Healthline

PLANTS used for centuries by Chinese and East Indians to treat disease have given researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa a potential weapon to slow the growth of tumors.

The discovery, published in the journal Cancer Research, comes after Moffitt scientists developed a test to screen 2,000 compounds provided by the National Cancer Institute. The compounds had previously been examined as potential cancer treatments. The Moffitt test was to identify those that could block or slow the abnormal cell growth that characterizes breast, lung and other cancers.

"When a (healthy) cell wants to divide, it activates. When it does not, it stops. It's like the gas pedal on a car," says Said Sebti, Ph.D. and director of Moffitt's Drug Discovery Program. "But in tumor cells, it's on all the time. There's no brake."

Sebti and Richard Jove, Ph.D., program leader of Moffitt's Molecular Oncology Program, began to target a cellular pathway called JAK2/STAT3 for possible drug therapy about five years ago.

In screening the hundreds of samples, one found in plants including bitter cucumber and used in ancient healing emerged as a potential blocker. The compound was injected in mice that had been implanted with human tumor cells. It slowed or stopped tumor growth in the mice compared with another group of mice given placebos.

The plant compound had been rejected in previous National Cancer Institute tests as too toxic. Sebti says that its concentration and targeting were off.

"In the future we hope it leads to a drug which can prolong the life of people with tumors," Sebti says. Researchers will refine the compound in hopes of testing it on humans.

APRIL IS Sports Eye Safety Month, and every year ophthalmologists urge children to wear protective eyewear for baseball and other sports despite the "nerd" factor.

"Injuries children experience range from corneal abrasions and bruising of the lids to internal eye injuries . . . that can lead to vision loss," says Dr. M. Bowes Hamill, spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis and squash pose risks to the eyes, doctors say.

Parents and children are advised to consult with their eye doctor on the appropriate protection.

Information on eye safety and health, as well as doctor referrals, is available at www.aao.org/public/.

FLORIDA HAS ONE of the toughest laws in the nation regulating health clubs, and the state Department of Agriculture reminds consumers to check out a club before joining.

The department's tips include:

Read and understand the contract and any restrictions.

Find out whether the club has posted a bond with the state; most clubs that collect fees in advance are required to do that.

Ask about cancellation policies in case you move or are injured.

Consumers should call toll-free 1-800-435-7352 or go to www.800helpfla.com for information.

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