What are CAR T Cell Therapies and How Do They Help People with Blood Cancers?

There are 1.5 million Americans living with, or in remission from, a form of blood cancer. Many of these cancers fall into the category of B-cell mediated lymphomas, a type of the disease that starts in B-cells (a type of white blood cell) and often develops in adults older than 60, though can also be diagnosed earlier in life.

B-cell lymphomas can include both fast-growing (aggressive) and slow-growing (indolent) forms, and for those who relapse after initial treatment, or do not respond to initial therapies (refractory), prognosis is poor and there is a profound need for additional effective treatment options.

This September, during Blood Cancer Awareness month, we are thrilled to offer the opportunity to hear from expert Dr. Matthew Lunning, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Astrid Q., who was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of 28, and after initially undergoing chemotherapy, experienced a return of her cancer and was then treated with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in a clinical trial. Together they can discuss the reality that people face when dealing with relapsed or refractory (R/R) lymphoma and why CAR T cell therapy was the best option for her.

Most importantly, they can provide a deep dive into CAR T cell therapy, an innovative, personalized treatment for certain blood cancers that uses a person’s own immune cells to fight the disease. CAR T cell therapy has been shown to produce results in people living with certain B-cell lymphomas – when other treatments have failed.

Matthew Lunning D.O., FACP, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Lunning also is Associate Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Director of the Clinical Research Center (CRC), and Medical Director of Cellular Therapies.  He has served on several National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s guidelines committees including the Immunotherapy Toxicity & T-cell lymphoma panels. Dr. Lunning has been active in clinic research, research mentoring, education, and patient care.

About Astrid Q.:

Astrid Q. was diagnosed with lymphoma when she was 28 years old, while in college studying to become a physician’s assistant (PA). Despite initial rounds of chemotherapy, her cancer returned so she enrolled in a clinical trial to receive a CAR T cell therapy. At the time of her clinical trial participation Astrid was studying for the PA exam while receiving and recovering from CAR T cell therapy treatment. Since her one-time* treatment with CAR T, her yearly scans have been clear. Astrid enjoys meditation, spending time with her husband and baby boy, and her job as a PA.

* Treatment process can take approximately 2-3 months and includes leukapheresis, manufacturing, administration, and adverse event monitoring

This interview is sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb.

#cancer #bloodcancermedicine #excitingadvances #hope #empowerment #patients

The post Exciting Advances in Blood Cancer Medicine Offer Hope and Empowerment to Patients appeared first on Good News!.

Why it’s so critical for the healthcare industry to dedicate energy to SCLC

Advice for those who are beginning their journey with SCLC

Support services that can improve psychosocial health and well-being

Montessa and Abizer will also share details about a new online program called Nothing Small About It, the first-ever digital hub dedicated solely to SCLC patients and their caregivers that aims to provide empathy, education and inspiration through a collection of intimate testimonials from people living with the disease and those who help provide support to them.

It was developed to meet people exactly where they’re at in their individual care journeys, and it is focused exclusively on the psychosocial and educational needs of all people living with this rare form of cancer.

Interview is courtesy: Jazz Pharmaceuticals

1 National Organization for Rare Diseases. Small cell lung cancer. https://rarediseases.org/rarediseases/small-cell-lung-cancer/. Updated 2019. Accessed March 11, 2021.
2 Figg WD, Smith EK, Price DK, et al. Disclosing a diagnosis of cancer: Where and how does it occur? J. Clin. Oncol. 2010 Aug 1;28(22):3630-3635

#lung #cancer #montessa #sclc #abizer #gaslightwala #small #cell #medical #stigma #fear #hopelessness #healthcare #physicians #nurses #scientists #researchers #disease #jazz #pharmaceuticals

The post November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month WORST FEARS SURROUNDING SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER appeared first on Good News!.

New Survey Shows AdultsAges 50-59 See Value

But Lack Awareness of vaccines

Nearly three quarters(73%) of adults ages 50-59 say it is absolutely essential, extremely important or very important for adults their age to get vaccinated, however, more than one-third of older adults have never heard of or are unfamiliar with the vaccines recommended for their age group. In fact, 36% of adults ages 50-59 think that only high-risk people (e.g., managing chronic conditions, immuno-compromised, etc.) need adult vaccines, when in fact, many vaccines are recommended for most older adults. www.broughtbyvaccines.com/

Now, more than ever before, it is important to fully utilize the vaccines we have to help prevent the spread of disease.

A new data cut of a national survey of 3,000 US adults ages 50-79 and 300 US primary care physicians, found:

Less than half of adults in the US receive most vaccines recommended for them, in part because awareness is low.
More than three-quarters of older adults (76%) describe their current overall health as excellent or good, with a majority (67%) reporting typically seeing a healthcare provider (HCP) at least once a year, but despite this, they still are lacking on vaccine knowledge and vaccination habits.

Most physicians (80%) say getting recommended vaccines is one of the most important things older adults can do to stay healthy. Further, nearly all (96%) agree that talking with patients about the value of vaccines should be a priority for all healthcare providers.
A recommendation from an HCP is the most important factor in motivating older adults (48%) to get their vaccines.

Adults ages 50 and older may need a number of vaccines, based on their age, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, prior vaccinations, and other considerations, including flu, shingles, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis, pertussis, and tetanus. For all adults, even those who are more health-conscious, more information and discussions with an HCP could play a critical role in improving vaccination and health outcomes.

Vaccines help protect the moments that matter in our lives and are important to help stop the spreadof disease.

Dr. Len Friedland, Vice President, and Director, Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines at GSK to learn more about the survey results and resources where your audience can learn more about recommended adult vaccines. He will be joined alternately by shingles patient advocate, Alice, who didn’t think shingles she was at risk for shingles until she contracted it at age 57.

Data on file.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccination Coverage Among Adults in the United States, National HealthInterview Survey, 2016. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/pubs-resources/NHIS-2016.html

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Do you forget things easily?

Do you get derailed from a task easily or distracted by sounds and noises?

What about your IQ?

When my now 24-year-old son was just 9, a doctor thought he had ADHD, and I came this close to putting him on a stimulant. Even though I declined the medicine, I used natural fish oils high in DHA. He turned out to be naturally brilliant without any of those prescribed stimulants.

I’m not trying to alarm you about medications, but you should be informed so you can choose the best option for your loved ones. DHA fish oils are known to support a healthy brain and attention span in all people, young and old.

Studies have involved children and teenagers who had low levels of DHA and they, not surprisingly, had poor reading scores as well as behavioral problems. Could these children benefit from omega 3 supplementation? Low DHA in children aged 7 through 9 were associated with reading and comprehension that was below average, as well as behavioral issues. Why aren’t physicians considering DHA supplementation as a first-line treatment? Probably because the pharmaceutical sales people aren’t hyping those up.

Some studies point to DHA supplementation as a method of increasing overall intelligence as you get older. Can you imagine?! They based this finding on kids between the ages of 3 and 5 years old who had received omega 3 fat supplements as infants. Those kids outscored children who were in the placebo group who did not get the omega fats. By “outscored” I mean they had better results across the board on bot vocabulary and intelligence tests.

Omega-3 fatty acids seem to boost and balance your brain function. Basically, I’m saying we’re all fatheads and need good fats for our brain which consists of lipophilic cells.

About 60 percent or slightly more brain material is comprised of fat. Of the total fat, DHA makes up approximately 20 percent of your brain’s cerebral cortex. That’s the part of your brain that helps you think, learn a language, correctly perceive things, reason and comprehend. It is involved in voluntary movement so when you think I need to pick up that pen, your arm automatically does that for you, compliments of your cerebral cortex.

DHA plays an undeniable role for your cerebral cortex and your nerves. It’s found in unusually high levels in your neurons (the cells of your brain and spinal cord). That’s why patients with a TBI (traumatic brain injury) are told to take omega 3 fatty acids that are high in DHA content.

When you combine DHA fish oil with vitamin D or the calming mineral magnesium, the result can be even more astonishing, especially if you have other signs of cognitive decline such as memory loss, senior moments and problems making decisions.

The post Build A Better Brain With DHA | Jersey Shore Online appeared first on Good News!.

Simply offer doctors a tax deduction for treating a certain quota of patients for free.

AMAC founder Dan Weber gives the amazing back story details of how physicians were polled and asked what it would take to be willing to treat patients for free, and overwhelmingly they agreed to do so if they only could catch a break from the government, as in a tax break.

What’s more, the other concern doctors had with regard to taking on a larger caseload was the additional exposure to potential malpractice lawsuits since their insurance rates are already sky high.

Weber proposed to give them a Good Samaritan exemption wherein they could only be sued if they intentionally harmed their patients. Ah, if only citizens could have such a clause with regard to politicians who are intentionally harming US!

DANIEL WEBER:

Daniel C. Weber founded the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) in the summer of 2007.

As a boy, Dan’s first job was delivering newspapers for Newsday, the Long Island, New York, newspaper. The third child of five in a family with a moderate income, Dan learned early that if he wanted something he had to earn it.

Blessed with good teachers from both Catholic and public schools, Weber learned about honesty, decency, fairness and what “work ethic” was all about.

At age 16, and without any start-up money, Dan started his first business with three friends. The landscaping business he and his friends created enabled him to buy his first car, demonstrating the results of good, hard work and determination.

Two days after graduating from high school, Dan enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years before being honorably discharged. During his service, he was named “Airman of the Month” among more than 5,000 other personnel serving on the base.

Mr. Weber owned and operated a successful family insurance business for more than 30 years before retiring to form AMAC—an organization similar to the AARP. Except, Weber has a different focus. In his opinion, the United States is going through a period of drastic change that is tearing down the traditional values of our country.

In Weber’s view, the very Constitution we were founded on is being disregarded. Each year the power of government increases while individual freedoms are threatened. High taxes are causing working families to suffer. As Weber puts it, “It seems an individual’s right to practice their religion is attacked, only to be replaced by a strange social order.”

A proud defender of free enterprise, Dan Weber feels we have the greatest economic system ever devised by man. Presently, he is working to retain our private health care system and prevent the government from turning it into socialized medicine.

Average, everyday, mature Americans have made their voices clear. Weber says, “They want to belong to an organization that will represent their best interest and I want to help them.” Dan Weber sees AMAC as a way to unite citizens to defend our American way of life. To enrich the lives of AMAC’s members, Weber is assembling a package of benefits for Americans 50 that they cannot get anywhere else.

ABOUT AMAC:

The Association of Mature American Citizens (www.amac.us ) is a vibrant, vital and conservative alternative to those traditional organizations, such as the AARP, that dominate the choices for mature Americans who want a say in the future of the nation.

Where those other organizations may boast of their power to set the agendas for their memberships, AMAC takes its marching orders from its members.

AMAC speaks on behalf of their members, diligently protecting their interests and offering conservative insight on how to best solve the problems they face today.

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