new immune system is seeing the organs of the body as foreign and attack.

To combat this from happening the patients are usually given agents that suppress the immune system. This however, can then cause infections that can quickly develop into a life threatening situation. Researchers are continuing to look for ways to combat the infections that arise.

Noxafil was compared to Diflucan in a study of 600 patients with GVHD who were also receiving therapy to suppress their immune system. The anti-fungal agent that won out was Noxafil for the prevention of fungal infections.

A Carrot a day keeps the doctor away. Not to take away any notoriety from the apple but research shows that a natural compound that protects the vegetable from fungal diseases, may be the prime reason carrots are so unfriendly to cancers. Research showed that falcarinol in carrots reduced cancer. Epidemiological studies have shown that individuals with the highest carrot consumption can lower their risk of cancer by up to 40 percent.

So when we are watching one of America's beloved cartoon characters chew on his carrot and ask "What's up Doc?", maybe we should be asking what is down, with the healthy vegetable lowering the risk for cancer. Remember to always buy organic products when you can.

Vicki's Carrot Salad
5 large carrots shredded
1/2 cup Raisins
1/2 cup chopped apples
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup apple juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and chill for an hour. I like to serve this in individual fruit bowls with a tablespoon of vanilla yogurt and a mint leave on top.