Protocol with Cytokines, LAK Cells, Stem Cells
The Issels Integrative Immunotherapy with its extensive history of complete long-term remissions of advanced cancers, also includes research based novel protocols of immune enhancement.
Cytokines
Cytokines are proteins, peptides or glycoproteins that are produced in the body in small amounts. They carry signals between cells. In cancer therapy, cytokines are generally used to enhance immunity. One class of cytokines is Interleukin-2 (IL-2, Aldesleukin, Proleukin). By increasing levels of IL-2, the increase in immune system components, specifically T cells and natural killer cells, will mount an attack against any cancer cells. Due to the research by Steven A. Rosenberg of the US National Cancer Institute Interleukin-2 is approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer.
Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells (LAK Cells)
Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells, also known as LAK cells, are lymphocytes that in the presence of Interleukin-2 are stimulated to kill tumor cells. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that play an integral role in the body's defenses. The culture of lymphocytes in the presence of interleukin-2 results in effector cells which are cytoxic to tumor cells.
Stem Cells
Stem Cells are found in multi-cellular organisms. Stem Cells are the body's master cells that have the ability to renew themselves through cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. They replace dying or lost cells and aid in the repair of tissue damaged by cancer progression, previous cancer treatments, or chronic degenerative conditions. They also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, intestinal tissues.
DISCLAIMER: The extent of the response to the treatment varies from patient to patient, even with similar diagnosis. Even if the type of the cancer cells is the same, the internal bodily environment on which these cells grow, is unique to each individual patient.
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Cytokines, LAK Cells, Stem Cells
Cytokines
Cytokines(Greek cyto-, cell; and -kinos, movement) are substances that are secreted by specific cells of the immune system. They are proteins, peptides or glycoproteins. They carry signals between cells, and thus have an effect on other cells. They can function locally or at a distance to enhance or suppress immunity. In cancer therapy, cytokines are generally used to enhance immunity.
The term "cytokine" refers to the immune modulating agents such as interleukins, interferons, tumor necrosis factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). These medications are also called biologic response modifiers.
One class of interleukins is Interleukin-2 (IL-2, Aldesleukin, Proleukin) which is normally produced in the body in small amounts. By increasing levels of IL-2, the increase in immune system components, specifically T cells and natural killer cells, will mount an attack against any cancer cells. The effect depends on the adhesion molecules or signals in the cells.
Due to the research by Steven A. Rosenberg of the US National Cancer Institute, Interleukin-2 is approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer. Interferon-alfa 2b is approved by the FDA as well. Other cytokines are currently under investigation.
Interleukin-2 has demonstrated activity against renal cell cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and other cancers that have receptors for IL-2 in the membrane of the specific cell. The high pharmacological dosage generally used is toxic and poses the risk of side effects like fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, fluid retention, low blood pressure and other reactions. Pre-medication can lower risks.
Interleukin-2 can also be given in low dose via a shot under the skin (subcutaneously). For qualified patients we administer a protocol with low dose Interleukin-2 that has shown activity against a variety of advanced solid tumors.
LAK Cells
Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells, also known as LAK cells, are lymphocytes that in the presence of Interleukin-2 are stimulated to kill tumor cells. Lymphocytes are one of the five kinds of white blood cells, or leukocytes, circulating in the blood. They play an integral role in the body's defenses. The culture of lymphocytes in the presence of interleukin-2 results in effector cells which are cytotoxic to tumor cells.
The stem cells of lymphocytes (THO) have many receptors or adhesion molecules in their membrane for IL-2 and during our procedures they are stimulated to increase their cell division into the cytotoxic line (LTCD4, LTCD8, NK cells). When these lymphocytes are activated in the circulation they can destroy circulating malignant cells.
Mature lymphocytes are extraordinarily diverse in their functions. The most abundant lymphocytes are B lymphocytes (often simply called B cells) and T lymphocytes (likewise called T cells). B cells are produced in the Bone marrow. The precursors or stem cells of T cells are also produced in the bone marrow but leave the bone marrow and mature in the Thymus (which accounts for their designation).
Our protocols of Immune Enhancement involve the administration of Autologous Lymphocytes. These are the patient’s own immune cells which do not cause adverse reactions such as allergies or rejection and do not require immune suppressive drugs. Donor immune cells may cause such adverse reactions.
Our protocols are called:
LAK Cells with Low Dose of Interleukin-2 in Patients with Solid Tumors.
One of the procedures involves the separation of lymphocytes from the peripheral blood, culturing them in the patient’s own blood serum and expanding their numbers multifold before transfusing them back to the patient to yield maximum results.
LAK- STEM Cells with Low Dose of Interleukin-2 in Patients with Solid Tumors.
The stem cell procedure that we administer consists of the stimulation of lymphocytes in vivo.
During this stem cell procedure the sample is taken from the patient's bone marrow of the head of the tibia bone and provides in addition to lymphocytes, stem cells, mature and immature leukocytes. This combination renders the therapy even more powerful. As the stroma of bone marrow contains IL-7, which increases the effect of IL-2 by 5 times, we can decrease the dose of IL-2 while maintaining its potency.
Interleukin-2 stimulates the stem cells of the lymphocytes that then divide into T Helper cells, such as THO, TH1 and TH2, which secrete lymphokines, various cytokines, such as interleukins and interferons. TH1 secretes mainly IL-2, interferon gamma, GM-CSF, TNA-alpha, ligand CD40, which can activate macrophages. The LTC or cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes produce perforins, gamzymes, interferon gamma, TNF alpha and beta, and can in this way destroy circulating abnormal cells.
Stem cells
Stem cells are the human body's master cells with the ability to renew themselves through cell division and grow into any one of its 200 cell types, except for cells of the placenta. They have the potential to multiply indefinitely, become highly specialized and replace cells that die or are lost.
Thus they aid in the repair of organs and tissue damaged by cancer progression, previous cancer treatments, or chronic degenerative conditions. They also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, intestinal tissues. Autologous Stem Cells from the patient's own bone marrow do not have any adverse side effects.
Under normal conditions, we have less than 0.1% of stem cells in our circulation, which is sometimes not sufficient for regenerative processes. The objective is, therefore, to increase the number of stem cells in the circulation without the use of potent toxic drugs.
The immune-stimulatory effect of our therapy is sometimes quickly seen in the improvement of the overall condition of the patient, quality of life, reduction of pain, etc. Tumor shrinkage could take 4 weeks and longer. The procedure can be repeated after 2 months.
The protocols with autologous stem cells and low-dose Interleukin-2 that we administer do usually not cause any adverse effects.
DISCLAIMER: The extent of the response to the treatment varies from patient to patient, even with similar diagnosis. Even if the type of the cancer cells is the same, the internal bodily environment on which these cells grow, is unique to each individual patient.
References:
GACETA MEXICANA DE ONCOLOGIA, SOCIEDAD MEXICANA DE ONCOLOGIA. A.C. Vol. 5, Num. 3 Mayo-Junio 2006.
Miller JS, Tessmer-Tuck J, Pierson BA, Weisdorf D, McGlave P, Blazar BR, Katsanis E, Verfaillie C, Lebkowski J, Radford J Jr, Burns LJ.
Low dose subcutaneous interleukin-2 after autologous transplantation generates sustained in vivo natural killer cell activity. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 1997 Apr;3(1):34-44.
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For ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on treatment and costs please click here.