Tag Archives: Immunotherapy

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Immuno-Oncology, Immunotherapy

Does the High Cost of Immunotherapy Mean You Won’t Get Treatment?

nurse feeds data of test tubes with blood for analysis into the database
Issels has options for immunotherapy treatment of cancer.

Immunotherapy for cancer that costs more than $1 million per patient per year? Issels® knows how frustrating coming to terms with the affordability of cancer treatment can be, and you’re not the only one taking notice. At the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2015 meeting, Dr. Leonard Saltz, MD of NYC’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brought the stark reality of this issue to light.

Unsustainable
Among the concerns addressed by Dr. Saltz was the need to establish cost controls for treatment, as there is an upper limit to how much society can afford to pay. Prices are not being based on the value of drugs, but what (the seller believes) the market will bear.

The trickle-down…
This year, the cost of a family insurance plan plus out-of-pocket expenses equates to approximately 50% the average U.S. household income. Continue this trend, and by 2028 it will be 100%.

How bad is it?
Saltz identified multiple therapies whose prices were in excess, limiting accessibility. The latest: pembrolizumab (Keytruda):

  • 2mg/kg (2014 standard dose) – $14,500 per month.
  • 10mg/kg (2015 proposed clinical trial dose) – $83,000 per month.

The astronomical out-of-pocket?
Saltz calculated for the average, 165 pound American patient, the drug would cost $1,009,944 per year for 26 doses. With a 20% Medicare copay, that’s a whopping $201,988 out-of-pocket for a single year of treatment! This stark reality is hoped to lead to a drastic changes in melanoma treatment, as many patients cannot afford medical insurance, least of all these copays and therapies.

Has playing the lotto become your backup plan for affording cancer treatment? Don’t give up hope. Contact Issels® and discover an array of cutting-edge immunotherapy  options today!

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Living with Cancer, Uncategorized

Immunotherapy: What It Is and How It Works to Fight Cancer

T Cells
Building Your Immune System

Immunotherapy represents a real breakthrough in cancer treatment. It activates the body’s own immune system so that it can identify and eliminate cancer cells. This approach to stage four cancer treatment has reduced the side effects of treatment and yielded impressive results.

Supercharge your Immune System

The great part about the human body is that is comes fully equipped with a protective system meant to fight outside invaders. The trick is to tap into that power and be able to target tumors and cell mutations. New clinical trials have been successful in achieving those goals. In fact, more and more immunotherapy drugs are being fast-tracked for FDA approval.

Fighting Sneaky Cancer Cells

Typically, the immune system has trouble recognizing cancer cells because they are very similar to normal cells. This allows cancer cells to sneak by the body’s natural defenses and spread. New drugs have been proven to boost the immune system and help it seek out and destroy mutated cells without putting you through radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which can come with a whole host of harmful side effects.

So far, immunotherapy drugs have been used to treat different types of blood and bone cancer, including Leukemia. The results have been so promising, that scientists feel confident that they will be able to tackle a wider range of cancers in the near future.

Issels® doctors’ expertise in integrating personalized vaccines into a comprehensive immunotherapy program has already benefited many patients. They are working hard to also advance new treatment methods. We believe in boosting the immune system and improving overall health and quality life during treatment. A comprehensive and personalized treatment plan is the best approach to beating cancer. Find out how we can help you in your fight against cancer today by asking about our immuno-oncology programs.

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.

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.

Immuno-Oncology, Immunotherapy, Living with Cancer, Stress Management

Holiday Eating Tips for Cancer Patients

Holiday Eating
Holiday Eating

Just like there are some friends and family that you only see in person during the holidays, there are many beloved snacks, treats, and entrees that are holiday traditions. At Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we understand how a cancer diagnosis can disrupt every aspect of your life. But you can still celebrate that life and the holidays with loved ones. Keep these eating tips in mind as you enjoy the festivities.

  • Talk to your doctor about whether it is ok for you to drink alcohol. Complete abstinence is sometimes easier than moderation.
  • The same is true for many food items. Eat some healthy snacks before you leave your house to head toward a dinner or other gathering. You will find it much easier to avoid the temptation of decadent culinary creations.
  • Most get-togethers have a buffet. The American Cancer Society recommends you select items from the inside of the table and away from the edge. The area out of reach of small hands is less likely to have germs.
  • Be mindful of which items you can eat before you start filling your plate.
  • Take it slow and have small portions. This will prevent that lethargic feeling of being overfull.

Many holiday favorites will overwhelm a sensitive stomach. Try to avoid anything with heavy cream, gravy, or a mayonnaise base. You may have a weakened immune system and be more vulnerable to food-borne sickness. Avoid undercooked foods such as sushi, dishes with mayonnaise, and anything that may have raw eggs.

We continue to make progress in the fight against cancer. To stay informed on the latest cancer treatment breakthroughs and to get more health and nutrition tips, sign up for our e-newsletter.

Immunotherapy, Living with Cancer

Immunotherapy Explained

Immunotherapy Explained
Immunotherapy Explained

Integrative immunotherapy uses the power of the immune system in order to fight cancer, mobilizing your entire immune system in order to give your defenses the upper hand.

Immunotherapy is different
While traditional cancer therapies such as drugs and radiation kill both healthy cells and cancerous cells, causing a variety of side effects, immunotherapy…

  • Benefits a multitude of cancer types.
  • Promotes the growth of healthy cells, selectively killing cancer.
  • Is powerful, attacking cancer systemically – throughout your whole body.
  • Creates few to no side effects.

Types of immunotherapy
Immunotherapy fights cancer in one or two ways, by stimulating your immune system as a whole to attack cancer, or by giving you specific immune system components, such as man-made or lab grown immune  proteins, providing more targeted therapy. Immunotherapy may also be referred to as biologic or biotherapy.   

Key players starring in your immunotherapy arsenal include:

  • Dendritic Cells
    Intelligence agents alerting your immune system and strategizing attacks against cancer.
  • CD4 & Helper T-Cells
    Commandants directing and coordinating the cancer response.
  • B-Cells
    Munitions factories churning out antibodies.
  • CD8 & Killer T-Cells
    The assassins of cancer cells.
  • Cytokines
    Communicate and help coordinate attacks.
  • Antibodies
    Ammunition, seeking out and binding to cancer cells to mark them for attack.
  • Regulatory T-Cells
    Checks and balances your immune system, preventing damage to healthy cells.

The future of cancer therapy is happening now
In the last few decades, immunotherapy has become an important part of many cancer treatments. It is expected to be a key player in the future of cancer therapy, with many new treatments under study.

Want to learn more about the future of cancer therapy what immunotherapy has to offer you? Contact Issels today.