Natural Killer Cells Destroy Cancer Cells in Prostate Cancer Patients
Advances in immunotherapy, which focus on the expansion and the infusion of specific disease fighting white blood cells in patients, have taken science by surprise by being a highly effective treatment for viral and malignant diseases.
(I-Newswire) - September 21, 2005- Prostate cancer is the leading cancer causing death in males. Though chemotherapy and radiation are commonly used to treat this disease, advances in technology prove that the strongest tool to fight cancer is the bodies own immune system.
An exciting new branch of medicine, immunotherapy, harnesses the power of the human immune system to fight off disease. Ironically, extensive research by physicians and scientists over the last 30 years has proven to approach a powerful treatment for many diseases. Today, advances in immunotherapy, which focus on the expansion and the infusion of specific disease fighting white blood cells in patients, have taken science by surprise by being a highly effective treatment for viral and malignant diseases. Envita Natural Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona has developed an immunotherapy utilizing natural killer cells called 4NKT. On the bandwagon of researching natural killer cell therapies are many prestigious universities who, through published research have also brought attention to the importance of a particular type of specialized white blood cell, natural killer cell ( NK ) in patients with cancer. Natural killer cells, along with natural killer T cells ( NKT ), normally are found circulating the body in low amounts, but have the ability to recognize and destroy tumor cells and virally infected cells. These natural killer cells and natural killer T cells are a major first-line defense of our immune system and a tool utilized and researched in today’s advanced medicine.
Although natural killer cells may be one of the best tools prostate cancer patients have to fight cancer, several research studies show that natural killer cells in prostate cancer patients are depressed in function.1-5 Natural killer cells in these patients have trouble killing tumor cells in laboratory testing and their capacity decreases as disease progresses.1-4 In contrast, in prostate cancer patients who had experienced partial remissions or disease stabilization, natural killer cell activity was restored to normal function.6 A suppression of function is also seen in natural killer T cells in prostate cancer patients.7, 8 Natural killer T cells can function like natural killer cells, enabling them to also kill off tumor cells and regulate the function of other immune cells. Depressed natural killer T cell function impacts the whole immune system and not just those specific cells. Research indicates that natural killer T cells isolated from patients with advanced prostate cancer produce abnormally low levels of interferon-gamma, a key growth factor for natural killer cells and natural killer T cells.7 This low interferon-gamma production impairs the ability of natural killer cells and natural killer T cells to effectively coordinate immune responses against the cancer.7
While natural killer cells and natural killer T cells are suppressed in prostate cancer patients, research indicates that these and other cancer fighting cells can be isolated from these patients, expanded and activated outside the body.9-12 In laboratory studies, these expanded cells show potent antitumor activity against prostate cancer cells.9-12 Natural killer cells and T lymphocytes have demonstrated to attack prostate tumors in mice, resulting in either partial or complete regression of tumors in these animals.13, 14 The presence of activated natural killer cells and other tumor-fighting immune cells have found to be key factors in the response of cancer patients taking drugs such as thaliodomide and Gleevec.17, 18
Envita Natural Medical Center currently utilizes natural killer cells, natural killer T cells and T lymphocytes as supportive immunotherapy for cancer patients. Envita’s therapy, 4NKT, grows a patient’s own antitumor immune cells into the billions. These cells are analyzed for activation markers, tested for their ability to kill cancer cells in the laboratory, and then reinfused into the patient. Backed by scientific research and clinical results, 4NKT offers a powerful option for cancer patients who are looking to fight cancer while keeping their immune system intact.
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For more information contact Anna Garcia at ( 602 ) 569-4144 or at anna@behealthyamerica.com
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