Category Archives: Cancer Research

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Uncategorized

Colon Cancer: Now a Cancer that Attacks Young People

Colon Cancer
Colon Cancer

Cancer at any age can be devastating and when one type, that was previously associated with only older men and women, is attacking younger people, it adds to the frustration of dealing with this disease. At Issels®, our staff is dedicated to working with and supporting cancer patients of all ages.

Colon cancer is usually associated with men and women ages 50 and over but Andrea Payne, who is not yet 50, was diagnosed with the disease. Following a car accident that left Ms. Payne in a coma for over 35 hours, she began experiencing pain and discomfort in her bowel along with blood in her stool. Doctors told her the symptoms were a result of the pain medicine she was taking.

It took two years and more tests before Ms. Payne was finally diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. Five months later, she was diagnosed with yet another problem, thyroid cancer.

Andrea received the treatment she needed for both cancers and is closing in on her one year anniversary as being cancer free. Through strong support of her friends and family, she is a survivor. Her message to both men and women is to not assume they are too young to be diagnosed with colon cancer.

Doctors recommend colon cancer screenings and while many people choose to ignore or put off testing, Andrea hopes her story will inspire others to not wait until they turn 50, or older, to have the screening that can detect a problem early.

If you’d like more information about our treatments and programs, contact us using the toll free number on our website or use our convenient online form.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, News

Discovery of Six Molecules that Block Cancer

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Blocking Cancer
Blocking Cancer

In a recently released paper from the University of Kansas, scientists announced they have isolated six molecules capable of blocking the protein HuR. Known as an “oncoprotein” that attaches itself to RNA, the HuR protein enables tumor growth. These findings could potentially lead to new non-toxic cancer treatments like those used by Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology. Personalized treatment protocols and immunotherapy are proving to be the best route to a cancer cure.

HuR inhibitors

Researchers have been studying HuR cells for many years. The cancer-building protein is found at high levels in practically every type of cancer. These six molecular needles that the University of Kansas scientists have found in the haystack of human molecules are considered a significant breakthrough in halting cancer stem cells, which are considered the seeds of cancer. According to Liang Xu, associate professor of molecular biosciences and one of the authors of the paper, there were no known HuR inhibitors prior to this discovery.

Potential for a wide array cancer treatments

Xu goes on to say that because HuR has a significant role in so many different types of cancer, the discovery of these proteins holds promise for new cancer drugs in the fight against cancers that attack all areas of the body. HuR and other RNA-binding proteins have been considered untreatable until now. This study, published in ACS Chemical Biology, provides proof of the concept that a new class of cancer drugs can be developed specifically for cancer stem cells.

The treatments used at Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology are the result of decades of research and scientific breakthroughs. Contact us to learn more and sign up for our free e-News-letter.

Cancer Research, News

New Developments in Treatment for Blood Cancer Drug Resistance

New Blood Treatment
New Blood Treatment

Recently you may have seen some promising cancer research in the news concerning treatment for blood cancer drug resistance. Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed a drug that has the potential to reverse this resistance. Preliminary testing has shown great promise and may potentially be used for patients that have certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. These drugs are made from chemically engineered immune proteins that are considered to be antibodies. As these antibodies stick to the proteins on cancer cells, the immune system is directed to kill the cancer cells.

The reason these new drugs are working for people who have experienced resistance is that many of these drugs can be developed to prevent cancer cells from being able to hide from the immune cells, according to a study published in the Cancer Cell journal. This research was done by scientists located at the University of Southampton as well as professionals at BioInvent International. These studies were funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Research Foundation in the UK.

A new antibody that is called BI-1206, has also been discovered and it can prevent tolerance by binding to a certain molecule that is called FcyRIIB; this allows for cancer cells to be destroyed. A six year plan is being put into place by a team of professors and scientists in Southampton and Sweden to build on this exciting research. With more information and newly developed treatment options, blood cancer drug resistance may see great changes in the near future.

At Issels we want to help you stay abreast of cancer research news. For more breaking news please subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research

University of Iowa Looks Carefully at Vitamin C Treatments for Cancer

Healthy Living With Cancer
Vitamin C Treatment

Many people swear by the use of Vitamin C supplements to prevent and cure colds and other common illnesses. Given its health applications, it might come as little surprise that the medical community would explore Vitamin C’s possible role in the fight against cancer.

Researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics are studying the effects of large amounts of Vitamin C used in conjunction with other cancer treatments like chemotherapy. Preclinical testing began in 2008 when Vitamin C was used successfully to slow the growth of tumors in mice.

Phase one of the study is currently investigating whether high doses of Vitamin C administered intravenously are safe for humans. So far the treatment has been tolerated by pancreatic cancer patients, and researchers are awaiting the results on patients with brain and lung cancer.

The study has not yet progressed to the point of testing Vitamin C as a method of killing tumors. However, Joseph Cullen, a professor of surgery at UI, said that the preclinical testing with mice showed that Vitamin C seemed to create hydrogen peroxide that attacked and killed cancer cells without affecting healthy ones.

After scientists in the late 1970s had promising results with testing Vitamin C as a cancer treatment, Mayo Clinic performed a study in the 1980s that contradicted the earlier one. Cullen says that the Mayo Clinic focused on oral ingestion of Vitamin C, while UI’s tests are using intravenous dosage which allows for higher, more effective levels.

Our immuno-oncology protocols make use of natural, non-toxic treatments for a personalized approach to your specific needs. Contact us to learn more about our alternative cancer treatments.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research

“Angelina” Effect Causes An Increase in Genetic Cancer Testing

DNA
Genetic Predisposition

Hereditary ovarian and breast cancer have made the news in recent years thanks to Angelina Jolie. The actress made headlines in 2013 after revealing that she had a double mastectomy after finding out that she carries genetic mutations that increase her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In 2015, she had her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed. 

Jolie’s disclosures have raised awareness of these types of cancer, prompting more women to undergo genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. However, in the latest cancer news, some major insurance companies are refusing to cover the costs of this testing. These companies, which include Aetna and Cigna, won’t cover these costs out of concern that the tests are unproven and might end up causing patients to seek unnecessary medical care, such as preventive chemotherapy. 

Health experts, including physicians and genetic counselors, have defended these tests, stating that delaying them could be putting patients who do carry these mutations at risk. If they knew that they were carriers, they could be taking steps to reduce their risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, such as making dietary changes.

Some health professionals also state that making these tests cost-prohibitive makes it harder for researchers to study their effectiveness in more detail. Health experts are encouraging insurance companies to cover the costs of genetic testing for cancer in order to reduce the costs associated with eventually having to treat cancer in those with a high risk. 

To keep up with the latest cancer news and to learn more about non-toxic forms of treatment, please visit Issels®. We offer integrative immunotherapy for a variety of cancers.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

UK Breast Cancer Patients Waiting Too Long for Diagnosis

UK Patients are Waiting Too Long For Diagnosis
UK Patients are Waiting Too Long For Diagnosis

At Issels®, our programs have focused on our patients for over 60 years. This includes providing patients with support and information along with the most current natural cancer treatments.

A recent report in The Guardian news in the UK notes that “17 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer waited for over a month to see a GP.” Even when the patients recognized symptoms, they chose to wait. Another worrisome poll by YouGov concerning breast cancer care states “one in 20 women wait more than six months” to see a doctor which decreases the opportunity to provide effective treatment at the earliest stages of their cancer.

Many of the women who prolonged visiting their GP convinced themselves the symptoms they exhibited were not serious. A significant number admitted they were too scared to schedule a doctor visit because they were afraid their fears would be validated.

Unfortunately, ignoring the symptoms of breast cancer, whether because of fear or denial, does nothing to tackle the cancer cells. Not seeing a doctor to get a proper diagnosis only allows the cancer cells to multiply.

Early diagnosis is the key to getting a jump start on the disease and patients are strongly urged to schedule an appointment, as soon as possible, whenever one or  more of cancer symptoms are present.

At our centers, patients receive immunotherapy along with other types of treatment and care with the use of non-toxic medications. Our goal is providing treatment and helping patients navigate through each step. For this to happen, it’s important to follow through with doctor visits.

If you have questions about breast cancer and need information about our programs, please contact our center.