In many tumor models examined (breast, colon, prostate, melanoma, leukemia) ZL's drug inhibited tumor growth by 15-40% and further enhanced the effects of chemotherapy. Furthermore, it prevented loss of lean body weight (mostly fat and muscle tissues) induced by the tumors and cancer therapies. Since generally ZL's drug has no marked inhibitory effects on cancer cell proliferation in vitro, it is most likely that it exhibits its anti-tumor effects in vivo via protecting the healthy tissues and enhancing the body's defense against the growing tumor.
About 50% of all cancer patients lose significant lean body weight (cachexia). This is a major problem, because cachectic cancer patients cannot tolerate effective doses of cancer treatments. As a result, cancer patients with significant weight loss generally live half as long as those without. It is estimated that about 20% of all cancer patients actually die of cachexia. Certain cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, cause weight loss more frequently than others. Thus, the drug's ability to help cancer patients to maintain their normal weight is an important factor in enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy and improved survival.
Presently, approximately 10-15% of all cancer patients are also diabetic. Due to the predicted obesity and related diabetes "epidemic" during the next decades the number of cancer patients with diabetes will further increase. These patients are usually given two unrelated sets of drugs to treat both conditions, which can lead to serious problems caused by drug-drug interactions. The often used intense insulin therapy to normalize blood glucose level prior to cancer therapy has its own dangers (for example, hypoglycemia). ZL's drug will benefit this patient population because it simultaneously protects the bone marrow and islet function while normalizing blood glucose level and enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy.
Many cancer patients who lose weight also develop glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. ZL's protein will provide an added benefit to this patient group via normalizing blood glucose level.
About 50% of all cancer patients lose significant lean body weight (cachexia). This is a major problem, because cachectic cancer patients cannot tolerate effective doses of cancer treatments. As a result, cancer patients with significant weight loss generally live half as long as those without. It is estimated that about 20% of all cancer patients actually die of cachexia. Certain cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, cause weight loss more frequently than others. Thus, the drug's ability to help cancer patients to maintain their normal weight is an important factor in enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy and improved survival.
Presently, approximately 10-15% of all cancer patients are also diabetic. Due to the predicted obesity and related diabetes "epidemic" during the next decades the number of cancer patients with diabetes will further increase. These patients are usually given two unrelated sets of drugs to treat both conditions, which can lead to serious problems caused by drug-drug interactions. The often used intense insulin therapy to normalize blood glucose level prior to cancer therapy has its own dangers (for example, hypoglycemia). ZL's drug will benefit this patient population because it simultaneously protects the bone marrow and islet function while normalizing blood glucose level and enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy.
Many cancer patients who lose weight also develop glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. ZL's protein will provide an added benefit to this patient group via normalizing blood glucose level.