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Mesothelioma cancers cells develop and multiply more quickly than normal and ordinary cells, but also some normal and ordinary cells also multiply rapidly, most particularly the ones in the system of reproduction, digestive tract, and follicles of hair. The side effects happens as a result of the damage done to normal and ordinary cells from treatment of mesothelioma cancers.

The kind of side effects mesothelioma patients pass through and the severity of the effects, relies on the kind of chemotherapy mesothelioma patients are undergoing, the pharmacology of the drugs, dosage administered and how their body reacts to this type of treatment of mesothelioma. Types of pain Before chemotherapy treatment begins and starts, mesothelioma patients will be told to sign an agreeement form. Before signing the form, make sure your doctor gives you adequate and all informations of all the facts as regarding the chemotherapy treatment he/she will be administering, also to include necessary and adequate information about the chemotherapy drug or combination of chemotherapy drugs to be administered, the side effects, and risks involved in using each chemotherapy drugs, the amount of chemotherapy treatment of mesothelioma you will undergo and how frequent, and whether you will under a hospital stay, or admission or as an outpatient basis.

Anti-nausea treatment for chemotherapy mesothelioma patients also play a vital role in the treatment of mesothelioma cancers.

Nausea is often times a side effect of mesothelioma treatments.

Mild and temporary side effects such as nausea and vomiting, anorexia, loss of hair, and mouth sores. If some blood producing cells are damaged, there could be low blood cell count. This could also lead to a substantial or high risk of infection, blood klotting process could be impaired after minor cuts or injuries, and experiencing exhaustion or shortness of breath could also be seen… get more info …

Mesothelioma cancer is malignant mesothelioma and this means that cells found in the lining of various organs like heart, lungs and abdomen, grow abnormally retaining fluid. This disease has been around for a long time and it was first discovered in 1887 and then ignored. It was until 1970s that companies and governments started to recognize that it is a serious disease. This is mainly because it is caused by a mineral that can manufacture up to 3,000 products. The mineral occurs naturally on the earth and it is usually mined and is commonly called asbestos. This is a unique substance for apart from causing a deadly disease, it defies fire and cannot be burnt. Mesothelioma cancer affects the lining referred to as the mesothelium and exposure to asbestos could have happened during childhood. It takes over 30 years for the symptoms to start showing.

The disease has not been very common although the number of new cases has increased by a little percentage. Men will suffer from the disease more often than women and people of all ages can be affected. The people who are at a higher risk of getting the disease work closely with asbestos and they include shipyard workers, asbestos mine workers and so many other workers. They can expose their families with their cloths. Safety measures have now be put in place to protect industry workers and protective cloths and equipment have been introduced. Workers can also take a shower and change cloths before they leave their work premises. Symptoms of mesothelioma cancer differ with the particular organ the disease affects. Some of the most common symptoms include the following.

You will experience swelling of various organs, pain, weight loss, bowel obstruction, blood clotting, anemia and so many other symptoms. When you suspect you have the illness, do not conclude that it is mesothelioma cancer you have to go through a series of tests first before you conclude whether your illness is malignant or cancerous. You will have x rays performed and even a biopsy and when the doctor finds conclusive evidence of the disease, this is not the end. The symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are so similar to other diseases and it is therefore very difficult to diagnose the disease. You have very many treatment options and they can manage your condition depending on how bad it is. If the doctor recommends a certain treatment, like surgery, you can consult and make sure that it is the best decision for you available. Radiation and chemotherapy options are also available.

There are other treatment options that have not been concluded and you will find so many resources on this topic. Getting the right knowledge is vital to help you know what to expect if you are affected by the problem. You will be in a position to help others when the opportunity arises. Patients can sue for compensation if they feel that they need justice to be done. Good mesothelioma lawyers are available and it is upon you to find a lawyer who can represent you to win the case.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

As mesothelioma is termed as the form of a lung cancer, it is difficult to diagnose and recognize it. Instead, the diagnosis starts with the complete medical tests and physical examinations for mesothelioma patients. The various medical tests and physical examinations include:

X-ray
Computed Tomography Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Positron Emission Tomography
Biopsy
Thoracoscopy
Peritoneoscopy

Treatment of Mesothelioma Cancer

The malignant mesothelioma would not be healed completely, instead the growth of the mesothelioma cancer will be reduced by some traditional and alternative treatment methods once it is discovered at an early stage, so that the patients’ quality of life would be improved. Traditional mesothelioma treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and palliative treatments. Alternative treatments are nothing but the advanced and enhanced version of traditional treatment which includes immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, gene therapy, alternative therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs and massage, etc.

Vitamin C: An Opt for Cancer Treatment

An alternative treatment for cancer is injecting Vitamin C in to the body. Researchers found that Vitamin C is an opt solution for the cancer treatment. It will help in preventing the growth of the cancer. But excessive intake of Vitamin C would cause harm to the human body. Hence the doctors advised the patients to continue a well-balanced diet that has Vitamin C and not to take supplemental Vitamin C. Better to take multivitamin food rather than intake of much Vitamin C content.

Source: http://mesotheliomacancernewsinformation.blogspot.com/

Mesothelioma is a medical term refers to the development of cancer cells in the mesothelial tissue due to inhalation of asbestos fibers. This is a severe form of cancer that can be caused uniquely by asbestos fibers. Depending on the organ affected and its severity, mesothelioma is classified in:

- Pleural Mesothelioma , which affect the pleural cavity , thin layer of tissue covering the lungs

- Peritoneal Mesothelioma , affecting the peritoneum, tissue that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities;

- Benign Mesothelioma , the less severe of mesothelioma characterized by occurrence of noncancerous tumor cells in the pleura.

Although severe, mesothelioma is still a rare type of cancer. About one person in a million is affected. In 2004, it was estimated that around 15 individuals to 1,000,000 were victim of the disease in the United States. No one knows for sure the percentage of this year, 2008, since the number is increasing. However, about 200,000 individuals die each year from cancers causing by carcinogenic workplaces, including job sites containing asbestos fibers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Are the causes of mesothelioma are well known?

Yes. Whether it is pleural, peritoneal, or benign mesothelioma, it is caused by exposure to asbestos, an airborne mineral made of microscopic bundles of fibers according to US Environmental Protection Agency. Once enters your lungs, asbestos damage silently the tissue affected. The damaging effects can continue for years without any obvious medical signs. Usually, you start seeing or feeling symptoms 20 to 30 years after you were exposed to the pathogenic fiber.

Where asbestosis can be found?

In rare cases, you can be affected indirectly by asbestos contamination through your friends or family members who brought the fiber to the house from work in their clothes, hair or on their skin. However, the inhalation is, most of the times, the result of direct contact to the fiber in workplaces. Companies that are susceptible to have asbestos include:

* Extraction units: mines for instance

* Industries that manufacture asbestos products: textiles, friction products, insulation, certain building materials, etc.

* Places where asbestos is used as protection against heat

* Certain industries that specialize in shipbuilding, steel, foundry, glass manufacturing, etc.

* Construction industry, during renovation or demolition, or particularly during removal of asbestos, according to U.S. Department of Labor

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is often considered a silent killer because it is completely asymptomatic at early stage. When they finally emerge, symptoms are not specific and are similar to other respiratory diseases and digestive tract infection, which makes the diagnosis difficult.

The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain and swelling, nausea or vomiting, intestinal obstruction and unreasonable weight loss. As the disease progresses, you may have other medical symptoms such as pleural effusion (accumulation of excess fluid in your pleural cavity).

Is there any treatment or vaccine against mesothelioma?

So far, there is no preventive vaccine against mesothelioma. However, there are therapies your physician may consider to treat your mesothelioma to help you cope with the disease. Earlier you have the treatment, better chance you have to be recovered. If you suspect you or a family member was exposed to asbestos, it is vital that you see a health care provider for early diagnosis; do not wait for symptoms.

Conventionally, mesothelioma is treated by surgery, chemotherapy or/and radiotherapy. Because mesothelioma is a life-threatening illness, you should thoroughly discuss each option with your physician before deciding a treatment. Make sure you have information about risk factors of the surgery; potential side effects of the chemotherapy and radiotherapy. You can also ask question about the prognosis; although mesothelioma prognosis is often heart breaking.

In case the diagnosis reveals you have mesothelioma, can you be compensated?

Yes. It is illegal in the United States to use asbestos in any industry. “The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set a maximum exposure limit and include provisions for engineering controls and respirators, protective clothing, exposure monitoring, hygiene facilities and practices, warning signs, labeling, recordkeeping, and medical exams.” If due negligence, these requirement are not met in a company, and you become a victim of mesothelioma, you need to contact a lawyer for compensation.

Selecting a lawyer to represent your case should not be a negligible decision. You need an experienced mesothelioma attorney, one who has a record in helping asbestos cancer victims, who can help you get the financial compensation you disserve.

However, your health is worth more than silver and gold. The wise thing to do is avoid exposure or inhalation of asbestos.

Is there a center of support for mesothelioma victims?

Yes. In the United States, there are many groups and centers for mesothelioma Victims. In addition, there are qualified attorneys who can fight to help you receive the highest mesothelioma award. Do not deal with a so-called attorney who will refer you to another law firm; contact your attorney directly to discuss your case. To learn more, visit of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a kind of permanent cancer disease. Mesothelioma cancer occurs when tissues of our lungs or abdominal components get affected. In more cases asbestos exposure was identified as the reason for mesothelioma disease. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear immediately after it’s exposure, it takes time between twenty to thirty years. This enables the disease identification process a critical one.

Mesothelioma Cancer | Asbestos

Treatments for mesothelioma depends on the stage of the cancer, the specific part being affected, the total amount of space being affected, how long one have the problem, the look of the cancer cells under microscope and the age factor of the patient. These are the factors that are being considered before choosing the treatment option.

Treatments for mesothelioma include Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

Surgery: There are two types of surgeries available one is aggressive surgery and another one is called palliative procedures.

Aggressive surgery is done through a procedure named extra pleural pneumonectomy, by which the pleura, the lung, the diaphragm and the pericardium are removed. The aggressive surgery’s motive is to remove as much mesothelioma tumor as possible.

Palliative procedures will be done when the mesothelioma disease is at the matured stage. The motive of this procedure is to give relief to the patient from the symptoms.

Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy drugs are being used to treat mesothelioma cancer. The drugs may be in the form of pills or injections. To improve the results of chemotherapy some drugs may be used as mix in some proportion and this has given a good improvement in the treatment results.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses radiations to kill mesothelioma tumor. This procedure is complex to undergo as the tumors are surrounded by sensitive parts of our body. There are possibilities that the heart and lungs being damaged by the radiation. Lower dose radiation is one solution to slightly overcome from this critical issue.

Though mesothelioma is a permanent cancer disease and the survival rate is very low, timely identification and perfect treatment at the right time could able to help us survive some long time.

Treatment For Mesothelioma Cance

http://premesothelioma.com

If you are a victim of Mesothelioma cancer, how will you get into Mesothelioma treatment?

The best way is to find reliable Mesothelioma cancer information and learn first everything that is relevant to Mesothelioma.

Do you think that Mesothelioma treatments are effective in one or two applications only? It depends to the patient’s body on how we react to the Mesothelioma treatment.

The doctor is the first one who is being aware for applying Mesothelioma treatment. We already know the advantage and disadvantage in taking them.

And most of the time Mesothelioma treatments are being useless in some reason.

Mesothelioma treatments are broken down into two categories:

1.Traditional treatments

Traditional mesothelioma treatments are similar to other standard cancer treatment modalities.

Two or more traditional mesothelioma treatments are often used together to better combat cancerous cells.

Traditional mesothelioma treatments are often used in combination with one-another to best target cancer cells.

2.New treatments.

New mesothelioma treatments are in the process of ongoing research, development and testing.

New mesothelioma treatments are being evaluated in mesothelioma clinical trials in hopes of a mesothelioma cure.

While mesothelioma treatments are slowly inhibiting the victim from being able to enjoy the life they have left, big business is slowly killing the rights of mesothelioma symptoms victims all over the country.

Most of the Mesothelioma treatment options are too high in price that ordinary victims cannot afford to have such treatment.

Various Mesothelioma Treatments

* Bronchoscopy

* Biopsy

* CT scans

* Laparocoscopy

* Mediastinoscopy

* Thorocoscopy

* Peritoneoscopy

* Radiotherapy

* X-ray

* Fluid drainage

* MRI scan

Usually, some medicines and necessary materials are used to function well. With this kind of Mesothelioma treatment, a victim will recover faster.

Having a treatment is necessary because it gives life to the patient or victim in order to survive. Put hope mostly on the family and relative of the patient, and the most important role is to cure everyone with a disease like Mesothelioma cancer.

To be better familiarized with Mesothelioma cancer, join some group or programs relative and concerned with epidemic cancer for the purpose on how to prevent cancer by applying new health technology, healthy lifestyle, diet and nutrition counseling, and alternatives.

Mesothelioma treatments are constantly being developed through clinical trials and research. Mesothelioma treatments are advancing, but the disease still claims far too many lives each year.

Mesothelioma treatments are themselves very aggressive, and invasive, and in many cases not recommended. Treatments are very expensive and usually range -between four hundred thousand and eight hundred thousand dollars.

Although chemotherapy and surgery are the most common forms of treatment, participating in clinical trials can provide you with alternative mesothelioma treatment options. Increased awareness of mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases has led to an increase on medical research to cure and control asbestos-caused cancers and related asbestos heart and respiratory diseases. Mesothelioma treatment and treatment options for advanced malignant mesothelioma are not limited to surgery and chemotherapy.

Advanced malignant mesothelioma clinical studies with Cisplatin, now often used with chemotherapy, proved Cisplatin to be effective. Drugs produce a medical benefit by themselves, and they can produce a different benefit when combined with other drugs – a chemical reaction that produces a third result. Mesothelioma clinical trials with Gemcitabine proved Gemcitabine to be ineffective. Perhaps the most common clinical trials and mesothelioma treatment options for advanced malignant mesothelioma involve chemotherapy and drug combinations. However, mesothelioma clinical trials using Cisplatin and Gemcitabine together are proving to be even more promising. Finding the right drug combinations to slow tumor growth and contribute to improved pain management is one of the fastest paths to wide-spread availability of new mesothelioma treatment options.

Anti-angiogenic therapies focus on natural body substances that affect the mesothelioma cancer’s growth, including the use of drugs made of these substances to inhibit cancer growth factors. Advanced malignant mesothelioma patients have a higher vascular endothelial growth factor than patients with other cancers.Anti-angiogenic therapy are a biological therapy based on interfering with the blood vessels that the cancer needs to survive.

Immunotherapy is also classified as a biological therapy. It concentrates on building immunity to the cancer cells. Immunotherapy can involve vaccines, and in cases of mesothelioma, these are likely to be injected in the pleural region. IL-2 is made naturally by the body, and clinical trials have demonstrated its success at treating mesotheliomas in the early stages, mesothelioma stages one and two, but not effective in treating advanced malignant mesothelioma.

Photodynamic therapy has gained increase attention in many medical fields for various treatment options, including mesothelioma treatment. Photodynamic therapy uses light and heat to kill cancer cells. It has been successful in treating other cancers.

Gene therapy is also a biological therapy and explores using the body’s natural substances to treat mesothelioma stages. The medical premise is to replace the genes in cancer cells with healthy genes. Oncogenes contribute to the fast spreading of the cancer cells and tumor suppressor genes stop cells from spreading.

Mesothelioma treatment for advanced malignant mesothelioma is slowly finding new mesothelioma treatment options. It takes years to evaluate the clinical significance of a clinical trial and medical research to prove that a mesothelioma treatment option is a promising and viable alternative. Thorough medical research on mesothelioma treatment contributes to safe medical treatment options being widely-available to the public. Mesothelioma in any of its stages is dangerous, but with researchers working together, mesothelioma treatment options will be safer and mesothelioma research will someday find a cure.

Advanced malignant mesothelioma can be treated by following one or more of the options mentioned above as it is necessary.

Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment

A procedure known as heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy was developed by Paul Sugarbaker at the Washington Cancer Institute.The surgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible followed by the direct administration of a chemotherapy agent, heated to between 40 and 48°C, in the abdomen. The fluid is perfused for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained.

This technique permits the administration of high concentrations of selected drugs into the abdominal and pelvic surfaces. Heating the chemotherapy treatment increases the penetration of the drugs into tissues. Also, heating itself damages the malignant cells more than the normal cells.

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, renowned oncologic surgeon specializing in mesothelioma at the Washington Cancer Institute, developed a leading-edge surgical procedure to treat mesothelioma called heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. In this procedure, as much of the tumor as possible is first removed by the surgeon. Following the removal of the tumor, a chemotherapy agent heated to between 40°C and 48°C is administered into the abdomen. The fluid is perfused for anywhere between one and two hours and then it is drained.

High concentrations of selected drugs can be administered into the abdominal and pelvic surfaces using this technique. The other benefit associated with using this technique to treat peritoneal mesothelioma is that the heated chemotherapy treatment increases the level to which the drugs can penetrate the tissues and damages malignant cells more than normal ones.

Coliseum Technique for Hyperthermic Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Cytoreductive surgery was attempted to make each patient macroscopically disease-free. At the end of the procedure, four closed suction catheters (Zimmer Inc, Warsaw, IN) were placed through the abdominal wall, using stab incisions, to lie beneath each hemidiaphragm and two within the pelvis (Figure 2). A Tenckhoff catheter (Quinton Inc, Seattle, WA) was placed through the abdominal wall if early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) is planned. Otherwise, the Tenckhoff catheter was placed over the midline abdominal incision for use in HIIC. The Tenckhoff catheter functioned as an in-flow line. The closed suction catheters were used as drainage lines for intraoperative lavage and remained in place for postoperative abdominal drainage. Two temperature probes (Respiratory Support Products Inc. Irvine, CA) were then placed over the edge of the abdominal incision. One temperature probe was tied to the Tenckhoff catheter. The other temperature probe was tied to a closed suction drain at a distant location from the Tenckhoff. All transabdominal tubes were secured to the skin and to the peritoneum with purse string sutures to prevent fluid leakage. The Thompson retractor (Thompson Surgical Instruments, Traverse City, MI) was then repositioned as in Figure 2. The abdomen was left open with the skin edges suspended to the Thompson retractor with a number 2 running nylon suture. To prevent spillage of the chemotherapy and to control potential chemotherapy vapors, a plastic sheet was sutured to the wound edges. A slit incision was then made in the center of the plastic sheet to allow the surgeon access to all intraabdominal surfaces and to manually control the fluid distribution. After the hyperthermic perfusion was complete, bowel anastomoses and other reconstructive procedures were performed.

The hyperthermic perfusion with mitomycin C was carried out for ninety minutes using a HIIC custom tubing pack (Bard Cardiology, Haverhill, MA), two cardiopulmonary bypass pumps (Travenol Labs, Morton Grove, IL) and a Sarns heater/cooler unit (3M Cardiovascular Systems, Ann Arbor, MI). Three liters of 1.5% dextrose peritoneal dialysis solution containing the appropriate cytotoxic drug(s) were heated and infused at approximately 1 liter per minute into the abdominal cavity. The perfusate was heated to approximately 43oC. Temperatures were measured with a Labcraft digital thermometer (Curtin Matheson Scientific, Jessup, MD). The temperature at the In-Flow line was approximately 44oC. The Tenckhoff temperature probe was maintained between 42 and 43oC. The temperature probes and all temporary 3-0 chromic sutures were removed at the end of the hyperthermic perfusion.

Urine output was monitored by the anesthesiologist. At his or her discretion fluid challenge, furosemide, renal dose dopamine or mannitol were instituted to maintain a brisk diuresis. Urine output was measured every 15 minutes. It was maintained at greater than 400 cc per hour during the ninety minutes of the hyperthermic perfusion and for one hour thereafter.

In addition to intraoperative hyperthermic perfusion, patients with high grade tumor or incomplete cytoreduction received five days of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy. These five days of chemotherapy were given on postoperative days 1-5. Each dose was prepared in 1000 to 2000 cc of 1.5% dextrose peritoneal dialysis solution, depending on body size. Each dose was infused as quickly as possible, allowed to dwell for 23 hours then drained for one hour prior to the next infusion.

Levels of 5-FU were monitored in the peritoneal fluid and plasma of 9 patients on the first postoperative day. Three patients received cytoreductive surgery, HIIC and early postoperative 5-FU. Six patients received only cytoreduction and early postoperative 5-FU. Samples were obtained at regular intervals from 0 to 180 minutes post infusion.

Drug doses were as follows:

For pseudomyxoma peritonei and adenocarcinoma from appendiceal, colonic and rectal cancer:

Drug Day Route Dose Mitomycin C 0 IP 12.5 mg/m2 (max. 25 mg) for males or
10.0 mg/m2 (max 20 mg) for females in 3 liters. 5-Fluorouracil 1-5 IP 15 mg/m2 x 5 days

For gastric, pancreatic and ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and sarcoma:

Drug Day Route Dose Cisplatin 0 IP 50 mg/m2 (max. 100 mg) Doxorubicin 0 IP 50 mg/m2 (max. 100 mg) Mitomycin C 0 IP 7 mg/m2 (max. 14 mg)

Doxorubicin 1-5 IP 15 mg/m2 x 5 days

Standardized dose reductions occurred as follows:

33% dose reduction for age > 65 years
33% dose reduction for patients with compromised renal function.
50% dose reduction for prior exposure to heavy chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Other dose reductions as deemed necessary by the Principal Investigator.

For patients undergoing pharmacokinetic monitoring, samples of plasma, urine and perfusate were obtained at fifteen minute intervals during the hyperthermic perfusion and at the end of the procedure. These measurements were used for pharmacokinetic calculations and to help relate possible complications to systemic and intraperitoneal drug levels.

Patients were monitored for complications associated with intraperitoneal hyperthermia including: enteral complications (fistulas, anastomotic leaks), wound complications (pancreatitis, bile leaks, wound dehiscence), hematologic toxicities, prolonged ileus and line sepsis.

When you read a medical science article, you might see technical terminology that can baffle the brightest minds. But when you understand what those terms mean, you can see that your inner space is just as exciting and strange as science fiction’s outer space. The story of how the body’s immune system works is like reading a science fiction novel full of strange creatures, weapons and a plot to overthrow civilizations. This is one such story that tells of a breakthrough in treating mesothelioma cancer and provides hope for those afflicted with the disease.

On February 18, 2010, an academic paper was published in the relatively obscure American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care by a group of 9 scientists from the Netherlands. They reported a unique immunotherapy approach, called dendritic cell vaccination, for treating mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma cancer is a form of cancer that has been linked to asbestos exposure and can affect the lungs, abdomen and the heart. Immunotherapy is a therapy that beneficially manipulates the body’s immune system to fight disease. To understand the importance of this discovery and what a dendritic cell approach is, we must first understand how both a cancer occurs and how the immune system works.

Think of your body as a futuristic city, and your skin as a force field that protects the city. Then imagine that one day, an alien life force slips past the outer defenses and into the city and begins to inhabit the bodies of the citizens living in this city. This is how cancer works. The DNA inside a healthy cell is mutated as if an alien life force has inhabited the cells. Scientists only have a theory as to why mutations occur (somatic mutation theory) but it is not proven.

Once these normal cells have mutated, they become zombie like cancer cells and begin to replicate their DNA to create new cancerous cells. These zombies walk amongst the living throughout the city. But there is one very peculiar aspect to them. These cancer cells are not recognized by the body’s immune system as foreign invaders. The reason is that they have developed multiple anti-detection weapons that prevent the immune system from recognizing them.

To comprehend the nature of the cancerous anti-detection weapons, we have to first examine the weapons that the immune system possesses. Imagine that the immune system is an internal security force that patrols the body. The security force consists of different battle units.

At the front line are the scouts, called dendritic cells. When confronted by invading organisms, the dendritic cells collect molecular information called an antigen. Think of an antigen molecule as an organism’s scent and the dendritic cells as sniffer dogs. When the dendritic cell detects an invader it immediately retrieves the antigen and moves to the battle garrisons called the lymph nodes. This is where all the battle units reside.

Once at the lymph node the dendritic cell communicates its scouting report to the commander called a T helper cell. The T helper cell puts the base on battle alert and passes the antigen information on to the destroyer cells. Each destroyer cell now has a copy of the invader’s antigen to allow it to recognize and destroy the cancerous cells.

There are three main destroyer cells (white blood cells). There are the killer T cells (or cytotoxic T cell) which act as the infantry in the battalion. Once the killer T cells identify an invader (using the antigen they were given) they launch a chemical weapon (cytotoxin) that penetrates the invader and literally forces them to self destruct (apoptosis). Macrophages are the tanks in the army. They engulf and digest every invader in their path (phagocytosis). Then there are the combat engineers called B cells. When B cells are given their target antigen, they produce and launch millions of antigen seeking missiles called antibodies. The antibody is programmed to seek out any organism with the specific target antigen and attach itself to it. Once it is attached it destroys the organism by infection.

This seems like an impressive array of weapons that our bodies possess to destroy invaders but cancer cells have counter measure weapons to evade detection. One of these weapons is like a cloak of invisibility. Some cancer cells have the ability to alter their own DNA and in turn give themselves the ability to morph their outer appearance to resemble a healthy cell. It accomplishes this by submerging its own antigens from the surface of its cellular membrane when a dendritic cell is nearby and then resurfacing the antigen when the dendritic cell is gone (antigenic modulation).

And here is where the exciting development in cancer fighting begins. The Dutch scientists reached into this miniature battle ground and removed some of the cancer cells from the mesothelioma patients. They then extracted the antigens. It was a sort of kidnap and interrogate mission to find the cancer cell’s secret antigen. A massive scouting group of 50 million dendritic cells were then given that specific antigen and were injected back into the patient’s body. The scientists now hoped that the dendritic cells, armed with the correct scouting information on the invaders, would quickly travel to the lymph nodes to alert the battalion troops. If the destroyer cells could receive that specific antigen they could launch their forces and identify and destroy their targets.

The test results were very encouraging. They found an increase in antibodies and T cells, which meant that the dendritic cells had done their job in sounding the battle alert. The troops were on the move. Most importantly, they also found an increased level of cytotoxins (those chemical weapons used by the killer T cells) in the vicinity of the tumor. This was evidence that the fight had begun. Three out of ten patients in the study group showed signs of tumor regression.

When I think about the logic in this approach, it sounds so much more promising and ingenious than bombarding the entire body with chemotherapy and radiation which also kills healthy cells and produces long term side effects. It’s like dropping a bomb in your own city to try to kill the invaders. I think that cancer researchers are providing much hope for a cancer cure with this unique form of immunotherapy.