New Lung Cancer Medication – Revealing Afatinib’s Meaning
Most lung cancer cases are classified as the non-small-cell type. For years, patients suffering from the disease’s rarer form (where genes that function as growth factor receptors have mutated) had to rely on medication that is not specifically made for their condition. Finally, the FDA approved the sale and distribution of Afatinib – a medication that works on non-small-cell lung cancer. Interestingly, it underwent an approval process that was much faster than usual.
True Meaning
Afatinib’s current availability could be interpreted in two ways. For one, it could be said that the authorities are becoming more and more aware that there is a real need for specificity, and thus they are trying to encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop solutions for patients with rare diseases. Of course, “encouragement” in this context is synonymous with quick review-and-approval processes (which should also encompass novel diagnostic approaches that might come with new medications).
Afatinib’s availability could also be interpreted as a sign of positive changes in patient care. In particular, those with uncommon conditions would never have to succumb to hopelessness. As proven by Afatinib’s approval and availability, some patients would at last be able to fight (or at the very least, slow the progression) of their diseases. Others would take comfort in knowing that the pharmaceutical industry is taking action to meet their highly specific needs.
Issue Solved
The lack of medications and treatment options particularly made to either control or combat rare diseases is among the biggest issues in healthcare, according to Louis Kraml. With Afatinib’s arrival, it does seem that the concern is finally being solved.
Stopping Brain Disease – Clue to the Cure Discovered
The Medical Research Council’s team of neuroscience specialists has identified a chemical substance that is capable of preventing brain tissue from wasting away (in the presence of a neurodegenerative disease). In an animal study, the substance has successfully stopped a viral brain infection from causing harmful protein-production problems (which often lead to cellular starvation and death). It should be emphasized however, that the chemical is far from ready for human use (mainly due to pancreatic side effects).
Cure’s Beginning
Upon finding out that the chemical is harmful to a certain extent and after realizing that it has only been tested in animals so far, some people would probably feel disappointed. Instead of showing disappointment, such individuals should keep in mind that the substance’s discovery is actually a sign of hope. If it were not discovered, then even the brightest scientific experts would still have no concrete clue as to how to effectively prevent viruses from destroying brain tissue.
With the chemical’s existence revealed, the path towards a cure has become clear as well. Researchers can now focus their efforts on mapping out the substance’s many effects. Of course, they will also try to better understand the chemical’s mechanism of action (in relation to its capability to prevent cell starvation). Once all those aspects have been thoroughly studied, they could finally attempt to eliminate (or at the very least, minimize) the chemical’s adverse effects.
A Brighter Future
Even though it could take years before the substance is transformed into an actual neurodegenerative-disease medication, it is already obvious that a bright future lies ahead.