Monthly Archives: March 2023

Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Why Some Cancers are Resistant to Traditional Therapies

Advances in cancer treatment allow for precision targeting of cells that cause damage. The flip side is that some cancers can become resistant to these traditional therapies. What are the factors behind this concerning development?

Mutations vs. Behavioral Changes

It’s well-established that cancer is a genetic disease. Changes in DNA, whether they’re random accidents or caused by carcinogens such as tobacco or UV rays, result in cancer by altering the way cells grow and multiply.

In some cases, cancer cells will mutate in such a way as to “dodge” the effects of treatment. However, in cases that doctors are observing with targeted chemotherapy, DNA remains the same and it’s the gene activity that changes. Epigenetic signals, a layer of regulators that control the activity of genes, are at the core of this new resistance.

Melamoma and Treatment Resistance

Scientists at the Systems Biology and Cancer Metabolism Lab at the University of California, Merced studied melanoma to gain some insight into this development. Melanoma is a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer that’s often caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

UV damage can cause mutations in a major signaling regulator known as BRAF. This protein is responsible for signaling cells regarding when to grow and divide and when to stop. Mutations triggered by UV rays cause BRAF to leave the growth signal turned on, leaving cancer cells to multiply unchecked.

Initially, targeted chemotherapy can successfully restore BRAF’s “off switch.” In some cases, rather than mutating further, cells “learn” how to bypass BRAF altogether, continuing their growth.

Personalized Cancer Treatment for Advanced Cases

At Issels®, our personalized immunotherapy programs have often achieved success after traditional methods have been exhausted. Visit our website for more information, including testimonials from patients in long-term remission after undergoing our non-toxic cancer treatment.

 

Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

Some Cancer Risk Factors Are Within Your Control

Cancer is driven by numerous and complex risk factors, making concepts related to calculating its risk a frequent subject of debate. Adding to this debate is a Johns Hopkins study looking at randomly mutating cells, specifically how they play a predominant role in cancer development. What does this say about your cancer risk? Issels® wants to help you put this new information in perspective.

Cancer and car accidents: They have a lot in common…

  • Trip length
    Comparing getting cancer to getting into a car accident, the length of your trip – your lifespan – increases your risk. The longer you live, the more the odds increase of your body randomly mutating cells, making this a significant risk factor – attributable to two-thirds of your total cancer risk in fact.
  • Road conditions
    Just as rain or snow can increase your risk of an accident, so too can conditions in your body and in your environment increase your risk of cancer.
  • Mechanical issues
    Bad brakes or worn tires can be seen as a metaphor for genetic factors, such as inherited mutations.

Reading the accident report
Despite this research, it can’t be stressed enough no single factor causes cancer. Two-thirds of car accidents are not related solely to trip length, but to a combination of road conditions, mechanical issues, and the like. For each “accident,” the major contributing factor will vary.

Accident prevention
Due to the large combination of risk factors, there are many opportunities for prevention, including addressing radiator issues (smoking), regular maintenance (early diagnostics and detection), and more.

Cancer spinning out of control? Contact Issels® today.

Immunotherapy, Uncategorized

Use Your Body to Fight Cancer

Conventional cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, focuses on using external methods of destroying cancer cells. Immunotherapy focuses on using your body’s own defenses to fight cancer. Issels® Immunotherapy offers several cancer vaccines that are non-toxic and do not cause adverse effects, including the following.

Prostate Cancer Vaccine

This cancer vaccine helps the immune system find and destroy cancerous cells in the prostate. Prostate cancer vaccines contain monocytes, cytokines, and other elements of the patient’s immune system, which helps provide a more targeted immune response.

Autologous Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccine

This cancer vaccine involves the use of dendritic cells, which play an important role in the immune system. These cells have a strong potential to trigger an immune response that effectively destroys tumors. This cancer vaccine contains tumor antigens, cytokines, and other elements of the patient’s immune system.

Coley’s Mixed Bacterial Vaccine

This cancer vaccine helps the patient’s body produce interleukins, interferons, and other parts of the immune system that are needed to fight disease.

Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells

This cancer vaccine contains LAK cells and interleukin-2 that help the patient’s body fight cancer.

Activated Natural Killer Cells

This cancer vaccine contains NK cells and interleukin-2 to help the immune system fight cancer.

Uses for Cancer Vaccines

Cancer vaccines can be used for a wide range of cancer types, including cancers that are typically difficult to treat using conventional methods. Since they use the patient’s immune system to fight cancer, they don’t come with a risk of side effects or adverse reactions as other cancer treatments do. Cancer vaccines are an important part of immunotherapy and provide a highly personalized approach to fighting cancer.

To learn more about immunotherapy as cancer treatment, please contact Issels®. We can give you more detailed information on cancer vaccines and other therapies.

Living with Cancer, Uncategorized

Good Nutrition Increases Quality of Life During Treatment

Getting the right vitamins and minerals from the food you eat is so important as a cancer patient. However, many people don’t realize that nutrition is seriously affected by both cancer and the treatments used for it. Here at Issels®, we care about more than just treating cancer. Our focus is on improving your quality of life during your treatments. It is our hope that these nutrition tips for cancer patients will be helpful for you.

Nutrition Tips for Cancer Patients

Prior to cancer, you may have been fairly healthy. Most people are familiar with what they need to do to eat a healthy diet. You probably focused on eating:

  • Plenty of whole grain foods
  • Less red meat
  • Lots of vegetables
  • Lots of fruits

As you know, when you have cancer your desire for food changes. You may need to make some changes in your diet too. Don’t be afraid to:

  • Eat foods that are higher in fat to keep your weight up
  • Eat high calorie foods
  • Drink plenty of milk if it tastes good to you
  • Eat ice cream because it may be soothing to a dry or sore throat

Why is Getting Adequate Nutrition So Hard for Cancer Patients?

If you have cancer, your body is going through a lot of changes internally. You have probably noticed that your throat is often dry. You may not have much of an appetite, or you could have sore teeth or gums. A number of problems can affect your appetite.

At Issels®, we can help you cope with these and other issues you may be facing. Contact us to learn more.

Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

Tips on How to Prepare to Be a Cancer Caregiver

When a loved one has cancer, becoming their caregiver can help ensure that they have support and assistance from someone they trust. As a cancer caregiver, you might help them with daily tasks, accompany them to cancer treatment appointments, and offer emotional support. Stepping into this role can be challenging, especially if it’s new for you. The following tips can help you prepare to be a cancer caregiver for your loved one.

Set Realistic Expectations

No matter how much you want to help your loved one, you won’t be able to do everything for them. Set realistic expectations on what you can handle based on your schedule and abilities. Being realistic about the care you provide can help prevent you from becoming frustrated or burned out in your new role.

Ask for Help with Caregiving

Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help with cancer caregiving. Make a list of other people you can turn to when you’re having trouble handling caregiving tasks, such as another family member. This can help alleviate the amount of stress you’re under, so you can avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Set Aside Time for Yourself

Taking care of yourself while being a cancer caregiver is highly important. Make time in your schedule to do something you enjoy or focus on relaxation. This can help ease stress and allow you to recharge, so you’ll have more energy and better mental focus.

Take Care of Your Own Health

Making sure you stay in good health can make it easier to handle caregiving tasks. Eat healthy foods, get plenty of sleep, and get some exercise each day.

If you need more information on cancer treatment for your loved one, please contact Issels®. We can discuss our immunotherapy therapies and provide additional details on our approach to treatment.

Cancer Caregivers, Uncategorized

When You and Your Family Disagree About Your Treatment Choices

Whether you opt for cancer immunotherapy or more traditional treatment methods, some family members may disagree with your choices. With open and honest communication, you can all work together to make sure you get the support you need.

Tips for Discussing Cancer Treatment

When a family member objects to your chosen form of cancer treatment, it’s usually caused by concern for you and fear of the unknown. Experts suggest the following tips for maintaining productive and positive discussions.

– As the patient, you are the one who will be directly affected, so your wishes should be considered first. You should also feel free to change your mind if circumstances change or you get new information.

– Talk about your priorities in choosing a particular course of treatment. Knowing what’s important to you will help others understand your decision.

– People may be uncomfortable talking about cancer and treatment options for a wide variety of reasons, including fear, lack of knowledge and religious beliefs. Ask a member of your healthcare team or an experienced counselor to be involved in the discussions.

– Identify problems that may arise during treatment so everyone is prepared.

– Find out from your doctor which decisions are urgent and which ones are less pressing. This helps reduce the amount of pressure that family members may feel.

Cancer Immunotherapy with a Personal Touch

Dealing with cancer is frightening for patients and their families. At Issels®, we refuse to let the disease rob you of your individuality. Our treatments are tailored to address your personal situation and needs.

Contact us to learn more about our non-toxic cancer immunotherapy programs.