Tuesday
September 26, 2023
Dr. med. Martin Landenberger
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Strategy change in oncology – individual adaptation of
conventional and complementary therapy strategies based on
tumor gene expression and sensitivity of circulating tumor cells.
Strategy change in oncology – individual adaptation of conventional and complementary therapy strategies based on tumor gene expression and sensitivity of circulating tumor cells Both conventional and complementary therapies can remain unsuccessful if possible driver genes of the tumor cannot be consistently eliminated. Instead of “trial and error” strategies, the individual determination of the sensitivity of circulating tumor cells and the gene expression of current tumor tissue is determined in order to use the most suitable personalized therapy both conventional and the appropriate naturopathic therapy. The determination of tumor gene expression, sensitivity to natural products and implementation of the best selected complementary therapy to minimize immunotoxic side effects and increase chemosensitivity will be presented on the basis of selected case studies.
Sylvia Philpy NP, APN, MS
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Foundational Health Principles Applied in Integrative Oncology Case Management
Cancer is one of the more complicated, devastating diseases to manage. Since so many cellular pathways predispose to cancer development, using an integrative Foundational Health approach to manage cancer is powerful.
Foundational Health methodology uses systems analysis to assess clinical priorities related to patient response to their disease and to their treatments. Clinicians need tools to organize the complexities that are common in the decision-making process inherent in integrative cancer care. Given the complexity it is tempting to seek quick answers to clinical problems without the advantage of more extensive evidence and evaluation. Ignoring missing data is also common, and chasing individual data points rather than recognizing patterns and relationships between data systems can be overlooked.
Case studies presented show the application of Foundational Health based integrative oncology care. Patient care included collaboration with a variety of health practitioners. Data results from multiple sources were blended and analyzed. Data analysis was done using an algorithm-based tool designed for use with patients undergoing integrative care. Missing data was obtained and shared among practitioners. Treatment protocols were blended, and patients were included in the decisions.
Infrared thermal imaging was used as an entry point into integrative oncology care management. When used adjunctively with other imaging, it provided unique physiologic information that added to the significance of clinical information gathered in the diagnostic and treatment process. Thermographic findings showed physiological evidence of ongoing cancer risk, recurrent cancer risk, lymph node concerns, metastatic concerns, cancer stabilization, cardiopulmonary concerns post chemotherapy and radiation, as well as showing cancer treatment efficacy.
Case studies included patients with breast, kidney, colon, and bladder cancer. Clinical outcomes included cancer remission, successful cancer disease management with life extended beyond expectations, reduction in treatment morbidities, and enhanced quality of life for patients.
Integrative oncology Foundational Health care application created measurable results for the individual patients with cancer. Complex cancer care management was optimized. Collaborative clinical care was achieved between practitioners which provided added benefits to the patients.
Dr. med. Matthias Kraft
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Hyperthermia and tumor microenvironment – what is relevant?
Already the ancient Greeks, Hippocrates and Perimedes recognized the healing power of heat. Ancient Egyptian advanced civilizations (2400 BC) used this therapeutic approach of fever consciously and consistently and called it hyperthermia (gr. Hyperthermia = overheating). Hippocrates postulated “Fever is a healing striving of the organism against the disease, it purifies the body like fire” and “Those who cannot be cured by surgery can be cured by heat. Those who cannot be cured by heat are indeed incurable.”
Nowadays, new methods of tumor therapy have been added, which primarily do not have a cell destructive approach like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but modify signal transduction pathways or have immunotherapeutic effects. These include in particular the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Unfortunately, many tumors modify their microenvironment in such a way that the body’s own defenses can only attack the tumor to a very limited extent. Rather, the tumor creates a microenvironment for itself that is conducive to its growth. Hyperthermia (regional or whole body) is able to modulate the tumor microenvironment in such a way that the immune system is once again able to recognize and kill the tumor cells. Artificial “fever” from hyperthermia modulates the tumor immune microenvironment by providing danger signals with heat shock proteins (HSPs) as well as subsequent activation of immune systems. Encouraging results have been achieved in preclinical studies focused on potential synergetic effects by combining hyperthermia with ICIs. In the lecture, the pathophysiological relationships between hyperthermia treatment and tumor microenvironment will be explained.
