Medicine: Chemicals for Cancer

In seeking new ways to fight cancer, researchers have been experimenting with combination treatments. Leukemia, a cancer of the blood that kills 2,000 children under the age of 15 in the U.S. each year, has been found to respond to a double-barreled approach. One phase uses cytotoxic (cell-destroying) drugs to combat the cancer itself” the other consists of X-ray treatment of the head and spinal column to prevent involvement of the nervous system a frequent and fatal complication of the disease. Dr. Joseph Simone of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis told an American Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute meeting in New York that this dual approach may ultimately lead to a cure for childhood leukemia. Of 30 youngsters to undergo the treatment, 18 have enjoyed complete relief for at least 3½ years. Dr. James Holland of Buffalo reported success with a straight chemotherapeutic approach. Twenty-seven children were treated with drug combinations during the past 3½ years; only one has died.