Category Archives: Stage Four Cancer Treatment

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

New Cancer Research Is Improving Treatment
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.

Colon Cancer and Crohns Disease Share a Link Between Inflammation and a Cellular Process

New Research Is Unlocking the Mystery of Cancer
New Research Is Unlocking the Mystery of Cancer

Here at Issels®, it’s always exciting when we learn of new breakthroughs in cancer treatment. Research that was done by the University of Warwick shows that colon cancer (among other gut-related illnesses) could be better treated, or even prevented.

Understanding the Gut Process

Science has uncovered a lot of new information regarding the role of the gut in maintaining good health. For example, the process of autophagy triggers cells to break down damaging materials in the gut. These materials are then eliminated or re-used within the body. When this process malfunctions, it can lead to chronic diseases that impact your health. Inflammation is to blame, leading to colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, and other serious diseases.

Avoiding and Treating Colon Cancer

The foods we eat play a major role in maintaining good gut health. There are several that can activate autophagy, even when it is currently in a dysfunctional state. These foods include:

– Pomegranates

– Mushrooms

– Soybeans

– Green peas

– Red grapes

– Pears

This research has shown that the human body doesn’t always have the proper mix of amino acids necessary to keep autophagy in a functional state all of the time. However, more research is needed to better understand this important process. This may lead scientists to discover new forms of cancer treatment, perhaps even in the near future. So far, they’ve found that the addition of a protein called Kenny can be added, which includes the correct amino acids profile.

Immunotherapy as Cancer Treatment

Here at Issels®, we’re always looking for advancements in immunotherapy for treating cancer. If you’ve recently been diagnosed, please contact us today. We can help with recovery.

What’s the Deadliest Cancer of All? Lung Cancer. Find out Why.

Find Out Why Lung Cancer is the Deadliest Cancer
Find Out Why Lung Cancer is the Deadliest Cancer

While advances in cancer treatment have improved survival rates for many of its forms, lung cancer continues to be the deadliest type of the disease. Despite alarming statistics, lung cancer remains a lower priority for medical researchers.

Lung Cancer Accounts for One-Quarter of Cancer Deaths

Approximately 14 percent of new cancer cases are lung cancer, but it makes up a disproportionate 26 percent of cancer deaths. According to the Lung Cancer Alliance, that averages out to 427 deaths from lung cancer each day in America, which is more than the number of deaths from breast, prostate and colon cancer combined.

Despite these numbers, less funds are allocated to lung cancer research than the other three leading forms. In 2016, the National Institute of Health spent only $1,500 per lung cancer death as opposed to $19,250 for breast cancer, $9,400 for prostate cancer and $5,800 for colon cancer.

Does Lung Cancer Merit Less Attention?

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but nearly 18 percent of cases are found in non-smokers. Four years ago, former educator Ginny Hicks found herself in the latter group when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer.

As Hicks undergoes treatment in a clinical trial of an immunotherapy drug, she has become an advocate for lung cancer research and education. According to Hicks, lung cancer has a stigma attached due to a common perception that smokers bring the disease on themselves.

Non-Toxic Cancer Treatment at Issels®

We have helped patients with Stage 4 lung cancer and other metastatic tumors achieve long-term remission with personally tailored immunotherapy programs. Contact us for more information.

More Medications Focus on Immunotherapy to Combat Lung Cancer

Join Us in the Fight Against Lung Cancer
Join Us in the Fight Against Lung Cancer

As immunotherapy becomes an increasingly significant factor in cancer treatment, major pharmaceutical companies are scrambling to get their own piece of the pie. One of the minor players has seemingly vaulted ahead of the competition by targeting a niche segment of the market that had been largely overlooked.

AstraZeneca’s Second Chance for Success

AstraZeneca made a bold but risky move by going all-in on their pair of immuno-oncology drugs (IO) designed to treat lung cancer. The combo turned out to be a major failure, which seemed to spell doom for the company.

Surprisingly, trial results presented at a recent European cancer conference seem to indicate a turnaround for Astra’s fortunes. Imfinzi, the lead drug in their IO duo, has proven to be more successful in treating patients with mid-stage lung cancer.

Blazing New Trails in Cancer Treatment

Most pharmaceutical companies concentrate on late-stage lung cancer, which represents a greater share of the market. Focusing on the under-served mid-stage lung cancer segment gives Astra the chance for modest but substantial sales growth outside the shadow of competitors such as industry leader Merck & Co.

According to experts, pharmaceutical industries are so fearful of losing business that they tend to stay in the same lane as their competitors. The experts believe that a company has a greater chance of success as a pioneer in an area with little activity.

Issels®: Leading the Way in Personalized Cancer Treatment

While immunotherapy is a seemingly new development in cancer treatment, we have been using cancer vaccines and other non-toxic protocols for decades. Contact us for more information about our individually tailored treatment programs.

Olivia Newton John Shares News of Her Breast Cancer Metastasis

Olivia Newton John Shares News of Her Breast Cancer Metastasis
Olivia Newton John Shares News of Her Breast Cancer Metastasis

Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John has campaigned to raise awareness of cancer research since she began fighting the disease in 1992. In May she made the sad announcement that her breast cancer had returned and spread to her lower spine.

The Prognosis for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Newton-John’s breast cancer is metastatic, also known as Stage IV, which refers to cancer that begins in one area of the body and spreads to other organs or tissues. It was discovered when the singer postponed a concert tour due to lower back pain that was originally thought to be sciatica.

Family and friends remain positive, and Newton-John herself plans to resume touring in August. While metastatic breast cancer is a serious issue, doctors say that Newton-John and other women with this diagnosis have reason for optimism.

Five-Year Survival by the Numbers

A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention discovered that the five-year survival rate for women with metastatic breast cancer had reached 36 percent during the last 10 years. That number is double the five-year survival rate for women diagnosed in the early 1990s.

According to Dr. Sagar Sardesai of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, the healthcare community has begun thinking of metastatic breast cancer as a chronic disease. Physicians are working with patients cancer treatment programs that relieve symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Stage IV Cancer Treatment at Issels®

If you have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, there is hope. Visit our website to read and hear testimonials from patients with Stage IV cancer in all forms who have been successfully treated with our immunotherapy programs.

NIH Calls Proposed Cancer Research Funding Cuts Unacceptable

NIH Calls Proposed Cancer Research Funding Cuts Unacceptable
NIH Calls Proposed Cancer Research Funding Cuts Unacceptable

Can you put a price on good health? Major medical organizations have been reacting strongly to proposed deep cuts in scientific and medical research funding that would severely hamper research programs such as immunotherapy for cancer.

Drastic Slashes in Scientific Research Funding and Healthcare Coverage

Stipulations in the Trump administration’s proposed 2018 budget that are drawing the biggest backlash include:

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would see a staggering $5.8 billion reduction in overall funding, of which $1 billion would come out of the budget for the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

• Over the next 10 years Medicaid funding would be reduced by $600 billion, resulting in lack of health insurance for needy groups such as children, elderly and disabled.

The Scientific and Medical Community Responds

Daniel F. Hayes, M.D., president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), explained that many major breakthroughs in cancer research have come from federally-funded organizations such as the NIH. In addition, federal research funding allows the scientific and medical industry to generate $60 billion a year in economic activity.

Similar concern was expressed by Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). He referred to polls showing that 90 percent of voters rate federal funding for medical research as “very” or “extremely” important, with 75 percent supporting an increase in NIH funding.

Building on the Issels® Legacy

Our immunotherapy for cancer clinic has carried on the high standards and innovative programs of our founder, Josef M. Issels. Contact us to learn more about our personally tailored, state-of-the-art treatments such as cancer vaccines and NK cells.