Tag: cancer - causes, signs and diagnosis

Interferon is the name given to a group of proteins known primarily for their role in inhibiting viral infections and in stimulating the entire immune system to fight disease. Interferons can inhibit cell division, which is one reason why they hold promise for stopping cancer growth. Interferons are members of a larger class of proteins called cytokines (proteins that carry signals between cells). Most interferons are classified as $\alpha$, $\beta$, or $\gamma$ interferons, depending on their molecular structure. Biotechnological advances making genetic engineering easier and faster are making protein drugs like interferons more available for study and use. Using recombinant DNA technology, or gene splicing, genes that code for interferons are identified, cloned and used for experimental studies and in making therapeutic quantities of protein. These modern DNA manipulation techniques have made possible the use of cell-signalling molecules like interferons as medicines.

There are around 10,000 taste buds present in the tongue. The taste cells or gustatory cells are present in the taste buds. These are majorly present on the tip of your tongue. The taste buds for sweet are present on the tip of the tongue whereas the taste buds for salt are present on the sides of the tongue.

In the last fifteen years the role of cytokines in the modulation of anti-tumor responses has been extensively studied at the Institute of Microbiology of the University of Turin. In retrospect many observations appear to have been quite innovative and original. Altogether they form the steps of a consequential intellectual endeavour leading progressively towards a precise definition of the role of the lymphokines in modulating the immune response to neoplasia. Starting from the characterization of the tumor signals required for lymphokine induction, this research progressed towards the definition of the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms involved, and provisionally ends with the direct manipulation of lymphokine genes transfected to tumor cells.

Electron therapy or Electron Beam Therapy (EBT) is a kind of external beam radiotherapy, where electrons are directed to a tumor site. Electron beam therapy is performed using a medical linear accelerator. The same device can also be used to produce high energy photon beams. When electrons are required, the x-ray target is retracted out of the beam and the electron beam is collimated with a piece of apparatus known as an applicator or an additional collimating insert, constructed from a low melting point alloy. Electron beam therapy is used in the treatment of superficial tumors like cancer of skin regions, or total skin (e.g., mycosis fungoides), diseases of the limbs (e.g., melanoma and lymphoma), nodal irradiation, and it may also be used to boost the radiation dose to the surgical bed after mastectomy or lumpectomy.