- Home
- Test Categories
- Allergy Testing
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Blood and Blood Diseases
- Cancer Detection
- Diabetes
- DNA, Paternity and Genetic Testing
- Drug Screening
- Environmental Toxin Testing
- Female Specific Tests
- Fitness, Nutrition and Anti-Aging
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- General Wellness
- Heart Health and Cholesterol
- Hormones and Metabolism
- Immunization Check
- Infectious Diseases
- Infertility Testing
- Kidney Diseases
- Liver Diseases
- Male Specific Tests
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's)
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
- Thyroid Diseases
- - STD Testing
- About STD Testing
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies, IgG
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibodies, IgM, Quantitative
- Epididymitis Screen
- Hepatitis A and B Immune Status Profile Test
- Hepatitis A and B Profile, Acute Diagnostic
- Hepatitis A and B Profile, Comprehensive
- Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM
- Hepatitis A Antibody, Total
- Hepatitis A Profile, Acute verses Chronic Differentiation
- Hepatitis B and C Profile Test (Comprehensive)
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgG, IgM, Differentiation
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody, IgM
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody, Total
- Hepatitis B Patient Management Profile Test
- Hepatitis B Profile
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Test
- Hepatitis C Antibody Test
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibody, With Reflex to RIBA
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), RNA PCR, Qualitative
- Hepatitis Panel, Acute
- Hepatitis Profile II (Diagnostic Follow-up)
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type I and II IgG
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type II IgG
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Type I and II IgM
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 Screen
- HIV-1 Antibodies Test
- HIV-1 DNA RT- PCR With HIV Antibodies , ICMA
- HIV-2 Antibodies
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) RNA (bDNA)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 2 (HIV-2), Qualitative, PCR
- Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma, Real-Time PCR
- Soluble Liver Antigen (SLA) IgG Antibody (Autoimmune Hepatitis)
- STD Recent Exposure Panel
- STD Urinary Tract Infection Panel
- Syphilis (RPR) Test
- Treponema pallidum Antibodies (TP-PA)
- Ultimate STD Panel
- Ultimate Viral STD Panel
- See All STD Tests
- - Blood Tests
- Allergy Testing
- Autoimmune Disease Testing
- Blood Disorder and Blood Disease Testing
- Cancer Detection Testing
- Diabetes Testing
- DNA, Paternity and Genetic Testing
- Drug Screening Testing
- Environmental Testing
- Female-Specific Testing
- Fitness, Nutrition and Anti-Aging Testing
- Gastrointestinal Disease Testing
- General Wellness Testing
- Heart Health and Cholesterol Testing
- Hormone Blood Tests
- Immunization Testing
- Infectious Disease Testing
- Infertility Testing
- Kidney Disease Testing
- Liver Function Tests
- Musculoskeletal Disorders Testing
- Prostate Testing
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Testing
- Thyroid Testing
- - All Tests
- Lab Locations
- Why Online Lab Tests
- How it Works
- About Us
- FAQ
- Health Resources
Questions?
1.877.283.7882
1.877.283.7882
Private MD News
Home | News | Cancer Detection and Tumor MarkersMorphine may help cancer cells spread, testing reveals
Updated: 2009-11-19 22:04:21 CST Category: Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers
by Brendan Missett
Morphine and similar opiates may promote the growth and spread of cancer cells, according to a new study, providing reason for cancer testing in patients who have been exposed to the painkillers.
Dr Patrick Singleton, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, led a team of researchers who conducted tests on cell cultures and mice to determine that the body's receptor that reacts with morphine, the mu opiate receptor, could become a target for cancer treatment studies, HealthDay News reports.
The researchers found that mice without the mu opiate receptor didn't develop tumors after being injected with lung cancer cells, unlike normal mice.
According to the scientists, morphine can decrease the function of cell barriers, easing the path for tumors to metastasize to other tissues and parts of the body. The ability of opiates to promote the growth of new blood vessels also helps cancerous cells thrive in new locations.
"If confirmed clinically, this could change how we do surgical anesthesia for our cancer patients," Singleton told the news source. "It also suggests potential new applications for this novel class of drugs (opiates) which should be explored."
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is predicted to account for about 30 percent of all cancer-related deaths in men and 26 percent in women in 2009.
Related Articles from Private MD:
-
Drug testing proves useful for ovarian cancer patients
-
Study: Colorectal cancer testing may become more affordable
-
Clinical testing hints at new treatment for cervical cancer
-
Cancer testing may identify risk in obese adults
-
Study: Green tea may prevent oral cancer, improve testing methods
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I Allergy Testing Anemia and RBC disorders Autoimmune Diseases Bariatric Lab Testing Blood and Blood Diseases Breast Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers Celiac Disease Testing Chlamydia Coagulation and blood clotting disorders Colon Diabetes DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing Drug Screening Environmental Toxin Testing Female Specific Tests Gastrointestinal Diseases General Health General Wellness Heart Health and Cholesterol Herpes HIV HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos Hormones and Metabolism Infectious Diseases Infertility Testing-Male Infertitlity Hormone Testing Kidney Diseases Leukemia and WBC disorders Liver Liver Diseases Lyme Disease Male Specific Tests Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis Organ Specific Testing Ovarian Prostate Sexually Transmitted Diseases Thyroid Diseases Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click here to get started or call us toll-free at 1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist you.
