CANCER RESEARCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 August 1928, Page 3

CANCER RESEARCH.

EXPERIMENTS OF DR. SHAAYMACKENZIE,

TREATMENT BY CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES.

The report presented at the annual meeting of the Boss Institute and Hospitai for Tropical Diseases, Putney Heath, SAM. on June 28, contained an interesting reference to the subject of cancer and to the fact that Dr. J. A. Shaw-MacKenzie has continued his work on tho blood and tissue changes in tho disease. ,

Some years ago. Dr. Slww-MaeKc-n----zio began res-arch with the idea, of ascertaining. if possible, whether any in the biocxl from normal could be detected in the blood of cancerous subjects. A change was discovered, and the results of ins tests published, but the significance of the discovery was not then recognised. Ho continued his task however, working in the laboratories of the Ross Institute and Hospital. Without being absolute, there is no doubt, it is understood, that the blood tests have been of considerable use in indicating the presence of cancer in obscure cases, and, what is no less important,, its absence in suspected ca.-es. it lias been ascertained that the changes in the blood continue ■ for a time after removal of the tumour by surgical operation. but recovery is shown by the gradual return of tho blood to -normal. In other oases' the reaction persists or becomes- 'evident in cases of later recurrence of the dis ease. The bearing of these researches clearly indicates the importance of treatment of the blood condition's with a view to increasing the natural defence and restoring the blood to normal. In this direction, it -is understood, the employment of certain chemical substances normally present in the blood and healthy tissues of the body, have been attended with beneficial results in certain cases. The .present striking point of interest is stated to be That distinguished scientists recently in the Univmsity of Liverpool laboratories, independently concluded that, there was a real abnormality in tbe blood of patients suffering from cancer, thus confirming precisely the original work of Dr. Shaw-Maclvenzic. It is not in the feast claimed that either diagnosis or treatment are perfect. but these are considered as being on the right principles and lines tor further research. '.More especially it is hoped that the treatment indicated may be of use in post-operative eases’, and the -sum total, of recurrence thereby re duo? cl or prevented. ' One obiection suggested is that the change in the blood is a result oj the disease and not primary. Regarding this it is contended that even then it is a “symptom’’ requiring to bp treated and if." too, the blood reactions are not special to cancer, it brings the disease in part into the group of blood disease' reciuiring treatment. In a supplement to the report of the Hess Institute, Professor D .Gardener, of Paris, refers to the interest-gener-ally be in or taken in D. Shaw-MacKen-zie’s work and treatment on the Continent. mentioning the names of distinguished physicians who, so far. have •obtained, satisfactory results, sufficient to give every reason to .believe that it p. of the greatest importance to continue the work. He mentions a case of cancer of the stomach and liver in which the tumour disappeared unebr the treatment, and the patient has apparently recovered. Professor Gardener mentions also additional and combined treatment of great interest by msaans oF a metal compound of the group.