Est.2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Banner promoting anonymous crime reporting with a phone and contact number 1 800 TIPS (8477), featuring the Crime Stoppers logo and a QR code for submitting tips.

Jamaican Research Prostate Cancer Breakthrough Reinforces The Importance Of A National Culture Of Entrepreneurship

← Back

Your message to the BLOGMASTER was sent

CONTACT THE BLOGMASTER ONLY

Jamaican Ball Moss

In September this year Bajan blogger Green Antilles reported that Jamaican scientist Professor Henry Lowe was invited to make a special presentation at the Eighth Annual Congress of International Drug Discovery Science and Technology (IDDST) in Beijing, China.  Professor Lowe’s presentation was based on “research work on Jamaican medicinal plants, particularly his recent work with Tillandsia recurvata, otherwise called ball moss, which has demonstrated potent anti-cancer activities during testing.” This week, just three months later, Professor Lowe announced to the world that “he had developed a formula that can reduce and eliminate prostate cancer, the number one cause of cancer deaths among males” and that  “he has forged a partnership with the largest nutraceutical company in China, which will distribute the formula in that Asian country.”

Medical research has long indicated that there is a higher incidence of contracting prostate cancer among men of African descent. A prominent Barbadian urologist has been quoted as saying, “In this part of the world (Caribbean), not only is prostate cancer the number one solid organ cancer in men, but it is the number one cancer killer in men”. Data collection on the penetration of the disease in Barbados appears to be sketchy but there is enough to suggest it is high in Barbados.

Related Blogs

BU is also pleased that such a significant discovery was made by a so-called ‘Third World’ nation located in the English Caribbean. Jamaica despite its economic woes which has led to an inevitable degradation in its social landscape continues to demonstrate a level of entrepreneurship which is the envy of many. If Barbados possessed what seems to be Jamaica’s innate quality of entrepreneurism supported by our  strong governance structures both government and NGO which we are proud of in Barbados, we would be world beaters!

Yet another sidebar to this story is the involvement of China. Despite its detractors, China is the economic power house of the world with a huge domestic market which can determine the economic success of the Jamaican discovery for the prostate cancer cure. Again the approach of Jamaica to co-opt the support of China on a research project which has global influence contrasts starkly with Barbados trying to attract the Chinese tourist. According to Professor Lowe, “We will be working toward seizing a five per cent share of the global nutraceutical industry within the next two years, which translates to a multi-billion-dollar local industry — approximately $726 billion”.

The world will continue to look on with keen interest!

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

94 responses to “Jamaican Research Prostate Cancer Breakthrough Reinforces The Importance Of A National Culture Of Entrepreneurship”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    We thank Carson Cadogan for suggesting a post on this matter.

  2. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    Someone has posted an interesting comment after the Jamaica Observer article about this as follows:
    “… anyone can claim to have found a cure for cancer and many have. Proving that is far more difficult and those of us not caught up in the euphoria of the sensational claims being made simply want our erstwhile journalists to ask a few basic questions. So why not, for example, ask if any pathologists (doctors who diagnose cancer) or oncologists (doctors who treat cancer) were involved in testing this substance.”
    Does BU have any hard facts on the efficacy of this product, where the clinical trials were carried out (if any were) and whether they were blind trials in accordance with proper scientific procedure?

  3. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    David”If Barbados possessed what seems to be Jamaica’s innate quality of entrepreneurism”.

    Where can entrepreneurs in Barbados obtain financing?
    There is no lack of entrepreneurial spirit. There is a lack of cash.

    Smart move by the Jamaicans.The Chinese are practitioners of Chinese medicine which uses organic material from plants and animals.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @St. George’s Dragon

    There is merit in your scepticism. BU hangs our hat on the interest which the Chinese, based on the report, appear to be giving the professor.

    No doubt our resident medical guru GP will shed some light on the concern you have raised.

  5. Green Monkey Avatar
    Green Monkey

    Speaking of plants and medicinal properties, there’s another one that has been known for a while to have quite powerful anti-cancer properties.

    (A man finds out about the powerful anti-cancer properties medical studies have found in the chemicals contained in the marijuana plant and successfully treats his skin cancer with cannabis oil).

  6. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The Jamaicans executed an effective business plan. The Chinese overwhelmingly use natural medecine.
    They will not be constrained by the rules regulations and “trials” of the western world.
    Let us hope they have really found a cure with the operative word being “hope”.

  7. Real Scientist Avatar
    Real Scientist

    St George’s Dragon
    You appear to be a name caller, and one who professes himself to be wise, while simultaneously demonstrating that really you are a fool.
    First let me point out that
    1- A pathologist is a scientist who studies pathology.
    2- All doctors ought to be able to diagnose cancer- one does not have to be a pathologist to do so.
    3- Pathologists and oncologists are not usually involved in the development of pharmaceuticals- pharmacologists or Organic Chemists are!

    Whereas it is true that “… anyone can claim to have found a cure for cancer and many have. Proving that is far more difficult,” have you read the man’s paper?
    Do you think that the man is a jackass to go to an international conference to make himself look like a fool? Do you think the man went to a forum like BU, where idiots abound? And where morons can not substantiate much of what they say?

    Have you read the man’s paper? Or were you able to understand any of it?
    Why should “erstwhile journalists ask a few basic questions” like the silly questions you asked, ie why not, for example, ask if any pathologists (doctors who diagnose cancer) or oncologists (doctors who treat cancer) were involved in testing this substance.”

    You do realize that pathologists and oncologists do not in their work/duties perform the elaborate tests performed by Prof Lowe to extract, isolate and chemically characterize the agent described in his paper?

    If you had read the man’s paper or understood any of it, you would see that there are very hard facts about the efficacy of the agent described. If you had read the man’s paper or understood any of it, you would see that the potential drug is still in the stage of development and has not reached the stage of clinical trials.

    You ought to look before you leap, and investigate before you defaecate orally about things about which you obviously know very little.

  8. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    One must give Jack his jacket and thank CCC for bringing this article and research /discovery to the forum.

    One must also thank BU for bringing it to our attention, as it could be a good teaching tool, as it describes fully the steps to extract, isolate and characterize a new chemical. I might just request that my ppt on this topic be presented to the forum.

    It is because BU brings topics like this of a great variety to the forum on a regular basis, that it remains relevant and interesting to a wide cross section of folk who read it…..and the reason why it eclipses the local competition..

    The paper related to this emerging anti cancer drug may be found at
    http://www.freshpatents.com/Anti-tumor-and-anti-inflammatory-extracts-of-plant-biomass-and-their-uses-dt20080619ptan20080145464.php

    First let me say a few words about the concept of efficacy of a drug.

    The efficacy of the drug is the ability of a drug to produce a desired therapeutic effect is called efficacy. Efficacy is the degree to which a drug is able to induce maximal effects. When we are speaking of efficacy we are discussing the ability to get the job done- the ability to provide the desired therapeutic effect.

    If Drug A reduces blood pressure by 20 mm and Drug B reduces blood pressure by 10 mm, then Drug A has greater efficacy than Drug B. In this case, Drug A might be appropriate for treating hypertension that is refractory to Drug B. Two drugs may be approximately equally efficacious; despite their obvious differences in potency, because they both produce the same maximal therapeutic effect.

    The property of efficacy has legal as well as therapeutic importance. The 1962 Kefauver-Harris amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act require proof of efficacy of a drug before it can be marketed. Before that time only evidence of safety was needed.

    Efficacy is dependent on the number of drug-receptor complexes formed, and the efficiency of coupling of receptor activation to cellular responses. Analogous to the maximal velocity for enzyme catalyzed reactions, the maximal response (Emax) or efficacy is more important than drug potency. A drug with greater efficacy is more therapeutically beneficial than one that is more potent.

    The following paragraphs from the aricle under review relates to the fact that the efficacy of chemical has been demonstrated beyond doubt, both in vivo and in vitro. No journalist therefore has to ask any questions about its efficacy.

    “Initial efficacy results across a wide range of cancer cell lines are competitive with a number of clinically proven anticancer agents including Paclitaxel (Taxol®), isolated from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree, and cytotoxicity is much lower.”

    “Again, the anticancer bioactivities of JEM-11 were measured utilizing the extremely sensitive 3H thymidine incorporation in vitro assay against an aggressive B16 melanoma tumor cell line.”

    “JEM-12-25 is the most bioactive fraction, with results competitive with a number of clinically proven anticancer agents including Paclitaxel (Taxol®), isolated from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree.”

    “Efficacy Test Results
    A. In-Vitro Results
    The effects of the JEM plant-derived extracts were tested against four additional tumor cell lines including Breast Cancer, Prostrate Cancer, Kaposi Sarcoma, and a B-Cell Lymphoma line. It proved highly positive against these cancers both in vitro and in vivo. Using the same above-described methods and materials, FIG. 11 illustrates the in vitro results on Prostate Cancer (PC-3), while FIG. 12 shows the results for Kaposi Sarcoma (K SIMM). FIG. 13 shows B-Cell Lymphoma (BLym), FIG. 14 shows Breast Cancer (BC), and FIG. 15 illustrates B-16 Melanoma (B16). The comparative Taxol™ results are show in FIGS. 16-20. The graphs illustrate that the Tillandsia Recurvata extracts exhibit statistically significant effects comparable to the Taxol™ for killing the tumor cells.
    B. In-Vivo Results
    In vivo tests were also performed on mice to demonstrate the cytotoxicity and the apoptotic effects of Tillandsia Recurvata on these tumors. The tumor cell lines were injected subcutaneously of one million cells per tumor cell lines. The different tumors grew at different rates, ranging from three to five weeks to grow to the volume for the different treatments, usually at 1-2 mm. At this stage the tumors were treated daily at dose of 5-10 mg/per mm subcutaneously for seven days. On day eight the tumors were removed, collected and fixed for preparation to be stained with H&E and a special stain (apoptotic) which demonstrates cell depth. All control mice were treated with normal saline and prepared the same as for the treated tumors.
    To evaluate the anti-cancer properties of the extract nude mouse tumor zenograft was used, which is a widely accepted model for evaluating anti-tumor efficacy of a test agent and associated toxicity. Proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis are the most reliable and common biomarkers to assess efficacy of a compound on tumor growth and progression. In accord with these standards it was observed, after subcutaneous injections of the extracts in the tumor zenograft growth in the nude mice, significant inhibition of tumor growth without any apparent toxicity. The B-16 melanoma tumor was grown in the C57 Black/6, which is an immunocompetent mouse strain. The tumor volume data (not shown) reflected that there was a significant increase in tumor volume between control and all of the treatment groups. In addition, combination therapy of the use of the extracts with Taxol™ at a much lower dose showed an additive effect, suggesting synergy on the tumor growth inhibition. Histological examination of H&E stained lesions of the different tumors treated with the extracts showed a central regression of the tumor cell characterized by cells with pynotic nuclei inflammatory cell infiltration (macrophages, polymorphnuclear cells), and absence of blood vessels especially in the Kaposi Sarcoma tumors. No signs of lesion regression were observed in the control lesions.
    An apoptotic cell death assay was also performed utilizing a commercial available in situ apoptosis detection kit (Apop Tag, Oncor™). This procedure works by immunohistochemistry in which the slides are evaluated based on the cells taking up the stain (brown), indicating the cells have undergone apoptosis. In all five histogenic tumors it was demonstrated that apoptosis occurred at a rate of 80% to 90% of the tumor cell death on histology. There was extensive necrosis and apoptosis. Clearly, the Tillandsia Recurvata extract has demonstrated efficacy on a par with Taxol™ and other cancer drugs for killing tumor cells. In addition, it was found that administering the JEM extract to a chronic inflammatory skin animal model showed that it decreases the inflammatory disease in this model.
    As with any successful anticancer drug, the present invention should kill or incapacitate cancer cells without causing excessive damage to normal cells. This ideal situation is achievable by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. The JEM-12-25 plant extract exhibited potent inhibition or killing of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo in five different tumor cell lines without adverse side effects. The in vivo results did not demonstrate any toxicity even at high dosages. It is believed that the anti-cancerous effect is a result of cytotoxicity of the extract, similar to chemotherapy and radiotherapy but lacking the side effects. Both extracts also have an immune stimulating effect which may play a role, and it is expected that further testing will quantify this.”

  9. David Avatar
    David

    @Doc GP

    Thank you for your analysis of the matter at hand. Hopefully St. George’s Dragon will ignore the ruthlessness with which you delivered…lol.

    Which PPT are you referring?

  10. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Hants
    It might be true that “ The Chinese overwhelmingly use natural medicine” but they also have scientists there who are in the forefront of research in Pharmacology & Organic Chemistry. There are also naturopaths who are keen about research in Pharmacology & Organic Chemistry. It seems that there is more than enough interest to cause them to be excited about this agent, and I think that they will indeed “be constrained by the rules regulations and “trials” of the pharmacology industry. Remember that they also practice Western Medicine. The interesting question is whether this agent will be marketed as a “drug” or as a supplement.

    With respect to your comment ……….Let us hope they have really found a cure with the operative word being “hope”, the following paragraphs from the paper are noteworthy

    “The increased focus on cellular biology has led to a profusion of drugs to treat cancer patients are drugs, which more or less directly target the growth mechanism. These drugs include alkylating agents, intercalating agents, antimetabolites, etc., most of which target DNA or enzymes regulating the DNA duplication and elongation process. However, rapidly growing tumors do not always exhibit high levels of cell proliferation, but may also exhibit low levels of cell death compared to the normal cell population from which these tumor cells issue. For these types of rapidly growing tumors, the mentioned drugs are not effective. In addition, the great majority of the drugs currently available for treatment of cancer are toxic and involve detrimental side-effects on healthy cells, tissues and organs.
    The high-technology approach has obfuscated many promising therapeutic drugs derived from natural origins. A successful anticancer drug should kill or incapacitate cancer cells without causing excessive damage to normal cells. This ideal situation is achievable by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells without undue side effects, and organic drugs are well-suited. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death initiated by the nucleus. Apoptosis is a mechanism of cell death that incurs little or no inflammatory response. Currently, radiation is effective in producing cell death by apoptosis but is dependent on dose rate as well as ionization density, and this subjects other non-tumor cells to radiation risks.
    Natural products are the most consistently successful source of drug leads. They are likely to continue to be sources of new commercially viable drug leads. Plants supply most of the active ingredients of traditional medicinal products. Advances in the treatment of cancer will require the continued development of novel and improved chemotherapeutic agents.
    Therefore, there remains a need in the art for finding organic anti-cancer drugs that overcome at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.”
    The question is will this agent do this, while being effective.

  11. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    @David
    I dont think that I have delivered ruthlessly Sir. although such a delivery is indeed warranted.

    Re GP

    Thank you for your analysis of the matter at hand. Hopefully St. George’s Dragon will ignore the ruthlessness with which you delivered…lol.

    Re To which PPT are you referring?
    I am considering requesting that you post one that deals with the sort of very involved (even though now routine tests) currently run daily by Pharmacologists and Organic Chemists to extract, isolate, purify and characterise a new chemical. Many of these are mentioned in the paper en passant. Folk like Hants Pat and Crusoe (who has not been to “class” for a while) tend to enjoy such material.

  12. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    @ David

    If the errant poster had read the article and got to the end thereof, he would have read thus……

    One skilled in the art should understand that further studies should be conducted including in vitro ADME/TOX (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity) studies; cancer cell line selectivity in vitro studies; in vivo animal efficacy and toxicity studies; in vivo pharmacokinetic studies; both in vitro and in vivo mechanism of action (MOA) studies; structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies; and medicinal chemistry studies, all of which should further improve efficacy and reduce toxicity of the JEM-12-25 to improve the therapeutic index.

    One skilled in the art should also understand that further studies should produce a method of synthesizing the anticancer bioactive compound JEM-12-25 (versus biomass isolation of the product) using good manufacturing practices, as well as the synthesized JEM-12-25. This method generally comprises the steps of: 1) extracting the Tillandsia recurvata plant in an aliphatic alcohol by dissolving the Tillandsia recurvata in the alcohol thereby obtaining a suspension, stirring the suspension, filtering the suspension by fritted glass thereby obtaining a first filtrate and a solid part; and 2) extracting the solid part in aliphatic alcohol thereby obtaining a second filtrate and solid part; 3) combining the first and said second filtrate, and 4) air drying the combined filtrate under vacuum thereby obtaining said extract.

    IN OTHER WORDS KNOWING THE CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF THE COMPOUND THAT HAS BEEN ISOLATED AND CHARACTERISED THE RESEARCHERS CAN TWEAK ITS CHEMICAL TO REDUCE SIDE EFFECTS AND TOXICITY IMPROVE ON ITS ABSORPTION DISTRIBUTION AND ELIMINATION AND STUDY ITS MECHANISM OF ACTION AND HOW IT IS METABOLIZED. i.e the researchers must determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the agent. They need to know what the body will do to the drug and what the drug will do the body.

    So far they know that it can cause the effect of killing cancer cells.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    Interesting to note the patent was filed since 2006. Paints a picture of the time it takes to bring an approved drug to market.

    The present application derives priority from U.S. provisional Application No. 60/873,832 filed 8 Dec. 2006.

  14. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Yes this is because it takes a lot of time to do the ADME Tox studies, and then the clinical trials. So even though it starts as a natural product to purify and test the fragments with anti cancer effects is a prolonged proceedure.

    The point is that this sort of work can be done in the region- and there is no reason why it should not be done in Bum too.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Doc GP

    What do you believe are the inhibiting factors preventing such work being done in Barbados?

    Would a reordering of Sir Hilary Beckles’ vision help in any way?

  16. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    I am not sure.Perhaps more work is done in Jamaica because they had their two aademic centres longer. One might have thought that the now retired Clinical Pharmacologists might have enginerred such. He was back home since 1977. Perhaps Prof Brandy can get Hilary to think more in terms of such research, although Jeff Delimore had some students interested in the early 70’s before he went to work with CDB.

  17. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    I personally believe that where ever man lives that God has put plants of medicinal value nearby in the environment. Unfortunately it costs so much to isolate, purify and characterise the active agents in the plants, and the pharmaceutical industry discards suitable natural products which they can not patent. Those that they are able to tweak, they greedily seek to recoup thier investment in a hurry.

  18. David Avatar
    David

    A recent presentation has been updated to the blog for those interested in the more technical aspects of the issue under discussion. We know BU is monitored by those in the medical fraternity, perhaps they can weight in.

    Talking about the medical fraternity what the hell has happened in the BAMP/QEH dispute? The public, a key stakeholder in healthcare delivery always seems to be treated like dirt. It is not like the two entities don’t have public relations officers on board.

  19. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    David
    Thanks for uploading my ppt on “the more technical aspects of the issue under discussion.”

    Do you really expect to hear about the BAMP/QEH dispute? Dont hold your breath.
    Any firing in this case will be done at the end of the doctor’s contract—-or not at all. In Emtage’s case I am predicting some legal fun.

    The priest with balls has had his testicual apparatus squeezed……..or maybe he has a case of “old age mumps. ”

    It seems that the Lowdown was thinking of very local vASODILATORS when he opined thus in yesterday’s NATION…..We know our Governor General, a man for all seasons, would have intoned at the ceremony: “Rise, Sir Branford”. And then added sotto voce: “Speaking metaphorically, of course, Sir Branny. Even in this age of miracles, not all things are possible”.

  20. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Dr.GP,
    good to see you are ok and in fine form. Thanks for your expertise on this topic.
    We are at the age where prostate health is an issue so the topic is more personal.

  21. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Dr.GP wrote”I personally believe that where ever man lives that God has put plants of medicinal value nearby in the environment.”

    There was a time in Barbados when the only medicine available to the majority of people was “bush tea”.
    Sea water was used as a laxative.
    Ginger tea was used as anti-nausea medication “to settle yuh stomach” and still works today.

  22. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    David

    you have written that the blog Green Antilles is a written by a Jamaican. I notice that the site is run by Therese Yarde. I would not be surprised if this is the same Therese Yarde who is a Barbadian, daughter of Mr Ralph Jemmott and one of the youngest winners of the Barbados scholarship.

  23. Therese Avatar
    Therese

    Just a correction: as Ping Pong has already suggested, I’m not a Jamaican blogger. I am Barbadian, as well as being those other things that he mentioned. Apart from that, thanks very much for the link.

  24. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ Hants

    I don’t think there is a dearth of entrepreneurship in Barbados. I think the weakness is a scarcity of Research and Development dollars for “Blue Sky” research. It takes approximately ten projects costing at least $1 million each before there is a breakthrough. Then a further estimated ten years to get the innovation from lab to market. You have to have money to do this. That is why the Canadian government gives billions each year to the Granting Councils for this purpose and more to the NRC for their IRAP program.

    @ Dr. GP

    I enjoyed reading your take on this as usual. I noticed when I was in Jamaica young, old and the middle aged, were all buying and drinking their herbal “roots” drinks. You can get one for everything, including a hard-on.

  25. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    David
    I think that you ought to seek permission to have the blog Green Antilles by Therese Yarde placed on the side bar so that it can be easily accessible A cursory view of the blog reveals that this lady’s articles and information on her blog is of stellar “top drawer” quality..

    Hants
    Thanks for your kind remarks.
    We discussed ginger (ginger tea) earlier this year on a blog on natural products used by the Germans and Brits, and cited by the Canadian School of Naturopathic medicine.
    It is noteworthy that ginger’s cousin tumeric is a great pain killer.

    Sea water was used as a laxative along with senna pods. The salt water worked by attracting water from the cellular compartment into the intestine and this overwhelmed the capacity of the rectum to reabsorb the water. The result was a temporary diarrhoea- which the late Bertie Graham used to call the “too frequent passage of the too fluid stool.”

    Using the sea water probably permitted a much smaller dose of the senna- which is a lazative on its own.

    Pat
    Thanks for your kind remarks.
    What is very clear is that where ever you go, you can always find Jamaican products. They definitely have something that we lack in this respect.

    Do you think that we can market some of this “local vasodilator medication from Jamaica ” that you mention on BU? We could give David a percentage of the proceeds that will secure his retirement, and we will have adequate free samples available for my good friends Hants, deHood and Bush Tea.

  26. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    Real Scientist
    There really is no excuse for plain rudeness.
    I answer to your question, yes, I did read the man’s paper, which is the reason I asked whether scientific trials had been carried out – on people.
    He has tested the plant extract in the test tube and shown that it kills cancerous cells. It is not clear that other researchers have yet reproduced this effect – part of the normal scientific process. Clorox would also kill cancerous cells in the test tube but I would not recommend that is marketed for human consumption.
    He has injected mice with the extract and has apparently shown that it reduces tumour size.
    Has he done the normal toxicology tests required for new drugs? In other words – is it safe?
    I set aside the fact that the tests were on mice although perhaps I shouldn’t bearing in mind that different species respond differently to the same drug – the reason for the Thalidomide problem years ago.
    The product is apparently being introduced for oral consumption. On what basis should it be expected that a drug tested as having a possible anti-cancer effect when injected would have a similar effect when eaten?
    Just asking.

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @Therese

    Sorry for tagging you with the incorrect nationality, it will be corrected. BTW we have great respect for Mr. Ralph Jemmot, his grasp of the issues confronting our educational system have great merit.

    As Doc GP suggested we agree your link on BU’s sidebar will add great value.

  28. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    The dragon from St George writes ……………….

    The product is apparently being introduced for oral consumption. On what basis should it be expected that a drug tested as having a possible anti-cancer effect when injected would have a similar effect when eaten? Just asking.

    Question why should a drug that is taken by injection not be effective when taken orally except the drug is a protein? Can you enlighten the forum on this drawing on your vast knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?

    You of course read and understood that ……………………….” the molecule of interest appears to be a highly aliphatic compound consisting most likely of 1-3 sugar rings, and probably several aliphatic rings, and possibly a hydrocarbon chain(s). There are at least 6 methyl (CH3) groups, and on the order of 10 CH2 and CH groups. There is also evidence of at least one likely amide to aliphatic proton correlation, lending credence to the MS-based hypothesis that a sialic acid moiety may be present in the molecule. ”

    Would you agree with me that from this description that we are not dealing with a protein here Sir? Just asking.

    Also you really need to do the relevant reading man, because the reason for the Thalidomide problem years ago had nothing to do with the fact that different species respond differently to the same drug.

  29. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Mr Dragon
    Just in case you missed it when you read the paper, here are some relevant details about the chemical structure of the agent under consideration

    the mass differences may be consistent with a polysaccharide structure. HPLC and mass spectroscopy results appear to exclude the presence of any aromatic structures.

    It can be concluded that the molecule is a glycoside with a molecular mass of 1601.1 Da (negative mode), containing up to two sialic acids, as based on the double charge state of the molecule at neutral pH conditions. In addition, since the molecule has also been found to carry two positive charges, it is concluded that there must two amines present within its structure. As yet, data base searches did not reveal any known molecules or dimers with these characteristics.

  30. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Verily I say unto you;

    Should habitual vigorous stimulation with the right hand on the erectile regions connected to the prostate not lower the possibility prostate cancer developing? Should this not form a big advertising campaign ? ha ha ha ?

  31. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Verily I say unto you;

    “BTW we have great respect for Mr. Ralph Jemmot, his grasp of the issues confronting our educational system have great merit. ” … Is David guilty in prematurely participating in Christmas cheer …?

  32. de hood Avatar
    de hood

    @ GP

    Good to see you back in action, Doc. A very well presented input as usual, we will soon be addressing you as Sir Dr. Rev GP. 🙂

  33. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Well at least we know that BAFBFP is right handed

  34. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    dE hOOD
    I doubt very much that I will have those titles Sir. I have not deserved the Sir. And in my church group the most you will be called is Brother. LOL

    Now an ex Foundation lad like Sargeant might get some acclaim in these days of the Foundation leader. He might deserve it At least he can desern RIGHT from wrong….. or is it RIGHT from left? lol

  35. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    David
    I am going to submit two ppts on drug development and regulation that some might find interesting or/and enlightening.

  36. de hood Avatar
    de hood

    @ GP
    Man Doc you haven’t realised that here in Bim we can do most things overnight! Even elevating certain people to “Sainthood” just by saying it is so. 🙂

  37. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    So I notice Hoodie- so I notice.

  38. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @Dr.GP I would not want you to get a “Sir” not when the likes of mick jagger and elton john are Sirs.

    At least you earned your “honours”.

  39. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Hants
    ya right
    If I get a Sir I might not be able to talk BS on BU wid wunnuh. I would have to talk purty like FREUNDEL. So let the fellas keep the Sir and give me a berry. and let me BS on BU wid impunity.

    Try and get some of that vasodilator stuff from Jamaica from Pat dat she selling under the counter. I feel she growing some between she vegetables.

    at

  40. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ BAFBFP

    So now you joining Foolbert, that Bowfooted person and the Spoiler and becoming a Jew? An Orhodox Haisidic Jew with the side curls to boot? Man, wuh wrong wid you. Bring back the Chinee. They dont insult us on this blog, by calling us ‘sub-literate’ and under-educated.

    I gun put Bonny Peppa up yuh tail!!

  41. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Man GP you mekkin me go an google words like vasodilator.

    Next ting yuh know I would be bout hey tryin to fool people dat I eddicated an joining those who have made wikipedia their new best friend. lol

    Anyway I gine stick to wuh I know bout an lef de medicalities to you.

  42. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    GP

    Let the record show that I shall not seek nor will I accept any nomination for knighthood offered by any Gov’t of Barbados (with apologies to LBJ).

    I think I have stated my views on these things, let them go the way of the dodo.
    BTW GP didn’t you go to Foundation also? Even if for one year (our loss was Kolig’s gain) so you may be in the running foe one.

    Let’s hear it “Rise Sir George!”

  43. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ Hants

    You learnt Latin at HC. It is easy to break up that word into two and get the meaning! No dick necessary. I think you joking though.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    Here is the PPT promised by Doc GO on Drug Evaluation and Control pt 1.

  45. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    Georgie Porgie
    You clearly know far more about this than I do.
    My point was not about proteins, just that that the digestive system is very good at breaking down molecules. That, after all, is what it evolved to do.
    You will know better than I do that some drugs are not capable of being taken by mouth as they get broken down before they can make it into the bloodstream. They therefore have to be injected.
    Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates. Professor Henry Lowe does not yet seem to have identified what the active molecule is, so I guess no-one can say what the effect of the human digestive system will be on it. Some polysaccharides, though, are broken down by the human digestive system; others are not.
    I therefore stand by my point that results from a test injecting the drug are not relevant to oral intake.
    My point about Thalmidomide was only that the drug had been tested before use. Unfortunately, it was tested on animals which did not exhibit the same problems we had with with foetal development.
    I would love it if this drug worked and the Jamaican drug industry could take over the world (if it hasn’t already in a slightly different way). Tell me in 10 years time that I was wrong to ask questions about this. I just get a feeling there is too much talk about money here rather than healing – see the original Jamaica Observer article.

  46. Zion1971 Avatar
    Zion1971

    This is what I am talking about. I hope that this endeavour for Professor Lowe will be successful. Barbados with our literacy rate and free education up to the PHD level should be using all this free education courtsey of the tax payer for research both at the empirical and the theoretical level.We spend too much on education and no innovation to show for it. Countries like Japan, Korea and Israel have use their brain power to lift themselves to first world status based on their innovativeness. Just looking at the amount of patent per capita these countries file everyear is amazing.

    Our blind obessession and focus on the low-income mass employment that tourism offer will be our down fall in the long run.I wrote on this blog early this year on the potential of a neutraceutical industry in Barbados focusing on our indigenous plants. Hello! there is a huge market for lemon grass demand in this industry.The Jamicans over there are farming this plant as a non-traditional export crop.Not only that but their is a guy in jamaica who manufacture and export cars/Jeep ( Island Cruise) to other Caricom countries. I say this to emphasize that some of us in Bim are just too content with our present situation and thus developed a sense of inertia and atrophy.

    With the amount of resource we poured in our educational system it would seem that the educational philosophy is to mass produce a “credenalize” populace with no creativity or innovation to show for it. The Caribbean has produce three nobel laureate so far , two from St. Lucia and one from Trinidad. Its time Barbados stop gloating aboout their free education /literacy rate with no academic breakthrough to show for it. Until we start to monetise the benfit of free education in this country we are just nothing but simpletons.

  47. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Verily I say unto you;

    Should not be the season that we have entered into not be reason enough to appreciate me more …? Am I not able to claim that I do multitask and that the selection of the hand in use may in fact have some bearing on the direction of the action required…?

  48. David Avatar
    David

    Scientists have found they can surround cancer cells with tiny particles of iron oxide that vibrate when in a magnetic field, causing the cells to heat up.

    Tests in mice have shown this can raise the temperature of the tumour cells by six degrees above body temperature, around the point when cancer cells start to die.

    The researchers hope that the new technique, known as hyperthermia therapy, will allow them to target cancer cells in the body and kill them without harming the surrounding tossed or causing the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy – The Telegraph

    Here is a report for comment with an assist from Kammie Holder.

  49. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Pat | December 4, 2010 at 11:02 PM |
    Re @ Hants
    You learnt Latin at HC. It is easy to break up that word into two and get the meaning! No dick necessary. I think you joking though.

    Good pun above.
    Don’t mind Hants He playing that he don’t know what vasodilators are so that we wont give him grief. But if we tell him that Sialis and Viagra are vasodilators we wont see he pun BU fuh de rest of de year, cause I hear he using dem regularly! Murdah.
    He is still my friend but I had to let out he secret, BAFBFP on dem too.:The medicine work pun he brain though ; that is why he is a rabbi some days and a Chinese the next.
    Sargeant | December 4, 2010 at 11:01 PM |
    Re GP didn’t you go to Foundation also? Even if for one year (our loss was Kolig’s gain) so you may be in the running foe one. No man. I only recognized for my ppts on BU man.

    Sarge ma boy. When those pseudo harrisonians Sandi and Arthur were in power, a lot of ex- CP guys was in the do! Henry say dat in David days Cawmerians was in sway; so now is Foundation time. I don’t have no problem wid dat They are many Foundation chaps and girls who went school in the 60’s who have given stirling performances who ought to be recognized.

    I running from you wid dat “Let’s hear it “Rise Sir George thing!” Next thing you got the fellas pun my back, and instead of David sending me my honorary BU award, he will sending me vouchers to collect vasodilators at Walgreens!

    @ BU David
    I will send you a new ppt on metabolism of drugs and other substances for the benefit of St George’s Dragon, and others interested in these matters.

  50. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    St George’s Dragon | December 5, 2010 at 12:02 AM |
    Re some drugs are not capable of being taken by mouth as they get broken down before they can make it into the bloodstream. They therefore have to be injected.
    YES SUCH DRUGS ARE MAINLY PROTEINS- NO DRUGS THAT ARE PROTEINS ARE GIVEN ORALLY

    The digestive system was designed to hydrolyze mainly foodstuffs- not all molecules. It was not designed to break down ALL CHEMICAL BONDS OR CHEMICALS—that is the job of the liver. Although some drug might be lost in the g I tract and in the liver, most drugs will get pass the first by pass of going through the liver and get in to the circulation. IF THIS WERE NOT SO WE WOULD HAVE NO ACTIVE DRUGS AT ALL. NOT EVEN ASPIRIN AND PANADOL WOULD WORK!
    To increase the bioavailability of a drug the drug is prepared appropriately.

    If you will read the paper again, you will see that Professor Henry Lowe HAS ACTUALLY identified what the active molecule is. It seems that more than one fragment is active.

    You may stand by your point in your obvious lack of understanding that results from a test injecting the drug are not relevant to oral intake. One can today predict with a reasonable degree of accuracy just from knowing the structure of a drug if it will be absorbed orally, and how it is likely to be absorbed distributed and eliminated.

    I do know that Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates I also know that many complex carbohydrates of plant origin can not be dealt with by the salivary enzymes because such carbohydrates have 1-4 beta bonds rather than alpha bonds. And you do know that carbohydrates are not digested in the stomach so these aglycones will most likely get into the blood stream.

    The problem with Thalmidomide was one of teratogenesis. In those days tests on teratogenecity were not done even in mice.

    Whereas you may have a point about ……..”I just get a feeling there is too much talk about money here rather than healing” your arguments are lacking in substance according to currently accepted chemistry, and pharmacology.

    There are two things you are not consideraing. One is the leeway in developing anticancer drugs and two the agent is being placed on the market as a naturopathic substance. These substances come on the market under less stringent conditions.

    I hope you will read the ppts uploaded and that this will refine your understanding of things pharmacological.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading