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Vaccine as Brain Cancer Therapy

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The day may soon come when surgery, chemo and radiation appear barbaric as brain cancer therapies- vaccines may become the new, effective standard-of-care 

If you have been diagnosed with brain cancer I have good news and I have bad news. First, the bad news. Conventional (FDA approved) oncology has little to offer you other than expensive chemo and radiation with a good chance of nasty collateral damage.

Image result for image of vaccine

Now the good news. As the studies linked and excerpted below explain, vaccines may become the new, effective standard-of-care for brain cancer. The hitch is that this technology is constantly changing. A post I write today, July 24th, 2017, may be out-of-date by the time you read it.

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. I work with cancer patients to research both conventional and non-conventional (vaccines…) therapies for their type and stage of cancer.

Have you been diagnosed with brain cancer? What type? What stage? Please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma Receiving Valganciclovir

“Here we present current retrospective data on 50 patients with glioblastoma who received valganciclovir as an add-on to standard therapy at Karolinska University Hospital as adjuvant treatment (Section S2 in the Supplementary Appendix). The rate of survival of treated patients was remarkably high: at 2 years, 62% were alive, as compared with 18% of contemporary controls with a similar disease stage, surgical-resection grade, and baseline treatment…”

Brain Cancer Vaccine Proves Effective, Study Suggests

“A new brain cancer vaccine tailored to individual patients by using material from their own tumors has proven effective in a multicenter phase 2 clinical trial at extending their lives by several months or longer. The patients suffered from recurrent glioblastoma multiforme…

Antiviral May Boost Survival in Brain Cancer

“Antiviral therapy against cytomegalovirus (CMV) — typically only thought a threat in immunosuppressed patients — was linked to dramatically improved survival in patients with glioblastoma, based on one center’s experience…The results were even better in the subgroup treated longer, up to 70% and 90% 2-year survival…”

Targeted therapy for glioblastoma multiforme neoplastic meningitis with intrathecal delivery of an oncolytic recombinant poliovirus.

“CONCLUSION: These results suggest that intrathecal treatment with PVS-RIPO may be useful for treatment of neoplastic meningitis in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and provides a rationale for clinical trials in this area..”

YouTube video talking about the above therapy on a live GBM cancer patient-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHmQnGsWiIM

Posted in non-conventional therapies, side effects ID and prevention Tagged with:

What Can Cancer Coaching Do For Me? This Study Says It All…

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“…but when you do not account for the patient’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors it can derail the entire treatment plan leading to poor quality of care and patient outcomes,”

Every now and then a study comes along that is much more illustrative than all others. The cancer patients surveyed below clearly have had a lousy experience with conventional oncology.  Which is why I have always believed in the need for cancer survivors helping newly diagnosed cancer patients aka cancer coaching.

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The odd thing is that cancer coaching isn’t rocket science. Newly diagnosed cancer patients simply need someone to explain

  • financial toxicity
  • possible collateral damage aka side effects
  • the risks and benefits of therapies
  • clinical trial participation from the patient perspective

Many other industries have figured out the “customer experience.” And the customer in this case, the patient, has real life and death choices to make. To add insult to injury cancer patients spend thousands of dollars to have a lousy customer experience.

I am both a cancer coach and  a cancer survivor who has lived through both aggressive conventional (FDA approved) surgery, radiation and chemotherapy as well as alternative cancer therapies and evidence-based, non-conventional therapies.

Have you been diagnosed with cancer? If so, what type? What stage? Please scroll down the page, post a question or a comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thanks,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Systemic Gaps in Cancer Care Are Detrimental to Patient Outcomes, Survey Finds

“The survey found that gaps in communication between patients and care teams about cost of care resulted in “financial toxicity” for people living with cancer…

Regarding quality of life, key findings from the report included:

  • Only 39% of cancer survivors rate their overall health as “very good” or “excellent.”
  • About 53% of cancer survivors are worried about the future and what lies ahead.
  • About 47% of cancer survivors are at risk for clinical depression.

Regarding treatment decision-making, the report found:

  • 93% rated quality of life as a very important factor when weighing treatment options.
  • about 24% did not feel prepared to discuss treatment options with their doctor.
  • Only 45% decided on treatment together with their care team.

Regarding side-effects and symptom management, the report concluded that:

  • One in five reported that the healthcare team did not explain short-term side effects.
  • Only 52% said they received guidance on long-term side effects of treatment.
  • About 14% did not tell their care team about side effects and symptoms.

Regarding clinical trials, the report concluded:

  • That 43% thought lack of transportation would prevent them from participating in a clinical trial.
  • About 77% believed that insurance would not cover clinical trial costs.
  • And 76% feared receiving a placebo in a cancer clinical trial.

On financial impact, the report found:

  • More than one in 10 patients postponed filling prescriptions to reduce costs.
  • About 73% did not talk about costs of treatment with a member of the care team.
  • And 30% depleted their savings because of treatment costs.

 

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Mind-Body Therapy- “We’re In This Together” Fighting Spirit

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How well cancer patients fared after chemotherapy was affected by their social interaction (mind-body therapy) with other patients during treatment…The best outcome was when patients interacted with someone who survived for five years or longer…

Image result for image of two people talking during chemo

Mind-body therapy is powerful. Cancer patients form bonds with other cancer survivors, especially when they have the same cancer.  I’ve seen it happen in settings beyond relationships formed at the hospital.

This may sound self-serving but I think cancer patients who hang around me also live longer. We talk about all things cancer. Not just mind-body therapy. We talk about our experiences with both conventional and non-conventional therapies. We love to share our collateral damage aka side effects stories.

The bad news is that we may share TMI (too much information). The good news is that we live longer.

I am a long-term cancer survivor and cancer coach. Have you been diagnosed with cancer? What type? What stage? Please scroll down the page and share!

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer 

Social interaction affects cancer patients’ response to treatment

“How well cancer patients fared after chemotherapy was affected by their social interaction with other patients during treatment, according to a new study. Cancer patients were a little more likely to survive for five years or more after chemotherapy if they interacted during chemotherapy with other patients who also survived for five years or more…

“People model behavior based on what’s around them,”  “For example, you will often eat more when you’re dining with friends, even if you can’t see what they’re eating. When you’re bicycling, you will often perform better when you’re cycling with others, regardless of their performance…”

The researchers examined the total time a patient spent with the same patients undergoing chemotherapy and their five-year survival rate…They also reviewed a room schematic to confirm the assumption that patients were potentially positioned to interact….”

The best outcome was when patients interacted with someone who survived for five years or longer…”

 

Posted in non-conventional therapies Tagged with:

Prevent Chemoresistance and Relapse in Treated Lung Cancer

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Researchers have now discovered that circulating lung cancer tumor cells combine, making previously chemo-sensitive cells into chemo-resistant cell complexes

Image result for image of lung cancer

For those people who respond to chemotherapy consider low-dose anti-angiogenic metronomic chemotherapy for the rest of your life. According to the study linked and excerpted below, those lung cancer patients who achieved remission after induction therapy might stay in remission.

Unfortunately, a cancer patient would have a difficult time taking toxic therapy for the rest of his or her life. This therapy would only be possible if the low dose, anti-angiogenic metronomic chemo was NON-TOXIC. 

Image result for image of lung cancer

This is basically what I have been doing for years now. I have remained in complete remission from my “incurable” cancer since 1999. Evidence-based anti-lung cancer nutrition, supplementation, bone health, lifestyle therapies and more are all anti-angiogenic therapies to keep my cancer under control.

 I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. Have you been diagnosed with lung cancer? What stage? Please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Cause of chemoresistance in small cell lung cancer discovered

“Approximately one year after successful treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy, patients with advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), which primarily affects heavy smokers, generally relapse with recurrence of tumors that are resistant to further chemotherapy…

At this point, the affected patients usually only have a few months to live. The reason for this was hitherto unknown. Researchers have now discovered that circulating tumor cells combine, making previously chemo-sensitive cells into chemo-resistant cell complexes...

The circulating tumour cells aggregate to protect themselves from chemotherapy — like a circle of covered wagons — thereby preventing any active agents from entering,” says Hamilton, describing the process…”

 

 

Posted in integrative therapy, non-conventional therapies Tagged with:

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-Evidence-based, cardioprotective, neuroprotective non-conventional therapy

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We conclude that Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)- which appears to act as a free radical scavenger in ischemic myocardium, is a highly effective cardioprotective agent

Image result for image of atrial fibrillation

Chemotherapy and radiation cause collateral damage to cancer patients. Everybody knows this. What you may not know is that much of the short, long-term and late stage collateral damage (aka side effects) from chemo and radiation can be identified and healed. Pyrroloquinoline quinone can help.

Most people consider “supplementation” to be vitamins and minerals pills such as one-a-day and centrum. While these two brands appear to be very popular with Americans my research and experience is that supplementation is much more than synthetic vitamins and minerals.

PQQ is one such supplement. I live with chemotherapy-induced heart damage and brain damage. I supplement with PQQ among many other supplements to manage my chemo-induced collateral damage. I’m doing pretty well. I was told I was end-stage back in the fall of ’97. Boy, was my oncologist wrong…

I take Life Extension – Pqq Caps With Biopqq.  Inexpensive heart and brain therapy. I recommend you take PQQ as well.

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. Do you have heart or brain damage? Scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) decreases myocardial infarct size and improves cardiac function in rat models of ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion.

“The optimal dose in this study, which exhibited neither renal nor hepatic toxicity, was 15 mg/kg, but lower doses may also be efficacious. We conclude that PQQ, which appears to act as a free radical scavenger in ischemic myocardium, is a highly effective cardioprotective agent…”
The neuroprotective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone on traumatic brain injury.

“Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a water-soluble, anionic, quinonoid substance that has been established as an essential nutrient in animals…

In summary, our experiment established that PQQ may play an important role in recovery post-TBI.”


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Posted in non-conventional therapies, side effects ID and prevention Tagged with:

Melatonin Enhances Radiotherapy, Reduces Side-Effects as Non-Conventional Cancer Therapy

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Melatonin (Mel) Enhances Radiation. Melatonin Reduces Radiation damage. Supplement with Melatonin before, during and after Radiation Therapy

When I first read the studies linked and excerpted below I thought the authors were talking about me.

Image result for pictures of radiation fibrosis

  • I underwent radiation at two different times during my conventional cancer treatments.
  • I experienced a series of short, long-term and late stage side effects from my radiation therapies.
  • I have been searching for therapies to either heal or slow my radiation-induced side effects

I should have done many things before, during and immediately after my radiation therapy. But that was a long time ago. The important thing now is to undergo those therapies that studies show can help me.

I take melatonin several times a week. I take small doses so that I can supplement often. I get a better night’s sleep and I am helping my radiation-induced fibrosis.

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Are you considering radiation therapy? Have you already undergone therapy?

I take Life Extension Melatonin Time Released Vegetarian Tablets, 300 mcg. though there are many different dose levels. I take Life Extension products because LEF products have been evaluated and approved repeatedly by Consumerlab.com.

I recommend trying this low dose level of melatonin. See how you like it. Let me know.

Thanks

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

The melatonin immunomodulatory actions in radiotherapy.

“Radiotherapy has a key role in cancer treatment in more than half of patients with cancer. The management of severe side effects of this treatment modality is a limiting factor to appropriate treatment. Immune system responses play a pivotal role in many of the early and late side effects of radiation. Moreover, immune cells have a significant role in tumor response to radiotherapy, such as angiogenesis and tumor growth. Mel as a potent antioxidant has shown appropriate immune regulatory properties that may ameliorate toxicity induced by radiation in various organs...

Moreover, anti-cancer properties of mel may increase the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy…

It seems anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenesis, and stimulation or suppression of some immune cell responses are the main anti-tumor effects of mel that may help to improve response of the tumor to radiotherapy…”

Melatonin as an anti-inflammatory agent in radiotherapy.

“Radiotherapy is one of the most relevant treatment options for cancer therapy with or without other treatment modalities including immunotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy. Exposure to heavy doses of ionizing radiation during radiotherapy results in short and long term side effects. It appears that many of these side effects are linked to inflammatory responses during treatment or after prolonged use. Inflammation is mediated by various genes and cytokines related to immune system responses caused by massive cell death following radiotherapy…

 

 


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Posted in non-conventional therapies Tagged with:

Reverse Radiation-Induced Damage W/ Conventional and Non-Conventional Therapies

Posted on by David — 5 Comments ↓

radiation-induced fibrosis may be reversible… the sooner you begin therapies to reduce your radiation damage the better…

Let me set the stage. I am a long-term cancer survivor who underwent radiation therapy twice during my several years of conventional oncologic therapies from ’95-’97. Long story short, I live with nerve, skin and muscle damage of various types as a result of my radiation therapies.

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As the study linked and excerpted below points out:

  • Oncology generally follows a “maximum tolerable dose” philosophy- forget about “first do no harm-“
  • Though radiation will cause fibrosis aka scarring, it may be possible to reverse this damage-
  • The sooner the patient begins therapies to reverse his/her radiation damage the better-

I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. For obvious reasons I have been interested in radiation-induced fibrosis and if this side-effect of radiation therapy can be reversed. I’m pretty sure that the various therapies that can heal fibrosis won’t help me after so many years have lapsed.

But I’m convinced that cancer patients either about to undergo radiation or cancer patients who recently completed radiation can either reduce or eliminate their radiation damage.

Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Are you considering radiation therapy? Have you completed radiation therapy? Please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

The Irreversibility of Radiation-Induced Fibrosis: Fact or Folklore?

“Unfortunately, the relationship between radiation dose, volume of tissue irradiated, development of complications, and tumor control is complex and not precisely defined for most normal tissues and malignancies…

Late radiation damage in most tissues is characterized by loss of parenchymal cells and excessive formation of fibrous tissue.11 For years, it was taught that radiation fibrosis is a permanent irreversible condition, but its underlying mechanism remained uncertain…

In this issue, Delanian et al29 contribute significantly to the growing body of knowledge that indicates that, indeed, radiation-induced fibrosis is at least partially reversible. They also demonstrate for the first time that long-term antifibrotic therapy will be needed to sustain benefit…

Although oncologists should be encouraged by the mounting evidence that radiation-induced fibrosis may be reversible, many questions remain unanswered…

 

Posted in non-conventional therapies, side effects ID and prevention

Lung Cancer Side Effects- Identify and Alleviate Fatigue, Pain, Depression, Nausea, etc.

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The present study is the first to demonstrate that acupuncture may be an effective approach for improving symptoms of lung cancer (LC) patients…

When I went through chemotherapy and radiation for my cancer I considered the many side effects that I experienced to be one of those problems that I needed to just deal with-I just had to suck it up.

What can I say? I was young (35) and foolish. Twenty plus years later I know better. Collateral damage aka side effects is one of the main reasons why cancer patients alter or discontinue their therapy. Changing or stopping therapy negatively changes your prognosis…

Image result for image of lung cancer

The articles linked and excerpted below cite acupuncture as an evidence-based therapy to alleviate fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, nausea and others. And this is just one of many evidence-based non-conventional therapies that can help you manage chemotherapy and radiation.

Don’t ignore your side effects. I am both a cancer survivor and cancer coach. To learn more about identifying and preventing the collateral damage that accompanies chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Acupuncture May Improve Fatigue in Patients with LC

“Acupuncture may be a potential adjunct treatment option for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with LC…

  • Results showed significant improvement in CRF after 2 weeks…
  • Patients also reported significant improvements in their quality of life

The potential role for acupuncture in treating symptoms in patients with lung cancer: an observational longitudinal study

“Most LC patients experience multiple symptoms related either to the disease or its treatment. The commonly reported symptoms are pain, depression, anxiety, nausea, and poor well-being…

A significant positive correlation between improved well-being and the number of acupuncture sessions was observed… Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that a minimum of 6 acupuncture sessions are required for a 70% chance of a clinically important improvement in well-being.

The present study is the first to demonstrate that acupuncture may be an effective approach for improving symptoms—in particular, pain and well–being—in LC patients. Acupuncture is a safe and minimally invasive procedure, and it is potentially useful even in patients undergoing anticancer treatment…”

Posted in non-conventional therapies, side effects ID and prevention Tagged with:

Multiple Myeloma- Prognostic Value of Circulating Plasma Cells (CPC)

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Circulating Plasma Cells (CPC) in Multiple Myeloma Patients at diagnosis indicate Cytogenetic Abnormalities as well as Poorer Overall Survival 

No one wants to hear the words “you have multiple myeloma.” However, while those two words indicate that you have an incurable blood cancer, with the sophisticated diagnostic testing available today, your prognosis can be from months to years or decades actually.

If you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma it is important for you to know that there is a long and growing list of both conventional (FDA approved) and evidence-based, non-conventional therapies for you to use.

I am both a MM survivor and MM cancer coach. My intent is not to raise false hope by writing this blog post. Please understand that the average five-year survival rate today in 2017 is only 48%. But also understand that since my diagnosis in early 1994 I have known dozens of MMers who have lived 10,15, 20 years or more.

Image result for image of circulating plasma cells

The two articles linked and excerpted below discuss a prognostic indicator called circulating plasma cells (CPC). Your job as a newly diagnosed MMer is to learn as much as you possibly can about your diagnosis. The more you know about your MM now the better your decision-making will be about your therapies going forward.

Please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Prognostic value of circulating plasma cells in patients with multiple myeloma: A meta-analysis

“The clinical significance and prognostic role of circulating plasma cells (CPCs) in multiple myeloma (MM) are still controversial…

11 studies covering a total of 2943 patients were included. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) revealed that the presence of CPCs predicted aggressive disease progression…

Conclusions– CPCs status is associated with poorer survival outcome in multiple myeloma. Additionally, increased ISS stage could be significant risk factors for the presence of CPCs.

Risk stratification in myeloma by detection of circulating plasma cells prior to autologous stem cell transplantation in the novel agent era

“Patients with CPCs had a higher incidence of harboring high-risk cytogenetics by FISH compared with those without CPCs …

Among individual cytogenetic abnormalities, the frequency of t(4;14) was over twofold greater in patients with CPCs compared with those without…

The frequency of deletion 13q or monosomy 13 was also higher in the subgroup of patients with CPCs…

On comparing the pre-transplant response, the incidence of very good partial response (VGPR) or better at transplant was lower in patients with CPCs compared with those without…

Similarly, only 4.9% of patients with CPCs were in CR prior to transplant compared with 18.9% of patients without CPCs…

 

Posted in Multiple Myeloma, Newly Diagnosed, non-conventional therapies Tagged with:

Lung Cancer Immunotherapy Side Effects Both Good and Bad…

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All FDA Approved Cancer Therapies for Lung Cancer Have Side-Effects. Most are Negative. Once in Awhile a Side-Effect Can Make you Look Younger-

Make no mistake. Conventional cancer therapy will cause short, long-term and late stage side effects. Immunotherapy, anti-PD-1 therapy seems to cause fewer side effects than conventional toxic chemotherapy.

Image result for before and after immunotherapy repigmentation
 I write about negative collateral damage on PeopleBeatingCancer so often that I had to write a blog post a positive side effect.   Immunotherpy can cause “hair repigmentation.” The article linked and excerpted below made me wonder if some lung cancer patients might look younger after their immunotherapy.

I am a cancer survivor and cancer coach. Side effects aside, the more important issue is overall survival and quality of life after therapy for lung cancer. Pre-habilitation, nutrition, supplementation, lifestyle, and other evidence-based non-conventional therapies can reduce or eliminate negative side effects.

Do you have lung cancer? Scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thanks and hang in there,

David Emerson

  • Cancer Survivor
  • Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Immunotherapy for lung cancer leads to hair repigmentation

“Patients with lung cancer who were received immunotherapy experienced hair repigmentation, with the majority also experiencing good clinical response, according to recently published study results in JAMA Dermatology…

Four patients had squamous cell lung cancer and 10 had lung adenocarcinoma. Twelve patients were treated with anti-PD-1 therapy, including Opdivo (nivolumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab, Merck), while two patients were treated with Tecentriq (atezolizumab, Genentech)…

There was diffuse darkening of hair in 13 patients, while one patient experienced black patches between white hairs…

Thirteen of the patients remained in treatment with a partial response or stable disease. One patient suspended therapy after four cycles of treatment due to disease progression and eventually died.”

Safety and Tolerability of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors Compared with Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

“A total of 3,450 patients from 7 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis: 4 nivolumab, 2 pembrolizumab, and 1 atezolizumab trials. The underlying malignancies included were non-small cell lung cancer (4 trials) and melanoma (3 trials). Compared with chemotherapy, the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors had a significantly lower risk of all- and high-grade fatigue, sensory neuropathy, diarrhea and hematologic toxicities, all-grade anorexia, nausea, and constipation, any all- and high-grade AEs, and treatment discontinuation. There was an increased risk of all-grade rash, pruritus, colitis, aminotransferase elevations, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism, and all- and high-grade pneumonitis with PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors…

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are overall better tolerated than chemotherapy. Our results provide further evidence supporting the favorable risk/benefit ratio for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors…”

 

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