Tag Archives: cancer research

Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Why Some Cancers are Resistant to Traditional Therapies

Advances in cancer treatment allow for precision targeting of cells that cause damage. The flip side is that some cancers can become resistant to these traditional therapies. What are the factors behind this concerning development?

Mutations vs. Behavioral Changes

It’s well-established that cancer is a genetic disease. Changes in DNA, whether they’re random accidents or caused by carcinogens such as tobacco or UV rays, result in cancer by altering the way cells grow and multiply.

In some cases, cancer cells will mutate in such a way as to “dodge” the effects of treatment. However, in cases that doctors are observing with targeted chemotherapy, DNA remains the same and it’s the gene activity that changes. Epigenetic signals, a layer of regulators that control the activity of genes, are at the core of this new resistance.

Melamoma and Treatment Resistance

Scientists at the Systems Biology and Cancer Metabolism Lab at the University of California, Merced studied melanoma to gain some insight into this development. Melanoma is a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer that’s often caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays.

UV damage can cause mutations in a major signaling regulator known as BRAF. This protein is responsible for signaling cells regarding when to grow and divide and when to stop. Mutations triggered by UV rays cause BRAF to leave the growth signal turned on, leaving cancer cells to multiply unchecked.

Initially, targeted chemotherapy can successfully restore BRAF’s “off switch.” In some cases, rather than mutating further, cells “learn” how to bypass BRAF altogether, continuing their growth.

Personalized Cancer Treatment for Advanced Cases

At Issels®, our personalized immunotherapy programs have often achieved success after traditional methods have been exhausted. Visit our website for more information, including testimonials from patients in long-term remission after undergoing our non-toxic cancer treatment.

 

Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

Understanding How Cancer is Diagnosed

Healthcare professionals agree that early diagnosis improves the chances for successful cancer treatment. If you experience symptoms or a screening test calls for a closer look, these are the tests most frequently used to make a diagnosis of cancer.

1. Blood chemistry test

Our organs routinely release enzymes, electrolytes and other substances into the bloodstream. Abnormally high or low levels could be a sign that kidneys, liver or other organs are not working properly, which could be due to cancer.

2. Complete blood count (CBC)

A CBC, which is a detailed analysis of the bloodstream, is often conducted during routine physicals. Factors include the number of red and white blood cells and platelets, as well as the amount of hemoglobin, which is the protein that carries oxygen. CBCs are particularly useful in diagnosing cancers in the blood stream, known as leukemia.

3. Liquid biopsy

Liquid biopsies are used to find out if cancer cells or DNA from tumor cells are present in the blood. This test can be also part of determining appropriate cancer treatment and follow-ups to see if the treatment is working.

4. CT scans and MRIs

Both CT scans and MRIs involve taking detailed pictures of your body’s interior. A CT scan uses an x-ray machine, while an MRI involves a magnet and radio waves.

5. Biopsy

A biopsy is most often used to diagnose cancer, but it can also help diagnose other health problems, such as cirrhosis. When lesions, lumps or other tissue abnormalities are detected, a doctor will remove a sample so the cells can be studied more closely.

Cancer Treatment for Advanced Cases

At Issels®, our non-toxic programs have helped to achieve long-term remission in patients, even if they are already in Stage IV. Visit our website to read and hear their testimonials.

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

Study Suggests Cancer Can ‘Hijack’ Blood Vessels

The medical community has long believed that cancer cells support their growth by generating blood vessels. A study suggests that blood vessels may actually begin the cycle of tumor development.

“Hijacking” Blood Vessels for Tumor Development

According to cancer biologist Dr. Lan Ko, one of the authors of the study, the team found evidence that blood vessels can create tumors. In turn, the cancer cells then produce blood vessels to further sustain their growth.

Researchers focused on GT198, a gene generally found in low levels within the body. It has a natural ability to repair DNA and regulate stem cells, but in mutated form it creates cancer cells.

Pericytes, found in the outer layer of blood vessels, resemble stem cells in the way they can form different types of tissue. During the study, researchers found abnormally high levels of GT198 in pericytes supporting a number of human tumors.

Even more surprising was that the GT198 was located in the pericytes’ cytoplasm instead of the nucleus. This enabled malignant pericytes to multiply into cancer cells and detach from blood vessels to promote spread of the tumors.

Application for Cancer Treatment

As Dr. Ko explained, these results indicate that GT198 is a viable target for immunotherapy for cancer treatments. Further testing will explore use of existing cancer drugs and development of new ones.

Issels® Leads the Way in Immunotherapy for Cancer

While immunotherapy for cancer has become a hot topic among scientists, Issels® has been successfully using our integrative, non-toxic treatments for decades. Contact us for more information about our individually tailored programs.

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

Inherited Gene Mutations Can Lead to Family Cancer Syndrome

Some families have two or more members who develop the same type of cancer, leading people to believe that it’s inherited. While it’s not passed along like blond hair or brown eyes, there is a genetic element to cancer than can be shared by family members.

How Cell Mutations Give Rise to Cancer

You already know that genes are responsible for certain physical characteristics like height and eye color, but they also contain information that controls cell function. A mutation is an abnormal change that prevents a gene from working properly.

Cancer results from cells that multiply uncontrollably. While the mutations that cause cancer are usually acquired, some inherited mutations affect tumor suppressor genes that act as traffic cops, regulating cell growth and death.

Is It Coincidence or Family Cancer Syndrome?

These inherited gene mutations can lead to family cancer syndrome, in which several members of a family develop similar types of tumors. Telltale factors of family cancer syndrome include:

• Cancer occurring in multiple generations

• Childhood cancer occurring in siblings

• Cancer occurring at unusually young ages

• Two or more types of cancer occurring in a single person

Many times, several diagnoses of cancer within one family can indeed be pure coincidence. They can also be related to family members being exposed to tobacco smoke or other common risk factors.

Genomic Testing for Personalized Cancer Treatment at Issels®

Since our cancer treatment programs target the tumor microenvironment as well as the cancer itself, we use highly specialized testing to address your specific needs. Visit our website to learn more about our cancer treatment that boosts your body’s own immune responses.

Cancer Research, Uncategorized

Tips On Healthy Living From American Cancer Society

How proactive are you about your health? According to the American Cancer Society, the healthy living tips recommended for patients undergoing cancer treatment can also reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place.

Good Nutrition and Physical Activity Can Reduce Cancer Risk

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, approximately 20 percent of cancer cases in the United States are connected to poor health habits, including obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and lack of nutrition.

Here’s a look at how you can start today to reduce your personal cancer risk.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts hormones such as estrogen and insulin into overdrive, which can promote development of tumors. In addition to reducing cancer risk, maintaining a healthy weight prevents or controls diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other issues.

2. Be Physically Active

Exercise involves physical activity performed at a moderate or vigorous intensity. This can include gardening, walking and biking as well as more traditional forms such as sports and weight lifting. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week.

3. Follow a Nutritious Diet

– Avoid processed foods.

– Eat at least 2-1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables daily.

– Choose foods that are low in fat, sugar and calories.

– Cut back or eliminate refined carbohydrates in favor of whole-grain products.

– Eat smaller portions.

– Limit your intake of alcohol.

Integrative Cancer Treatment at Issels®

At Issels®, our personally tailored cancer treatment programs combine a number of complementary elements. Contact us to learn why we are the leader in non-toxic, state-of-the-art immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

Fevers Boost the Immune Response – New Study Focuses on the Cancer Connection

Most people just want to crawl back into bed when they’re running a fever. Who would have thought there may be a positive aspect to feeling so bad? Incredibly, a published study indicates there may be a connection between fever and cancer immunotherapy.

What Is a Fever?

Infectious fever is one of the immune system responses to foreign organisms. When bacteria known as exogenous pyrogens enter the body, it triggers the immune system to produce endogenous pyrogens, or mediators, to fight them. This begins a chain of events that culminates in a rising temperature.

Endogenous mediators include cytokines, such as interleukins and interferons. During a fever, these mediators redirect metabolic substrates and energy, resulting in a higher range of immune effectors. One such effector is lymphocytes that express gd T cells.

How a Fever Affects the Immune System

A fever generates large numbers of gamma delta T cells. These cells are valuable in fighting infection that initiates the fever response. They also have potent anti-tumor properties, which may have applications for cancer immunotherapy methods. This process indicates that a high incidence of fevers may actually reduce the risk of cancer.

Past research has largely involved alpha beta T cells. While the connection between the fever response and cancer is still largely anecdotal, researchers now have a foundation to expand studies on the topic along with possible clinical benefits. This specific study, based on patient accounts documented over several decades, was first published in Quarterly Review of Biology.

Cancer Immunotherapy: The Issels® Difference

Our personally tailored immunotherapy programs are designed to help the body’s own immune system fight tumors. These non-toxic vaccines and cell therapies avoid the adverse side effects that accompany many traditional cancer treatments. Visit our website to learn more about the Issels® Difference.