T cells, cancer and covid (YouTube link)
This article first discusses the importance of vitamin D and how a large portion of the population, especially the elderly, are deficient in it.
Key points:
- High Deficiency Rates: Over half the population lacks sufficient vitamin D, and it's even worse for elderly Americans (up to 95% deficient in some studies).
- Sun as Source: We mainly get vitamin D from sunlight converting cholesterol in our skin.
- Importance for Bones: Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, crucial for bone health. Deficiency can lead to weaker bones.
- Benefits Beyond Bones: Potential benefits include lower blood pressure and reduced cancer risk (see the section "Optimizing Immunity: Vitamin D3 for Th1/Th2 Balance" for more details).
- Supplementation: Since many lack sufficient sun exposure, taking supplements might be necessary.
- Balance is Key: Too much vitamin D can be harmful.
- Geographical Impact: Location and seasons affect how much vitamin D the sun provides.
- Supplements for Elderly: Due to lower sun exposure, elderly populations may highly benefit from supplements.
- Reaching Optimal Health: The best evidence suggests a level of 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) Vitamin D is needed for good health, but for some health benefits it could be as high as 40-50 ng/mL.[6]
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| Our immune system acts like a vigilant guard. When it detects invaders like viruses, it activates two main cell types, Th1 and Th2 cells. These cells work in a delicate balance, like a dynamic equilibrium, to eliminate the threat while maintaining overall immune health. |
Optimizing Immunity: Vitamin D3 for Th1/Th2 Balance
In ICVI's research on immunology for cancer, Dr. Angus Douglas (see the video above) and his team have discovered that
The innate immune response is more crucial than targeting specific antigens with antibodies.
Interestingly, vaccines targeting specific antibodies in cancer have not been effective in the long term. Instead, altering dynamics and boosting innate or basic immune responses have proven more successful.
- Vaccination works by triggering a secondary immune response, where the body produces specific antibodies to fight a particular antigen within days or weeks.
To recap: when viruses or foreign agents enter, the immune system responds in two ways:
- Cell-mediated immunity or non-specific defenses (Th1)
- Associated with cytokines like interleukin-2 and interferon gamma
- This is the first response which springs into action immediately
- Antibody-boosting responses or specific defenses (Th2)
- Associated with cytokines that boost antibody response
- This is the secondary response which takes some days or weeks to follow
These two sides of the immune system typically maintain a balanced state (equilibrium). The initial response against infections involves non-specific defenses, followed by the development of specific immunity during vaccination.
Reverse Butterfly Wing Effect
However, a critical aspect is that the immune response is strongest at birth and remains high until around age 55. After this point, it experiences a significant decline. This phenomenon, known as the "reverse butterfly wing effect," coincides with an increase in cancer incidence as innate immune responses weaken. Additionally, autoantibody and autoinflammatory responses, which can damage the body's own tissues, also rise.
Dr. Angus Douglas et al. have observed that the fundamentals of the immune system become imbalanced as we age. However, you can correct this imbalance by boosting the innate immune response with vitamin D and an agent like Imm-101.
Noted that:
- Vaccines train the immune system to recognize and attack specific threats. While they're crucial for many diseases, cancer is more complex. A cure for cancer may require immune modulators such as Imm-101 that go beyond training. These remedies could help the immune system regain its natural ability to fight cancer cells by restoring a healthy balance within the immune system itself.
Importance of the Immune System's Intricate Balance
It’s fascinating to learn about the immune system’s intricate balance and how it impacts both cancer and infectious diseases like COVID-19. Let’s break down some key points discussed by Dr. Angus Douglas in the above video:
- T-Cell Response and Aging:
- The innate immune response, especially T-cell activity, plays a crucial role in our defense against infections and diseases.
- Our innate defense response gradually weakens with age, potentially affecting our ability to fight off viruses and other threats. While not necessarily causal, a noteworthy correlation exists as we age and the initial innate T-cell response weakens, we observe an increased rise in cancer. This phenomenon isn't limited to cancer; we also see an increase in autoantibody and autoinflammatory responses. The reason for this remains unclear.
- Possibly due to unknown factors or sheer exhaustion, the body compensates by activating secondary defenses (i.e., antibodies), which can result in overcompensation. This heightened response may increase our vulnerability to autoantibodies and autoinflammatory responses.
- Cancer and Immune Equilibrium:
- Vaccines targeting specific antibodies haven’t been as effective in the long term for cancer treatment.
- Instead, altering dynamics and boosting innate or basic immune responses have shown better results.
- The healthy immune system maintains equilibrium between cell-mediated immunity and antibody responses.
- Immune Modulators and Melanoma:
- Researchers at ICVI discovered an immune modulator (i.e., Imm-101) that re-establishes this equilibrium.
- Clinical trials with melanoma patients using this agent showed promising results.
- The cytokine balance shifted, leading to positive outcomes.
- Imm-101 has shown potential effectiveness in treating melanoma and pancreatic cancer that have cold tumors.
- Imm-101 and COVID-19:
- Imm-101 might help enhance T-cell responses and potentially play a role in fighting COVID-19.
- Correcting immune responses, along with maintaining vitamin D levels, could be beneficial.
- Although they don’t have specific evidence related to COVID-19, their patients on Imm-101, combined with increased vitamin D, reported significantly reduced cold and flu occurrences. This positive effect was widespread among virtually all participants. They believe that Imm-101 could be an effective agent for enhancing T-cell responses and potentially fighting off COVID-19.
- Cold and Flu Observations:
- Patients on Imm-101 reported reduced cold and flu symptoms.
- This suggests that immune modulation could have broader effects beyond cancer treatment.
Canadian Study
The Canadian healthcare system recognized the potential of ICVI's research and initiated a large, randomized study.[4]
- This type of study is considered the gold standard for evaluating treatment effectiveness.
- Study Goal: The research aims to see if Imm-101 provides protection against coronaviruses compared to a placebo (inactive substance) in high-risk patients and frontline workers.
To recap: boosting innate immunity and maintaining vitamin D levels are essential strategies for overall health.
References
- Optimal Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations for Various Health Outcomes
- Nucleobase adducts bind MR1 and stimulate MR1-restricted T cells
- Jian Wei et al, IL3-Driven T Cell–Basophil Crosstalk Enhances Antitumor Immunity, Cancer Immunology Research (2024).
- Immunization With IMM-101 vs Observation for Prevention of Respiratory and Severe COVID-19 Related Infections in Cancer Patients at Increased Risk of Exposure (COV-IMMUNO)
- The role of immune modulation and anti-inflammatory agents in the management of prostate cancer: A case report of six patients
- The study investigated a new approach to treating prostate cancer that combines an immunotherapy drug (IMM-101) with anti-inflammatory agents and correcting vitamin D deficiency.
- Optimal Serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations for Various Health Outcomes
- Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases following COVID-19
- Professor Gus Dalgleish–Professor of Oncology
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