Natural Killer Cells Destroy Cancer Cells in Breast Cancer Patients

(2005-09-17) Envita/ Anna Garcia

Breast cancer patients can rest assured that science and technology are finding their way to improving our options in cancer care using the body’s immune system through the field of immunology.

September 17, 2005- According to the American Cancer Society, this year 212,930 new cases of breast cancer are expected to surface and 40,870 breast cancer patients are expected to die of the disease. With the rapid increase in cases and deaths in breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation alone prove to be insufficient for many patients. Fortunately, breast cancer patients can rest assured that science and technology are finding their way to improving our options in cancer care using the body’s immune system through the field of immunology.

The field of immunology is over 30 years old, and throughout the last 10 years it has rapidly developed. Immunotherapy, the use of the stimulated immune system to fight off disease, has branched into different subsets such as immune system growth factors, monoclonal antibodies, cellular therapies, or combinations of two or more of these strategies. Meaning, recent advances in adoptive immunotherapy, which focuses on the expansion of disease-fighting white blood cells and infusions of these cells into patients have led to breakthrough discoveries that will profoundly impact the treatment of cancer over the next decade.

Scientists and physicians know that there are three types of white blood cells that can be activated by the immune system to kill cancer cells. They include, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), natural killer cells (NKs) and natural killer T cells (NKTs). Today, these cells, which normally circulate the body in low amounts, are actually the major first-line of defense of our immune system. Over the past 20 years, scientific studies have repeatedly shown that breast cancer patients have significantly lower levels of natural killer cells than healthy individuals.1-3
In addition, natural killer cell and natural killer T cell function is decreased in breast cancer patients, meaning their immune system is severely impaired.2-5 Research also indicates that the progression of disease in breast cancer patients is associated with the decreasing natural killer cell activity, and people with a high family history of breast cancer had lower natural killer cell activity than people with a lower family history of breast cancer.4, 6 This research strongly suggests that defects in natural killer cell activity may contribute to the onset of breast cancer.6
Despite the impairments in natural killer cells and natural killer T cell numbers and their functions seen in cancer patients, these cells have been successfully expanded from patients, using advanced laboratory techniques, for the purposes of immunotherapy.3, 5 Envita Natural Medical Center, a clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona focusing on natural, non-toxic, researched-based medicine currently utilizes natural killer cells and CTLs as supportive immunotherapy for cancer patients. Envita’s therapy, 4NKT, grows a patient’s own antitumor immune cells into the billions. These cells are then analyzed for activation markers and tested for their ability to kill cancer cells in the laboratory, then reinfused into the patient.

Also researching natural killer therapies are Stanford University, the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University who, in published research has recognized the significant role natural killer cells play by recently illustrating the importance of natural killer cells and natural killer T cells in patients with cancer. Natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes have also been utilized in breast cancer patients with clinical successes noted.7, 8 In patients with metastatic breast cancer (cancer that spreads), natural killer cell infusion was positively tolerated and resulted in complete responses in 20% of patients.7 Objective tumor regressions were observed in 6 out of 16 patients infused with activated T lymphocytes.8 In animal models of breast cancer, the anti-tumor effects of agents such as interleukin-2 and interleukin-12 have been determined to be dependent on natural killer cells.9,10 Additionally, the presence of activated natural killer cells and other tumor-fighting immune cells have been found to be key factors in the response of cancer patients to drugs such as thaliodomide, Gleevec, and paclitaxel.11-13

Natural killer cell therapy is the future of destroying cancer cells in breast cancer patients. Backed by scientific research and clinical results, Envita’s 4NKT therapy, which utilizes natural killer cells and natural killer T cells, offers a powerful option for cancer patients who are looking to fight cancer while having a better quality of life.

###
For more information on Envita Natural Medical Center or 4NKT contact Anna Garcia at
(602) 569-4144 or at anna@behealthyamerica.com

For a complete list of references log on to www.behealthyamerica.com