The post Cancer Procedure: Intratumoral Vaccine Immune Response into the liver mass with SBRT. appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
A recent study published by Yuan et al. from MD Anderson Cancer Center showed that natural
Vitamin E (DL-a-tocopherol) enhanced the response rates of cancer immunotherapy by
reinvigorating dendritic cells. I am going to break down the overall key highlights of the study.
One is that they reviewed the electronic health records of cancer patients on immunotherapy
and determined that one’s taking Vitamin E had improved survival. This led them to try to
determine the mechanism in the mouse model. They discovered that Vitamin E entered the
dendritic cells inhibiting a checkpoint within them called SHP1. This resulted in enhanced
antigen presentation; as you may know, dendritic cells are involved in presenting foreign or
tumor antigens to other immune cells, such as T cells, to activate an immune response. There
has been much work on dendritic cell vaccines, which has been disappointing. This is because
that is only one part of the activation of the immune response. In addition, like most immune
cells, dendritic cells can also be regulatory to inhibit an immune response against cancer.
However, in this situation described in the study, Vitamin E leads to an activation of mature
dendritic cells presenting tumor antigen, and the overall response is enhanced due to the
presence of traditional immunotherapy such as PD-1 CTLA-4 inhibitors. In previous studies, the
benefits of Vitamin E were not clear.
Another study to keep in mind was published by Kang et al. in 2014, showing that Vitamin E
reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and increased the effects of CD8+ T cells
against tumors; as you may know from my book that MDSCs are immune cells that inhibit the
anti-cancer immune response, essentially protecting cancer. High amounts of MDSC are
associated with a poor prognosis and reduce potential response to immunotherapy. In the
study by Kang, they showed that Vitamin E reduced the MDSCs, resulting in increased anti-
cancer CD8+ T cells infiltrating the tumor. This study gives a different mechanism but adds more
data backing the use of Vitamin E in conjunction with immunotherapy.
Indeed, supplementation with Vitamin E should be considered for patients on immunotherapy
for cancer. However, not much has been discussed on dosing. The 2014 study showed benefits
with dietary Vitamin E, but they also described a much more significant effect when injected
into the tumor. They explain that injected Vitamin E can modify the tumor microenvironment
to be more receptive to other immunotherapy treatments. As you can see, the theme of
injection into the tumor site continues to be the most potent treatment option. Otherwise, a
standard dose of 400 IU of natural Vitamin E orally a day is probably helpful.
Jason R. Williams, MD, DABR
The post Vitamin E Boost Response of Cancer Immunotherapy appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
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 a 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 of 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.
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.
The post How and why optimizing your body’s immune appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
Pentoxifylline, sold under the brand name Trental is typically used for vascular disease to increase blood flow due to its effect in reducing blood viscosity. However, there is a gene called c-Rel that is important to maintain the function of regulatory cells such as Tregs and MDSC. As I have discussed, the immune system has two sides, one that is regulatory, which has been tricked by cancer to protect it. There is the other side that can attack cancer.
Our goal is to tip the balance in favor of attacking cancer. In a study published by Grinberg-Bleyer, et al in Cell, Sept 7, 2017, titled “NF-kB c-Rel Is Crucial for the Regulatory T Cell Immune Checkpoint in Cancer” they describe how blocking c-Rel can reduce the regulatory function of Tregs. In addition, Li, et al published in Nature Cancer, May 18, 2020, an article titled “c-Rel is a Myeloid Checkpoint for Cancer Immunotherapy” which discusses MDSC.
These two articles are describing how c-Rel is key to two of the main groups of immune cells that can inhibit an anti-cancer immune response. In turn, blocking c-Rel was demonstrated in animals to enhance standard immunotherapy, such as PD-1 inhibitors. Blocking both c-Rel and PD-1 together was better than either alone. The study by Grinberg-Bleyer showed that Pentoxifylline, a c-Rel inhibitor delayed tumor growth in the mouse model. When administered with a PD-1 inhibitor, the effects of both were enhanced. Though there are other c-Rel inhibitors in development, since Pentoxifylline is available and FDA approved, it may allow for off-label use which could improve the results of immunotherapy.
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.
The post Pentoxifylline an FDA Approved appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
Cancer is a frightening word for anyone to hear. When it comes to breast cancer, many women feel an especially strong fear. Fortunately, treatments are improving every day and there are now a variety of treatment options available. One such option is Breast Cancer Cryoablation. This article will discuss what Cryoablation is, the benefits of this treatment method, and how it may be right for you.
Cryoablation is a surgical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy breast cancer cells. This minimally invasive treatment is an alternative to traditional surgery for women with early-stage breast cancer. Cryoablation can be used to treat tumors that are too small to remove with traditional surgery or when traditional surgery is not possible.
Cryoablation surgery is a safe and effective treatment for breast cancer. It has been shown to be as effective as traditional surgery in removing tumors. Cryoablation also causes less damage to healthy tissue than traditional surgery. This can lead to fewer complications and a quicker recovery time.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with Cryoablation. These include infection, bleeding, and damage to healthy tissue. However, these risks are minimal and can be minimized by following your doctors’ instructions carefully.
It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of Cryoablation with your doctor before deciding if this is the right treatment for you.
Cryoablation surgery is a safe and effective treatment for breast cancer. If you are considering this procedure, please make an appointment with one of our specialists at Williams Cancer Institute to discuss your options. We are here to help you get the care that you need. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and provides the best possible outcome.
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.
The post How Does Breast Cancer Cryoablation Work appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
World Cancer Day has arrived and Williams Cancer Institute would like to thank each and every patient who has entrusted their health with our clinic and treatments. Williams Cancer Institute aims to help create a cancer-free world. Our team has been passionately working on developing continuous medical research to eradicate cancer. We value the courage and strength every cancer patient has, and we honor your resilience.
The more awareness we bring forth to the community about immunotherapy for cancer means more patients will have the opportunity to be treated with less invasive treatments. In this interview, Dr. Jason Williams explains the main advances in research that are being developed at the Williams Cancer Institute to fight cancer.
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.
The post World Cancer Day appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
Immune response in cancer treatments has been studied for over decades and to this day continues to be closely researched in an attempt to provide a less invasive treatment for patients. Thanks to medical research, patients and physicians have access to seventeen immunotherapy FDA approved treatments. This ongoing mission is one of great value and in today’s blog we will be exploring more interesting details about the immune system and cancer.
The immune system includes immune cells known as antigen presenting cells, such as a dendritic cell. It gathers information and distributes it to the immune system. Now, just as it will deliver good information, it can also deliver the bad information. When this happens, it alters the T effector cells. With this, the dendritic cells are more likely to slow the immune system down rather than help it. Due to this, there is an urgency for a more precise form of treatment.
Cryoablation
This fascinating medical advancement is used to destroy the malignant cell while also gathering important information. Having access to good information will allow this form of therapy to then destroy the cancer that’s affecting the body.
You may be wondering “what exactly is cryoablation?”
Well, it’s a form of immunotherapy that involves freezing a tumor directly with a thin needle. It works best when used for early stage cancer and is useful with immune-enhancing measures to reduce the risk of future metastasis. Cryoablation is so powerful that it can be used to generate strong immune responses which can lead to one of the most successful cancer treatments that exist, especially for patients with Stage III or IV cancer. Another important note is that combining cryoablation with other forms of immunotherapy enhances the overall success rate of the cancer treatment.
————
Robert O. Dillman, Gary B. Fogel, Andrew N. Cornforth, Senthamil R. Selvan, Patric M. Schiltz, and Carol DePriest: Features associated with survival in metastatic melanoma patients treated with patient-specific dendritic cell vaccines. Cancer biother radiopharm 26:407-15 (2011)
DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2011.0973
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.
The post Immunotherapy for Cancer appeared first on Williams Cancer Institute.
Share this entry