Battling Breast Cancer

When undergoing my research for this week’s blog, I was able to learn about the many different diseases that dendritic cell and/or T cell therapy have the possibility to fight or even treat. This even includes many different cancer therapies to replace the tradition chemotherapy treatment route. With my grandfather (or ‘Pop’ to my sisters and I) currently battling lung cancer after a lifelong career as a radiologist, this blog topic resonates with me. Especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic occurring.

Though rather than discuss lung cancer therapy therapy today, I chose to focus on another type of cancer that affects the lives of so many woman and even men across the world: breast cancer. Breast cancer occurs when an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells originate in the breasts. The first sign of breast cancer initially is the formation of a tumor within different parts of the breast that can be either felt or viewed on an x-ray. Common treatments for breast cancer include chemotherapy and/or the removing of the tumor. At times this can be whole breast(s) of women removed, which is not desirable. Therefore, therefore scientists have been working to use dendritic cells specifically to find a less invasive, more efficient and possibly safer way to battle the disease to give breast cancer patients a chance at a normal, healthier life.

Dendritic cells function in the immune system by presenting antigens on cells surfaces for T cells and killer cells to recognize to eradicate. And by using dendritic cells for breast cancer therapy, your T cells and other immune cells are prompted to recognize the cancer cells versus healthy cells your body. Essentially, each therapy is specific to each patients ‘self cells’ to enhance or boost their immune system by the work of itself. Due to the specificity and lack of harmful side effects that otherwise chemotherapy would cause, dendritic cell therapy has prompted a lot of new research.

In one research study, scientist created a cancer cell membrane coated with calcium carbonate nanoparticles to derive antigens associated with tumors. With these antigens they were able to test a low dose doxorubicin hydrochloride encapsulated in the calcium carbonate nanoparticles to cause cell death for a vaccine against breast cancer cells. Upon living subjects, they were able to successfully inhibit growth of a specific breast tumor and further spread among the body with an adequate low dose of the encapsulated doxorubicin hydrochloride injections. Which they suggest to even pair with other immunotherapy methods to treat breast cancer patients.

Another second study investigated the use of both dendritic cells and cytotoxic dendritic cell induced antigen-specific T lymphocytes. With this combination, these scientist hoped to eliminate primary cancer cells in the breast that cause tumors reoccurrence and spreading throughout the body. Breast cancer patients own blood was used to create the mix with use of tumor antigens derived also from patients. Different form the study previously discussed, this therapy was only done after immunotherapy was discontinued. The only downfall is that it takes 3-6 months after termination of immunotherapy to become a candidate for this treatment, along with a small surgery. Though the results showed improving immunity and reduced relapse of breast cancer.

Similar to other cancer therapies, there are side affects to treatments. Though these side affects are minimum to none for dendritic cell therapy. The biggest downfall of dendritic cell therapy lies within its cost. Given that it is not the main stream breast cancer treatment and is fairly new, along with being patient specific, the cost can be as high as $22,000 for a 5 day treatment. Or even $35,000 a month for a 5 month home care supply of dendritic cell injections. Once perfected, hopefully the cost will become more affordable for all breast cancer–or any cancer–patients to give them the lives they all deserve.