Category Archives: Cancer Research

Cancer Research, Immuno-Oncology, Immunotherapy

Could Immuno-Oncology Be the Cancer Cure We’ve Been Waiting For?

Immuno-Oncology
Immuno-Oncology

Some cancer researchers are calling immuno-oncology the cure for cancer we’ve all been waiting for. While it seems too early to say we’ve won the war against cancer, what western medicine is calling immuno-oncology and Issels Integrative Oncology Centers call integrative immunotherapy, is clearly a giant step in the right direction. Even conservative members of the cancer community consider advanced immunotherapy to be “the most exciting development in cancer care” and have been impressed with clinical reports of “dramatically extended survival,” according to Canada’s National Post.

How Immunotherapy Fights Cancer

One of many problems with traditional cancer treatments — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation – is that they tear down the body, destroying healthy cells along with cancerous ones. Immunotherapy takes a completely different approach. By tapping into the power of your body’s immune system, immunotherapy works with your body, strengthening your body’s natural defenses and helping immune cells to identify, seek out and destroy cancer cells.

“Mind-Blowing” Results

Cancer cells have a frustrating ability to disguise themselves and hide from immune cells. New targeted therapies use T-cells and Natural Killer Cells to unmask tumor cells and strengthen your immune system’s ability to ferret out and destroy cancer cells. Yale University immunologist David Hafler called the results of such treatments “mind-blowing.”

The use of autohemotherapy has also produced some amazing results in a number of patients battling late-stage cancers. Some patients who were told they only had weeks to live have found new hope as their tumors disappeared after immunotherapy treatment.

Issels has been a leader in integrative immunotherapy treatments for cancer for more than 60 years. Visit our website to learn more.

Cancer Research, News

Cancer News Roundup for July

The Latest In Cancer Treatment
The Latest In Cancer Treatment

The latest in cancer treatment news for July:

  • Rogue cancer cells in blood could help explain how tumors evolve as genes change over time, leading to new cancer treatments.
  • Study finds faulty process in muscle-invasive bladder cancer, pointing to EGRF targeting drugs as possible cancer treatment.
  • The National Cancer Research Institute points to the need for age limits in clinical trials to be more flexible to allow teenage cancer patients greater access to new treatments.
  • Genetic research identifies three rare pathogenic mutations not previously known in public gene sequencing databases known to predispose carriers to breast and Lynch syndrome spectrum cancers.
  • A new research report shows antihistamines used to treat colds, allergies and insect bites may play a role in warding off tumors.
  • Study shows men over 50 who cycle more than nine hours a week are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Looking for more information on cancer treatment specific to yourself or a loved one? Contact Issels today. Issels offers the latest and most effective alternative cancer therapies available.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research

Blood Samples Being Used to Personalize Breast Cancer Treatment

Alternative Cancer Treatment
Alternative Cancer Treatment

Boston scientists are attempting to use blood samples to personalize breast cancer treatment for women with rare forms of the disease. After filtering tumor cells from patient blood samples, researchers have been studying how the cells grow and begun to experiment with possible solutions for halting cell growth. The new technique has the potential to allow “real time monitoring” of tumor changes and usher in a new era of individually designed cancer treatments.

“Tumors change, and from the time that a woman is diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that needs to be treated to the time that multiple treatments have worked and stop working, the tumors have evolved,” Dr. Daniel Haber of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center recently told the Boston Globe.

Real Time Monitoring

The new technique would allow oncologists to monitor tumor development and treatment resistance in real time and make treatment adjustments more quickly, hopefully preventing the spread of cancer and hastening the administration of more effective targeted therapies. The ability to track such changes through blood tests could also spare breast cancer patients the trauma of multiple invasive biopsies.

When Cancer Cells Circulate

The circulation of cancer cells in the blood stream is considered a strong indicator that cancer is spreading beyond the original tumor site. Cancer cell circulation is also believed to be a primary mechanism for metastasis. The ability to track the real time emergence of cancer cell mutations through blood samples is still a work in progress. While intriguing, researchers were only able to culture cancer cells in one-sixth of the blood samples.

Visit our website to learn about Issels personalized treatment programs for breast and other cancers.

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Can Fasting Boost Your Immune System?

Fasting To Build The Immune System
Fasting To Build The Immune System

A new study by University of Southern California researchers suggests that a three-day fast may jump-start the body’s immune system by triggering the production of new white blood cells. USC scientists believe that medically monitored fasting could help cancer patients, the elderly and others with damaged immune systems regenerate healthy immune systems. If initial results are upheld, the discovery could add a potent tool to the practice of integrative immunotherapy and the non-toxic treatment of cancer.

Regenerating White Blood Cells

Your immune system is your body’s natural line of defense against disease and white blood cells form its front lines. In USC patient trials, prolonged fasting forced the breakdown of white blood cells, especially damaged cells, which triggered stem cell regeneration of healthy new white blood cells.

Cancer places serious strain on the immune system. Some cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, can seriously damage your immune system, leaving you with little natural defense against cancer. If medically monitored fasting is proven to regenerate the immune system, it could be a game-changer in the treatment of cancer.

Supercharging Your Immune System

Integrative immunotherapy has already been shown to improve quality of life both during and after cancer treatment. By tapping the power of your body’s immune system and enhancing the ability of immune cells to target cancerous tumors and the tumor microenvironments that affect the growth and spread of cancer, integrative immunotherapy works with your body to defeat cancer naturally without harming surrounding healthy tissue. By aiding regeneration of the immune system, it might be possible for fasting therapy to “supercharge” your immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Please visit our website for more information on integrative immunotherapy.

Cancer Research

Do You Know Enough to Prevent Cancer?

Do You Know What It Takes To Prevent
Do You Know What It Takes To Prevent

The strong link between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer is well known and has prompted millions of people to stop smoking. Likewise, the well-established connection between sun exposure and skin cancer has made us aware of the value of wearing sunscreen.

But did you know that three additional lifestyle choices may significantly lower your risk of developing cancer? A recent American Association for Cancer Research report suggests that half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making smart lifestyle choices that promote a healthy immune system.

The “Magic 3” Lifestyle Choices

Three specific lifestyle choices have been shown to reduce not only general cancer risk, but also the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer and kidney cancer. To reduce your cancer risk, the American Cancer Society has issued the following lifestyle guidelines:

1. Weight. Maintain a healthy weight.

2. Diet. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

3. Exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a day.

Are you doing what you can to prevent cancer? Click here to take the American Cancer Society’s fun Nutrition and Activity Quiz to see whether you are making smart lifestyle choices that can help reduce your cancer risk.

Commit to Living Cancer Smart

Making lifestyle changes is a process; it takes time to build new habits. Talk to your doctor to set weight, diet and exercise goals. Commit to new one dietary change and set one new exercise goal each week. Build on your weekly success until you reach your goals.

Click here to find out more about what you can do to decrease your cancer risk.

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Friends and Family Rally to Promote Cancer Research and Awareness

Family Portrait
Family Members Supporting a Cancer Patient

It’s difficult to find anyone whose life hasn’t been touched by cancer. The person in front of you at the grocery store or sitting next to you in the movie theater could tell you about a family member or co-worker diagnosed with the disease. Inspired by their courage, these friends and family members carry on a message of hope by working to find a cure.

At the age of 31, Detroit-area attorney Jacqueline Bailey was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. Her two-year battle led her caring friends to create a legacy for her by founding the Jacqueline E. Bailey Foundation. Ms. Bailey’s wish was that no other 31-year-old woman would have to receive similar news. The foundation has partnered with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to fund an early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Cyclist Maria Parker’s motivation came from her sister Jenny Mulligan, diagnosed with stage four brain cancer in 2012. Maria entered the 2013 Race Across America to raise money and awareness for cancer research. When mid-race problems caused her to consider quitting, a conversation with her sister spurred her on. Her inspiration led Maria to finish first in the women’s group while setting a record in her 50+ age range. Jenny’s son Timothy filmed a documentary of the experience with which he and Maria hope to raise $1 million for ABC2, a brain cancer reorganization.

The love and support of friends and family is an important source of strength when receiving a diagnosis of stage four cancer. Our alternative cancer therapy uses a personal approach to ensure that we address your specific needs.