Fall is the beginning of cold and flu season, which is also the time our immune systems get a good work out. Fortunately, our natural immunity is amazing with its ability to identify and destroy invading infections. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could do the same with cancer? An innovative new cancer treatment may do just that.
As a matter of fact, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) had exactly the same idea. Researchers decided to test whether disguising cancer as a viral infection would cause the immune system to kick into gear, and the results were spectacular. By injecting small bits of peptides (viral proteins) into tumors in mice, the immune cells were stimulated, shrank the tumors, and even prevented them from growing back.
The viral peptides used were from CMV (cytomegalovirus), a standard virus which is recognized by most people’s immune systems and typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Once someone is infected with CMV, it stays with them for a lifetime. And, as John Schiller, Ph.D. of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research points out, “It’s one of the few immune responses that gets better as you get older.”
Immunotherapy like this also offers the possibility for long-term protection, and early research is revealing this to be the case with CMV peptide treatment. And even when mice were injected with new lung cancer cells after being cured, no new tumors evolved. Similar outcomes were achieved with different types of cancer as well.
In addition to showing to be highly effective in the study, additional benefits that may be achieved through CMV immunotherapy include:
- Synthetic virus peptides could be produced simply and in large volumes.
- It will be more economical much less time-consuming to produce than many other immunotherapy treatments.
- Cancer treatment doesn’t need to be customized for every person or form of cancer.
Dr. Schiller adds that this truly is a “simple, off-the-shelf product that you could even use in low-resource settings because it doesn’t require sophisticated molecular profiling of tumors.”
As we excitedly await the outcomes of upcoming clinical trials, Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, a leading provider of home care in Westmont and the surrounding areas, is here to help someone you know through cancer treatment and beyond with individualized homecare services, for example:
- Running errands, like picking up groceries and prescriptions.
- Providing transportation and accompaniment to health care appointments, treatments, and procedures.
- Assisting with household chores and laundry.
- Serving as a friendly companion to brighten every day.
- Preparing meals that work with any prescribed dietary plans while keeping in mind possible changes in smell, taste, and appetite.
Call us at (630) 323-4665 for a complimentary consultation and additional details on our services for home care in Westmont and the nearby communities. Knowing you have an experienced caregiving partner by your side can bring you peace of mind.