Holistic Reversals in Cancer: Rationale
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jons.2016.04.008
Abstract
Spontaneous tumor regression is defined as spontaneous remission or disappearance of a tumor in the absence of any treatment. Activation of immune system has been found important in its pathogenesis. Further, spontaneous tumor regression appears to be associated with apoptosis, tumor microenvironment, and DNA oncogenic suppression. It can be observed in all types of tumors, most frequently in renal cell cancer, germ cell tumors, malignant melanoma, and neuroblastoma. It is crucial to understand this phenomenon in order to improve the immune treatments which are effective in neoplastic diseases.
Tumor regressionInflammatory responseMicroenvironment
1. Introduction
Spontaneous tumor regression was defined differently for many types of cancer by several researchers during the last century. Spontaneous regression is partial or complete disappearance of primary tumor tissue or its metastases in patients who have never been treated.1, 2 Its frequency is approximately 1 in every 60,000 to 100,000 cancer cases.3 Everson divides the spontaneous regression into four categories: Primary tumor regression, metastatic tumor regression (primary focus is defined pathologically), metastatic tumor regression (no pathological diagnosis of primary tumor), radiologically-considered-metastasis tumor regression.4 Although spontaneous cancer regression is defined as remission or disappearance of a tumor in the absence of any therapeutic intervention, today it is believed that this is caused by immunologically important events.
Spontaneous regression has been a phenomenon of many years historically and defined initially for acute infections.5 It was called St. Peregrine tumor in the past. It was named after Peregrine Laziosi, a young priest, who lived in 12th century and had a tumor of tibia with a serious infection that progressed to skin, led to fracture, and required amputation. The tumor in the reported case was observed to disappear miraculously without leaving any scar while under physician supervision.6 Spontaneous regression of malignant tumor has been attracting notice since the periods during which cancer treatments were quite limited. It may be observed in benign tumors as well as in primary malignant tumors and their metastases. Regression may occur in primary tumor and its metastases at the same time; however, primary tumor regresses, while its metastases may remain, as observed more often in renal cell cancer. Spontaneous regression typically occurs as a result of the activation of apoptosis caused by serious of events in the immune system and tumor microenvironment. It should be noted that no treatments must have been administered for spontaneous tumor regression. Those cases where metastases disappear following the treatment of primary tumors are also considered subject to the spontaneous regression.
Three routes Holistic Reversal
Primary factors affecting spontaneous regression include apoptosis, immune system activation, and particularly the microenvironment where matrix metallo-proteinases and angiogenesis are inhibited
Spontaneous regression is associated with apoptosis, immune system, microenvironment and more or less with DNA oncogenic suppression
2. Cancers with spontaneous tumor regression and their possible mechanisms
Spontaneous tumor regression may occur partially; however, this term is generally used for complete regression. Complete regression may occur in primary tumor and its metastases. When regression process begins in the tumor or one of its metastases, it accelerates relatively in other tumor tissues, and this process is observed most apparently in renal cell cancers. Spontaneous regression is associated with apoptosis, immune system, microenvironment and more or less with DNA oncogenic suppression.
Spontaneous regression is relatively more often in testicular germ cell tumors. Spontaneous regression in testicular germ cell tumors is defined as “burned out testicular tumor”. This definition applies to the cases where scar tissue which is histologically similar to the primary tumor is detected while metastases are present. It was pointed out in a case by Prym for the first time in 1927.7 In 1961, Azzopardi and Hoffbrand defined the term “burned out” in 17 cases with extra-gonadal germ cell testicular cancer.8 Every extra-gonadal germ cell tumor is considered as “burned out testicular tumor” unless otherwise proven.9 In these cases, hyper-echogenic areas identified in ultrasonographic examinations of the testicle demonstrate the scarring process developing with hemorrhagic necrosis and micro-calcifications of the tumor.10 Spontaneous regression is observed more often in seminoma cases.11 “Ghost tubule” may be observed in 60% of cases even if no tumors are demonstrated in these cases.12 Approximately 10% of patients with metastatic testicular cancer are observed to have tumor regression in classical autopsy series.13 For cases of partial or complete regression, survival difference is not known, and orchiectomy is not mandatory in regressed testicular tumors. However, many groups prefer orchiectomy in case of ultrasonographic changes in the atrophic testicle or cryptorchidism.14 Even if systemic chemotherapy is successful in metastatic germ cell tumors, 50% of cases may have tumor cells in testicle.15, 16
Spontaneous regression cases are observed often in melanoma and cutaneous basal cell cancers. Spontaneous regression is observed more easily in such cases as they are cutaneous. CDKN4 gene mutation, which contributes to the development of malignant melanoma, plays a significant role in spontaneous regression.17 In such cases, immune system has a central role. A high incidence of CD4 T lymphocytes and Th1 cytokines is detected in regressed tumors.18 In parallel, tumor-specific antibody and cytotoxic T cells are at a high level in peripheral blood.19
A melanoma cancer cell expresses proteins with strong immunogenic effect, and these are considered as significant targets for MHC class II and cytotoxic T cells in particular. Spontaneous regression is observed more often especially in tumors with a high expression of Melan-A/MART1, gp-100, HLA A 0201 among these proteins.20 Primary tumor and other melanocytic lesions may be exposed to spontaneous regression as a result of an immune reaction beginning in metastatic lymph node.21 Kalialis et al reported that 76 cases were included in the literature since 1866 until today.22 Maurer and Koelmel suggest that spontaneous tumor regression is associated with febrile attack in 21 of 68 regressed melanoma cases, and that it is linked to erysipelas in nine of them.23 Tetanus, diphtheria, and BCG vaccines were responsive in malignant melanoma cases.24 As a result of observation of spontaneous regression in melanoma, which is an immunogenic tumor and demonstration of its immunogenicity, immunotherapy studies have been accelerated and now targeting immune system has a central role.
Renal cell cancer has an incidence frequency of 3–5% among all types of cancer, and spontaneous regression is observed considerably more with an incidence frequency of 1% compared to other types of cancer.25, 26 Tumors with spontaneous regression may be accompanied by an intra-tumoral hemorrhage or renal vein embolism.27, 28 Von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene is crucial in development of renal cell carcinoma. However, genetic or epigenetic alterations of VHL gene have not been certain yet in spontaneous regressed tumors. Most types of cancer with spontaneous regression are associated with nephrectomy; however, this relation has not been reported in most researches.29, 30 Growth factors and some apoptosis-related molecules are released as a result of the resection of primary tumor. Such molecules prevent the progression of cancer, and immune system is activated with antigens of cancer cells.31 Immune system has been considered effective in regression since the first spontaneous regression was identified in patients with renal cell cancer.32 Activation of immune system with infections or autoimmune diseases leads to spontaneous regression in RCC cases as well as in other tumors. Pulmonary metastases regressed as a result of psoriasis exacerbation in the patient with psoriasis and metastatic RCC.33
Spontaneous regression in breast cancer is rarely observed in literature, and it was reported in 41 patients in a spontaneous regression research consisting of 741 patients.34 Number of cases has considerably decreased in recent years since effective treatments began to be administered in breast cancer, and consequently, only 3 cases were reported after 1987.35, 36, 37 In one of the reported cases, spontaneous regression developed following an arm fracture while regression was observed in the primary tumor and metastatic lymph node following a steroid treatment in the other case. Presence of increased natural killer cells were noted in the biopsy performed for the latter. In the third case, spontaneous regression developed during the preoperative period of a patient receiving insulin therapy. No increase in natural killer cells, which was detected in the other case, was observed in the biopsy; however, an increase in the number of particularly CD4 and CD8 positive T cells was observed. Massive necrosis and granulation in metastatic lymph node were reported during postoperative examination of this case. CD3 positivity is observed more often in lymph nodes and metastases compared to primary tumor, and these cells are effective in tumor necrosis development.38 In breast carcinoma cells, T-cell-mediated activation of apoptosis through Fas–Fas Ligand, TNFα-TNFα receptor and perforin-granzyme mechanism of killing exists in tumor regression.39 p53 Gene activation is a well-known pathway in apoptosis process. It may or may not depend on transcription, and this pathway is active in approximately 50% of cases in breast cancer.40 This mechanism works more actively in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cases.41 Spontaneous regression was reported in a limited number of cases which were monitored by mammography.42
Spontaneous regression cases are rarely seen in colon cancer. The reason may be that urgent treatment is typically administered in such patients following the diagnosis of colon tumor. Only 11 cases were reported in a research reviewing cases between 1900 and 2005.43 Only three cases have been published since 2005. The underlying mechanism of spontaneous regression could not be clarified as it is rarely observed in colon cancers. In a study conducted by Abderezzaq, severe sepsis and prolonged fever history were considered to contribute to regression.43 Miyamoto researched anti-tumor response related to immune system in “in vivo” models, and 40% regression was obtained in stage I-II colon cancer.44 Tomiki et al identified regrowth in tumor following spontaneous remission caused by tumor resection.45
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial tumor in childhood. It is seen in childhood tumors at the rate of 8–10% across the USA and Europe.46, 47 Spontaneous regression may occur before it is clinically detected. Good responses may be obtained through chemotherapy and spontaneous remission may be observed in children younger than eighteen weeks while prognosis for children older than 18 weeks is poor.48 Spontaneous regression is observed more often when compared to other tumors; however, no certain prevalence can be provided. ALK and PHOX2B genes diagnosed in neuroblastoma exist at the rate of 80% especially in hereditary neuroblastoma.49 Trk-neurotrophin receptors are important in development of neuroblastoma and afterwards. High Trk-A is receptor for neural growth factor (NGF), and its increased expression marks good prognosis. Trk-A and Trk-C induce apoptosis. Trk-B and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression marks poor prognosis.50, 51 Increase in expression of Trk-A receptors is associated with regression development of tumor.52 The response of host immune is effective in tumor regression in neuroblastoma, as evidenced by the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and anti-neuronal antibodies.53 Anti-neuronal antibodies exist in patients with paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, and prognosis is better and spontaneous remission may be observed in neuroblastoma cases with this syndrome.54 Prognosis is better in tumors infiltrated with tumor-associated macrophage. CD33, CD16, IL6R, IL10, FCGR3 expression which is increased with tumor-associated macrophage expression indicates the importance of inflammatory response ad tumor microenvironment.55 It was shown that spontaneous regression in neuroblastoma cases is associated with decrease or loss of telomerase activity.56
3. Inflammation and tumor regression
Interactions of apoptosis activating immune system and microenvironment are significant tumor regression. Genome activation in regressed tumor has not been well-known, yet. However, it is believed to be effective in tumor regression as well due to its effect on apoptosis. Several factors in tumor microenvironment prevent proliferation and development of cancer cells. Particularly matrix metallo-proteinases and angiogenesis are noticed among these factors. As a result of such a prevention, the number of natural killer cells in blood increases. Immune system activation is associated with tumor spontaneous regression. The reason why it is observed less frequently at the present time may be that conventional cancer treatments with immunosuppressive effect are administered more often and early in the course of therapy. As a result of damaged by biopsy or surgical reasons; cancerous cells join in blood circulation and activate the immune system, and the immune system is suppressed with chemotherapy.57 Studies on infections and regression of cancer began in the early part of 19th century. Case-controlled studies stating that infections reduce cancer risk were published.58 “Coley Toxin” which was developed by Coley who observed regression of cancer with the infection he detected sarcoma cases for the first time has been used in cancer treatment for many years.59, 60 Among the patients who refused to be treated in Norway and began to be monitored, 20% of them were observed to have spontaneous regression.61 The process, which began after the relation between inflammation and spontaneous tumor regression was determined in the early part of 19th century, has been accelerated with increasing number of immune system and cancer related studies, and immunotherapy has begun to be used in current cancer treatment.
4. Conclusion
Spontaneous regression is a confirmed natural phenomenon which may be observed all types of cancer. It is essential to comprehend this phenomenon in order to understand the nature of neoplastic disease and develop new treatment methods. More effective treatment methods can be found upon underlying mechanisms of spontaneous tumor regression are clarified.
Conflict of interest
There is no conflict of interest.
References
1
W.H. Cole, T.C. Everson
Spontaneous regression of cancer: preliminary report
Ann Surg, 144 (1956), pp. 366-380
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
2
G.B. Challis, H.J. Stam
The spontaneous regression of cancer. A review of cases from 1900 to 1987
Acta Oncol, 29 (1990), pp. 545-550
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
3
L.M. Jerry, E.B. Challis
Oncology
R.E. Rakel (Ed.), Textbook of Family Practice (3rd ed.) (1984), pp. 1061-1081
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
4
T.C. Everson
Spontaneous regression of cancer
Ann N. Y Acad Sci, 114 (1964), p. 721
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
5
S.A. Hoption Cann, J.P. van Netten, C. van Netten, D.W. Glover
Spontaneous regression: a hidden treasure buried in time
Med Hypotheses, 58 (2002), pp. 115-119
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
6
S.A. Hoption Cann, J.P. van Netten, C. van Netten
Dr William Coley and tumour regression: a place in history or in the future?
Postgrad Med J, 79 (2003), pp. 672-680
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
7
P. Prym
Spontanheilung eines bosartigen, wahrscheinlich chorionepitheliometoses Gewachses im Hoden
Virchows Arch [A] Pathol Anat Histol, 265 (1927), p. 239
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
8
J.G. Azzopardi, A.V. Hoffbrand
Retrogression in testicular seminoma with viable metastases
J Clin Pathol, 18 (1965), p. 135
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
9
B. Coulier, Y. Lefebvre, L. de Visscher, et al.
Metastases of clinically occult testicular seminoma mimicking primary extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumors
JBR-BTR, 91 (2008), p. 139
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
10
M. Scholz, M. Zehender, G.N. Thalmann, et al.
Extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell: evidence of origin in the testis
Ann Oncol, 13 (2002), p. 121
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
11
T.M. Ulbright
Germ cell tumors of the gonads: a selective review emphasizing problems in differential diagnosis, newly appreciated, and controversial issues
Mod Pathol, 18 (2005), p. S61
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
12
A.J. Munro, W. Duncan, J.N. Webb
Extragonadal presentations of germ cell tumours
Br J Urol, 55 (1983), p. 547
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
13
J.D. Henley, R.H. Young, C.L. Wade, et al.
Seminomas with exclusive intertubular growth: a report of 12 clinically and grossly inconspicuous tumors
Am J Surg Pathol, 28 (2004), p. 1163
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
14
W. Bär, C. Hedinger
Comparison of histologic types of primary testicular germ cell tumors with their metastases: consequences for the WHO and the British Nomenclatures?
Virchows Arch [A] Pathol Anat Histol, 370 (1976), p. 41
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
15
G. Curigliano, E. Magni, G. Renne, et al.
‘Burned out’ phenomenon of the testis in retroperitoneal seminoma
Acta Oncol, 45 (2006), pp. 335-336
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
16
S.D.1 Williams, D.M. Stablein, L.H. Einhorn, et al.
Immediate adjuvant chemotherapy versus observation with treatment at relapse in pathological stage II testicular cancer
N Engl J Med, 317 (1987 Dec 3), p. 1433
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
17
C. Printz
Spontaneous regression of melanoma may offer insight into cancer immunology
J Natl Cancer Inst, 93 (2001), pp. 1047-1048
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
18
R. Speeckaert, N. van Geel, R.M. Luiten, et al.
Melanocyte-specific immune response in a patient with multiple regressing nevi and a history of melanoma
Anticancer Res, 31 (2011), pp. 3697-3703
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
19
S. Garbelli, S. Mantovani, B. Palermo, et al.
Melanocyte-specific, cytotoxic T cell responses in vitiligo: the effective variant of melanoma immunity?
Pigment Cell Res, 18 (2005), pp. 234-242
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
20
A. Anichini, C. Maccalli, R. Mortarini, et al.
Melanoma cells and normal melanocytes share antigens recognized by HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T cell clones from melanoma patients
J Exp Med, 177 (1993), pp. 989-998
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
21
R. Mortarini, A. Piris, A. Maurichi, et al.
Lack of terminally differentiated tumor-specific CD8+ T cells at tumor site in spite of antitumor immunity to self-antigens in human metastatic melanoma
Cancer Res, 63 (2003), pp. 2535-2545
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
22
L.V. Kalialis, K.T. Drzewiecki, H. Klyver
Spontaneous regression of metastases from melanoma: review of the literature
Melanoma Res, 19 (2009), pp. 275-282
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
23
S. Maurer, K.F. Kolmel
Spontaneous regression of advanced malignant melanoma
Onkologie, 21 (1998), pp. 14-18
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
24
I. Adkins, J. Holubova, M. Kosova, L. Sadilkova
Bacteria and their toxins tamed for immunotherapy
Curr Pharm Biotechnol, 13 (2012), pp. 1446-1473
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
25
Z. Chodorowski, J.S. Anand, M. Wiśniewski, M. Madaliński, K. Wierzba, J. Wiśniewski
Spontaneous regression of cancer – review of cases from 1988 to 2006
Przegl Lek, 64 (2007), pp. 380-382
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
26
R.M. Snow, P.F. Schellhammer
Spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Urology, 20 (1982), pp. 177-181
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
27
M.J. Edwards, J.A. Anderson, J.R. Angel, J.I. Harty
Spontaneous regression of primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma
J Urol, 155 (1996), p. 1385
ArticleDownload PDFCrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
28
K. Kobayashi, T. Sato, K. Sunaoshi, A. Takahashi, M. Tamakawa
Spontaneous regression of primary renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval tumor thrombus
J Urol, 167 (2002), pp. 242-243
ArticleDownload PDFCrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
29
T.M. de Reijke, J. Bellmunt, H. van Poppel, S. Marreaud, M. Aapro
EORTCGU group expert opinion on metastatic renal cell cancer
Eur J Cancer, 45 (2009), pp. 765-773
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
30
K.C. Chang, K.L. Chan, C.W. Lam
Spontaneous regression of renal cell carcinoma metastases
Hong Kong Med J, 5 (1999), pp. 72-75
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
31
K. Lekanidi, P.A. Vlachou, B. Morgan, S. Vasanthan
Spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: case report
J Med Case Rep, 18 (2007), p. 89
32
W. de Riese, K. Goldenberg, E. Allhoff, et al.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC): spontaneous regression, long-term survival and late recurrence
Int Urol Nephrol, 11 (1991), pp. 13-25
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
33
B. Melichar, J. Vanecková, P. Morávek, H. Urminská, M. Podhola
Spontaneous regression of renal cell carcinoma lung metastases in a patient with psoriasis
Acta Oncol, 48 (2009), pp. 925-927
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
34
W.H. Cole
Spontaneous regression of cancer and the importance of finding its cause
Natl Cancer Inst Monogr, 44 (1976), pp. 5-9
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
35
C. Dussan, P. Zubor, M. Fernandez, A. Yabar, N. Szunyogh, J. Visnovsky
Spontaneous regression of a breast carcinoma: a case report
Gynecol Obstet Invest, 65 (2008), pp. 206-211
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
36
A.G. Maiche, A. Jekunen, P. Rissanen, P. Virkkunen, J. Halavaara, J.P. Turunen
Sudden tumour regression with enhanced natural killer cell accumulation in a patient with stage IV breast cancer
Eur J Cancer, 30A (1994), pp. 1642-1646
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
37
E. Tokunaga, S. Okano, Y. Nakashima, et al.
Spontaneous regression of breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis: a case report and review of literature
Int J Clin Exp Pathol, 7 (2014), pp. 4371-4380
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
38
R.J. Papac
Spontaneous regression of cancer
Cancer Treat Rev, 22 (1996), pp. 395-423
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
39
S. Hahn, R. Gehri, P. Erb
Mechanism and biological significance of CD4-mediated cytotoxicity
Immunol Rev, 146 (1995), pp. 57-79
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
40
X.W. Wang
Role of p53 and apoptosis in carcinogenesis
Anticancer Res, 19 (1999), pp. 4759-4771
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
41
T.T.Y. Wang, J.M. Phang
Effects of estrogen on apoptosis pathways in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7
Cancer Res, 55 (1995), pp. 2487-2489
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
42
P.H. Zahl, J.M. Andersen, J. Maehlen
Spontaneous regression of cancerous tumors detected by mammography screening
JAMA, 292 (2004), pp. 2579-2580
author reply 80
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
43
A.S. Abdelrazeq
Spontaneous regression of colorectal cancer: a review of cases from 1900 to 2005
Int J Colorectal Dis, 22 (2007), pp. 727-736
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
44
M. Miyamoto, K. Saeki, S. Tani, Y. Tani
Morphology on spontaneous regression of the autochthonous colon carcinoma in WF Osaka rat strain
Med J Osaka Univ, 38 (1989), p. 13
45
Y. Tomiki, H. Gonda, E. Seki, T. Maeda, D. Kitamura
Spontaneous decapitation of a small colorectal cancer: follow-up of spontaneous course
Endoscopy, 39 (2007), pp. 290-291
46
G.M. Brodeur, J.M. Maris
Principles and practice of pediatric oncology
P.A. Pizzo, D.G. Poplack (Eds.), Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia (2010), pp. 786-822
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
47
J.M. Maris, M.D. Hogarty, R. Bagatell, S.L. Cohn
Neuroblastoma
Lancet, 369 (2007), pp. 2106-2120
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
48
M.A. Smith, Nita L. Seibel, Sean F. Altekruseet, et al.
Outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer: challenges for the twenty-first century
J Clin Oncol, 28 (2010), pp. 2625-2634
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
49
T. Shojaei-Brosseau, Agne Chompret, Anne Abel, et al.
Genetic epidemiology of neuroblastoma: a study of 426 cases at the Institut Gustave-Roussy in France
Pediatr Blood Cancer, 42 (2004), pp. 99-105
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
50
G.M. Brodeur, J.E. Minturn, R. Ho, et al.
Trk receptor expression and inhibition in neuroblastomas
Clin Cancer Res, 15 (2009 May 15), pp. 3244-3250
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
51
C.J. Thiele, Z. Li, A.E. McKee
On Trk—the TrkB signal transduction pathway is an increasingly important target in cancer biology
Clin Cancer Res, 15 (2009), pp. 5962-5967
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
52
A. Tacconelli, A.R. Farina, L. Cappabianca, A. Gulino, A.R. Mackay
Alternative TrkAIII splicing: a potential regulated tumor-promoting switch and therapeutic target in neuroblastoma
Future Oncol, 1 (2005), pp. 689-698
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
53
N.L. Antunes, Y. Khakoo, K.K. Matthay, et al.
Antineuronal antibodies in patients with neuroblastoma and paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 22 (2000), pp. 315-320
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
54
E. Rudnick, Y. Khakoo, N.L. Antunes, et al.
Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome in neuroblastoma: clinical outcome and antineuronal antibodies-a report from the Children’s Cancer Group Study
Med Pediatr Oncol, 36 (2001 Jun), pp. 612-622
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
55
S. Asgharzadeh, J.A. Salo, L. Ji, et al.
Clinical significance of tumor-associated inflammatory cells in metastatic neuroblastoma
J Clin Oncol, 30 (2012 Oct 1), pp. 3525-3532
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
56
A. Ohali, S. Avigad, S. Ash, et al.
Telomere length is a prognostic factor in neuroblastoma
Cancer, 107 (2006), pp. 1391-1399
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
57
E. Tagliabue, R. Agresti, M.L. Carcangiu, et al.
Role of HER2 in wound-induced breast carcinoma proliferation
Lancet, 362 (2003), pp. 527-533
ArticleDownload PDFView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
58
U. Abel, N. Becker, R. Angerer, et al.
Common infections in the history of cancer patients and controls
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol, 117 (1991), p. 339
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
59
W.B. Coley
Ann Surg, 14 (1891), pp. 199-200
60
W.B. Coley
The treatment of malignant tumors by repeated inoculations of Erysipelas, with a report of ten original cases
Am J Med Sci, 105 (1893), pp. 487-511
View Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
61
P.H. Zahl, J. Maehlen, H.G. Welch
The natural history of invasive breast cancers detected by screening mammography
Arch Intern Med, 168 (2008), pp. 2311-2316
(2302-03)
CrossRefView Record in ScopusGoogle Scholar
Peer review under responsibility of Turkish Society of Medical Oncology.
Send to
Indian J Cancer. 2011 Apr-Jun;48(2):246-51. doi: 10.4103/0019-509X.82887.
The role of innate immunity in spontaneous regression of cancer.
Author information
Abstract
Nature has provided us with infections – acute and chronic – and these infections have both harmful and beneficial effects on the human system. Worldwide, a number of chronic infections are associated with a risk of cancer, but it is also known that cancer regresses when associated with acute infections such as bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, etc. Acute infections are known to cure chronic diseases since the time of Hippocrates. The benefits of these fever producing acute infections has been applied in cancer vaccinology such as the Coley’s toxins. Immune cells like the natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells have taken greater precedence in cancer immunity than ever before. This review provides an insight into the benefits of fever and its role in prevention of cancer, the significance of common infections in cancer regression, the dual nature of our immune system and the role of the often overlooked primary innate immunity in tumor immunology and spontaneous regression of cancer.
PMID: 21768675 DOI: 10.4103/0019-509X.82887
Indian J Cancer. 2011 Apr-Jun;48(2):246-51. doi: 10.4103/0019-509X.82887.
The role of innate immunity in spontaneous regression of cancer.
Author information
1
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Rajarajeshwari Dental College, Mysore road, Bangalore, India. jesanil@gmail.com
Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2009 Aug;20(4):271-81. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2009.07.004. Epub 2009 Aug 4.
Bioimmunoadjuvants for the treatment of neoplastic and infectious disease: Coley’s legacy revisited.
Author information
Abstract
In the nineteenth century, William B. Coley induced durable remission of inoperable metastatic sarcoma by repeatedly injecting live streptococcus bacilli and, subsequently, heat-killed bacterial extracts into the primary tumor. While Coley’s contemporaries debated the veracity of his results, this bold treatment protocol established the new scientific field of immunology. In Coley’s era, the scientific and medical communities lacked the prerequisite knowledge to validate and understand his treatment protocols. Today, a more comprehensive understanding of the human immune system, anchored by the discovery of the mammalian Toll-like receptor gene family in the 1990s, permits a mechanistic understanding of his results. Coley’s cocktail of TLR agonists likely stimulated a complex cascade of cytokines, each of which plays a unique and vital role in the orchestration of the immune response. Here we explore Coley’s legacy: a dissection of those cytokines which possess the immunostimulatory properties necessary to modulate the immune system and ameliorate human disease. The discussion is limited to molecules that have been able to show therapeutic promise in the clinical setting.
PMID: 19656718 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2009.07.004
Leave a Reply