Category Archives: Immunotherapy

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Cancer Survivors, Immunotherapy

Dr. Josef Issels: Highlighting Our History

Issels
Ilse Marie Issels, wife of Dr. Josef M. Issels

When you visit an Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology clinic for cancer treatment, you receive the benefit of our long history of remission success using immunotherapy protocols. Our founder, Dr. Josef M. Issels, was a pioneer in the field of non-toxic cancer immunotherapy and Mrs. Ilse Marie Issels and their sons are proud to carry on his legacy.

Dr. Issels began the first hospital in the world dedicated to integrative immunotherapy now more commonly known as Immuno-Oncology – in his homeland of Germany. The 120-bed facility focused on patients with advanced cancers, many of whom had failed to improve their prognosis with conventional treatments.

Vaccines from the patient’s own blood and other Innovative methods developed by Dr. Issels treated the tumor, and with the same importance, its microenvironment, which includes the extracellular matrix, the blood vessels, immune cells and signaling molecules. This concept created controversy in some medical circles at the time, but research today has confirmed the importance of the microenvironment in the progression or regression of tumors.

In 1981, thanks to his extensive knowledge and outstanding success, Dr. Issels was asked to serve as a member of the German Federal Government Commission in the Fight Against Cancer. He remained on the commission until his retirement in 1987, when he brought his integrative immuno-oncology practice to the United States.

After Dr. Issels passed away in 1998, his work was continued by Ilse Marie Issels, his wife and collaborator of 40 years. She was joined by their sons, Dr. Christian N. Issels and Hellmut J. Issels. Today the Issels team, of 8 doctors at the inpatient and outpatient facilities, collaborates under the leadership of Dr. Christian N. Issels and maintains the same high standards and tireless commitment of their late founder.

We continue to treat our patients with the latest non-toxic immunobiologic cancer therapies at the Issels clinics in North America. Visit our website to learn more about what makes Issels® a leader in personalized integrative Immuno-Oncology methods.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Immunotherapy

Brain Cancer Immunotherapy Boosted by Tetanus Vaccine

Doctor
Brain Cancer Discoveries

Cancer vaccines train the body’s immune system to target and kill cancer cells, often requiring a boost to the patient’s immune power. A recent study has found a surprising teammate for brain cancer vaccines: the tetanus shot.

The same tetanus vaccine used to prevent bacterial infections associated with rusted metal has a powerful effect of activating and alerting the body’s immune system overall. Because of this, the boost from a tetanus shot may be an extremely effective tool in increasing the success of immunotherapy treatments.

Doctors at Duke University Medical Center recently administered a cancer vaccine trial to patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain tumor. In patients who first received the tetanus shot to awaken their immune response, survival rates increased significantly.

Here’s what the 12-patient trial study found:

  • Patients given tetanus and cancer vaccines survived 4 to 8 more years, with one patient still surviving. Patients without the tetanus vaccine survived up to 11 months.
  • The tetanus vaccine sounds a warning call to the body’s immune system. This increases the chances that the cancer vaccine will be successfully received by the lymph nodes — where the cancer vaccine must go to train the immune system.
  • The cytomegalovirus — present in most people but inactive — becomes reactivated in brain cancer cells. The dendritic cells cancer vaccine can identify brain cancer cells by looking for active cytomegalovirus.

Researchers hope that the tetanus vaccine can not only be a successful tool to fight glioblastoma brain cancer, but also teach us how to boost other kinds of cancer immunotherapy.

Contact us at Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology to find out about cancer vaccines and other innovative forms of immunotherapy.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Immunotherapy

One Fight Against Cancer – A Story of Immunotherapy

Fighting Cancer With Immunotherapy
Fighting Cancer With Immunotherapy

When 36-year-old real estate agent Sue Scott’s cervical cancer was found to have not only returned, but spread to her lymph nodes just a few short months after she believed it was beaten, Scott put on her boxing gloves and turned to immunotherapy.

Limited options
Having previously received the maximum amount of radiation possible in her lifetime and with chemo unable to prevail against Sue’s metastatic cervical cancer, she turned to the surgeon who previously treated her mother’s uterine cancer with a hysterectomy.

An experimental approach
Following in the footsteps of her mother, Sue also underwent a hysterectomy, as well as the removal of cancerous lymph nodes and organs. The surgeon then proceeded to tell her about an immunotherapy trial at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda that could give her a chance.

Immunotherapy at work
In immunotherapy, the patient’s own immune system is used to attack tumors, offering hope to metastatic cancer sufferers who have little left in the way of treatment options. There are multiple forms of immunotherapy available. Sue’s treatment involved T-cell therapy in which tumor-fighting immune cells are isolated, grown in a lab, and then re-infused into the body. The tumor is then removed and a regimen of intense chemo follows.

Promising results
A month after the conclusion of Sue’s treatment, CT scans revealed significant shrinkage to the 7 tumors throughout her body. Two months following treatment she was cancer-free, and appears to be in remission nearly three years to the day of her diagnosis.

Are you looking for alternative cancer treatments that give you the chance at the same promising results Sue experienced? Contact Issels® today to learn more.

Cancer Research, Immuno-Oncology, Immunotherapy, Living with Cancer

Personalized Vaccines Are Recognized as the Future for Cancer Treatment

Cancer Vaccines
Cancer Vaccines

Vaccines save lives by utilizing the patient’s immune system to attack harmful cells. Much like flu vaccines prepare the person’s body to defend against pathogens, cancer prevention vaccines are given to people who do not have cancer to help their body identify and destroy infections known to lead to cancer. Treatment vaccines are for people who are already diagnosed with cancer. Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology uses non-toxic vaccine and cell therapy that is prepared from the patient’s own blood.

Washington University study

A recent study by scientists at Washington University found personalized cancer treatment was able to cure 90 percent of the mice used in the study that had advanced muscle cancer. This success prompted Alumni Professor of Pathology and Immunology for the university Robert Schreiber, PhD, who was senior author of the study, to say personalized cancer vaccines should be used to treat cancer in humans right away.

Immune-based treatments

Years of research on cancer genetics and how the immune system interacts with cancer have made new vaccines and treatments possible. Scientists agree immunotherapy is the best path to a cancer cure.

A personalized vaccine requires samples from the DNA of the individual’s tumor and healthy tissue. This aspect of creating an effective vaccine is difficult because cancer cells develop from the healthy cells of the person and are not easily recognized as harmful by the immune system. Despite the difficulties, experts agree that this type of integrative strategy is the best path to successfully treating cancer.

To find out more about the cutting edge non-toxic treatments and cell therapies utilized by Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, contact us by phone or via our short online form.

Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research, Immunotherapy

Keeping a Healthy Weight While in Cancer Treatment

Eating During Cancer Treatment
Eating During Cancer Treatment

You may be thinking to yourself, “isn’t going through cancer treatment enough without the need to worry about my weight?” While this is a legitimate complaint, following your doctor’s instructions is vital in order to remain strong throughout the treatment.

Going through cancer treatment takes its toll physically and emotionally but you have a hand in controlling how much. Treatment can have a decided affect on your appetite which impacts your eating habits. If both are in a negative mode of operation, the end result is weight loss, plain and simple.

Weight loss and weight gain can be a significant side effect of cancer treatment. For those losing weight, this may be caused due to a lack of appetite. Nothing seems tantalizing and while you do eat something, you may not eat as much as before taking in less calories. This will cause a loss in weight and also impacts the amount of nutrients your body needs.

For other patients, especially those who are obese, weight loss may be recommended while treatments are ongoing. A nutritionist or dietitian are good options for helping determine healthy menus that provide the calories, nutrients, vitamins, and protein to help maintain a healthy weight.

Dietary supplements are also an option for getting the fuel your body needs to handle the rigors of cancer treatment.

Learn more about integrative immunotherapy and holistic treatments at the Issels® blog. The informative articles can help answer questions and concerns you may have about the best approach to 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.