Immunotherapy: Hope for the Future

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devotion10
devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
edited January 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1

This message refers to another thread discussing Science Journal awarding cancer immunotherapy as the 2013 ‘Breakthrough of the Year’. This is such incredibly promising news.  Science is a good peer-reviewed journal focusing on original scientific research and research reviews. For those who don’t want to have to register for the journal to get the article, here is another link to a related article: http://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/news-releases/2013/breakthrough-of-the-year.html

Wouldn’t it be extraordinary if, in the future, stimulating the immune system to attack malignant tumor cells proves solidly effective?  All should feel comforted that this research is occurring by traditional, conventional researchers.  This lessens the attitude toward these innovative therapies as outside the bounds of reason or too experimental.       

There is promise and hope … even if there is no solid evidence yet.

Our colorectal cancer board member, pete43lost_at_sea, has shared in his messages that he is three years out from his original diagnosis with reoccurrence.  Pete has certainly been an explorer and advocate for immunotherapy and has utilized many differing alternative-integrative therapies and supplements.  But, Pete has also had many conventional therapies as well … including radiation, lower anterior resection, chemo-embolization, folfox, irenotecan, avastin, removab (not presently offered in the US I don’t think for colorectal cancer therapy), and I think, oxilaplatin.  His case, while inspiring, unfortunately does not provide evidence that only one type of therapeutic approach will prove successful over time, as he has used many differing therapies. (I am not implying that Pete ever indicated that his approach would provide any guarantees for success; he has been open regarding his struggles with both success and failure from his numerous treatments.)  But … patients, like Pete, and researchers, like the ones focusing on immunotherapy, push the envelope and move everyone forward.

What is simply incredible to me is that there is promise and hope; research is not stagnant. A part of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research is working to identify and evaluate molecular targets that may be candidates for further drug development. Already, many colorectal patients are benefiting from targeted cancer therapies with the monoclonal antibody drugs that interfere with cell growth signaling or tumor blood vessel development like zaltrap, erbitux, avastin, and regorafenib.

Eventually, treatments will surely be individualized based on the unique set of molecular targets produced by the patient’s tumor. If treatments can be more selective targeting cancer cells and harm fewer normal cells everyone will have less side effects, better quality of life during treatment, and the promise and hope of cures.

I wish this for everyone.

Peace. ~ Cynthia

 

Comments

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
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    some decent tomorrows were available yesterday

    I would contend that many incremental and individualized immune therapies are here and now, with enough evidence for many of those who need it most.  My other post today  on these  immune therapies available "yesterday".  Many are in the Life Extension Foundation cancer protocols.  

    The majority of advanced CRC patients appear to be vitamin D deficient.  A simple fix - measure and titrate. A number of other nutritionally correctable deficiency states may be present, that include diminshed immune responsiveness.

    Those who have both CEA (>5) and CA19-9 (>20, or higher than various genetic backgrounds) probably benefit by targeted cimetidine from day 1, beyond the week or month peri operative use (but perhaps not on oxi or radiation days).    

    PSK should add to virtually any therapy mode.

    Vitamin C reduces inflammation and neutralizes histamine which both suppresses immune function and signals for VEGF-A.  Glutamine aids immune and digestive functions.

    The problem is as much social as technical.

    The problem is the diagnosing doctors don't know or do squat when these immune therapies would be most helpful from the very start.  Even when doctors see successful therapies in action, they are confused about it or ignore it, even seeing massive necrosis with their own eyes before any chemo or radiation.  Been there done that.  

    The first time I showed up on a colon cancer board - I was repeatedly attacked - and arbitrarily removed, apparently for posting the various improved blood values and making technically correct statements about less common treatments, all while exchanging pleasant information with a professor trained at MIT.  Heretical good news zapped in the bud.

  • devotion10
    devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
    #3
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    tanstaafl said:

    some decent tomorrows were available yesterday

    I would contend that many incremental and individualized immune therapies are here and now, with enough evidence for many of those who need it most.  My other post today  on these  immune therapies available "yesterday".  Many are in the Life Extension Foundation cancer protocols.  

    The majority of advanced CRC patients appear to be vitamin D deficient.  A simple fix - measure and titrate. A number of other nutritionally correctable deficiency states may be present, that include diminshed immune responsiveness.

    Those who have both CEA (>5) and CA19-9 (>20, or higher than various genetic backgrounds) probably benefit by targeted cimetidine from day 1, beyond the week or month peri operative use (but perhaps not on oxi or radiation days).    

    PSK should add to virtually any therapy mode.

    Vitamin C reduces inflammation and neutralizes histamine which both suppresses immune function and signals for VEGF-A.  Glutamine aids immune and digestive functions.

    The problem is as much social as technical.

    The problem is the diagnosing doctors don't know or do squat when these immune therapies would be most helpful from the very start.  Even when doctors see successful therapies in action, they are confused about it or ignore it, even seeing massive necrosis with their own eyes before any chemo or radiation.  Been there done that.  

    The first time I showed up on a colon cancer board - I was repeatedly attacked - and arbitrarily removed, apparently for posting the various improved blood values and making technically correct statements about less common treatments, all while exchanging pleasant information with a professor trained at MIT.  Heretical good news zapped in the bud.

    Glad you joined the conversation Tans ...

    I just wish I understood your protocol a bit more as sometimes it is very technical. You are an extraordinary caregiver and your wife is fortunate to have your support.

    My point really was not that there are not already ways to boost the immune system that may be anti-cancer ... but that there is great promise in the 'mainstream' researchers focusing on immunotherapy.  This will be where most folks will be supported by therapeutic changes ... because the majority of people do not have the desire at the onset of their diagnosis to buck the advice of their doctors who are, at present, limited by the current treatment protocols.

    It just seemed very promising to me that what is now rather rarified will become more standard and thus more sanctioned and acceptable. Not everyone is a trailblazer. I look forward to the 'future' when a cancer diagnosis is met with an arsenal of integrative health information provided to the patient at the onset other than chemotherapy like diet, exercise, sleep, social support and family counseling, massage, accupuncture, immune boosting supplements, etc. and also when targeted individual treatment is the standard. 

    I hope your wife continues to do well.

    Peace. ~ Cynthia

  • hippiechicks
    hippiechicks Member Posts: 509 Member
    #4
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    devotion10 said:

    Glad you joined the conversation Tans ...

    I just wish I understood your protocol a bit more as sometimes it is very technical. You are an extraordinary caregiver and your wife is fortunate to have your support.

    My point really was not that there are not already ways to boost the immune system that may be anti-cancer ... but that there is great promise in the 'mainstream' researchers focusing on immunotherapy.  This will be where most folks will be supported by therapeutic changes ... because the majority of people do not have the desire at the onset of their diagnosis to buck the advice of their doctors who are, at present, limited by the current treatment protocols.

    It just seemed very promising to me that what is now rather rarified will become more standard and thus more sanctioned and acceptable. Not everyone is a trailblazer. I look forward to the 'future' when a cancer diagnosis is met with an arsenal of integrative health information provided to the patient at the onset other than chemotherapy like diet, exercise, sleep, social support and family counseling, massage, accupuncture, immune boosting supplements, etc. and also when targeted individual treatment is the standard. 

    I hope your wife continues to do well.

    Peace. ~ Cynthia

    Amen!!  I have been following

    Amen!!  I have been following this closely all year and my wish is the same.  

    It will happen ... I know it will.  It is very exciting!! 

    My dream is that my children may be immunized and never have to experience this disease or conventional tx. 

  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #5
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    hippiechicks said:

    Amen!!  I have been following

    Amen!!  I have been following this closely all year and my wish is the same.  

    It will happen ... I know it will.  It is very exciting!! 

    My dream is that my children may be immunized and never have to experience this disease or conventional tx. 

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/24393863/?i=4&from=colorectal immunotherapy 

    Nice post cynthia

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #6
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    The fourndrugs that are in

    The fourndrugs that are in trials or about to enter trials that I have been following are Hu5F9, jx-594, DCVax, MPDL-3280A.

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