CORFU, GREECE,  OCT. 30, 2004—Leading scientists from around the globe presented encouraging new data on the treatment of colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, at the7th International Conference of Anticancer Research, concluding here today, according to Dr. John G. Delinassios, director of the Institute.

“The aim of the Institute is to provide an independent platform for International cooperation in the fight against cancer,” said Dr. Delinassios. “Papers and posters highlighting the researchers’ work in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, colon, breast, lung, prostate, liver, skin, and other common forms of cancer were presented at the conference.”

A special symposium, was held, focused on “IP6 and Cell Signaling in Fighting Cancer: From Laboratory to Clinic.”

“A major concern for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is quality of life,” said George Weber, M.D., co-chairman of the special symposium. “Side effects of chemotherapy can include a drop in leukocyte and platelet counts, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and loss of hair.  In fact, side effects can sometimes be so severe that treatment must be halted.  We need more selective chemotherapeutic strategy, and enzymes in the signal transduction biosynthetic pathway should offer novel and sensitive targets,” added Dr. Weber, who is Distinguished Professor, Indiana University School of Medicine.

New study results with Inositol and IP6 offer hope for improved quality of life for cancer patients and their families, according to Dr. AbulKalam M. Shamsuddin, who is co-chairing the symposium with Dr. Weber.

“One study of patients with late-stage colorectal carcinoma showed that chemotherapy-related side effects were significantly reduced, enabling patients to complete their treatments uninterrupted,” Dr. Shamsuddin said.

Inositol, a simple carbohydrate, plays an important part in cell maintenance by stimulating the release of any of several chemical messengers. IP6, a compound of Inositol, is a sugar molecule with six phosphates attached. IP6 occurs naturally in such diverse things as wheat, rice bran, legumes and in most mammal cells. It helps to regulate cellular functions, particularly cell differentiation and proliferation.

Abstracts from the papers presented are published in a special edition of Anticancer Research, one of three journals published by the institute.  Organizations helping to support this year’s conference include the European Society of Pathology, International Clinical Hyperthermia Society, Italian Society of Urological Oncology, International Society of Cryosurgery, North-East Society of Gynecologic Oncology, World Health Organization Melanoma Programme, International Society for Regional Cancer Therapy, Hungarian Society of Molecular & Predictive Medicine, Hellenic Society of Sarcoma, and the International Society for the Study of Comparative Oncology.  A private corporate sponsor, Proprietary Nutritionals Inc, of Brantford ON, is hosting the symposium on IP6 .  PNI markets the dietary supplement containing IP6 , InoCell™ Natural Protection (Inositol + Cal-Mag IP6 ). 

For more information about the 7th International Conference of Anticancer Research, visit the website at www.iiar-anticancer.org.      

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CONTACT:
Tom McCartney
Phone: 412/361-5178
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