No Surgeries Needed: Immunotherapy Offers Hope for Early-Stage Cancer Patients (5 minutes reading)

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed a promising new treatment for early-stage cancers. The immunotherapy drug dostarlimab, owned by GlaxoSmithKline, has shown remarkable results in eliminating tumors in patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) cancers.

Dostarlimab is a PD-1 blocking agent that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. This drug was used in a phase 2 study involving patients with stage I, II, or III dMMR solid tumors, including rectal and nonrectal cancers. The study included 117 patients who were treated with dostarlimab for six months. The results were impressive: 84 patients had a complete response to the treatment, meaning their tumors were eliminated, and 82 patients avoided surgery altogether. Recurrence-free survival at two years was 92%.

This breakthrough means that many patients can avoid invasive surgeries and preserve their organs, significantly improving their quality of life. The study's success offers hope for extending this treatment to other early-stage cancers. This innovative approach could revolutionize cancer treatment, providing a less invasive and more effective option for patients.

New England Medical Journal 

 

 

The Impact of Stress on Cancer: What You Need to Know

Chronic stress can make cancer worse and help it spread. Studies in animals and human cells show that stress hormones, which are natural in humans, play a big role in this process. Norepinephrine, a hormone released when we're stressed, helps tumors grow by forming new blood vessels and spreading cancer cells. It also activates certain immune cells that can protect tumors and wake up dormant cancer cells.

Another stress hormone, glucocorticoids, can stop cancer cells from dying naturally (a process called apoptosis) and make them resistant to chemotherapy. These hormones can also prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells.

Although some studies suggest that stress might lower survival rates in cancer patients, the evidence isn't strong. Managing stress is important for cancer patients because it can improve their quality of life and possibly help with treatment. Techniques like mindfulness, counseling, and exercise can help reduce stress.

 

Hugh Jackman's Battle with Skin Cancer (5 minutes reading) 

Hugh Jackman, the famous actor known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men series, has faced multiple battles with skin cancer. His journey began in 2013 when he was first diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. Jackman has undergone several surgeries to remove cancerous cells from his nose.

Despite the seriousness of his condition, Jackman has remained positive and proactive about his health. He frequently shares updates with his fans, encouraging them to use sunscreen and get regular skin checks. His openness about his diagnosis and treatment has raised awareness about skin cancer and the importance of early detection.

Jackman's resilience and determination have allowed him to continue his successful career in Hollywood while managing his health. His story is a powerful reminder that with proper care and vigilance, it's possible to overcome cancer and lead a fulfilling life.

By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can significantly lower your risk of developing skin cancer.

1. Avoid Sun Exposure During Peak Hours: The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to stay indoors or in the shade during these hours 

2. Wear Protective Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats can help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Look for clothing with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 

3. Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating

4. Avoid Tanning Beds: Tanning beds expose you to high levels of UV radiation, which can increase your risk of skin cancer 

5. Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays 

6. Regular Skin Checks: Perform regular self-examinations and visit a dermatologist for professional skin checks. Early detection is key to successful treatment 

 

New Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Shrinking Metastatic Tumors (5 minutes reading)

A recent clinical trial led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown promising results for a new form of cancer treatment called tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. This personalized immunotherapy, combined with the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda), significantly shrank tumors in patients with various metastatic gastrointestinal cancers.

TIL therapy works by selecting immune cells from the patient's tumor that specifically target cancer cells. These cells are then grown in large quantities in a lab and administered back to the patient. In the trial, nearly 24% of patients treated with selected TILs and pembrolizumab saw a substantial reduction in tumor size, compared to only 7.7% of patients treated with TILs alone.

The trial included 91 patients with advanced cancers such as esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, colon, and rectal cancers. The best results were seen in patients who received both TIL therapy and pembrolizumab, with some experiencing tumor shrinkage lasting from several months to over five years.

This breakthrough offers hope for using cell-based immunotherapy to treat common solid tumors, which has been challenging for researchers. The study's lead investigator, Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg, believes this approach could pave the way for more effective cancer treatments in the future.

Researchers are now working on methods to improve TIL therapy by identifying immune cells that target multiple proteins within tumors, aiming to increase the number of patients who respond positively to this treatment.

More information in the LINK

 

Prevention and Screening Save Lives in Five Major Cancer Types

From 1975 to 2020, efforts in prevention and screening helped avoid 4.75 million deaths from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. This study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) shows that these efforts have saved more lives than treatment advances.

Key findings include that smoking cessation prevented 3.45 million deaths from lung cancer. In breast cancer, treatment advances saved most lives, with mammography screening also contributing. Screening and removal of precancerous lesions prevented 160,000 deaths from cervical cancer. Screening and removal of polyps averted 79% of 940,000 deaths from colorectal cancer. PSA testing and treatment advances saved 360,000 lives from prostate cancer.

The study emphasizes the importance of combining prevention, screening, and treatment to reduce cancer death rates. The Biden Cancer Moonshot aims to cut the cancer death rate by 50% by 2047, highlighting the crucial role of prevention and screening efforts.

source: LINK

 

Innovative Cancer Treatment: Engineered Fat Cells to "Starve" Tumors

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking treatment that uses genetically modified fat cells to slow tumor growth by depriving them of essential nutrients. In a recent study, researchers engineered white fat cells to aggressively consume nutrients like glucose and fatty acids. When these modified cells were implanted near tumors in mice, the tumors grew more slowly.

This new approach, called adipose manipulation transplantation (AMT), showed promising results even when the engineered fat cells were implanted far from the tumors. The researchers believe these cells outcompete cancer cells for nutrients, effectively suppressing tumor growth.

Unlike existing cellular therapies that use immune cells, AMT uses a patient's own fat cells, which are less likely to trigger an immune response. This makes AMT a potentially safer and more effective option for cancer treatment.

The study leader, Dr. Nadav Ahituv, suggests that this innovative therapy could be a new form of cancer treatment. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects and potential resistance of cancer cells to this treatment. However, the findings offer hope for a nontoxic, nutrient-based approach to cancer therapy that could revolutionize treatment options in the future.

For more information click the following  LINK

 

Man's Heartburn Turns Out to Be Stage Three Cancer: How a Panini Saved His Life

Sam Brandon, a 40-year-old father of two, thought his persistent heartburn was just a normal part of life. But one day, while rushing through a London tube station and trying to eat a panini, he started choking and threw up on the train. This incident led him to finally see a doctor.

Sam had been dealing with heartburn for years, often talking to colleagues about the best heartburn medicines. He blamed his busy lifestyle for the symptoms and never found time to visit a doctor. When he finally did, he was given medication that helped for a while, but he still felt like something was stuck in his throat.

During a holiday, he had another choking episode and felt a cold sensation in his stomach. Back in the UK, he insisted on seeing a specialist. An endoscopy revealed a large tumor in his throat, and he was diagnosed with stage three esophageal cancer. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, and he needed chemotherapy and surgery to remove most of his esophagus.

Despite the grim diagnosis, Sam remained positive. He celebrated his wife’s 40th birthday at Glastonbury festival and later married her. After a successful surgery, Sam is now in remission and training for an ultramarathon to raise awareness about heartburn and cancer. He hopes his story will encourage others to take persistent heartburn seriously and seek medical advice.

Source: https://www.ladbible.com/news/health/father-heartburn-pain-stage-three-cancer-265144-20250420

Warning: CT Scans Linked to Increased Cancer Risk

Overusing CT scans in the US could lead to over 100,000 extra cancer cases, including nearly 10,000 in children, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. CT scans use ionizing radiation, which can increase cancer risk. While the risk to individuals is low and often outweighed by the benefits, the high number of scans is concerning.

Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research, Kaiser Permanente, and the University of California found that the 93 million CT scans done in 2023 could cause 5% of all US cancers. The number of CT scans in the US has risen by 30% since 2009.

The study used a risk model to estimate future cancer cases linked to these scans. It found that 2.5 million children’s scans could result in 9,700 cancers. Adults, who get more scans, are expected to have more cancer cases.

CT scans are vital for diagnosing and treating many conditions, but unnecessary scans should be avoided. In the UK, strict regulations ensure scans are only done when needed, resulting in fewer scans per person compared to the US.

Luis Mendoza, MD, PhD