Brain Cancer & Focusing On The Immune System

By Robert Sutter


Outside of cancer studies, the immune system is needed for a number of different functions. For one, it is able to help the body when confronted with diseases as typical as the flu and it can be boosted through certain means. One can make the argument that it can be that much stronger with the ideal diet or the implementation of vitamin C. However, it seems like the immune system has been given much more focus lately and the idea to focus to has got to be brain cancer.

EurekAlert put up a report that talked about how a group at the University of Calgary's Hotckiss Brain Institute discovered a new substance that could play into brain cancer studies across the board. It was discovered that there are actually specialized cells in these particular growths that have been deactivated because of the presence of this condition. Could a particular drug be put to use in order to turn these cells back on again? It's possible, as organizations the likes of Voices against Brain Cancer can tell you.

It's apparent that his type of cancer is one of the most serious conditions that the body can be afflicted. Keep in mind that the treatment options which exist now are not exactly ones which can help everyone in the same way. This is part of why studies are gone constantly, as there are beliefs that cancer cells can be cleansed. Amongst the many areas of focus here has got to be glioblastoma, which is heavily regarded as the most aggressive form of cancer seen in the brain.

For those who do not know, the brains have certain cells that are named microglia, which work in order to help against cases of infection, for example. Think of these as almost like the brain's own immune system and you will have a general idea of just how strong it is. It's clear that these cells have been deactivated and efforts are needed in order to help them come back into activity. This is where a drug by the name of amphotericin B comes into play.

The drug saw positive results, according to the article, as the immune cells in the body have been reactivated. During the animal model utilized, brain tumor growth saw a significant decrease, which is a positive point to make note of. It also goes to show just how vital certain cells are and why it is important for them to be individualized and honed in on. In the right doses, ampB can be an effective drug in terms of activating microglia and bringing down tumor progression in the long term.




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