Bill Streu the Science Dude...

Okay, so I held out on this post for awhile because I had hopes of presenting this material with a fun video.  It would have made this post so much less boring.  But, fatigue set in and I kept forgetting.  I just want to write this out so that I can remember what it is I had done.  Therefore, this post is probably more for me than for you (but, I think it is still interesting, nonetheless).

Just call me Bill Streu, the Science Dude.  I want to take a moment to explain what this "chemo" is that I am receiving.  In fact, it is not technically chemotherapy, but the cancer center still calls it chemo since the side effects can be similar.  I also receive the medication through IV infusion over 2 hours, so it is very much like chemotherapy.

I have learned that there are now three major kinds of treatments for cancer:  Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, and Targeted Therapy.  I have been taking a drug called Erbitux (or Cetuximab), which is a Targeted Therapy (and is also sometimes called a monoclonal antibody).  Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy are both used to block the growth of cancer cells by interfering with rapidly dividing cells.  However, Targeted Therapies target specific molecules that aid in dividing cancer cells, whereas traditional chemotherapy interferes with all rapidly dividing cells.  So, what is Erbitux specifically targeting?

Apparently, there are these things in our bodies called Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFRs).  These EGFRs can attach to cells in our body and then attract proteins called Growth Factors that can help aid that cell's growth and division.  Therefore, it is not a good thing when these EGFRs find cancer cells.  This is where the Erbitux comes in.

The Erbitux supposedly moves in like a ninja and gives the EGFR a roundhouse kick to the face.  In turn, this ninja work helps enhance the effectiveness of the good work the radiation is trying to do.  So, I agreed to let that ninja in.

There you have it.  I know a fun video would have been so much more entertaining.  Maybe some day.