plus 4, Protein from Pregnancy Hormone May Prevent Breast Cancer - Science Daily

Protein from Pregnancy Hormone May Prevent Breast Cancer - Science Daily
Exercise up to the end of pregnancy - IndiaTimes
Infections in pregnancy - star.com.my
Women say pregnancy is a career killer - News.com.au
Pregnancy Protein May Slow Breast Cancer - WebMD

Protein from Pregnancy Hormone May Prevent Breast Cancer - Science Daily

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 06:57 PM PST

ScienceDaily (Nov. 25, 2009) — Researchers have found that hormones produced during pregnancy induce a protein that directly inhibits the growth of breast cancer. This protein, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), may serve as a viable, well-tolerated agent for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, according to findings published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

"Hormones in pregnancy, such as estrogen, all induce AFP, which directly inhibits the growth of breast cancer," said lead researcher Herbert Jacobson, Ph.D., who is a basic breast cancer researcher in the Center for Immunology and Microbial Diseases and in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Albany Medical College, N.Y.

"The body has a natural defense system against breast cancer," he added. "AFP needs to be safely harnessed and developed into a drug that can be used to protect women from breast cancer."

Recent studies have shown that hormones released during pregnancy, such as estrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin, reduce a women's risk for breast cancer. AFP is a protein normally produced by the liver and yolk sac of a fetus. Jacobson and colleagues sought to determine whether administering pregnancy hormones to carcinogen-exposed rats led them to produce AFP, which in turn produces the protective effect of pregnancy in the absence of pregnancy.

Results from this study showed that treatment with estrogen plus progesterone, estrogen alone or human chorionic gonadotropin reduced the incidence of mammary cancers in rats. Furthermore, the researchers noted that each of these treatments elevated the serum level of AFP and that AFP directly inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells growing in culture, suggesting that these hormones of pregnancy are preventing breast cancer through their induction of AFP.

Cancer Prevention Research Editorial Board Member Powel Brown, M.D., Ph.D., said while these preclinical findings are important and suggest a role of AFP in breast cancer prevention, they are not yet ready to be used in the clinic.

"The researchers have not directly demonstrated the cancer preventive activity of AFP, instead they found an association of these hormones preventing mammary tumors. None of these treatments prevented mammary tumors in 100 percent of the rats, it appears to delay mammary tumor formation and prevent breast cancer development in approximately 30 to 50 percent of the rats," said Brown, professor of medicine and cancer prevention and clinical cancer prevention department chairman at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

"This study is promising and suggests that additional animal studies need to be done before translation to humans," he said. "We may want to further test AFP for its cancer prevention activity."

Jacobson and colleagues are currently conducting studies in which they have isolated a small piece of AFP molecule and are working to convert it into a breast cancer preventative agent.

Story Source:

Adapted from materials provided by American Association for Cancer Research, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

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Exercise up to the end of pregnancy - IndiaTimes

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 06:50 PM PST

A new study carried out by Polytechnic University of Madrid has revealed that exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the foetus .

"An exercise regime carried out during the second and third trimester of pregnancy does not harm the health of the foetus", said Jonatan R. Ruiz, researcher at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, and principal author of this study, who has coordinated a team from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in collaboration with the Swedish centre.

These findings highlight the benefits for the health of the baby and the mother when a physically-active lifestyle is maintained throughout pregnancy.

160 healthy women between the ages of 25 and 35 took part in the study, all of whom had sedentary habits and no risk of premature birth.

Of this group of women, half followed an exercise regime under the supervision of experts in Physical Activity and Sports Science in collaboration with the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit of Hospital Severo Ochoa in Madrid.

The researchers used multiple variables to assess the health of the foetus in women, and they analysed the effect of the training programme carried out during the second and third trimester of pregnancy on the weight and size of the foetus.

"Body size and gestational age, as well as other health parameters, were similar in the group of women who followed the exercise regime compared to those who did no form of physical activity during pregnancy, which indicates that exercise poses no threat to the health of the foetus", Ruiz said.

The study appears in the International Journal of Obesity .

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Infections in pregnancy - star.com.my

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 05:31 PM PST

Some are preventable, while others can be treated without any risk to the foetus.

IT is not uncommon to get infections during pregnancy. They can be respiratory or urinary tract infections which are treatable and curable, and don't cause any untoward effects on the mother and foetus. However, there are infections which are not as common but have effects on the mother and/or foetus.

It is important to inform the doctor if one is pregnant, particularly in early pregnancy. This is because there are medicines that cannot be prescribed or have to be taken with caution when pregnant.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnancy and are usually due to bacteria. UTIs are more common in women because of their short urethra and its proximity to the vagina and anus. There is loss of tone in the ureters during pregnancy due to the effect of progesterone produced by the placenta. This and the increased urine production lead to the collection of urine (stasis) which predisposes pregnant women to UTIs especially infection of the upper urinary tract and kidneys (pyelonephritis).

UTIs, if not treated adequately, will cause complications, i.e. dehydration, pyelonephritis, kidney and blood dysfunction, lung injury and septicaemia. Complications in the mother will have consequences on the foetus.

UTIs can occur with or without symptoms. About 5% to 10% of UTIs are without symptoms, while symptoms include pain on passing urine (dysuria), increased frequency and passing urine at night (nocturia). If the kidneys are affected, there may be fever, chills, shivering, nausea, vomiting or pain in the flanks.

The urine is analysed at every antenatal visit. If there are any abnormal findings or there are symptoms, it would be sent for culture of organisms.

When there is a UTI, appropriate antibiotics will be prescribed together with fluids, if there is dehydration. Hospitalisation will be advised if there is evidence of pyelonephritis.

There are usually no complications of UTIs provided there is compliance with appropriate treatment.

Group B Streptococcal infection

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterium that is normally found in the body, including the vagina and rectum. It is found in the vagina in about 25% of pregnant women. The foetus can get infected during labour and delivery. Most babies do not get infected but a few do. About one in 10 of those who get infected die, making GBS the most common cause of life-threatening infection in a newborn.

Babies with GBS have clinical features that include floppiness, unresponsiveness, poor feeding, grunting, irritability and changes in heart and respiratory rates. The features appear within 12 hours after birth. Babies who have features of GBS will be prescribed antibiotics. If untreated, the babies may get seriously ill and even, die.

A baby is at increased risk of GBS if it has been detected in the urine and/or high vaginal/rectal swabs; a previous baby had GBS; there is fever, pre-term labour (before 37 weeks); or the membranes have ruptured for more than 18 hours. In such circumstances, penicillin will be prescribed during labour to reduce the risk. If there is allergy to penicillin, an alternative antibiotic will be prescribed.

If the swab shows GBS, antibiotics are not prescribed if there was GBS in a previous pregnancy and the baby was unaffected; during pregnancy unless there are symptoms of infection e.g. UTI; before the membranes rupture or when an elective Caesarean section has been planned. Antibiotics are not prescribed in such situations because the risk of GBS is low and they do not reduce the chances of getting GBS during labour.

Breast feeding does not increase the risk of GBS infection. Moreover, breast feeding protects the baby from other infections.

Genital herpes

It is caused by a virus called herpes simplex, of which there are two types, i.e. types 1 and 2. It affects the area in or around the vagina, the vulva and anus.

At the time of the initial infection, there may be painful sores or watery blisters in the pubic area, vagina, vulva or anus, and pain on passing urine. One may feel unwell with fever and tiredness. After the initial infection, the virus stays in the body and can be activated repeatedly. A warning sign of activation may be a tingling sensation in the affected area.

Herpes can spread even if there are no symptoms. It is spread by skin-to-skin contact with a herpes sore; vaginal, oral or anal sex; sharing of sex devices with someone who has genital herpes; oral sex with someone who has a cold sore; and from mother to baby during birth.

It is most likely to be spread when symptoms appear, or just before that. The sores or blisters are highly infectious. It is possible, but not common, for an infected person to spread the infection to the baby during labour. If the baby is infected, the skin, eyes, mouth, brain or other organs can be affected. Sometimes, the baby may become very ill or even die. Medication may prevent or reduce long-term adverse consequences on the baby.

However, most women with genital herpes deliver healthy babies. The foetus is usually protected by the mother's immunity, i.e. antibodies developed in response to previous infections are passed on to the foetus. The antibodies are usually retained by the baby for up to three months after birth.

If the initial genital herpes occurred before pregnancy and there has been no activation during pregnancy or labour, it is very unlikely for it to spread to the foetus. If the herpes occurred before and is active when in labour, the risk to the baby is still very low.

If the initial infection herpes occurred in late pregnancy, there is insufficient time for antibodies to develop and pass on to the foetus; hence the risk of the baby getting infected is higher. About 40 out of 100 women who have a vaginal delivery at the time of infection spread the virus to their babies. The risk is highest if the baby is born four hours or more after the membranes have ruptured.

If your spouse has herpes but you do not, or if you are unsure, the risk of getting the infection may be reduced by avoiding sexual intercourse or oral sex whenever he has an activation of the infection. Condom usage throughout pregnancy is useful in reducing the risk of spread.

It is essential to avoid skin-to-skin contact between the baby and anyone with an active infection.

If genital herpes is suspected, the doctor will provide appropriate investigation, treatment and support. Checks for other sexually transmitted infections will also be made.

An antiviral medicine, acyclovir, will be prescribed if there is an initial infection when pregnant, to reduce the duration and severity of the symptoms; if there is an initial infection in late pregnancy, to prevent activation during labour; or if there is a repeat activation while pregnant, especially in the last three months of pregnancy.

There are no reports of adverse consequences to the foetus when acyclovir is taken during pregnancy. There are no side effects in most women.

The obstetrician will advise delivery by Caesarean section if there is an initial infection in the last six weeks of pregnancy or if there is an infection when the patient is about to go into labour or deliver. This reduces the risk of spread to the baby during the birth.

A Caesarean section is not advised if the initial infection occurs in the first six months of pregnancy The obstetrician will discuss the risks of having a Caesarean section and the likelihood of foetal infection and its consequences.

Rubella

It is caused by a virus and is spread by airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. After getting the infection, the virus spreads throughout the body in five to seven days. It is usually a mild childhood condition with about 20% to 50% of patients having no symptoms at all. The rash, which lasts about three days, often starts in the face and spreads from the head to the feet. There may be low-grade fever and swollen neck lymph nodes.

Complications are uncommon and occur more in adults than in children. There is arthritis in about 70% of infected adult women, usually involving joints in the fingers, wrists and knees. Bleeding occurs in about one in 3,000 cases and is more common in children. Encephalitis occurs in about one in 5,000 cases and is more common in adults.

In the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy, the foetus has a 90% chance of getting infected. Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is an important cause of severe birth defects or foetal death. Deafness is most common but it also causes defects of the heart, eyes and brain. The infant with CRS may not have symptoms for two to four years, and may transmit the virus for a year or so.

There is no specific treatment for rubella. The treatment is symptomatic, i.e. plenty of fluids, medicines for fever or arthritis.

Rubella vaccines are effective and safe. They are usually given in combination with measles and mumps vaccine (MMR).

Dr Milton Lum is member of the board of Medical Defence Malaysia. This article is not intended to replace, dictate or define evaluation by a qualified doctor. The views expressed do not represent those of any organisation the writer is associated with.

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Women say pregnancy is a career killer - News.com.au

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 05:38 PM PST

A MAJORITY of women believe that pregnancy will harm their careers and that having a family was incompatible with climbing the corporate ladder, a survey shows.

The CareerOne survey revealed that two-thirds of working women believe pregnancy would negatively impact their career while 75 per cent thought raising a family while in a senior level role would be difficult.

The research was based on two surveys carried out in this month with a total of 1467 respondents.

Federal MP Bronwyn Bishop told the CareerOne Women's Forum last week that working mothers still face a challenge to reach their full career potential.

Ms Bishop raised a family while pursuing her political career that included being the first female President of the NSW Liberal Party.

She was also a minister twice and she chaired the Balancing Work and Family Inquiry in 2006.

"All the evidence I took in at that inquiry shows that once you have a child your career plateaus," Ms Bishop told the forum.

"In the back of the mind is, 'well if she's got children in childcare, she's got to go and get the kids at 5.30pm, the blokes can stay on.'"

"If your child's sick it's even more difficult. As soon as you want time off people resent it."

Ms Bishop also made a public pledge to keep pushing for the recommendations put forward by her inquiry that were never taken up.

"One thing that desperately needs to be done is (to abolish) fringe benefit tax on childcare and there needs to be the ability to salary sacrifice or have tax deductibility for your childcare expenses," she said.

This would make childcare much more affordable for women who wanted to re-enter the workforce, she said.

Ms Bishop also wants the same tax relief offered for families using nannies and home base child care services.

She said the 2006 inquiry used both macro and micro economic modelling to prove the tax proposals would work for families and the economy.

"The bottom line is if women are able to participate to their potential …then the increased GDP is more than (the cost of) tax reform. It is in excess of three per cent," she explained.

"The total cost of adding that option for all women was $267 million a year extra – very affordable, giving ability for women to get above the plateauing effect."

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Pregnancy Protein May Slow Breast Cancer - WebMD

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 04:34 PM PST

Pregnancy Protein May Slow Breast Cancer

Nov. 24, 2009 -- New research could help explain how pregnancy protects against breast cancer, and the findings may one day lead to a novel way to treat the disease.

Investigators from the University of Albany linked the pregnancy protein alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) to slowed growth of breast cancer in rats exposed to pregnancy hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, or human chorionic gonadotropin.

These hormones were shown by the researchers to induce AFP during pregnancy.

They have also been shown to inhibit breast cancer growth in earlier rat studies, although estrogen and progesterone are known to fuel the growth of breast cancer in humans.

Study researcher Herbert Jacobson, PhD, who has been studying AFP in rats for more than two decades, strongly believes the protein is responsible for the pregnancy-related reduction in breast cancer risk.

"Twenty-five years ago I deduced that this must be the agent responsible for lowering breast cancer risk in women who have been pregnant," he tells WebMD. "And the research we have done since then supports this hypothesis."

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AFP and Breast Cancer

Pregnancy, especially before the age of 30, is known to lower a woman's lifetime risk for developing breast cancer, and having more than one child is also protective.

Alpha-fetoprotein is made by the fetus, and measurement of the protein during pregnancy can help screen for birth defects.

Very high AFP levels, for example, suggest the presence of neural tube defects or an abdominal wall defect known as omphalocele, and very low levels are suggestive of Down syndrome.

The protein is usually undetectable in the blood of healthy men and healthy women who aren't pregnant. In these groups, elevated AFP levels suggest the presence of certain cancers.

In their new study, which appears in the December issue of Cancer Prevention Research, Jacobson and colleagues treated cancer-exposed rats that were not pregnant with estrogen, estrogen plus progesterone, or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

As has been seen in previous studies, all three treatments were associated with a reduction in breast cancers in the high-risk rats.

All three of the hormone treatments were also associated with elevated AFP levels and AFP was found to directly inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells grown in lab cultures.

"Hormones in pregnancy, such as estrogen, all induce AFP, which directly inhibits the growth of breast cancer," Jacobson says in a news release.

Second Opinion

But cancer specialist Powel Brown, MD, PhD, says the research does not prove this is the case.

Brown chairs the clinical cancer prevention department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and he serves as an editorial board member for Cancer Prevention Research.

He called the latest findings promising but preliminary in a statement released Tuesday.

"The researchers have not directly demonstrated the cancer preventive activity of AFP," he said, adding that the hormone treatment appeared to prevent or delay tumors in only 30% to 50% of the rats in the study.

"This study is promising and suggests that additional animal studies need to be done before translation to humans," he says.

Jacobson says AFP in its natural form is not appropriate for use in humans, but the research team has identified eight of the hundreds of amino acids in the protein that might be.

The researchers hope to win approval for early human studies of a modified version of AFP, which they call AFPep.

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