Posted on 08/21/2022 11:27:15 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Scientists have identified the cell of origin of combined liver/biliary duct carcinomas, a rare type of cancer of the liver. The pro-inflammatory immune messenger interleukin 6 (IL-6) was found to be the driver of carcinogenesis. Blocking of IL-6 reduced both the number and size of tumors in mice.
Liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic carcinoma of the bile duct, and a mixed form, combined liver/biliary duct cacrinoma (cHCC/CCA). The cells of cHCC/CCA exhibit features of both forms of cancer. This rare cHCC/CCA is considered very aggressive and responds extreme poorly to current treatments.
The team found cHCC/CCA develops from degenerate liver cell precursors. In contrast, hepatocellular carcinoma arises from damaged mature liver cells.
In cHCC/CCA cells, genes of the pro-inflammatory interleukin 6 (IL-6) signaling pathway are particularly active. The source of IL-6 that activates this signaling pathway are aging immune cells. The hallmark of cell aging, which scientists refer to as "senescence", is the release of a whole cocktail of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules, among which IL-6 plays the main role.
Blocking of IL-6 action reduced both number and size of cHCC/CCA tumors in the mice. An agent that drives senescent cells into programmed cell death apoptosis, thereby drying up the source of IL-6, also inhibited the development of cHCC/CCA.
Today, the most effective therapy for cHCC/CCA is surgical removal of the tumors. It is only successful if the cancer is detected at a very early stage. "Blocking of IL-6 or agents that kill senescent IL-6-producing cells could now be further tested as treatment approaches against this type of cancer," explains Mathias Heikenwälder.
He adds that "there is now growing evidence that tumors actually diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma also partially contain cells of a cHCC/CCA. This means that potential therapeutic approaches against cHCC/CCA could also benefit some patients with hepatocellular cancer."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Another approach to consider would be to rehabilitate the dysfunctional cells, by reducing their inner inflammation and forcing their energy producers to rehabilitate themselves, via mitophagy (blowing up dysfunctional mitochondria and replacing them with brand new ones). This latter approach can be achieved with GlyNAC and Urolithin A, which are both available Over-The-Counter (OTC) as supplements.
Whether any of the above would directly work with the liver/bile duct cancer mentioned in the study write up is an unknown, but IL-6 is greatly blocked by GlyNAC and Urolithin A, and the antioxidants for apoptosis, along with many other antioxidants and even minerals, decrease IL-6, too, in studies.
It seems people with this cancer have a very poor prognosis, even with the best available medicines and therapies, so if out of options, perhaps one could consider trying them.
As always, consult with your doctor.
Bookmarked.
So Actemra and Sylvant (approved IL-6 inhibitors) could be used to treat this form of liver cancer?
Seemingly, those would be in that realm, yes.
As much as we complain about “shrimp on treadmills” and other silly ways researchers spend money, there are a lot of worthwhile studies being done, yielding valuable information.
Bttt
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