彭蒙惠英语：Beating Cancer: A Quest for Miracles（在线收听） |
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Beating Cancer: A Quest for Miracles 2 Cancer defined Cancer researchers and other scientists see cancer as many different diseases caused by many different genetic changes. Each of those minute changes allows normal cells to grow out of control—cancer’s definition. As they spread to other parts of the body, cancer cells mutate, developing resistance to chemotherapy and even tricking the body into ignoring their existence. Today’s standard cancer treatments, developed decades ago, kill both good and bad cells. However, scientists increasingly believe the real task is to identify each abnormality early and then develop drugs that will block those specific defects, stopping the cancer in its tracks. Researchers are optimistic that targeted therapies, specialized drugs that target cancer’s specific genetic abnormalities, will be the ultimate weapon in winning the cancer war. A miracle drug In 1999, scientists were awed by the success of clinical trials testing a new targeted-therapy cancer drug called Gleevec. The real eureka moment came when each of the 31 patients treated with the compound saw his or her white-blood-cell counts return to normal. On May 10, 2001, Gleevec was granted the fastestever Food and Drug Administration approval for a cancer drug. David Wolovitz saw the news and the next day went to see his oncologist for a prescription. After only weeks of taking the new drug, the cancer levels in his blood began dropping, from a high of 89 percent to 2 percent. After six months, the count was zero. It wasn’t a cure, but the next best thing—full remission from his cancer. Meanwhile, newer Gleevec-type drugs are on the way. Scientists remain hopeful that Gleevec will be the discovery that leads to dozens or even hundreds of successful targeted-cancer therapies in the future.
Vocabulary Focus mutate (v) [mju:5teit] to change into a different form or substance abnormality (n) [7AbnC:5mAliti] something different from what is usual or average, especially in a way that is bad eureka (exp) [juE5ri:kE] used to show that one has been successful in something one was trying to do Specialized Terms chemotherapy (n) 化学治疗 the treatment of cancer using specialized chemicals or drugs that destroy cells and tissue in the body remission (n) 缓和，减轻 a period of time when symptoms of an illness stop or are less severe
打败癌症：探索奇迹 2 癌症界定 癌症研究人员和其它的科学家视癌症为许多不同的基因变化所引起的许多不同的疾病。这许多微小变化中的每一种都会让正常的细胞成长失控——这就是癌症的定义。当癌细胞扩散到身体其它部分时，它们会突变，对化疗产生抵抗力，甚至会欺骗身体忽略它们的存在。 今日标准的癌症治疗方式，是将好的和坏的细胞都杀死，是在数十年前发展出来的。然而，科学家愈来愈相信真正的任务是及早确认出异常现象，然后发明出药来封闭这些特定的缺陷，立即阻断癌症之路。目标疗法是针对癌症特定的基因异常使用特定的药物。研究人员很乐观地认为它将是打赢抗癌战争的终极武器。 奇迹药物 1999年，一种经临床实验成功，名为格理威克的新的目标疗法癌症药物，让科学家们大开眼界。真正成功的关键时刻，是当用此化合物治疗的31位病人中的每一位，看到自己的白细胞数回复正常的那一刻。2001年5月10日，格理威克成为美国食品及药品管理局有始以来最快被批准的治癌药物。 大卫·沃洛维兹看到了这则消息，第二天就去要他的肿瘤专科医生那么开处方。在服了新药仅仅几个星期之后，他血中的癌症指数开始下降，从高达89%降到12%。6个月后，指数是零。他并未痊愈，但却处于除此之外最好的状况，他的癌症病情彻底缓和了。 同时，更新的格理威克型药物即将问世。科学家们希望格理威克这项发现能成为引领未来几十种甚至几百种成功的癌症目标疗法。 |
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