New super drugs?!

[mips]

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/antiviral-0810.html

Now, in a development that could transform how viral infections are treated, a team of researchers at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory has designed a drug that can identify cells that have been infected by any type of virus, then kill those cells to terminate the infection.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44090512/

Doctors have treated only three leukemia patients, but the sensational results from a single shot could be one of the most significant advances in cancer research in decades. And it almost never happened.

Read the rest of the articles at the supplied links.

[LowSky]

I just heard of this stuff over the last 2 days. Finally we see drugs that cure instead of just treat. I just can't wait to hear the side effects. They seem to make me laugh more and more these days. It's amazing some of these drugs even get approved.

[dh04000]

Wow, leukemia is getting alot of breakthru's lately!

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Killer+cells+erases+form+leukemia/5241504/story.html

[johnnybgoode83]

I, too, can't wait until the side effects are announced. People get so excited about medical advances without considering the possible side effects.

[t0p]

Only problem I can see right now is that word "super". Super drugs cost super prices. And I don't mean " very good; first-rate; excellent" prices.

[cgroza]

Is it really a chemical drug? I saw on the news that they are genetically engineered T cells and the risks are not very well known. The researcher that gave the interview was extremely prudent with the use of this cell.

[mips]

Drugs have side effects but let's not get to pessimistic until trials are over. This is still good news.

[mips]

Suppose this is not really interesting news.

[SoFl W]

Was it was created by a "BIG" pharm corporation? You know how evil those companies are. :-\"

[sffvba[e0rt]

I can understand the underlying pesimism about news like this... usually when something sounds to good to be true, it is. BUT wouldn't it be great if an effective method was found to treat disease like cancer...? Just because there is a possibility I am very excited and always hopeful.


404

[handy]

Most people would prefer to take a drug that cured leukaemia providing that the side effects of the drug weren't worse than those of the disease it cures.

That's logical isn't it?

[nec207]

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/antiviral-0810.html


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44090512/


Read the rest of the articles at the supplied links.


How safe are these drugs ?


It is going to have to go through testing.

[Linuxratty]

Only problem I can see right now is that word "super". Super drugs cost super prices. And I don't mean " very good; first-rate; excellent" prices.
As am American,yeah,I gotcha there..Only the super wealthy will be able to afford most of this stuff.

[cgroza]

As am American,yeah,I gotcha there..Only the super wealthy will be able to afford most of this stuff.
Give us the money or we let you have a painful death. What is wrong with today's people.

[PC_load_letter]

I read about these on slashdot.org and it just feels AWESOME! If this cancer treatment turns out to be effective (they only tried it on 3 patients), and get FDA approved hopefully this century :D, then it'll be a monumental achievement IMHO.

[handy]

Give us the money or we let you have a painful death. What is wrong with today's people.

We can't talk about that due to the Code of Conduct...

[sffvba[e0rt]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/t_cells.png (http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/t_cells.png)

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/t_cells.png


404

[forrestcupp]

Suppose this is not really interesting news.

Well, at first, I didn't even open the thread because I thought you were talking about super illegal drugs. :)

But this is pretty exciting. It will probably be 80 years before it's cleared to be used, though.

[KiwiNZ]

As am American,yeah,I gotcha there..Only the super wealthy will be able to afford most of this stuff.

The injection I have to take every fortnight cost $NZ5,000 per injection this is only one of the meds I take. It is partially subsidised by the Government.

[Grenage]

The injection I have to take every fortnight cost $NZ5,000 per injection this is only one of the meds I take. It is partially subsidised by the Government.

Ouch! It's frightening how much some medicines cost. I'd slate the pharmaceutical firms, but I have no idea how much it costs to develop these things; I imagine it's very expensive. Regardless - consider the alternative.

On topic: The story of the woman who swallowed a fly? It looks rather promising.