Your T-cells: the key to curing mesothelioma?

(Reprinted with permission from Mesothelioma Hope)

T-cell killing a cancer cell. (Image credit: University of New Mexico)

The most effective weapon against mesothelioma may be inside us—specifically, in our T-cells. Mesothelioma treatment often relies on chemotherapy and radiation, both of which produce unpleasant side effects, and some mesothelioma patients are too advanced in terms of the cancer or in terms of age to withstand an invasive surgery.

"Researchers have kept cancer at bay in three patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia by genetically engineering the patients’ own T-cells to recognize leukemia cell antigens, then kill the cancer cells,” Tia Ghose wrote in yesterday’s The Scientist. 

In two studies published in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine andScience Translational Medicine, the focus is on the T-cells’ stunning success against late-stage leukemia. Two of the patients in the study went into a complete remission, and the third had a partial response.

Remission: possible!

The treatment could potentially be developed to fight not just leukemia, but other cancers as well. Kerry Sheridan wrote for the AFP yesterday

While it remains unknown how long the treatment may keep cancer at bay, researchers were excited to see that "memory" T-cells remained months after the cancer disappeared, indicating the body is retaining some protection. 

The next step is to try the technique in two children and at least 13 adults with CD19-positive leukemia. 

They are also looking to determine whether the approach could target non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia, mesothelioma cancer cells, ovarian and pancreatic cancer cells.

By using the body’s own T-cells, mesothelioma treatment based off of the positive leukemia results could mean hope for meso patients who are not good candidates for surgery, or are looking for a treatment that does not cause the severe side effects anyone who has been through chemo or radiation knows all too well.

This is fantastic. Although study co-author David Porter, an oncologist at UPenn, said it is "still too early to say [the patients] have been cured," I'm celebrating anyway. 

And as one patient said in a statement to the press: "I'm healthy and still in remission. I know this may not be a permanent condition, but I decided to declare victory."

Don't forget your daily servings of fruits and vegetables!

A new study concludes antioxidants can fight mesothelioma. Antioxidants are present in fruits such as blueberries, apples, cranberries, strawberries, etc. They combat oxidative stress, which can cause tumor growth. This powerful nutrient (which can reduce aging) is rarely used because it may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.

Meditation and its benefits

It’s important to bear in mind that there’s no such thing as a cure for mesothelioma and that treatment options such as meditation are only palliative.

There are numerous benefits to meditating. Unlike actual medical treatments, it costs absolutely nothing (unless you decide to join a meditation class.) Meditation doesn’t require you to obtain permission from your medical professional and it can be done just about anywhere at any time

One of the great benefits of meditating is that it doesn’t cost anything, you don’t need permission from your medical professional and it can be done just about anywhere at any time for as long as you choose.

Meditation has physiological, psychological and even spiritual benefits.

Physically, meditation can:

• ·       Stimulate blood flow
• ·       Lead to a state of relaxation
• ·       Relieve muscle tension
• ·       Enhance the immune system
• ·       Lower the risk of developing other illnesses such as cardiovascular disease.

Psychologically, meditation can:

• ·       Help you build self confidence
• ·       Increase levels of serotonin (the chemical which controls mood and behavior)
• ·       Increase vitality and rejuvenation.
• ·       Help you quit bad habits such as smoking and drinking too much.

Spiritually, meditation can:

• ·       Help you gain peace of mind and happiness
• ·       Help you maintain a balance of body, mind and spirit
• ·       Helps you learn how to better cope with your mesothelioma

Choose Your Diet Carefully

As always, eating healthy is the best action to prevent harmful diseases. For diseases like mesothelioma, the most important preventative care you can practice is to avoid asbestos exposure. For other diseases, a balanced diet can be preventative.

Breakfast: Add fruit and a few seeds or nuts to your whole grain breakfast cereal.
Lunch: Eat a big salad filled with your favorite beans and peas or other combo of vegetables. Always order lettuce and tomato, as well as other vegetables, on your sandwiches. Order whole grain bread for your sandwiches. Have a side of vegetables like cut up carrots, sauerkraut, or a piece of fruit.

Snacks: Fresh fruit and vegetables. Grab an apple or banana on your way out the door. Raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, jicama, peppers, etc. are great with a low-fat dip such as hummus. Keep trail mix made with nuts, seeds and a little dried fruit on hand.

Dinner: Add fresh or frozen vegetables to your favorite pasta sauce or rice dish. Top a baked potato with broccoli and yogurt, sautéed vegetables, or with salsa. Replace creamy pasta sauces, with sautéed vegetables or tomato sauce made with healthy olive oil.
Dessert: Choose fruit instead of a richer dessert. Or a single square of dark chocolate

Meditation

Meditation is a method of relaxing the mind that is practiced worldwide. It can help mesothelioma patients develop a calm mind and be at peace with their health conditions. Cancer patients often experience depression or anxiety due to health conditions or chemotherapy side effects. Meditation help induce a sense of peacefulness to the mind of the cancer patients. Patients can also incorporate body movements, such as yoga or stretching, but they should consult with their doctors to ensure they are physically fit for it. Like most alternative treatments, meditation does not cure cancer.

Feng Shui

Ba gua map

Feng shui is a Chinese practice that uses the laws of both Heaven and Earth to improve life by receiving positive chi. Chi means energy and there is both positive and negative chi. In nature, most chi is positive. However, as humans build houses and buildings, the positive chi might be blocked out, and negative chi might be trapped in.To avoid trapping negative chi, buildings can be constructed in alignment with the environment's chi. For buildings that already exist, practitioners of Feng Shui can adjust interior decorations to change the flow of chi.

Many people believe that by adjusting the environment according to the beliefs of Feng Shui, a person suffering from a disease may show improvement from the flow of positive chi. Sometimes increasing the flow of positive energy is as easy as adding a few plants or rearranging the furniture. (In addition to increasing the flow of chi, plants also increase the flow of oxygen!)

While people who practice Feng Shui note that it can have a positive effect on a person's health or overall wellbeing, there is no scientific evidence proving Feng Shui can cure cancer such as mesothelioma. There is no harm in trying Feng Shui as a complementary therapy along with traditional treatments. Mesothelioma patients who practiced Feng Shui have said that they feel less stress and anxiety knowing that there is a positive flow of energy. 

Massage Your Pain Away

Massage had always been a way of relaxing and relieving pain. Mesothelioma patients frequently suffer pain as a result of their disease. Thus massage therapy might be a good palliative treatment option.

Massages manipulate body tissues and blood vessels and work to increase blood flow. Oxygen supply can improve and this, in turn, can ease pains, aches and soreness.

There are various massage options available, such as the traditional Swedish massage, Shiatsu, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, and Thai massage, among others.

Massages can be helpful in alleviating, at least temporarily, a patient’s anxiety, and stress. It induces peacefulness and balances the mind.

The patient should always consult their medical professional before starting any massage therapy.