Aa
I totally argee with you when you posted
"Chemotherapy 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumors cells. The term chemotherapy was coined in the regard by Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915)."
However that is not what Interferon does:
Interferon alfa belongs to the category of therapies called biologic response modifiers (BRM), also called immunotherapy. This is a type of treatment that mobilizes the body's immune system. The therapy mainly consists of stimulating the immune system to help it do its job more effectively.
Interferon does not kill microbes or tumor cells it stimulates the immune system to help you own immune system to do its job.
By you earlier comment "chemo is treatment with chemicals." so then as say for example Tylenol is a chemical (C8H9NO2) then taking Tylenol (aka Acetaminophen) would be chemotherapy as I am treating with chemicals.
Or say I have a hemoglobin transfusion (C2932H4724N828O840S8Fe) which is a chemical it that also chemo therapy?
or we can agree to disagree
"Chemotherapy 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumors cells. The term chemotherapy was coined in the regard by Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915)."
However that is not what Interferon does:
Interferon alfa belongs to the category of therapies called biologic response modifiers (BRM), also called immunotherapy. This is a type of treatment that mobilizes the body's immune system. The therapy mainly consists of stimulating the immune system to help it do its job more effectively.
Interferon does not kill microbes or tumor cells it stimulates the immune system to help you own immune system to do its job.
By you earlier comment "chemo is treatment with chemicals." so then as say for example Tylenol is a chemical (C8H9NO2) then taking Tylenol (aka Acetaminophen) would be chemotherapy as I am treating with chemicals.
Or say I have a hemoglobin transfusion (C2932H4724N828O840S8Fe) which is a chemical it that also chemo therapy?
or we can agree to disagree
Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915) worked in the field of hematology, immunology and chemotherapy.
First chemotherapeutic agent was used to treat syphilis.
First chemotherapeutic agent was used to treat syphilis.
Definition of Chemotherapy. Been here before! Where did it come from?What is its true meaning?
Chemotherapy 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumors cells. The term chemotherapy was coined in the regard by Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915).
2. In oncology, drug therapy for cancer. Also called "chemo" for short.
MedicalNET.com
Chemotherapy 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically kills microbes or tumors cells. The term chemotherapy was coined in the regard by Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915).
2. In oncology, drug therapy for cancer. Also called "chemo" for short.
MedicalNET.com
Webster dictionary
che·mo·ther·a·py:
noun Medicine/Medical .
the treatment of disease by means of chemicals that have a specific toxic effect upon the disease-producing microorganisms or that selectively destroy cancerous tissue.
im·mu·no·ther·a·py:
noun, plural im·mu·no·ther·a·pies.
treatment designed to produce immunity to a disease or enhance the resistance of the immune system to an active disease process, as cancer.
che·mo·ther·a·py:
noun Medicine/Medical .
the treatment of disease by means of chemicals that have a specific toxic effect upon the disease-producing microorganisms or that selectively destroy cancerous tissue.
im·mu·no·ther·a·py:
noun, plural im·mu·no·ther·a·pies.
treatment designed to produce immunity to a disease or enhance the resistance of the immune system to an active disease process, as cancer.
So I guess we should just agree to disagree then but I am sure we both agree that inferferon is no fun at all and glad to see th enew therapies without the stuff coming soon
Peace!
Lynn
Peace!
Lynn
Chemo treatments are for many different medical conditions. Cancer just happens to be the condition you hear about the most when it comes to chemo.
As ppmguy said, "chemo is treatment with chemicals." A therapy with
chemicals (chemotherapy).
As ppmguy said, "chemo is treatment with chemicals." A therapy with
chemicals (chemotherapy).
Also from the same web site when I go to the "Immunotherapy" link from the page copied above:
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/immunotherapy/immunotherapy-toc
Immunotherapy is treatment that uses your body's own immune system to help fight cancer.
Anyway between this and my Hepatologists comments anout interferon this is why I feel that interferon is not truely a chemotherapy drug but an adjunct therapy to enhance the effectiveness of chemo
All the best to you
Lynn
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/immunotherapy/immunotherapy-toc
Immunotherapy is treatment that uses your body's own immune system to help fight cancer.
Anyway between this and my Hepatologists comments anout interferon this is why I feel that interferon is not truely a chemotherapy drug but an adjunct therapy to enhance the effectiveness of chemo
All the best to you
Lynn
Hi again
Sure this one thing i read on Cancer.org:
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/chemotherapyprinciplesanin-depthdiscussionofthetechniquesanditsroleintreatment/chemotherapy-principles-types-of-chemo-drugs
They have the same list you have above and here is what I was reading specific to immunotherapy on the link I sent:
If I could highlight from below which I can't:
"These drugs offer a unique method of treatment, and are often considered to be separate from chemotherapy" Which is the basis of my thinking about immunotherapy (interferon) not being truly chemo. It is an adjunct to chemo.
They also specifically list "Non-specific immunotherapies and adjuvants (other substances or cells that boost the immune response), such as BCG, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-alfa"
"ImmunotherapySome drugs are given to people with cancer to stimulate their natural immune systems to recognize and attack cancer cells. These drugs offer a unique method of treatment, and are often considered to be separate from chemotherapy. Compared with other forms of cancer treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, immunotherapy is still fairly new.
There are different types of immunotherapy. Active immunotherapies stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight the disease. Passive immunotherapies do not rely on the body to attack the disease; instead, they use immune system components (such as antibodies) created outside the body.
Types of immunotherapies and some examples include:
•Monoclonal antibody therapy (passive immunotherapies), such as rituximab (Rituxan®) and alemtuzumab (Campath®)
•Non-specific immunotherapies and adjuvants (other substances or cells that boost the immune response), such as BCG, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-alfa
•Immunomodulating drugs, for instance, thalidomide and lenalidomide (Revlimid®)
•Cancer vaccines (active specific immunotherapies). In 2010, the FDA approved the first vaccine to treat cancer (the Provenge® vaccine for advanced prostate cancer); other vaccines for many different types of cancer are being studied
For more specific information on these types of drugs see our document called Immunotherapy."
Sure this one thing i read on Cancer.org:
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/chemotherapyprinciplesanin-depthdiscussionofthetechniquesanditsroleintreatment/chemotherapy-principles-types-of-chemo-drugs
They have the same list you have above and here is what I was reading specific to immunotherapy on the link I sent:
If I could highlight from below which I can't:
"These drugs offer a unique method of treatment, and are often considered to be separate from chemotherapy" Which is the basis of my thinking about immunotherapy (interferon) not being truly chemo. It is an adjunct to chemo.
They also specifically list "Non-specific immunotherapies and adjuvants (other substances or cells that boost the immune response), such as BCG, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-alfa"
"ImmunotherapySome drugs are given to people with cancer to stimulate their natural immune systems to recognize and attack cancer cells. These drugs offer a unique method of treatment, and are often considered to be separate from chemotherapy. Compared with other forms of cancer treatment such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, immunotherapy is still fairly new.
There are different types of immunotherapy. Active immunotherapies stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight the disease. Passive immunotherapies do not rely on the body to attack the disease; instead, they use immune system components (such as antibodies) created outside the body.
Types of immunotherapies and some examples include:
•Monoclonal antibody therapy (passive immunotherapies), such as rituximab (Rituxan®) and alemtuzumab (Campath®)
•Non-specific immunotherapies and adjuvants (other substances or cells that boost the immune response), such as BCG, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon-alfa
•Immunomodulating drugs, for instance, thalidomide and lenalidomide (Revlimid®)
•Cancer vaccines (active specific immunotherapies). In 2010, the FDA approved the first vaccine to treat cancer (the Provenge® vaccine for advanced prostate cancer); other vaccines for many different types of cancer are being studied
For more specific information on these types of drugs see our document called Immunotherapy."
Types of Chemotherapy
Alkylating Agents - Alkylating agents are most active in the resting phase of the cell. These types of drugs are cell-non-specific. There are several types of alkylating agents used in chemotherapy treatment.
Plant Alkaloids- Plant alkaloids are chemotherapy treatments derived made from certain types of plants.
Antitumor Antibiotics- Antitumor antibiotics are chemo treatments made from natural products produced by species of soil fungus Streptomyces.
Antimetabolites- Autimetabolites are types of chemotherapy treatments that are very similar to normal substances with the cell.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors- Toposiomerase inhibitors are types of chemotherapy drugs that interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes (topoisomerase l & ll). During the process of chemo treatments,
topoisomerase enzymes control the manipulation of the structure of DNA
necessary for replication.
Miscellaneous Antineoplastics-Several useful types of chemotherapy drugs are uniques: Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, Adrenocortical steroid inhibitor, Enzymes, Antimicrotubule agest, Retinoids.
Beyond the aforementioned types of chemotherapy, many other types of chemo treatments exist. such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
chemocare.com
flyinlynn, please provide me your reference that immunotherapy isn't chemo treatment. Also, that Interferon isn't a chemo drug.
Peace to you too
Alkylating Agents - Alkylating agents are most active in the resting phase of the cell. These types of drugs are cell-non-specific. There are several types of alkylating agents used in chemotherapy treatment.
Plant Alkaloids- Plant alkaloids are chemotherapy treatments derived made from certain types of plants.
Antitumor Antibiotics- Antitumor antibiotics are chemo treatments made from natural products produced by species of soil fungus Streptomyces.
Antimetabolites- Autimetabolites are types of chemotherapy treatments that are very similar to normal substances with the cell.
Topoisomerase Inhibitors- Toposiomerase inhibitors are types of chemotherapy drugs that interfere with the action of topoisomerase enzymes (topoisomerase l & ll). During the process of chemo treatments,
topoisomerase enzymes control the manipulation of the structure of DNA
necessary for replication.
Miscellaneous Antineoplastics-Several useful types of chemotherapy drugs are uniques: Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, Adrenocortical steroid inhibitor, Enzymes, Antimicrotubule agest, Retinoids.
Beyond the aforementioned types of chemotherapy, many other types of chemo treatments exist. such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
chemocare.com
flyinlynn, please provide me your reference that immunotherapy isn't chemo treatment. Also, that Interferon isn't a chemo drug.
Peace to you too
Hi Don't worry
I most respectively don't agree with that. I my opinion is immunotherapy is not the same as chemotherapy.
My doctor told me when I first treated that interferon is a naturally occurring component of the human immune system. That by adding extra interferon to what is already there naturally it was hoped it could help the body overcome hepatitis c.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and this question has been discussed by many before and I am sure it will be again by many after you and I.
I am sure I wouldn't be able to change your opinion not would I want to. It doesn't really matter anyway really. Interferon is what it is. A powerful medicine with uncomfortable and sometime difficult side effects and hopefully soon a treatment in the past for all sufferers of hepatitis C
Have a great evening and week ahead summer is coming soon!
Peace
Lynn
I most respectively don't agree with that. I my opinion is immunotherapy is not the same as chemotherapy.
My doctor told me when I first treated that interferon is a naturally occurring component of the human immune system. That by adding extra interferon to what is already there naturally it was hoped it could help the body overcome hepatitis c.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and this question has been discussed by many before and I am sure it will be again by many after you and I.
I am sure I wouldn't be able to change your opinion not would I want to. It doesn't really matter anyway really. Interferon is what it is. A powerful medicine with uncomfortable and sometime difficult side effects and hopefully soon a treatment in the past for all sufferers of hepatitis C
Have a great evening and week ahead summer is coming soon!
Peace
Lynn
immunotherapy = chemotherapy
I guess I could be just splitting hairs here but my understanding from the chemocare site is interferon used in chemotherapy but it is not truly in the class of chemotherapy drugs.
It is used as immunotherapy to help your immune system to better fight whatever the condition it is being used to help thus helping you own system in combination with chemotherapy drugs fight your illness.
But as I said I know I am splitting hairs. But all in all it doesn't really matter. Interferon is not fun to be on. This is just my understanding of what I have read over the years about what interferon is. And certainly I admit I am not a medical professional just a fellow patient.
Lynn
It is used as immunotherapy to help your immune system to better fight whatever the condition it is being used to help thus helping you own system in combination with chemotherapy drugs fight your illness.
But as I said I know I am splitting hairs. But all in all it doesn't really matter. Interferon is not fun to be on. This is just my understanding of what I have read over the years about what interferon is. And certainly I admit I am not a medical professional just a fellow patient.
Lynn
Interferon in a chemo therapy drug.
chemocare.com
It's the medical term used in the medical profession. If you were to get on a plane and had a note from your doctor concerning the medications you have in your possession...the doctor could give you a note stating you are on chemotherapy. The doctor isn't lying. I know this to be an actual event. I
have personally taken tomoxifen in pill form for the duration of 5 years. I took it for extended prevent of cancer. It's a pill form of chemotherapy.
chemocare.com will give you an extended list of drugs used in chemotherapy.
Many of the answers for side effects of chemotherapy can be found on the site "chemocare.com".
Chemotherapy is used for many different diseases besides cancer.
Best to you
chemocare.com
It's the medical term used in the medical profession. If you were to get on a plane and had a note from your doctor concerning the medications you have in your possession...the doctor could give you a note stating you are on chemotherapy. The doctor isn't lying. I know this to be an actual event. I
have personally taken tomoxifen in pill form for the duration of 5 years. I took it for extended prevent of cancer. It's a pill form of chemotherapy.
chemocare.com will give you an extended list of drugs used in chemotherapy.
Many of the answers for side effects of chemotherapy can be found on the site "chemocare.com".
Chemotherapy is used for many different diseases besides cancer.
Best to you
Well another thought everything is chemicals, we are made of chemicals.
Interferon-alfa2b is different than a chemotherapy drug -- it is actually a natural part of your body's immune system. It is known as a cytokine, which are chemicals normally secreted by cells called leukocytes in response to a virus, bacteria, or other foreign intruder.
How this drug works:
Interferon alfa belongs to the category of therapies called biologic response modifiers (BRM), also called immunotherapy. This is a type of treatment that mobilizes the body's immune system to fight cancer. The therapy mainly consists of stimulating the immune system to help it do its job more effectively.
Interferon alfa is part of a family of proteins called cytokines. Cytokines act primarily by communicating between the various cells of the body's immune system.
Interferon alfa interacts with receptors on the surface of cells. There are several ways that interferon alfa fights cancer; directly by interfering with the cancer cells ability to divide, and indirectly by modifying the bodies response to the cancer cells.
So my 2 cents is althought interferon is not a walk in the park it is not truly a chemotherapy drug.
I have a question for you though is why do you ask about interferon? Do you know there there are new therapies hopefully coming out this year that are interferon free? Also there are drugs just released in the last 6 months that maybe also used in interferon free regimens depending on your genotype.
Are you seeing a hepatologist or at least a gastroenterologist familiar with treating hepatitis c? They should be able to update you on the newest treatments available.
Good luck
Lynn
Interferon-alfa2b is different than a chemotherapy drug -- it is actually a natural part of your body's immune system. It is known as a cytokine, which are chemicals normally secreted by cells called leukocytes in response to a virus, bacteria, or other foreign intruder.
How this drug works:
Interferon alfa belongs to the category of therapies called biologic response modifiers (BRM), also called immunotherapy. This is a type of treatment that mobilizes the body's immune system to fight cancer. The therapy mainly consists of stimulating the immune system to help it do its job more effectively.
Interferon alfa is part of a family of proteins called cytokines. Cytokines act primarily by communicating between the various cells of the body's immune system.
Interferon alfa interacts with receptors on the surface of cells. There are several ways that interferon alfa fights cancer; directly by interfering with the cancer cells ability to divide, and indirectly by modifying the bodies response to the cancer cells.
So my 2 cents is althought interferon is not a walk in the park it is not truly a chemotherapy drug.
I have a question for you though is why do you ask about interferon? Do you know there there are new therapies hopefully coming out this year that are interferon free? Also there are drugs just released in the last 6 months that maybe also used in interferon free regimens depending on your genotype.
Are you seeing a hepatologist or at least a gastroenterologist familiar with treating hepatitis c? They should be able to update you on the newest treatments available.
Good luck
Lynn
interferon has been used for cancer tx. non hodgekins lymphoma, and was tried on tumors in the 90s. today it is used as an antiviral(interferon A), and as a immuno modulator(interferon B) for MS.
it has similar side effects. suppression of blood cells, headaches, severe nausea, hair loss.
i asked my dr about that. he stated,"chemo is treatment with chemicals". so yes, i say it is chemo.
it has similar side effects. suppression of blood cells, headaches, severe nausea, hair loss.
i asked my dr about that. he stated,"chemo is treatment with chemicals". so yes, i say it is chemo.
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