Could a Group of Arthritis Drugs be a Game Changer in Cancer Immunotherapy?

Could a Group of Arthritis Drugs be a Game Changer in Cancer Immunotherapy?

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The immune system produces proteins, known as chemokines, which are signals that can affect immune function.  There is a chemokine named C-C motif ligand 20, also known as CCL20.  It is known as an inflammatory protein, often associated with rheumatoid arthritis.  However, new evidence links this cytokine with numerous cancers.  It seems that CCL20 promotes cancer metastasis.  In addition, it increases cancer stem cells and causes T cell exhaustion.  These actions will suppress an immune response.  There are studies in many cancer types indicating that blocking CCL20 is anti-cancer and may enhance the success of immunotherapy.  Surprisingly enough, drugs that can block CCL20 may also reduce autoimmune side-effects from standard PD-1 immunotherapy, such as Opdivo and Keytruda.  Unfortunately, patients with autoimmune side effects are typically given steroids to treat these issues, which can reduce the success of immunotherapy. It seems these arthritis medications would be a better choice because they reduce side effects and increase immunotherapy success.  They appear on their own to be cancer immunotherapy.

So what drugs arthritis am I discussing?  I am talking about three FDA-approved medications, Infliximab, Tocilizumab, and Etanercept.  These drugs all indirectly block CCL20.   Though more studies are needed, it seems using any of these with immunotherapy can increase response rates while possibly lowering autoimmune side effects.  I am sure the potential benefits will lead to new drugs specifically designed to inhibit the CCL20-CCR6 axis.   Also, some natural agents have inhibition of CCL20, including Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and gallotannin.    These arthritis drugs are a reasonable consideration that can be deployed right away since they already have approval for a different purpose. Indeed they may have great value in patients who have failed or developed autoimmune side effects from standard immunotherapy, such as Opdivo and Keytruda.

Jason R. Williams, MD, DABR

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

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The post Could a Group of Arthritis Drugs be a Game Changer in Cancer Immunotherapy? appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.

source https://williamscancerinstitute.com/could-a-group-of-arthritis-drugs-be-a-game-changer-in-cancer-immunotherapy/

Selenium: A Key Element with Anti-cancer

Selenium: A Key Element with Anti-cancer and Immunotherapy Boosting Functions.  The Only Problem Is It’s Not the Selenium You are Taking

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Selenium plays a vital role in many biological processes and has been shown to enhance immunotherapy’s ability for cancer to work better potentially.  When we look at selenium, the more active metabolite is methylselenol.  Three forms of selenium convert to methylselenol. These are methylselenocysteine (MSC), selenomethionine (SM), and methylselenic acid.  Only the first two, MSC and SM, are found in typical selenium supplements.  Of those two, MSC is more effective in converting to the most active form.  However, cancer may have low enzyme levels that convert MSC into the active form, making it less effective.  The form of selenium that is most effective in converting to the active form is methylselenic acid (MSA).   The fact that MSA seems to be the most effective is reflected in the scientific literature. A wealth of articles show almost all the anti-cancer and cancer prevention is associated with MSA.  I would suggest that you go on Pub Med and do a search on your own.   Yan et al. published a study titled “Dietary supplementation with methylseleninic acid, but not selenomethionine reduces spontaneous metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma.”

The big question is if most of the studies point to MSA as being the most effective, why is it not the form of selenium given to patients or offered in any supplement?  The answer to this question remains elusive.  At first, you would think maybe it is a toxicity issue, but that does not seem to be the case.  The other is a cost issue; that is partially true; MSA is more expensive now, but not so far out of range.  I would personally rather spend more to buy something that works.  I have been working on this, and hopefully, soon, we can have MSA available for our patients.  We are also injecting MSA directly into cancer by image guidance, combined with immunotherapy.

Methylselenic acid has a long history of direct anti-cancer effects, along with cancer prevention.  In addition, of extreme importance to cancer patients on immunotherapy, it regulates immune receptors and can be an essential key to treatment success.  As I mentioned in my book, “The Immunotherapy Revolution,” selenium supplementation could reverse treatment failure for patients receiving PD-1 inhibitors such as Opdivo and Keytruda. Don’t let a simple common element be the reason your cancer immunotherapy treatment fails.

Jason R Williams, MD, DABR

REFERENCES

The main cytotoxic effects of methylseleninic acid on various cancer cells.

Varlamova EG, Turovsky EA.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 21;22(12):6614. doi: 10.3390/ijms22126614.PMID: 34205571

Methylseleninic acid overcomes programmed death-ligand 1-mediated resistance of prostate cancer and lung cancer.

Hu W, Ma Y, Zhao C, Yin S, Hu H.Mol Carcinog. 2021 Nov;60(11):746-757. DOI: 10.1002/mc.23340. Epub 2021 Aug 19.PMID: 34411338

Selenium stimulates the antitumor immunity: Insights to future research.

Razaghi A, Poorebrahim M, Sarhan D, Björnstedt M.Eur J Cancer. 2021 Sep;155:256-267. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.07.013. Epub 2021 Aug 13.PMID: 34392068

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

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How and why optimizing your body’s immune system offers the best hope for preventing and treating Cancer?

How and why optimizing your body’s immune system offers the best hope for preventing and treating Cancer?

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Many may be wondering how exactly the immune system and cancer are interrelated. It’s quite complex given that it has taken decades of countless scientific research in search of the cure. The goal is to break this cancer into its basic mechanisms to fully understand its totality and appreciate its processes. In general, the immune system works by fighting against any harmful substances such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cancer cells. Something important to note is that your own cells and immune system can and will betray you. 

It could be easier to think of our cells as a double-sided sword. Take for instance, antigen-presenting cells, specifically dendritic cells which act by collecting information and delivering it to the immune system. Whenever bad information is delivered it will cause the immune system to slow down, depleting the body’s overall vitality. As we can see, this dual-action a single cell can produce can either help or hurt the process. This is just one of the many examples that occur within the body with other cells. 

Thankfully, there are different forms of therapy such as cryoablation which works by attacking such cells which cause harm to the body. Adjuvants are another tool that serves the positive stimulation in immune response. They are substances that can be injected into and around the ablated tumor. But before jumping into these therapies, it’s recommended to strengthen the immune system in healthy ways to promote higher chances of immunotherapy to be effective in treating certain cancers. However, due to the complexity of the immune response and regulatory cells it contains for autoimmunity protection, it is crucial to understand that these cells act like a double-sided sword. On its dark side, regulatory cells can be attacked by cancer and will serve as anti-cancer immune response blockers. 

Overall, finding ways to optimize one’s immune system can be tedious in midst of so much chaos with busy work schedules, relationships, and currently dealing with a pandemic. Below is a compiled list of suggestions for boosting the immune system with the hope of preventing and/or curing cancer. 

• Vitamin D (sun exposure or supplement in conjunction with Vit. K)
• Vitamin C (through diet or supplement)
• Minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity (can be a light jog, yoga, pilates, Zumba, weight lifting, etc)
• Healthy balanced diet according to body constitution 
• Consuming healthy fats such as fish oil or flaxseed oil to decrease inflammation 
• Limiting sugar intake 
• Receiving adequate sleep
• Being outdoors in nature more often

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

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