When it comes to managing the side effects of immunotherapy it is important to be very detailed with observing the symptoms as they can be autoimmune related. With any side effect, if it starts to escalate into something more severe, it is important for the patient to notify the doctor immediately. Below are a couple of the most common side effects or autoimmune-related events experienced by patients who undergo immune checkpoint therapy:
-Fatigue
-Skin rash, itching
-Dry mouth
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.
Have you or a loved one previously been diagnosed with breast cancer?
Are you currently struggling on learning how to support your loved one through this battle?
If so, you have reached a great place where you will receive information that will assist you throughout this journey. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that mostly affects women. It is most common to see breast cancer in women the age 50 years and older. This does not mean it will not affect women of younger age.
Many factors can increase the risk of breast cancer such as:
-Family history of breast cancer
-Having dense breast
-Genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
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.
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.
Our bodies have their innate ability to heal on their own, given the right environment, and removing the body from harmful substances. The immune system has its regulatory cells, which help with overall body regulation and protecting the body’s immune system to attack itself. The immune system is a powerful way to combat many diseases and illnesses, however, cancer can be more intelligent in overtaking the body. If the immune system were to attack the body then it would cause autoimmune disease. You may be wondering how this relates to cancer?
Well, the situation gets complicated when the immune system gets tricked by cancer. Because cancer can grow out of healthy cells, the immune system fails in recognizing that it’s actually a cancerous cell rather than a true healthy cell. When this occurs, the body will enter into a state of unbalance.