However, with so many treatments overlapping, it was impossible to know how effective each one was.
Steinman died on September 30, 2011, from respiratory failure due to pneumonia. According to a Reuters report by Patrick Lannin and Mia Shanley, the Nobel Prize rules allow awards only to living scientists. However, the committee decided that Steinman will remain a winner because they made the decision in good faith that he was alive.
Therapy for pancreatic cancer, including immune therapy and chemotherapy, remains an active area of research. I found 1190 clinical trials currently (Dec. 21, 2011) listed on the registry http://clinicaltrials.gov/
References:
1. Scientific American. How Ralph Steinman Raced to Develop a Cancer Vaccine – And Save His Life. Katherine Harmon. Web. Dec. 21, 2011.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-patient-scientist
2. Mayo Clinic. Pancreatic Cancer. Web. Dec. 21, 2011.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreatic-cancer/DS00357/DSECTION=causes
3. Cancer kills Nobel physician before he hears of prize. Reuters. Patrick Lannin and Mia Shanley. Web. Dec. 26, 2011.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/03/us-nobel-medicine-idUSTRE79213...
Reviewed December 28, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment1 Comments
If only my mother had received such specialized care maybe we could have had her longer than the 11 months she lived after her PC diagnosis. I don't begrudge Mr. Steinman for doing all he could to prolong his life. But I am still angry that when my family went to the media to beg for help in receiving a special treatment/personal protocol (TNFerade) not one person from the scientific community stepped up to help us. Including my mother's own doctor, Dr. Hilary Wu. I guess her life wasn't worth the effort since she didn't have any friends in the science club.
December 28, 2011 - 9:39pmThis Comment