treating cancer Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Artemisinin for Malaria, Viral Infections and Cancer Prevention

AHA Publisher — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 07:00:10 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – Artemisinin, a major active command in the Artemisia annua plant species, is one of the most commonly prescribed therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. It was first developed as a drug to treat malaria and has since become the standard treatment for the disease worldwide. Today, researchers are exploring its use as an alternative therapy for cancer treatments. Because it reacts with iron-rich cancer cells to produce free radicals, artemisinin works to attack specific cancer cells, while leaving normal cells unharmed. Although more research on the therapeutic is needed, the reports to date are promising. What Is Artemisinin? Artemisinin is a drug derived from Artemisia annua, an Asian plant also known as: sweet wormwood sweet Annie annual mugwort annual absinthe qing hao qinghaosu The plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for 2,000 years to threat fevers, headaches, bleeding and malaria. Today, it’s used to make therapeutic capsules, teas, pressed juice, extracts and powders. A. annua is grown in Asia, India, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in temperate regions of America, Australia, Africa and tropical regions. Artemisinin is the active constituent of A. annua, and it’s used as a drug to treat malaria and has been researched for its efficacy against other conditions, including osteoarthritis, Chagas disease and cancer. Cancer Research Research on artemisinin for cancer suggests that the constituent may work as an alternative therapy, but more clinical studies are still needed. What’s known so far is that artemisinin may help create cancer-killing free radicals in the body. It works similarly to fight cancer to how it fights malaria, by reacting with iron-rich cancer cells to produce free radicals that go on the attack. Some research even indicates that artemisinin is much more specific in targeting and killing certain cancer cells than other cancer treatments, which means that normal cells can survive with this method. Artemisinin derivatives, such as dimers, trimers and hybrids, are currently being researched and used as a potential therapeutic alternative to current chemotherapies to combat cancers such as leukemia. Recent studies show that its derivatives possess both in-vitro and in-vivo activities against various types of cancer. Its anti-cancer effects come from its ability to initiate apoptotic cell death, inhibit cancer proliferation, reduce metastatic growth and promote the formulation of new blood vessels. Research published in 2021 notes that artemisinin has shown therapeutic activity against leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma cells. Artemisinin drugs have also exhibited good tolerance and few side effects when used in combination with standard chemotherapies. The “synergism” of flavonoids and artemisinin in cancer treatment has also been reported. Flavonoids have been shown to enhance the anti-cancer effects of artemisinins by increasing their bioavailability and half life values. These benefits have been reported in several cancer cell models, including on pancreatic, breast, colon and prostate cancers. Other Benefits In addition to the plant extract’s potential benefits for cancer treatment, it’s been used for thousands of years for other health conditions, including the following: 1. Used to Treat Malaria Artemisinin has proven to exert antimalarial effects, which are due to its free radical scavenging properties. The herbal drug reacts with the high levels of iron in the parasite and produces free radicals, which destroys the cell walls of the malaria. It has even proven to be effective against highly drug-resistant strains of the disease. 2. Reduces Inflammation The use of artemisinin against inflammatory-driver respiratory disorders has been investigated, and reports show that they attenuate inflammation by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. There’s evidence highlighting artemisinin’s effects against inflammatory conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and osteoarthritis. 3. Has Antimicrobial and Antiviral Effects The secondary metabolites in Artemisia annua, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds, exhibit antimicrobial effects. There’s also recent research suggesting that A. annua extracts inhibit viral infections and can serve as a cost-effective therapeutic for fighting viruses. Although more research is needed, there are reports indicating that artemisinin may have the following benefits as well: Reduces cholesterol Controls seizures Fights obesity Fights diabetes Risks and Side Effects Research suggests that artemisinin is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects, including: nausea vomiting skin rash vertigo ringing in the ears digestive complaints tremors liver damage It should not be combined with certain medications. People with gastrointestinal disorders or ulcers should not take artemisinin or use products derived from A. annua. It should not be taken with anti-seizure medications, either. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use sweet wormwood unless doing so under the care of a health care provider. Supplements and Dosage Artemisinin supplements are available in many forms and can be used orally, intravenously or rectally. The sweet wormwood plant is also used to make teas, juices and extracts, which is used traditionally to treat malaria and reduce inflammation. The People’s Republic of China lists the daily dose of Artemisia annua for fever and malaria as 4.5 to nine grams of dried herb prepared as an infusion. This is the preparation that’s been used for clinical trials. For readymade supplements, doses vary depending on what it’s being used for. A specific dosage for optimal efficacy has not yet been established, but taking 400–800 milligrams daily is often recommended for reducing inflammation, fighting fever and malaria, and combating infections. This dose range has shown to be safe for six to 12 months, with no apparent artemisinin side effects. Conclusion Artemisia annua is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years for the treatment of fever, inflammation and infections. Artemisinin, one of the main constituents in the plant, is used in combination therapies for the treatment of malaria, and recent research indicates that it’s a useful tool for cancer treatment as well. Artemisinin supplements can be taken orally, intravenously and rectally in a clinical setting, under the care of a doctor. It’s known to be well-tolerated, but artemisinin side effects are possible and can include nausea, dizziness, skin rash, digestive issues and tremors. To read the original article click here.

The post Artemisinin for Malaria, Viral Infections and Cancer Prevention appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Novel Hyperthermic Treatment Offers Hope for Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 06:25:28 +0000

Brian Blum via Israel21c – It’s one of the most heart wrenching moments in medicine and in life. The doctor informs a patient that his or her stage 4 cancer has metastasized all over the body and nothing more can be done except to write a referral for hospice care. But what if there was a way to shrink those stage 4 tumors by half? It wouldn’t make the cancer go away, but would transform it from a likely death sentence to a “chronic illness” with treatments required every few months. That’s what Petah Tikva-based New Phase hopes to do by applying electromagnetic hyperthermia to treat inoperable tumors. Hyperthermia is when the body is heated up. It’s been known for some time that cancerous cells don’t like heat. They die when the temperature hits about 45 degrees Celsius (114 Fahrenheit). Non-cancerous cells on the other hand, can survive temperatures up to 55C/131F. That’s because tumor cells have a disorganized vascular structure which, unlike normal cells, has difficulty dissipating heat. New Phase injects specially created iron oxide nanoparticles by IV. The nanoparticles are embedded within a phase change material (which releases or absorbs energy to provide heat or cooling) and coated with polyethylene glycol (a compound derived from petroleum). They locate the tumors through a process known as EPR – “enhanced permeability and retention,” explains Ofer Shalev, who cofounded New Phase with Dr. Rafi Hof. “Tumor cells feed off of blood capillaries, where there is a lot of leakage,” Shalev tells ISRAEL21c. “We use this to ‘leak’ into the cancer cells. This is the permeability of EPR.” Selective destruction Four hours after receiving the nanoparticle injection, the patient lies on a bed inside an RF machine that uses an electromagnetic induction system to generate non-ionizing radiation. This radiation heats the nanoparticles to a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius by changing the polarity of their iron oxide core. Patients undergoing New Phase treatment wear a special blanket to cool themselves down. Stage 4 metastasized cancer is particularly insidious because many of the “micro-metastases” cannot be identified even microscopically. That makes it impossible to surgically remove these kinds of tumors. But New Phase’s nanoparticles can find them. And even if not all the tumors are destroyed, the treatment turns a stage 4 cancer into something more akin to stage 2 – for which many more treatment options are available. “Even reducing a cancerous mass by 30% to 50% is a huge achievement,” Shalev points out. If some nanoparticles find their way into healthy cells, those cells can survive. “This is how we selectively destroy only the cancer cells,” Shalev says. When there’s nothing else to offer Why not use New Phase’s technology for earlier stages of cancer? “We can,” Shalev says, “but we wanted to start with Stage 4 cancers, where there’s nothing else to offer. In Israel, 11,000 patients die every year from cancer. In the US, it’s more than 600,000 – and the number is increasing by 5,000 people a year. So even dealing with just that subset of patients is a lot of work.” Shalev and his partner previously worked together at ReDent-Nova, which develops dental devices and instruments to treat root canals. They named New Phase’s technology “Sarah” after Hof’s mother, who passed way from lung cancer. “We want patients to survive until [a ripe old] age and to die from reasons other than cancer,” Shalev says. New Phase has so far been tested with mice, pigs and rabbits and with “a few human patients” at a hospital in Nahariya in northern Israel. These Phase I clinical studies started with a fairly low dose. “With every cohort, we will add more and more doses,” Shalev says. Efficacy results are not in yet. “But we know from MRI scans that the nanoparticles reached their targets,” Shalev says. Systemic approach The nanoparticles are developed by New Phase in a “clean room” near Karmiel. The lab is run by three female Druze chemists from a nearby village. New Phase is not the only company that is using hyperthermia to kill cancer cells. “But we are the only ones using it for systemic treatment,” Shalev tells ISRAEL21c. “Others inject nanoparticles into a specific tumor to treat it locally. We don’t care where the micro-metastases are located. They will retain our nanoparticles and, later on, will be destroyed by the hyperthermia.” Another Israeli startup, AlphaTau, is using alpha radiation to kill tumors. This approach, too, is highly local, targeting specific tumors. New Phase’s nanoparticle treatment won’t be available until at least late 2024 or early 2025. That’s how long it takes to conduct all the clinical studies. But the good news is that the approval process will be faster than if it was a drug, because the US Food and Drug Administration has agreed to categorize New Phase’s treatment as a class 3 medical device. Multicultural team New Phase’s scientific advisory board includes Prof. Dan Peer, director of the Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine at Tel Aviv University; Dr. Glenwood Goss, chair of the Thoracic Oncology Site Committee and a professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa; and Dr. Arnold Cyjon, former deputy head of oncology at Shamir Medical Center in Israel. In late 2021, the company added Prof. Zeev Rotstein, the former head of Hadassah and Sheba Medical Centers in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, respectively. Rotstein is an active adviser and has good relationships with American hospitals, Shalev notes. Founded in 2013, New Phase has raised $25 million to date (much of it from the family office of serial entrepreneur Aharon Lukach) and employs a multidisciplinary team of 30 engineers, biologists and chemists. Shalev is proud that the company has a 50-50 mix of men and women. Starting off in the NextGen Technologies incubator in Nazareth has also meant the company employs both Jewish and Arab Israelis. New Phase’s technology will, in part, “catch up” patients suffering from solid tumor cancers with their blood cancer counterparts, where immunotherapy has already transformed many conditions, such as lymphoma, into “chronic cancers.” For more information about New Phase, click here To read the original article click here.

The post Novel Hyperthermic Treatment Offers Hope for Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Discover the Cancer-Fighting Benefits of Beet Juice

AHA Publisher — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 07:00:38 +0000

Abby Campbell via NaturalHealth365 – Did you know that the benefits of beet juice include fighting cancer? In fact, beetroots have been used as a treatment for cancer in Europe for centuries. The modern interest in using beetroot as a treatment for cancer started in the 1920s when two German doctors named Farberse and Schoenenberger used beetroot to treat cancer patients. In the early 1930s, a Hungarian professor carried out experiments to show that beetroots improved the health of cancer patients. So How Does Beet Juice Help Kill Cancer Cells? Beet juice helps to detoxify and protect our cells with much-needed (easily absorbed) nutrients and oxygen. Even athletes are beginning to understand the importance of nutrient-dense liquids by incorporating beet juice into their training routines for better physical performance. Some breakthrough studies have shown that the same characteristics in beets help athletes perform better – help cancer patients reverse their condition. The link between oxygen and cancer is well known, and beets can increase oxygen, within the blood, by 400 percent while helping to eliminate waste products. The Ferenczi’s Effect is named after the man who discovered a tumor-inhibiting effect of a flavonoid (betazyane) in beets – which proved that beets could increase oxygen intake within the cells while protecting the levels of vitamin C – another great anti-cancer nutrient. One of the antitumor effects of beetroot juice is explained by its high iron content, designed to regenerate red blood corpuscles that supply cancer cells with more oxygen. This higher oxygen content improves cellular respiration – which helps to kill cancer cells. Beets are considered one of the best cleansing foods. Their main accomplishment is to detoxify the kidneys, liver, and lymph system while promoting the regeneration of new (healthy) cells. Building Up Your Health With Beet Juice Beet juice improves the function of many systems in the body, and by doing this, the body can prevent and reverse many health conditions – including cancer. In addition, beet juice prevents and treats anemia; it improves lymphatic circulation, supports liver function, and helps get rid of fatigue issues. Beets are an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, folic acid, manganese, potassium, and betaine, giving beetroots their purple color. The main function of betaine is to reduce the concentrations of homocysteine in the body. A high homocysteine level is thought to cause atherosclerosis and osteoporosis while harming the blood vessels. Remember, when your homocysteine levels are too high – your risk for disease is higher due to increased cellular inflammation. In addition, high levels of homocysteine contribute to the rising rates of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and peripheral vascular disease. In contrast, high levels are often found in breast and colon cancer patients. Betaine helps the liver and kidneys recycle the amino acid methionine to maintain the body’s store of SAM-e, which is used in the body for cellular growth and repair. Both of these are necessary for keeping the cells dividing in a healthy manner. SAM-e is involved in the biosynthesis of several hormones and neurotransmitters that affect mood. Studies have shown that the elderly who suffer from osteoarthritis, depression, and liver disorders usually have low levels of SAM-e. Betaine also helps the liver process fat preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver. A fatty liver keeps the liver from functioning as it should. And, as we all know, the liver is our first line of defense against cancer, and it has to be functioning properly to prevent and help reverse any cancerous condition. If You Want to Eliminate the Threat of Cancer, Change Your Bio-Terrain With all the cutting-edge nutrients out there, science has proven (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that beet juice is a powerful promoter of optimal health. It has the ability to promote longevity at the cellular level. With its cardiovascular and immune protective benefits – beet juice delivers invaluable benefits for those that consume it. Don’t let Western medicine brainwash you into believing your only choice is surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. A world of science proves that a healthy mindset, nutrient-dense foods, and a strong immune system are the best ways to defeat cancer. Keep in mind; beetroot is such a powerful detoxifier that it is advised not to drink it straight but mix it with other juices to soften its effect. Beet, carrot, apple is a delicious way to get started. Naturally, it’s always smart to work with a trusted healthcare provider when dealing with cancer. If you want to learn more about the joys of juicing – I suggest you look up the work of Linda Kordich Loveday. Linda has been teaching people about the value of juicing for decades and is a true gift to the world. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov CancerFightingStrategies.com ScienceDaily.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

The post Discover the Cancer-Fighting Benefits of Beet Juice appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Protein in Prostate Cancer May Inhibit Tumor Growth

AHA Publisher — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:00:57 +0000

University of Georgia via EurekAlert – Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s also one of the trickiest cancers to diagnose and treat. But new research from the University of Georgia has identified a protein that appears to prevent the cancer from spreading to and colonizing the bone, providing a new target for future therapeutics. “Unfortunately, prostate cancer that has spread to the bone is very aggressive, often lethal and very difficult to treat,” said Brian Cummings, corresponding author of the study and head of the College of Pharmacy’s pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences department. “Even in cases of successful treatment, the patient’s quality of life is severely lessened due to bone loss.” Prostate cancer that hasn’t spread beyond nearby organs has nearly a 100% survival rate, meaning almost all of these patients will live at least another five or more years after their initial diagnosis and treatment. But for men whose cancer has spread to other organs or the bone, that five-year survival rate plummets to 30%, according to the American Cancer Society. In the U.S., about one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 34,000 men die each year from the disease. The new study, published by Scientific Reports, focused on cancer-associated fibroblasts, which are the most abundant type of cell in tumors and are responsible for cancer growth and spread. The researchers found that knocking out a specific protein, called glypican-1, could prevent tumor cells from spreading into nearby bone. The study supports a previous report from Cummings’ laboratory suggesting that this protein may prevent tumor growth. The researchers found that the protein doesn’t alter the cancer cells themselves. Instead it affects a group of neighboring cells called fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are cells that help make up connective tissues in people and animals. But fibroblasts can also be present in cancerous tumors, where they facilitate cancer growth and spread. To determine the glypican-1 protein’s role in helping cancer spread, the researchers combined human prostate cancer cells and human bone-derived cells to examine how the cancer cells transformed the fibroblast. Then they genetically modified the cancer cells and the fibroblast to knock out the protein. Without the protein, the prostate cancer cells had problems transforming the fibroblast. The study was the first to demonstrate such a role for glypican-1 and suggests that this protein may have the same effect on tumor growth in people. “Part of the significance of this study is that it demonstrates how cancer cells are able to change their environment in ways to facilitate their own growth,” Cummings said. “Prostate cancer cells alter their environment so that they can colonize bone. This study identifies a role for a protein that appears to inhibit the harmful changes that prostate cancer makes to the bone.” “This protein appears to stop the ability of cancer cells to change their environment, which decreases the cancer’s aggressiveness. The fact that this protein is found in the bone, where many aggressive prostate cancer cells reside, further increases the potential impact of this work.” To read the original article click here.

The post Protein in Prostate Cancer May Inhibit Tumor Growth appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Three Herbs That Stop the Growth of Cancer Cells

AHA Publisher — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:00:53 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – By the end of 2020, there will be 1.8 million new cancer cases expected and over 600,000 cancer deaths, in the United States alone. Yet, even conventionally-trained scientists (and doctors) admit that lifestyle changes can help us to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Simply put, there is a lot we can do to avoid cancer! To be clear: Of all the factors believed to contribute to the development of this deadly disease – among them smoking, excessive sun exposure, genetics, alcohol use and the overexposure to environmental toxins – diet is among the most significant. How to Stop the Growth of Cancer Cells Naturally Scientific research confirms that a diet laden with processed foods, sugar, additives and pesticides can set the stage for the development of cancer, while a daily menu rich in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables can provide life-prolonging benefits – including the detoxification of carcinogens and the reduced risk of oxidative stress. Although antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, broccoli and grapefruit seem to get the lion’s share of scientific credit for their disease-fighting effects, the vegetable drawer is not the only source of beneficial nutrients. For additional chemopreventive “superfoods,” you need look no further than your kitchen spice rack. Curcumin Reduces Inflammation and Can Target Cancer Cells Scientifically known as curcuma longa, bright yellow turmeric powder gets its healing properties from its content of a polyphenol known as curcumin. Over 3,000 scientific studies have been conducted to date on curcumin – which has potent antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Curcumin is also a powerful antiproliferative agent that has been shown in laboratory studies to keep cancer cells from spreading. In a study of patients with advanced colorectal cancer, a daily dose of 3.6 grams of curcumin caused a dramatic 62 percent decrease in pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 production. In another influential clinical trial, curcumin inhibited the activation of inflammatory COX-2 in multiple myeloma patients. In yet another clinical study, 8,000 milligrams of curcumin taken for 3 months caused significant improvement of precancerous lesions in patients with uterine cervical neoplasm. What Does Science Say About Curcumin? In a review published in 2008 in Cancer Letters, the authors noted that curcumin interferes with multiple cell signaling pathways, and is active against gastrointestinal, breast, lung and ovarian cancers, along with squamous cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. The authors of a 2011 review published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics noted that curcumin, by interfering with growth factor receptors and cell adhesion molecules responsible for tumor growth and metastasis, works at the molecular level to slow the production of tumors. By suppressing a host of inflammatory substances, including transcription factor NF-kappa B cells – which are gene-altering inflammatory markers linked with the development of cancer – COX-2, cyclin D1 and interleukin, curcumin also attacked the inflammatory process that spurs cancer proliferation. The authors pointed out that curcumin is non-toxic and features minimal side effects; they advised that it be utilized as an adjunct cancer therapy. Garlic Causes “Programmed Suicide” in Cancer Cells Garlic, or allium sativum, has long been credited with antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic effects. Now, it turns out that this hearty root vegetable is also a staunch cancer fighter. Researchers found that a garlic phytochemical known as diallydisulfide can cause apoptosis – programmed cell death – in human colon cancer cells. Like curcumin, garlic also inhibits inflammatory COX-2 and NF-kappa B. In addition, diallydisulfide reduces risk of inflammation and cancer by scavenging harmful free radicals and increasing levels of glutathione – a powerful antioxidant produced by the body. Finally, diallydisulfide pumps up the action of a pair of enzymes – glutathione S-transferase and catalase – responsible for preventing chromosomal damage. Other beneficial nutrients in garlic include the essential mineral selenium, a powerful antioxidant, and assorted cancer-fighting and antioxidant carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) cites several studies which demonstrated that people who regularly consumed raw or cooked garlic had a 30 percent reduction in their risk of colorectal cancer – a very significant decrease. To get the maximum chemopreventive benefits, select whole bulbs of fresh, organic garlic. Avoid garlic paste and powder, UMMC advises 2 to 4 grams a day of fresh, minced garlic. Can Fennel Rival the Effects of Pharmaceutical Cancer Therapies? Fennel, scientifically known as foeniculum vulgare, is closely related to parsley and dill, and features a pale, greenish bulb with frilly, feathery leaves. The piquant flavor of this refreshing herb is strongly reminiscent of licorice. Fennel is packed with antioxidant flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin. However, its primary active constituent is its volatile oil, which contains the phytochemical anethole. Like garlic and turmeric, fennel prevents the activation of NF-kappa B cells. Fennel’s plentiful content of fiber, which helps to filter out carcinogenic toxins from the digestive tract, helps to protect its aficionados against colon cancer. In a study of mice with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, anethole had strong antitumor activity. It increased survival time, decreased tumors and directly killed cancer cells – causing improvements on a level with the pharmaceutical cancer drug cyclophosphamide. Other cell studies showed anethole acts against human breast cancer cells, and is potentially effective against lung cancer. For maximum health benefits, opt for fresh, organic fennel. The flavorful leaves may be used as salad greens. Of course, you shouldn’t try to treat cancer with turmeric, garlic or fennel unless you are being supervised by an experienced medical doctor. Especially when dealing with a serious health condition, always work with a qualified healthcare provider to design the best plan of action for your particular needs. Having said that, when it comes to detoxifying the body, reducing damage from free radicals, and warding off cancer, this trio of herbs really can “spice up your life” – in a good way. Sources for this article: Cancer.org, NIH.gov, NIH.gov, Nutrition-and-you.com, NIH.gov, NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

The post Three Herbs That Stop the Growth of Cancer Cells appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.