Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors Are Gaining Popularity In Cancer Treatment
Cancer cells just like the healthy normal body cells have specific process that have to be accomplished in order for them to survive. Cancer doctors have known this for a long time and most of the alternative cancer treatments that we have today are best on the understanding of certain survival mechanisms. There are certain cancer treatment alternatives that are geared towards making them more vulnerable to chemotherapy drugs and are hence used alongside the chemotherapy as well as other conventional cancer treatment medications like radiation therapy. There are other more effective cancer treatment alternatives that aim at interfering with the cancer cell metabolism mechanisms hence starve them by denying them the ATP energy that they need to accomplish some of their cellular functions like growth and division to give rise to new cancer cell. The use of alternative cancer treatment are gaining popularity not because the conventional cancer treatment medications do not work but to find better ways of treating cancer patients by targeting the cancer cells while safeguarding the healthy body cells. This is a loophole that has to be filled. In conventional medicine the treatment targets killing of the cancer cell but the healthy body cells are also affected by the chemotherapy drugs and they die as well leaving the patient with lots of side effects that are very life threatening. The cancer doctors and researchers are trying to treat cancer strategically so that the patient is not put through the pain of going for repeated chemotherapy. Due to these different alternatives to cancer treatments that work effectively in different cases to combat cancer, the new breed of cancer doctors; the integrative doctors have become a favorite for cancer patients. This is because they are very knowledgeable in oncology and puts in use all the alternative cancer treatments (naturopathic) and the conventional cancer treatment in a bid to achieve a whole person healing of the cancer patient.
One of the best ways of treating cancer is to use inhibitors. These inhibitors affect the normal functioning of the cancer cells and hence a slow their growth and survival rates. Some of these inhibitors are also strong enough to induce apoptosis of the cancer cells. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors are some of the inhibitors that help in strategic fighting of cancer.
Matrix metalloproteinases, often known as MMPs are a group of enzymes that are involved in a number of normal cellular processes, such as regulation of endometrial growth and menstruation, and abnormal processes, such as tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinases play a major role in angiogenesis. This is because they degrade the basement membrane and stromal tissue which is an important process for migration of endothelial cells needed to form new blood vessels. They also play an important role in the entry and exit of tumor cells into the blood vessels hence foster metastasis. Due to their critical contributions in angiogenesis and metastasis they can be strategically targeted in cancer treatment by utilizing Matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors that will main all their activities.
Matrix metalloproteinases can be produced in two ways; either the tumor cells produce them themselves or they tissues surrounding the cancer cell produce them. Because of their role in cancer etiology they are highly regulated especially through gene expression. They are secreted in inactive forms and must be cleaved to be active. Moreover they activities are also controlled by the Matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors that surround the tumor cell.
Researchers have done lots of work in trying to investigate if the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors can be used to maim the functions of the Matrix metalloproteinases and help in cancer treatment. Their research are based on the logic that Matrix metalloproteinases are crucial enzymes for tumor invasion and metastasis and is targeted the spread of cancer can be curbed. This treatment however does address the formation of primary tumors but again it can work in controlling the spread of tumor hence important.
Doxycycline as a Matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor
Doxycycline is a semisynthetic, chemically modified tetracycline compound that is rapidly absorbed and exerts biological effects courtesy of its antimicrobial activity. It has been used in the past in wound treatment and is also one of the most effective Matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor.
Clinical as well as lab tests have been one to show the effectiveness of Doxycycline in inhibiting Matrix metalloproteinases activities. As all these activities were done with a view of finding a possibility of using it in curbing metastasis. The study pointed out that an enzyme; MMP-2 is needed for the cancer cells to dig in or other to penetrate the normal tissues. Doxycycline has an inhibitory effect on the MMP-2 expression. This was verified by a lab test on smooth muscle cells and human aortic aneurysm tissue explants. The test revealed that Doxycycline inhibited the activities of MMP-2 on these tissues. However for effectiveness the concentration of the Doxycycline matters in its activity against the MMP-2. In the normal serum concentration just 5ml of Doxycycline affects the production of MMP-2 greatly.
By use of Matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors like Doxycycline, the cancer treatment becomes more effective and strategic as the cancer cells become targeted. With controlled metastasis and growth of cancer cells the patient can have a longer life and possibly the disease will be managed done with completely by an integrative cancer doctor who will combine other therapies to make the treatment more effective.
Dr. Dalal Akoury is an experienced integrative cancer doctor who has seen very many cancer patients journey to victory in their fight against cancer. She is available for consultations. Just call her now and begin your journey to victory against cancer.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors Are Gaining Popularity In Cancer Treatment
Related articles
Study Data from Medical University Update Knowledge of Metalloendopeptidases
New Cancer Gene Therapy Study Findings Have Been Reported by Investigators at Ohio State University (Hypothalamic Gene Transfer of BDNF Inhibits…
