Immunotherapy is getting a lot of attention from researchers these days – essentially (and simply) it finds ways to get the body to up its fight against cancer cells. The premise is that the body is always fighting outbreaks of cancer and usually wins without anyone being aware the battle has occurred, but sometimes it needs some help.
The following articles look at that line of research and some developments in the surgical field.
Molecular switch may boost cancer immune therapy: Study
Cancer immunotherapies have progressed spectacularly in recent years, placing some patients who were nearing death into total remission. But results are uneven, and far from a general cure.
A team led by UC San Diego researchers may have found a way of making these cancer immunotherapies more potent. In a study performed in mice, they have discovered a molecular switch that controls the response of immune cells called macrophages. These are early responders that engulf and destroy pathogens, including cancer cells.
The growth of tumors was significantly suppressed and survival extended in the mice. A Phase 1 trial of a drug that uses this mechanism was recently started by a biotech company that collaborated with the researchers on the study
The study was published Sept. 19 in the journal Nature. Judith Varner was senior author and Megan Kaneda was first author..
Macrophages play a key role in moderating the immune response. When they encounter pathogens, they release inflammatory proteins called cytokines that activate T cells, which also attack the threat. When the pathogens are gone, the macrophages turn down the immune response by releasing other cytokines that turn off inflammation and promote cellular repair.
Cancer cells recruit macrophages and prompt them to make the anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting a T-cell response. This remodelling of what is called the tumour microenvironment makes it difficult for the immune system to get at the cancer. It presumably also interferes with cancer immunotherapies that activate these T cells.
The study tested a combination therapy with a checkpoint inhibitor and a PI3Ky inhibitor. Human tumours grafted on the mice regressed in 86 percent of males and nearly all females so treated.
If a drug to inhibit PI3Ky is successfully developed, yet another tool would be added to cancer immunotherapy.
Full story:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/
Cancer immunotherapies have progressed spectacularly in recent years, placing some patients who were nearing death into total remission. But results are uneven, and far from a general cure.
A team led by UC San Diego researchers may have found a way of making these cancer immunotherapies more potent. In a study performed in mice, they have discovered a molecular switch that controls the response of immune cells called macrophages. These are early responders that engulf and destroy pathogens, including cancer cells.
The growth of tumors was significantly suppressed and survival extended in the mice. A Phase 1 trial of a drug that uses this mechanism was recently started by a biotech company that collaborated with the researchers on the study
The study was published Sept. 19 in the journal Nature. Judith Varner was senior author and Megan Kaneda was first author..
Macrophages play a key role in moderating the immune response. When they encounter pathogens, they release inflammatory proteins called cytokines that activate T cells, which also attack the threat. When the pathogens are gone, the macrophages turn down the immune response by releasing other cytokines that turn off inflammation and promote cellular repair.
Cancer cells recruit macrophages and prompt them to make the anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting a T-cell response. This remodelling of what is called the tumour microenvironment makes it difficult for the immune system to get at the cancer. It presumably also interferes with cancer immunotherapies that activate these T cells.
The study tested a combination therapy with a checkpoint inhibitor and a PI3Ky inhibitor. Human tumours grafted on the mice regressed in 86 percent of males and nearly all females so treated.
If a drug to inhibit PI3Ky is successfully developed, yet another tool would be added to cancer immunotherapy.
Full story:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/
Innovative surgery at U of A Hospital sees cancer patients' thyroids moved into their arms
A bold new surgery pioneered at the University of Alberta Hospital is getting attention around the world.Surgeons can now move patients' thyroids into their forearms to protect the sensitive glands from being damaged during radiation treatment for head and neck cancers.
Shaped like a butterfly, the thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck, below the Adam's apple. It wraps around the windpipe. It secretes hormones that influence the body's metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature.
Moving the gland from its normal position to a permanent new home in a patient's forearm allows the gland to remain healthy during cancer treatment and continue to function normally after the radiation treatment is finished.
“As long as it has good blood supply coming in and good blood supply going out, it continues to function as a viable organ," says Dr. Jeffrey Harris, a surgical oncologist at the University of Alberta Hospital.
About 14 patients have been a part of a study that has seen them undergo the novel procedure. Patients are enjoying a better quality of life because of the innovative surgery.
Full story at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/innovative-surgery-at-u-of-a-hospital-sees-cancer-patients-thyroids-moved-into-their-arms-1.3771465
Incisionless robotic surgery offers promising outcomes for oropharyngeal cancer patients
A new study from researchers at Henry Ford Hospital finds an incisionless robotic surgery -- done alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation -- may offer oropharyngeal cancer patients good outcomes and survival, without significant pain and disfigurement.
Patients with cancers of the base of tongue, tonsils, soft palate and pharynx who underwent TransOral Robotic Surgery, or TORS, as the first line of treatment experienced an average three-year survival from time of diagnosis.
Most notably, the study's preliminary results reveal oropharyngeal cancer patients who are p16 negative -- a marker for the human papilloma virus, or HPV, that affects how well cancer will respond to treatment -- have good outcomes with TORS in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Led by Dr. Ghanem, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit was among the first in the country to perform TORS using the da Vinci® Surgical System. TORS offers patients an option to remove certain head and neck cancer tumours without visible scarring, while preserving speech and the ability to eat.
With TORS, surgeons can access tumours through the mouth using the slender operating arms of the da Vinci, thus not requiring an open skin incision.
Unlike traditional surgical approaches to head and neck cancer that require a large incision and long recovery, TORS patients are able to return to their normal lives only a few days after surgery without significant pain and disfigurement.
Full story:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160916110638.htm
Patients with cancers of the base of tongue, tonsils, soft palate and pharynx who underwent TransOral Robotic Surgery, or TORS, as the first line of treatment experienced an average three-year survival from time of diagnosis.
Most notably, the study's preliminary results reveal oropharyngeal cancer patients who are p16 negative -- a marker for the human papilloma virus, or HPV, that affects how well cancer will respond to treatment -- have good outcomes with TORS in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Led by Dr. Ghanem, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit was among the first in the country to perform TORS using the da Vinci® Surgical System. TORS offers patients an option to remove certain head and neck cancer tumours without visible scarring, while preserving speech and the ability to eat.
With TORS, surgeons can access tumours through the mouth using the slender operating arms of the da Vinci, thus not requiring an open skin incision.
Unlike traditional surgical approaches to head and neck cancer that require a large incision and long recovery, TORS patients are able to return to their normal lives only a few days after surgery without significant pain and disfigurement.
Full story:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160916110638.htm
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