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A new, newly mutated cytokine associated with leukemia is now closely tied to the debilitating treatment known as immuno-suppression by cancer-fighting antibodies.
FOX’s Dr. Manny Alvarez reports in this morning’s health news update:
This week’s health news update, I’m Dr. Manny Alvarez.
While many people have been rightfully worried about the clinical effects of intranasal corticosteroids, a new study published in Nature Immunology has shown that some of the most common types of corticosteroids in use may not be as effective against certain types of cancers, including cancer of the immune system known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
As part of the study, researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research studied the antibodies that were being developed by a drug company called Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of various cancers.
The researchers discovered that a new version of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 caused by the new mutation is associated with the transient-oral and systemic immunosuppression associated with immune suppression.
These changes in IL-6, coupled with the latest findings on long-term neurotoxicity, may cause people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia to develop latent infections.
That could lead to flare-ups of the cancer, which has a significantly increased mortality rate.
With more than a third of people battling cancer believed to live with it for many years, this may have dire implications.
For more on this story, watch Dr. Manny’s report on ‘America’s News Headquarters’ and be sure to tune in to FOX News Channel where I’ll bring you all the latest health news every day.