Breast Cancer, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Treatment, News, Uncategorized

Why Many Breast Cancer Patients Stop Treatment or Only Take Partial Treatment

January 1, 2018 Chris 1 Comment

Many women do not trust the health care system and will often forgo radiation and drug therapy after breast cancer surgery. That is according to a survey of 2,700 breast cancer patients by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Lead author of the survey, Lorraine Dean, said over 30 percent skip treatments that are intended to kill any cancer cells that remain after surgery.

Contact Issels® for information on how combining conventional treatments with immunotherapy cancer treatment reduces the likelihood of relapse.

Doctor-patient trust is crucial

Cancer is a devastating disease and it is understandable that patients experience feelings of helplessness. It’s not just women with breast cancer who are losing trust in doctors and the health care system, it’s the general public as well. People often feel that doctors put their own financial interest ahead of patient care. When patients feel their doctors don’t listen to them or take their concerns seriously, trust begins to erode.

For the best possible outcome, it is necessary that doctors and patients have a strong bond of trust. Patients should feel comfortable being fully honest with health care providers and the doctors should always remember that a patient’s trust in them is a vital and necessary component of proper medical care. Each person’s cancer is unique and treatment should be based on the specific needs of each patient.

Personalized cancer treatment

At Issels®, we have been practicing individualized treatment for more than 60 years. We want you to make informed decisions about your cancer treatment options. Contact us today for more information on our autologous (from the patient’s own blood) non-toxic cancer treatment protocols.

After Cancer, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Survivors, Uncategorized

Cancer Treatment: Food Safety Tips After Treatment

December 29, 2017 Chris 1 Comment

Even after successful cancer treatment, your body is not at full strength. It may be more difficult for your immune system to fight foodborne illness than it was before treatment.

Use these tips to reduce the risk of food poisoning both during and after immunotherapy and other cancer treatment programs.

1. Practice “Safe Shopping”

– Don’t buy food products stored or displayed in areas that appear unsanitary.

– Don’t buy produce with bruises or other visible damage.

– Don’t buy cans that are dented or showing bulges.

2. Follow Careful Prep and Clean-Up Methods

– Rinse and dry all fresh fruits and vegetables.

– Wipe the tops of cans thoroughly before opening.

– Wash hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds before and after prep. Use the same method to clean all dishes and utensils.

– Disinfect cutting boards and kitchen surfaces using a mixture of one teaspoon of unscented liquid bleach with a quart of water.

3. Watch Food Temperatures

– Always use a food thermometer with meat and poultry to make sure products are sufficiently cooked.

– Perishable foods should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours of buying or cooking, and even more quickly during periods of hot weather.

– Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator and cook immediately afterwards.

Nutritional Immunotherapy at Issels®

Scientists have found a link between poor nutrition and cancer development. Our individualized cancer treatment programs include methods to restore nutritional balance and promote optimum functioning of the immune system.

Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Immunotherapy

Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Combination Drugs Suffer More Side Effects

December 27, 2017 Chris

New Research for Breast Cancer Studies Genes

One of the concerns with traditional cancer treatment is the range and severity of potential side effects that may occur. Based on the results of a recent study, patients with advanced breast cancer who are treated with a certain combination of drugs are at greater risk for serious side effects.

Fighting Cancer on Two Fronts

Some breast cancers are classified as “hormone receptor-positive.” Signals from hormones such as estrogen and progesterone reach receptors in the cancer cells, triggering further growth. Patients are commonly treated with a receptor blocker such as tamoxifen in conjunction with drugs that specifically target molecules involved in cancer cell development.

Previous research indicated that this combination therapy enabled patients to live longer without progression of the tumors. The missing piece of the puzzle was the extent to which treatment could cause side effects.

Evaluating Side Effects of Combination Therapies

A study conducted by an international research team found that patients with combination therapy were more susceptible to side effects such as fatigue, diarrhea and hyperglycemia. The degree of risk varied based on the particular drugs involved.

Scientists plan to use these results to design courses of treatment that are less likely to produce side effects. In the meantime, since these therapies do have benefits, doctors will have more information to use in prescribing and managing combination drug treatments.

Issels® Leads the Way with Non-Toxic Cancer Treatment

Personalized cancer treatment at Issels® uses a patient’s own immune cells, reducing the risk of of debilitating side effects. Contact us to learn more about our cancer vaccines and other innovative treatment programs.

Cancer Research, Cancer Treatment, News

Drug Resistant Cancer Cells Appear to Share a Similar Weakness

December 25, 2017 Chris 1 Comment

Medical Research Has Validated that Immunotherapy Works to Fight Cancer

Cancer researchers at UC San Francisco have discovered a common gene vulnerability in certain treatment-resistant cancers. This is yet another promising advancement that could lead to better treatment of existing cancers and a new approach to preventing cancer recurrences.

Visit Issels® for more information on how combining traditional cancer treatments with integrative immunotherapy can reduce the incidence of relapse from 13 to 50 percent.

Understanding drug-resistant cancer cells

For many years, oncologists thought the drug resistance of cancer cells evolved genetically. Doctors thought a few of the cells survived cancer treatment because they had or somehow developed gene mutations to withstand traditional treatments. These remaining cells would then lead to a recurrence of cancer.

In 2010, researchers working at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center found that some cancer cells may be able to avoid the effects of treatment without any genetic mutations. These small clumps of cells are called “persister cells” and they go into a dormant state, allowing them to survive cancer drugs. The cells awaken later and lead to new cancer growth.

Exploiting persister cell weaknesses

Matthew Hangauer, PhD led the UC San Francisco study. He said persister cancer cells have a mesenchymal-like gene expression signature and rely on the enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) to survive treatment. Lab tests show that blocking GPX4 can kill the persister cells found in many different cancer types. Researchers hope to soon validate their findings with human patients.

The Issels® non-toxic cancer treatment

Our caring and knowledgeable experts have helped many patients achieve long-term remission from cancer by using personalized immunotherapy treatment protocols. Contact us for more information.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Treatment, Cancer Vaccine, Immuno-Oncology, Immunotherapy for Cancer, Stage Four Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Gut Bacteria Appears to Influence Whether or Not Cancer Tumors Will Shrink During Cancer Treatment

December 22, 2017 Chris

New Cancer Research Is Improving Treatment

Bacteria is generally considered to be the cause of disease and infection, but many varieties have beneficial properties. Scientists are discovering that “good” bacteria living inside of us can have positive implications for cancer treatment.

How Can Bacteria Be “Good?”

The microbiome is a collection of microscopic organisms found inside our bodies, primarily in the gut. These organisms play a role in the digestive process and help to regulate the immune system.

Researchers in France and the United States conducted separate studies involving the microbiome of cancer patients. All participants were receiving immunotherapy treatment, which boosts the ability of the immune system to fight cancer cells.

The Relationship Between Gut Bacteria and Cancer Treatment

The team at the Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus in Paris studied 249 patients with lung or kidney cancer.

– Participants who had taken antibiotics, which disturb the microbiome, were more likely to experience tumor growth, even during treatment.

– A bacteria species known as A. muciniphila was found in two-thirds of patients who responded to immunotherapy, as opposed to only one-third of those who did not.

At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a team analyzed the microbiome of 112 patients with advanced melanoma.

– Patients who responded to cancer treatment were found to have a more rich and varied microbiome than those who didn’t.

– The composition of the microbiome also appeared to be significant, as higher levels of certain bacteria were associated with positive responses while others had negative impacts.

Innovative Cancer Treatment at Issels®

Our immunotherapy programs focus on cancer cells as well as the internal environment that supports them. Contact us for more information.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

New Treatment Breaches Blood Barrier for Treatment of Glioblastoma

December 20, 2017 Chris

New Research is Helping to Understand Brain Cancer

Brain tumors are notoriously resistant to most types of cancer treatment. Scientists have recently discovered that a drug that targets one form of cancer may also have applications for treating brain tumors.

Why Brain Tumors Are Difficult to Treat

Despite improvement in overall cancer survival rates, the numbers for brain cancer remain low. Scientists attribute this to the blood brain barrier, which is a natural filter that prevents drugs from reaching the tumors.

In a study funded by Cancer Research UK, scientists recruited 48 patients with glioblastoma, a particularly stubborn form of brain cancer, that had returned after treatment. The patients were given olaparib, a PARP inhibitor used to treat ovarian cancer, in conjunction with temozolomide, a chemotherapy drug.

After treatment, the research team examined tumor cells and found that the drug had penetrated the core of the tumor as well as cancer cells in surrounding areas. The results were significant because surgery is not possible for this form of tumor, so cancer treatment options are limited.

New Hope for Brain Tumor Treatment

According to lead researcher Professor Anthony Chalmers, glioblastoma disturbs the blood brain barrier, allowing olaparib to reach the tumor cells. Chalmers believes that scientists will be able to build on the results of the study to improve the effectiveness of current treatments.

Professor Susan Short of the National Cancer Research Institute adds that the study shows the potential of PARP inhibitors to treat a wide range of cancer types.

Cancer Treatment for Therapy-Resistant Cancers

Issels® has helped numerous patients with stage IV cancer achieve long-term remission. Contact us for details about our non-toxic cancer immunotherapy programs.

The Issels News Blog