Robert A.

Trone
BIOL-1090-405-F16
Instructor: Kathryn Randazzo
News Analysis #2

November 21, 2016

Review of MSKs Article, Five Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatments

This article in Scientific American is written by scientist from the Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Institute, which is a for profit institution. They claim to be the oldest cancer treatment
center in America, and have been combating cancer for 130 years. (Kettering, n.d.)
The thesis of the article is that one day, possibly soon, the wonders of modern research and
medicine will be able to provide specific tailored treatments for cancer. They begin by citing
President Obama in his final State of the Union speech. Quoting him gives us the summation of
the article the vision one day all people will be offered customized care, with treatments that
match our genetics and personal histories. The author of course intents the reading audience to
associate this specifically to the treatment of cancer, and delve into five different avenues of
research they are working on to provide unique cancer treatments. (Memorial Sloan Kettering,
2016)
Precision Medicine: This incorporates therapies focused on reversal of specific tumor cell
mutations. The researchers are using a DNA sequencing test called MSK-IMPACT to customize
treatments for patients with advanced cases of cancer, regardless of location in the body.
(Memorial Sloan Kettering, 2016)
Checkpoint Inhibitors: MSK research has created two drugs (nivolumab and ipilimumab,
classed as checkpoint inhibitors) that boost the production of T-cells used to fight cancer. The
process is not a new idea and uses the bodys own immune system to fight the disease, also
known as immunotherapy. (Memorial Sloan Kettering, 2016)
Cell Based Therapy: This is also an immunotherapy treatment, but revolves around
manipulating the patients T-cells so they can more easily recognize and attack cancerous cells.
MSKs treatment is called CAR therapy (chimeric antigen receptor). The process is to remove
the patience T-cells, genetically modify those cells, then transfuse them back into the patient to
fight certain cancer types. (Memorial Sloan Kettering, 2016)

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Robert A. Trone
BIOL-1090-405-F16
Instructor: Kathryn Randazzo
News Analysis #2

November 21, 2016

Review of MSKs Article, Five Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatments

Epigenetic Therapy: This research focuses on epigenetic enzymes that regulate the cells
programming. MSK are conducting clinical trials on drugs that rather than destroying cells by
methods such as chemotherapy, would normalize the cells growth and development. (Memorial
Sloan Kettering, 2016)
Metastasis Research: Finally MSK is doing research into how cancers metastases. When a
cancer metastasizes and moves to other locations in the body, it accounts for nine out of ten
cancer patients deaths. The researcher team has identified that metastasized cancer cells use a
survival method by clinging to blood vessels. Secondly that cancer cells are able to mask
themselves from our immune system, so that it cannot combat the rouge cells. Finally, that
cancer cells are able takeover adjacent healthy cells and tissues and force them to spread the
malignant cancer cells. (Memorial Sloan Kettering, 2016)
The impact of MKSs research is that we will be able to provide a more individual treatment
that is geared toward both the patiences specific genetic markers and history, but will also be
able to provide specific treatments for the many different types of cancer. Just as important if
scientist can identify and prevent cancer from metastasizing it becomes more manageable, and
reduces mortality factors.
The article has impressed in me the fact that through exhaustive research and the scientific
process we may indeed create a cure for cancer. But if this is not the case, I believe that we will
eventually find individualized treatment options that do not involve tumor surgical remove,
poisonous drugs and radiation treatments.
Due to the fact that this article was written by a for profit research and treatment center it
never mentioned anything negative or contrary to any of their research. For instance, they do not
mention any of the side effects or setbacks related to the checkpoint inhibitor drugs they have
created. Although the article sounds somewhat like a sales pitch for their product, I think the
article does a great job of explaining the avenues of research they are conducting, educating us
on the potential benefits of these types of research in general. The evidence is anecdotal at best
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Robert A. Trone
BIOL-1090-405-F16
Instructor: Kathryn Randazzo
News Analysis #2

November 21, 2016

Review of MSKs Article, Five Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatments

though, as Scientific American denotes that this article is Sponsored and the research is not
published in any type of scientific journal to allow the scientific community to support or deny
MKSs research claims.

References
Kettering, M. S. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center: https://www.mskcc.org/about
Memorial Sloan Kettering. (2016, November 21). Five Cutting-Edge Cancer
Treatments. Retrieved from Scientific American:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/page/sponsored/memorial-sloankettering-cancer-center/five-cutting-edge-cancer-treatments/?
wt.ac=SA_Native_MSK_CancerOptimism_BCAD#!/

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