The Centers'
approach is to first correct the immune deficiencies found in the
patient and only then apply other treatment modalities. Usually these
patients also require detox, a procedure to remove cellular breakdown
products in the blood. Many of our treatment protocols require a
functional immune system for optimal activity. Immune restoration is
accomplished through high dose ascorbic acid / B-complex vitamins,
selected minerals, proprietary use of certain biologicals (beta glucan,
BCG, transfer factor, natural agents) and conventional drugs. This
correction alone will often start an immune anti-tumor action.
Once immune
correction has been accomplished, the immune system can be stimulated
to intensify this activity. This can be done in a variety of ways
using selected cytokines such as Il-2, alpha interferon, tumor
necrosis factor, GM colony stimulating factor and others. The goal is
to elicit a tumor rejection reaction, similar to a tissue transplant
rejection. Older terminology classified this as a delayed
hypersensitivity reaction.
Procedures such as
anti-cancer vaccines can also be given at this time when deemed
appropriate. These immune stimulating procedures often work in concert
with vaccines, each augmenting the other. Several types of vaccines are
available, some are made from the patient’s own tissue or blood
components, whereas others are generic vaccines produced through use of
cancer tissue grown in tissue cultures, such as the Hasumi vaccine. The
variable or sometimes lack of activity seen with these vaccines in
general clinical settings is most likely the result of their usage in
patients that are immuno-suppressed and therefore unable to respond to
treatment. We only employ vaccines in immuno-competent or immuno-restored
patients.
Dendritic cell therapy
utilizes the patient’s blood as a source of cells, which are multiplied
by cell culture, antigenically stimulated and then re-infused into the
patient. This is another procedure that shows promise, yet for optimal
activity it requires a functioning immune system. These procedures have
characteristically been available outside the US. When appropriate, we
can refer patients to several such clinics.
A procedure which uses
the patient’s own lymphocytes (white cells) to produce a natural mixture
of cytokines is available at a Mexican clinic but not yet in the U.S.
These cytokines are considered more active than the recombinant
cytokines mentioned in 2. (above) and closely resemble natural cytokines
used in clinical trials, but they are not yet commercially available.
IPT. Conventional chemotherapy is
contraindicated with immune therapy because it reduces or blocks the
immune activity. However, low doses of a chemotherapeutic agent given
more frequently can often be used with immune therapy. The lower dose
has little or no effect on the immune system in the short term. In fact,
low doses of certain chemotherapeutic agents can actually block the
so-called inhibitory arm of the immune system (as production of
suppressor T-cells), which is a desired effect with some immune therapy.
In order for the chemotherapeutic agent to show good anti-cancer
activity it must be used in concert with other agents which in turn
boost the anti-cancer effect without increasing immune suppression. One
such agent is insulin, and it is used in the so-called Insulin
Potentiation Therapy (IPT). Recent literature suggests that
immune therapy (cytokines) also potentiates the activity of chemotherapy
agents.
To learn more about our therapeutic
treatment procedures, please click on the links below.
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