Tag Archives: Living With Cancer

New Research Tackles Chemotherapy Side Effects

Tackling The Side Effects
Tackling The Side Effects

Researches at Wichita State University are delving into nanotechnology in an effort to decrease the negative side effects cancer drugs have on patients. The technology will be a huge boon to patients suffering the many side effects of cancer treatment: nausea, bowel issues, hair loss, infections, pain, anemia, and more, preventing patients’ bodies from being further weakened by the treatment of the disease.

Technology 100,000 times smaller than a strand of hair
The mighty but miniscule technology has been developed to magnetically target drugs with the goal of localizing treatment effects specifically to tumor sites, thus decreasing the spread and negative effects of the drugs throughout the body.

Positive results have researchers hopeful
Targeted for patients with skin and breast cancer, “in vitro” (petri dish/test tube) studies as well as “in vivo,” studies involving mice, have shown positive results. The group, including WSU professors Ramazan Asmatulu, Paul Wooley, Shang-You Yang, and several graduate students, is in the final stages of receiving a patent from the study, which will later be tried on humans.

How it works
Nanocomposite, magnetic microspheres were created which are capable of carrying protein-based chemotherapy drugs. The spheres are later incorporated with an albumin and biodegradable polymer and injected into the body. With the help of a magnetic field, the accumulation of drugs can be increased at targeted cancer sites.

Looking for cancer treatment options that help build your body without the weakening effects of traditional therapies? Issels® can help. Learn more about our individualized, comprehensive immunotherapy treatments today.

Super-Charged Cells Take the Cancer Fight to the Tumor Level

Super Charged Cells
Super Charged Cells

The growing number of immunotherapy success stories has given new hope to cancer patients, and their families.

Our Issels®treatment centers have comprehensive immunotherapy programs that have remarkable results.

According to an article on WebMD, this non-toxic cancer treatment could be a pathway to a cure. It worked for Milton Wright III, who according to the article, had leukemia since he was 8 years-old. After years of treatment his doctors thought the cancer was gone.

Unfortunately, it came back for a third time when he was twenty years-old. He ended up taking part in CAR T-cell therapy trail, which is a type of immunotherapy. This type of treatment super-charged the immune system via genetically modified cells that both recognized, and attacked the cancer cells. In less than a month, CAR T-cell therapy got rid of Wright’s cancer.

That is just one of many immunotherapy success stories. Our own Issels® treatment program has many success stories that will bring new hope to any cancer patient.

About CAR T-cell therapy:

Over 100 trial patients have tried this treatment since 2009. Over 70 of those patients went into complete remission. This type of cancer treatment was used with patients who have certain blood cancers such as myeloma, and leukemia. Early research is showing that one day it could be used for more common tumors.

CAR T-cell therapy, like all types of immunotherapy, offers an improved quality of life during, and after the cancer treatment.

For more information about immunotherapy, please contact us at Issels® via our website. We have experienced, qualified, and compassionate doctors who specialize in immunotherapy cancer treatment.

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.

Do You Know Enough to Prevent Cancer?

Do You Know What It Takes To Prevent
Do You Know What It Takes To Prevent

The strong link between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer is well known and has prompted millions of people to stop smoking. Likewise, the well-established connection between sun exposure and skin cancer has made us aware of the value of wearing sunscreen.

But did you know that three additional lifestyle choices may significantly lower your risk of developing cancer? A recent American Association for Cancer Research report suggests that half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making smart lifestyle choices that promote a healthy immune system.

The “Magic 3” Lifestyle Choices

Three specific lifestyle choices have been shown to reduce not only general cancer risk, but also the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer and kidney cancer. To reduce your cancer risk, the American Cancer Society has issued the following lifestyle guidelines:

1. Weight. Maintain a healthy weight.

2. Diet. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

3. Exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a day.

Are you doing what you can to prevent cancer? Click here to take the American Cancer Society’s fun Nutrition and Activity Quiz to see whether you are making smart lifestyle choices that can help reduce your cancer risk.

Commit to Living Cancer Smart

Making lifestyle changes is a process; it takes time to build new habits. Talk to your doctor to set weight, diet and exercise goals. Commit to new one dietary change and set one new exercise goal each week. Build on your weekly success until you reach your goals.

Click here to find out more about what you can do to decrease your cancer risk.

Immunotherapy Offers Improved Quality of Life During and After Cancer Treatment

Advancement In Immunotherapy
Advancement In Immunotherapy

Cancer treatment should not just be about living longer. Your quality of life both during and after cancer treatment should be of equal concern both to you as a cancer patient and to the team of specialists that are directing your treatment. Its focus on improving the patient’s quality of life is one of the benefits of integrative immunotherapy that sets this alternative method of cancer treatment apart from traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

What Immunotherapy Does

Immunotherapy taps into the power of your body’s own immune system, activating your body’s natural defenses against disease. Unlike traditional cancer treatments that destroy healthy cells along with cancerous cells, immunotherapy acts with your body to strengthen your immune system and healthy cells while targeting cancerous tumors and the tumor microenvironments that affect their growth and spread. What that means for many cancer patients is no unpleasant toxic side effects, an often faster recovery and a better quality of life during and after treatment.

“Very Exciting” Results

Cancer researchers new to immunotherapy have called its impact “very, very exciting.” As chronicled in the New York Daily News, a woman in the late stages of cervical cancer saw her tumors disappear and now shows no signs of cancer after undergoing an immunotherapy procedure similar to Issels autologous cancer vaccine. In the procedure, immune cells from the woman’s blood were multiplied in the lab and infused back into her blood stream with amazing results. The woman called the procedure “like Gatorade for the cells.”

Thanks to immunotherapy, this woman is one of many who are enjoying complete and long-term cancer remission. Find out more on our website.

Your Body Knows Best: Why Immunotherapy Works

Your Body Knows Best
Your Body Knows Best

Last year Science magazine hailed immunotherapy as the medical “Breakthrough of the Year.” After decades spent trying to cut cancer out, poison it with chemicals and bombard it with radiation, cancer researchers are discovering that your body knows best! Increasingly, practitioners of Western medicine are joining Issels’ experts in integrative immunotherapy in recognizing the power of the body’s immune system to fight cancer and heal itself.

Integrative Immunotherapy

Today, immunotherapy is being used successfully as both a primary cancer treatment and in conjunction with traditional Western treatments. When used as a primary treatment, integrative immunotherapy offers cancer patients an improved quality of life both during and after treatment. When combined with traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy has been found to decrease the length of treatment and reduce toxic side effects.

For cancer patients, including integrated immunotherapy in their cancer treatment plan is a win-win scenario. Immunotherapy boosts the body’s natural defense system which helps your body fight cancer. But it also improves immune system strength and health, giving your body the resources it needs to keep cancer from coming back.

60+ Years of Experience

Issels Oncology Centers have more than 60 years experience using integrative immunotherapy to treat cancer. Our methods have produced a unique history of complete, long-term remission of advanced Stage 4 cancers and cancers that have proven resistant to standard cancer treatments. We offer a wide range of alternative cancer treatments, cancer vaccines, and advanced targeted therapies at our cancer medical centers.

Visit our website to find out more about integrative immunotherapy and why we think your body knows best when it comes to fighting cancer.