(Dog owners – see survey form at end of article if this interests you)

Cancer cells can shield themselves from the immune system by secreting what are called decoy proteins or receptors. These proteins circulate in a patient’s bloodstream and block the capacity of the immune system to operate against the cancer. As such, even if existing immunotherapy drugs are administered, they cannot work at full capacity and their effectiveness is limited.

“The only way to neutralize these proteins is to get rid of them or filter them out of the blood stream, which would eliminate their effect and then the immune system can exude its anti-cancer effect and can be harnessed with existing drugs,” explained Prof. Gal Markel, director of the Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-Oncology at Sheba Medical Center.

“Immunicom’s novel methodology represents a sea change from traditional standards-of-care and offers the potential for achieving much better clinical outcomes with fewer treatment side effects,” Markel said.

Immunicom of San Diego developed the technology to filter out these proteins, recently receiving a “Breakthrough” designation from the FDA for its system.

The company’s LW-02 plasma filtration system is a disposable device that is coated with a highly selective compound that binds only to these decoy receptors. When plasma is run through the device, it comes out without these decoy receptors. The immunophoresis process can be equated to dialysis, which is used to draw a patient’s blood outside the body, filter out the toxins, and then return the blood back to the patient in a closed circle.

He noted that the existence of these proteins has been known since the 1990s, but until now, no one has managed to get rid of them.

Immunicom’s Therapy Concluded Two Dog Studies (Melanoma)

Immunicom has had two dog studies to date. The first (below) in California, reportedly eliminated melanoma tumors in dogs within six week. The nonpharmaceutical therapy was found to be safe and effective. The second study was done at UPenn Veterinary, led by Dr. JD Foster, and the study found Immunopheresis to be a safe and effective therapy.

In the video below, the study’s lead veterinarian reviews the results.

The footage below is unedited and was provided for the purpose of showing what the therapy looks like. The video begins at the beginning of the study and records the veterinarian inspecting the dogs at the end of the study. The tumor elimination is visually evident, and a lab tech can be heard saying, “this is supposed to be impossible!”.

More information on Immunicom’s therapy:

Dog Owners – Please Take Survey!

We’re surveying dog owners about their thoughts and interest level in Immunicom’s treatment.

Publications

• Unleashing endogenous TNF-alpha as a cancer immunotherapeutic
• Filtering out cancer’s invisibility cloak
• NCI/NIH Award $2 Million to Immunicom to Initiate Clinical Trial Evaluating Breakthrough Immunopheresis® LW-02 Molecular Subtractive Therapy in Refractory ER+/Her2- Breast Cancer
• Immunicom Continues Successful Immunopheresis® Clinical Trial in Advanced, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment with Acibadem University

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Neosporosis, caused by the intracellular parasite Neospora caninum, presents a significant challenge in veterinary medicine, leading to serious and life-threatening neurological issues in dogs, and costing the industrial cattle industry billions each year. N. caninum does not infect humans, making it a potentially safe therapeutic agent.

The study, “Neospora caninum: a new class of biopharmaceuticals in the therapeutic arsenal against cancer“, published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in 2020, brought to light the game-changing potential of N. caninum in cancer therapy.

The study reported N. caninum effectively destroyed cancer cells and stimulated the immune system to fight tumors. In experiments using a mouse model of thymoma (a type of cancer that affects the thymus gland), researchers observed that injections of live N. caninum tachyzoites, either directly into the tumor or at a distant site, led to significant tumor regression and, in many cases, complete eradication.

Unleashing the Power of the Immune System

The study’s findings point to several key mechanisms by which N. caninum exerts its anti-cancer effects:

• Direct Cytotoxic Activity: The researchers observed that N. caninum tachyzoites can directly infect and kill cancer cells.
• Immune System Activation: N. caninum effectively stimulates the immune system, prompting the recruitment of immune cells to the tumor site, effectively transforming what would normally be “cold” tumors (tumors that are not infiltrated by immune cells) into “hot” tumors (tumors that are heavily infiltrated by immune cells).
• Reprogramming the Tumor Microenvironment: N. caninum alters the tumor’s microenvironment, reducing the presence of immunosuppressive factors that can hinder the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

The study also highlights the critical role of natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+ T cells, and macrophages in the N. caninum-mediated anti-tumor response. Depleting these immune cell populations through specific antibodies completely abolished N. caninum‘s antitumor activity, underscoring their importance in the process.

Advantages Over Existing Therapies

The researchers contrasted N. caninum‘s potential as a cancer therapeutic with the limitations of currently available agents, such as viruses and bacteria, which are sometimes associated with toxicity and safety concerns.

The study authors emphasized these advantages of N. caninum:

• Safety: Unlike viruses and bacteria that can persist in the body and potentially cause harm, N. caninum is naturally cleared from the system after initiating an immune response, making it a safer alternative.
• Targeting Efficiency: N. caninum exhibits a remarkable ability to penetrate tumors and cancer cells. This is attributed to its unique apical complex, a specialized structure that allows it to effectively invade a wide range of cell types.
• Genetic Engineering Potential: N. caninum has a large genome capacity, meaning it can be genetically engineered to carry therapeutic payloads. This opens up possibilities for creating “armed” strains that can deliver additional anti-cancer agents directly to tumor cells.

Promising Results with Human Tumor Model

To further explore the potential of N. caninum for treating human cancers, researchers conducted experiments using a mouse model of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. The results were highly encouraging, demonstrating that treatment with N. caninum led to a significant regression of MCC tumors.

Engineering an Enhanced Strain: NC1-IL15hRec

Recognizing the need for even more potent anti-tumor responses, particularly in advanced or refractory cancers, the researchers engineered a strain of N. caninum called NC1-IL15hRec. This strain secretes a human form of interleukin-15 (IL-15), a cytokine that plays a crucial role in stimulating the immune system, particularly NK cells and CD8+ T cells.

Experiments showed that NC1-IL15hRec induced a robust increase in the proliferation and activity of human immune cells. When tested in the mouse model of thymoma, NC1-IL15hRec exhibited superior anti-tumor efficacy compared to the unmodified strain, demonstrating the potential of enhancing N. caninum‘s therapeutic properties through genetic engineering.

A New Frontier in Cancer Immunotherapy

This study represents a significant step forward in the development of novel cancer treatments that harness the power of the immune system. The findings suggest that N. caninum holds immense promise as a new weapon in the fight against cancer. Further research is ongoing to fully unlock its therapeutic potential and bring this innovative approach to the clinic.

Cancer is a complex disease, and researchers are constantly searching for new and improved methods for prevention and treatment. Antioxidants have gained interest for their potential role in combating cancer, and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one such antioxidant that has been generating curiosity.

This blog post reviews a study “The role of coenzyme Q10 as a preventive and therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancers” (Feb 2024) that investigated CoQ10 and its potential application in cancer prevention and treatment.

What is CoQ10?

CoQ10 is a naturally occurring substance present in almost every cell in the body. It functions in two important ways:

Energy Production: CoQ10 plays a vital role in the mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouse, by aiding in energy production.
Antioxidant Activity: CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals are unstable molecules that can contribute to various diseases, including cancer.
CoQ10 and Cancer Prevention

The study suggests that CoQ10 might have preventive properties against cancer. Here’s a glimpse into what the research found for various cancers:

Breast Cancer: While some studies show a positive association between higher CoQ10 levels and a lower risk of breast cancer, others found conflicting results. More research is needed to clarify this connection.
Lung Cancer: Studies suggest a possible link between lower CoQ10 levels and a higher risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers.
Other Cancers: The review mentions potential benefits for colorectal, cervical, prostate, and other cancers, but more research is required to confirm these findings.
CoQ10 and Cancer Treatment

The study explores how CoQ10 might play a role in cancer treatment alongside conventional therapies:

Potential Mechanisms: The review suggests various mechanisms by which CoQ10 might exert anti-cancer effects, including reducing inflammation, inhibiting cell proliferation, and promoting cell death in cancer cells.
Limited Clinical Trial Data: While some studies have shown promise, there’s a lack of robust clinical trial data to definitively prove CoQ10’s efficacy in cancer treatment.
Potential Benefits with Chemotherapy: CoQ10’s antioxidant properties might help mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy drugs, which can damage healthy cells.
CoQ10: Safety and Future Directions

Generally Safe: CoQ10 is considered safe for most people when taken at recommended doses.
Future Research: The authors emphasize the need for more clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of CoQ10 for cancer prevention and treatment. They also call for research into the ideal dosage, duration of use, and potential interactions with other medications.
Important Points to Remember

CoQ10 shows promise as a complementary therapy in cancer prevention and treatment, but more research is needed.
It cannot be a replacement for conventional cancer therapies.
If you’re considering CoQ10 supplementation, discuss it with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you and won’t interfere with your current medications.
Conclusion

CoQ10’s potential role in cancer is an exciting area of ongoing research. While the current evidence is encouraging, more studies are needed to solidify its applications. If you have any questions about CoQ10 or its potential benefits for you, consult your doctor for personalized advice.