Category Archives: Cancer Research

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer, Testimonials

New Research Tackles Chemotherapy Side Effects

Tackling The Side Effects
Tackling The Side Effects

Researches at Wichita State University are delving into nanotechnology in an effort to decrease the negative side effects cancer drugs have on patients. The technology will be a huge boon to patients suffering the many side effects of cancer treatment: nausea, bowel issues, hair loss, infections, pain, anemia, and more, preventing patients’ bodies from being further weakened by the treatment of the disease.

Technology 100,000 times smaller than a strand of hair
The mighty but miniscule technology has been developed to magnetically target drugs with the goal of localizing treatment effects specifically to tumor sites, thus decreasing the spread and negative effects of the drugs throughout the body.

Positive results have researchers hopeful
Targeted for patients with skin and breast cancer, “in vitro” (petri dish/test tube) studies as well as “in vivo,” studies involving mice, have shown positive results. The group, including WSU professors Ramazan Asmatulu, Paul Wooley, Shang-You Yang, and several graduate students, is in the final stages of receiving a patent from the study, which will later be tried on humans.

How it works
Nanocomposite, magnetic microspheres were created which are capable of carrying protein-based chemotherapy drugs. The spheres are later incorporated with an albumin and biodegradable polymer and injected into the body. With the help of a magnetic field, the accumulation of drugs can be increased at targeted cancer sites.

Looking for cancer treatment options that help build your body without the weakening effects of traditional therapies? Issels® can help. Learn more about our individualized, comprehensive immunotherapy treatments today.

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer, News

Super-Charged Cells Take the Cancer Fight to the Tumor Level

Super Charged Cells
Super Charged Cells

The growing number of immunotherapy success stories has given new hope to cancer patients, and their families.

Our Issels®treatment centers have comprehensive immunotherapy programs that have remarkable results.

According to an article on WebMD, this non-toxic cancer treatment could be a pathway to a cure. It worked for Milton Wright III, who according to the article, had leukemia since he was 8 years-old. After years of treatment his doctors thought the cancer was gone.

Unfortunately, it came back for a third time when he was twenty years-old. He ended up taking part in CAR T-cell therapy trail, which is a type of immunotherapy. This type of treatment super-charged the immune system via genetically modified cells that both recognized, and attacked the cancer cells. In less than a month, CAR T-cell therapy got rid of Wright’s cancer.

That is just one of many immunotherapy success stories. Our own Issels® treatment program has many success stories that will bring new hope to any cancer patient.

About CAR T-cell therapy:

Over 100 trial patients have tried this treatment since 2009. Over 70 of those patients went into complete remission. This type of cancer treatment was used with patients who have certain blood cancers such as myeloma, and leukemia. Early research is showing that one day it could be used for more common tumors.

CAR T-cell therapy, like all types of immunotherapy, offers an improved quality of life during, and after the cancer treatment.

For more information about immunotherapy, please contact us at Issels® via our website. We have experienced, qualified, and compassionate doctors who specialize in immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Immunotherapy, Living with Cancer

Keep an Eye on Your Thyroid While in Being Treated with Immunotherapy

Keep an Eye on Your Thyroid
Keep an Eye on Your Thyroid

Immunotherapy treatments for cancer provide an alternative to radiation and other traditional forms of treatment, but they can lead to a higher risk of thyroid problems in some patients. A recent study conducted by Dr. Paul G. Walfish and colleagues at Mount Sinai Hospital showed an association between certain immunotherapy approaches to metastatic cancers and a greater risk of painless thyroiditis syndrome.

Thyroid Symptoms to Watch For

Painless thyroiditis syndrome, also known as silent thyroiditis, occurs when your thyroid gland becomes inflamed. It typically causes your thyroid gland to become overactive at first, which is a condition called hyperthyroidism. After a few months, your thyroid can become underactive, leading to hypothyroidism. Thyroiditis is treatable, but it can cause complications when you’re undergoing immunotherapy. Catching it early can help reduce this risk.

You might not experience any signs of hyperthyroidism, but it’s still important to know what symptoms to watch for. Common symptoms include:

  • Higher sensitivity to heat
  • Sudden unexplained weight loss
  • Irregular heartbeat, palpitations or rapid heartbeat
  • Nervousness or irritability

If painless thyroiditis syndrome advances to hypothyroidism, you might notice the following:

  • Higher sensitivity to cold temperatures
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Joint or muscle soreness

When you’re undergoing immunotherapy, one of the most important cancer care tips to follow is watching for any signs of an overactive or underactive thyroid. If you notice any, let your doctor know right away so you can have your thyroid tested and treated promptly if needed. This can help lower the risk of additional complications during your immunotherapy treatments.

For more information on types of immunotherapy for cancer, please contact Issels®. Our medical experts can help you choose the right treatment for your condition.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Uncategorized

High Cholesterol and Prostate Cancer Recurrence

High Cholesterol
High Cholesterol

Concerns about cholesterol and triglycerides creating problems for something other than your arteries? Apparently so. A recent study suggests a tie between high blood fats and the recurrence of prostate cancer.

The significance of normal blood fat levels
A study of 843 men whose prostates had been removed revealed an association between high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, so-called “bad cholesterols,” and an increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence. Those with high cholesterol saw a 9 percent increase for every a10 mg/dL increase in cholesterol above 200 mg/dL. Thirty-five percent of those with a triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher experienced recurrence as well. Read more information from the study.

Normalization of blood fats may reduce risk
Lead researchers at Duke University explained normalization – even partial – with the help of statins or dietary changes, was tied to a reduced risk of recurrence.

Increases in HDL, “good cholesterol”, raise the bar
The Duke team also found increases in HDL reduced the risk of recurrence by 39 percent for every 10 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) increase in the blood.

A word of caution
Though a link was shown, this does not indicate high blood fats as a cause for cancer. Statins for protection are not recommended at this time, according to Dr. Anthony D’Amico, chief of radiation oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Understanding the role of blood fats is important
Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death, attributable to 45 percent of fatalities worldwide. Further research is warranted to further explore this modifiable risk factor and how to best effect it in order to save lives.

Looking to change your lifestyle and safeguard your remission? Learn more about Issels Integrative Oncology integrative cancer treatments.

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Can Your Hair or Lack of It Be An Indicator for Cancer?

Going Bald?
Going Bald?

Going bald is a fact of life for some men. There are many who dread looking in the mirror in the morning to find that they’ve lost more hair, while others embrace their hair loss by shaving their heads at the first sign of thinning. The truth is that being bald isn’t as big a deal as it was even just a few years go. Although a new study indicates that middle-aged balding might be an indicator for prostate cancer.

The study observed men who were approaching the age of forty-five and came to the conclusion that if they were going bald, they had about a thirty-nine percent increased risk for cancer than men who had all of their hair at that age. It was speculated that this could be because a dip in testosterone resulted in prostate cancer.

However, are these findings accurate enough to cause men to be concerned if they exhibit male pattern baldness?

Physicians say it’s highly unlikely. The study lacks the information that’s needed to support its findings. The best plan of action for any man who is approaching middle age is to visit the doctor on a regular basis and get screened for prostate cancer. Even though baldness might end up being a factor in a cancer diagnosis, the fact is that most cancer patients got the disease because of their genetics or because of a lifestyle choice.

Your family history is a strong indicator of whether or not you’re at risk for developing any type of cancer. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer or any type of cancer, here at Issels®, we understand cancer treatments and patients in a way that’s different from other cancer centers. We’ve successfully been treating patients for sixty years, and we can help you too. Contact us.

Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research

Artificial Turf and Cancer in Young Athletes

Questions About Artificial Turf as a Cancer Reagent
Questions About Artificial Turf as a Cancer Agent

Artificial turf has been a normal part of many types of sports for years, but did you know it might not be safe? There is some speculation that the turf, which is made from synthetic fabrics and old, recycled tires could actually cause cancer. Here at Issels® we’re dedicated to exploring such theories and informing you about these types of potential dangers. 

According to the article on the Washington Post website, the rubber crumbs that young athletes are constantly removing from their hair, clothes and face contain benzene, carbon black and lead, which are all cancer-causing materials. This presents a risk for anyone who plays on a rubber crumb field, but it might be even more risky for soccer goalies. 

In 2009, the associate head soccer coach for Washington University, Amy Griffin, was visiting two of her female goalies in the hospital. Both of them had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. A nurse informed Amy that the number of goalies she had treated recently had risen dramatically. The coach formed a hypothesis regarding the relationship between that particular soccer position and the fields they were playing on. 

For soccer goalies, their bodies are in constant contact with the ground. Not only does that lead to cuts, scrapes and abrasions, but it also means that the rubber crumbs from the turf could be entering their wounds. Her theory is further supported by the fact that blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma seem to be the common types of cancer goalies are being diagnosed with. 

Perhaps you or someone you love is battling a cancer diagnosis after having played on artificial turf. Here at Issels®, we have excellent treatment options and we will design a personalized plan that can help you, even if your cancer is advanced. Please contact us today.