Cytalux-administered via IV up to nine hours before surgery for ovarian cancer and up to 24 hours before surgery for lung cancer-works by attaching molecules of highly fluorescent, but harmless, dye to receptors that bring folate into cells. Because folate, a nutrient found in leafy greens and citrus fruits, supports cell growth and division-and cancer cells are always growing and dividing-folate receptors are often over-expressed in tumors.
In a wholly new approach to cancer treatment, Northwestern University biomedical engineers have doubled the effectiveness of chemotherapy in animal experiments. Instead of attacking cancer directly, the first-of-its-kind strategy prevents cancer cells from evolving to withstand treatment - making the disease easier to target with existing drugs. Not only did the approach fully wipe out the disease to near completion in cellular cultures, but it also dramatically increased the effectiveness of chemotherapy in mouse models of human ovarian cancer.
"At 10:28 am on August 17th my gorgeous, hilarious, outspoken, warrior queen Mother - Gina Michelle DeBose - passed away due to complications with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I couldn't be more proud of her and how she fought this insidious disease over the past 3 years."