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I can understand the disbelief that endostatin clinical trials had been disappointing, possibly because most clinicians had injected the hormone directly into patients, where the hormone broke down in the body before it had a chance to slow the spread of cancer. But researchers like Dr. Veena Antony "rethought" the situation by understanding that by allowing talc in the chest cavity, thus constantly causing the normal cells to produce endostatin, may inhibit the growth of tumors.

Thanks to scientists like Dr. Antony that took the time to think through "whiz bang" science that often gets a pass without much thought. The problem is that few scientific discoveries work the way we think and few physicians/scientists take the time to think through what it is they're discovered. Good work University of Florida! I genuinely believe that there is more to Talc poudrage than is commonly recognized. Perhaps because it is easily available and cheap, and it has not had the press it deserves!!

Even though they work for an academic institution, Dr. Antony is still having a hard time getting funding for the research. Here and there around the world, there are decisions still being made by folks who aren't in the pockets of American Big Business. Individual intelligence, integrity and curiosity. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope! I wouldn't doubt if the research money is not flowing because the treatment is so cheap. That is a shame. You can't patent talc.

The FDA has never approved a drug for cancer that was not patented or marketed or produced by a major pharmaceutical company. Today, the trend is towards more expensive cancer therapies with some costing up to $100,000 per patient per year. Millions of people have suffered and died and will continue to suffer and die because profitability, not efficacy and safety, is ultimately determining what cancer therapies are available to patients.

The average oncologist makes two-thirds of his/her annual revenue by selling high-cost drugs to patients (known as the cancer concession). Why do cancer doctors follow the NCI and the cancer trade associations blindly? Because those doctors get paid by the NCI to do cancer protocols, and very few of them are going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Many people suspect this goes on, but cancer doctors don't want to admit it. It's all about The Two E's: ego and economics.

http://www.healthyskepticism.org/news/2007/Jun.php