2018 was undoubtedly a year when we learned the most about cancer, as the famous CCTV host Li Yong left us due to cancer. But we don't have to be too afraid of cancer. The latest news is that a rare anti-cancer wonder drug has been developed. Is the anti-cancer wonder drug really that amazing? Let me explain it to you!
The True Face of the Rare Anti-Cancer Wonder Drug
The rare anti-cancer wonder drug, Vitrakvi, developed jointly by Loxo Oncology and Bayer, has quickly sparked discussions among netizens both domestically and internationally. Is the anti-cancer wonder drug really that amazing? The media interviewed professionals to find out more about the American rare anti-cancer wonder drug.
The media reporters found on the official website of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that on the 26th local time, FDA did approve the anti-cancer drug Vitrakvi developed jointly by Loxo Oncology and Bayer.
This drug has a long string of adjectives preceding it: it is used to treat adult or pediatric solid tumor patients carrying the NTRK (a type of neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase) gene fusion. These patients' solid tumors have not developed any known resistance mutations and are metastatic or removal may cause a significant incidence rate...
Contrary to the online news claiming it to be the "first anti-cancer drug unrelated to tumor type," FDA stated that this is the second "tissue agnostic" cancer drug it has approved. "Tissue agnostic" means that it does not depend on the organ or origin of the tumor for indications.
This drug actually targets a relatively rare genetic mutation, that is, solid tumor patients carrying the NTRK gene fusion. This genetic mutation may occur in various solid tumors, but the probability of its occurrence is very low.
Although the probability of this genetic mutation is very low, this drug opens up a new pathway for cancer treatment. It provides a new clue to the medical community: tumors may have commonalities, and common targets can be found to combat them.
Early Symptoms of Several Common Cancers
1. Cancer - Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Stuffy nose, blood in mucus; tinnitus, blocked ears, decreased hearing.
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, neck lump.
Migraines, numbness in the face, double vision, hoarseness, coughing when drinking water, etc.
Blood in phlegm, pain in the liver area, general body aches, etc.
2. Cancer - Lung Cancer
Coughing up blood or bloody sputum is the most common initial symptom of lung cancer.
Initially, there is an irritating dry cough, followed by coughing up white foamy sputum with blood streaks.
People who smoke experience intensified coughing when they smoke their first cigarette in the morning.
If individuals over middle age suddenly experience persistent coughing or prolonged dry coughing, they must be cautious of the possibility of lung cancer and promptly seek medical diagnosis.
3. Cancer - Breast Cancer
This type of cancer is not exclusive to women, and men should also be vigilant.
One-third of breast lumps in women are malignant tumors, and the breast skin may appear "orange peel-like" or "dimple sign".
Local temperature increases, breast asymmetry, nipple retraction, deviation, or fixation should raise concerns of breast cancer.
4. Cancer - Liver Cancer
Early detection of liver cancer is crucial because its onset is often insidious, and it progresses rapidly with difficult treatment.
The prognosis is also poor, which is why many oncologists call it the "king of cancers".
Early symptoms of liver cancer include: persistent pain in the liver area, dull pain;
loss of appetite, easy fatigue, listlessness;
abdominal distension, diarrhea, weight loss, increasing emaciation;
yellowing of the skin and eyeballs, yellow urine color, and gradually worsening over time.
These early symptoms are similar to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, making them easily confused.
