At the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Center, we know that arsenic is a natural element. We know also that it is found in many environments, mixed into our air, soil, and even our water. Of course we also know it is poison. Did you know that this poison, arsenic, has contaminated enough water to be known as a global threat? At this time it is a growing threat, afflicting over 100 million people.

This poison causes genetic and epigenetic changes that induce carcinogenesis and, tragically, lung cancer is “one of the main consequences of this process.” (Read more details here.)

We applaud the researchers from the British Columbia Cancer Research Center. They have been analyzing a panel of lung tumors, which were obtained from people who had been exposed this poisonous carcinogen.

Victor Martinez, researcher at the British Columba Cancer Research Center, has shared his latest research at the 5th Latin American Conference On Lung Cancer only a few days ago. Martinez said, in his study, “Lung tumors induced by arsenic are different molecular entities and specific therapeutic approaches should be considered,” Martinez added, “These results may help to prevent arsenic- related cancer in other parts of the world, such as USA and Canada, where exposure to arsenic (even at low levels) has been also linked with lung cancer and other diseases.” We highly anticipate more details from his studies. The Florida Lung Doctors know that lung cancer kills more than 1.5 million people each year, from all over the world. Did you know that lung cancer is also among the most challenging cancers to treat?

We avidly share the hope for new research and new medical advances which will help our patients achieve a better quality of life. Here in Orlando, we of the Florida Lung, Asthma And Sleep Specialists, highly anticipate the research details he will shortly be releasing to the press.

In 2002 scientists discussed having found a new oncogenic signaling pathway by which the environmental toxin arsenic traveled to become a tumor. These study results are published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

“In a collaborative investigation we found that arsenic, at environmentally relevant levels, is capable of activating the Hedgehog pathway and may represent a novel pathway of arsenic-associated diseases, such as bladder cancer,” said Margaret R. Karagas, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. ” Their basic studies showed that people who live in arsenic contaminated areas of the world developed an elevated cancer rate.

Drinking Water contaminated by arsenic is often found in Taiwan, Bangladesh and Argentina. It has also been discovered in the United States, in unregulated drinking water systems. So the relationship between exposure to arsenic resulting in human tumors is not a new discovery. However the molecular links causing the connection have required further study. (Read more about the research of a protein named “hedgehog,” by clicking here.)

FDA NEWS RELEASE: Breaking News

Last week, the FDA approved Tudorza Pressair to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Also called, aclidinium bromide, the FDA will now allow its use for the “long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lung) associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.”

Put simply, COPD is a serious lung disease that makes breathing a miserable and difficult activity for the patient.

Tudorza Pressair is a dry powder inhaler. Prescribed for twice daily use, it is a long-acting antimuscarinic agent. It relaxes the muscles around the large airways of the lungs, and thus, improves the airflow.

Unfortunately, Cigarette smoking and environmental exposure are the leading causes of COPD, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The symptoms of COPD can include chest tightness, chronic cough, and excessive phlegm. (Read more about COPD from the Florida Lung Doctors on this website, by clicking here.)

“COPD is a serious disease that gets worse over time,” said Curtis Rosebraugh, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Office of Drug Evaluation II in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The availability of long-term maintenance drugs for COPD provides additional treatment options for the millions of people who suffer with this debilitating disease.”  Perhaps Tudorza is just such a drug.

Tudorza Pressair was rigorously tested in three randomized, placebo-controlled confirmatory clinical trials. 1,276 patients, ages 40 and older with a clinical diagnosis of COPD participated. They all were cigarette smokers of at least 10 years. Read more details here.

Again, the Florida Lung Doctors must say that they appreciate the meticulous work created by the scientists who create and test the medicines and techniques that will make tomorrow better for our patients. As we have said before, “It’s a matter of life and breath.”