Alpha cell cancer is a rare, slow-growing pancreatic endocrine tumor characterized by the proliferation of alpha cells. These tumors produce and secrete glucagon hormone which stimulates glycogenolysis, thus increasing blood glucose.
Recent findings demonstrate that the RIP-B7.1 transgenic mouse model of experimental autoimmune diabetes (EAD) accurately reproduces beta-cell death while permitting alpha-cell proliferation; thus creating an alpha-cell population capable of acting as a reservoir for beta-cell regeneration in EAD.
Surgical Resection
Surgery to resect part or all of a tissue, organ or structure can be performed for various reasons, from diagnosing disease process and treating symptoms to curating them altogether. Resection may take the form of either open or laparoscopic procedures and involve removal of cancerous tissues as well as healthy tissues near them; or removal of an already spread tumor from throughout the body.
DaRT uses alpha radiation that is extremely precise and causes irreparable DNA damage in cancer cell DNA, killing them off quickly and dissolving tumors. Radioisotope Radium-224 attached to carrier molecules specifically targets cancerous cells for destruction.
Researchers are employing an alpha-particle approach to treat cancer by augmenting a patient’s own immune system. T cells, an important component of our immune systems, are extracted from our patients’ blood and genetically modified to recognize specific tumor cells; then returned into their circulation where they should locate and destroy tumor cells. At City of Hope Alpha Stem Cell Clinic they are helping develop such immunotherapies against various cancers.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting cancer cells as well as other healthy cells in your body. Chemotherapy drugs generally affect cells’ DNA – the material within them that tells it when and how to grow and divide into new ones – most likely killing off cancerous ones while potentially harming normal cells as well. A multimodal chemotherapy approach may be best to combat alpha cell cancer.
Certain chemotherapy drugs may be administered orally or intravenously; while others may be delivered directly into your cerebrospinal fluid with an injection between vertebrae (intrathecal chemotherapy). Your doctors will decide which form of chemotherapy treatment will best meet your needs.
Your chemotherapy treatments will be scheduled at specific times, with breaks between treatments to allow your body to regain strength. Your doctor will explain why it’s essential that you adhere to your schedule.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to effectively destroy cancer cells, using radiation to damage their DNA and stop them from multiplying further. Radiation can be combined with surgery and chemotherapy treatment plans or used alone as part of cancer care therapy regimen.
Radiation therapy uses external machines that shoot invisible high-energy beams at your tumor from various angles, targeting it directly or from various directions to ensure safe coverage of healthy tissues nearby. Your doctor may also employ radioembolization – where microspheres filled with radioactive substances block blood flow to tumors found within organs like the liver – in order to block their blood supply and shrink tumor growth.
Alpha radiation can penetrate tumor tissue and kill tumor cells by damaging their DNA. It can also disrupt tumor-cell adhesion junctions and lead to hemorrhagic necrosis – rapid cell collapse that occurs without invasion or surgical procedures required. Unfortunately, alpha particles have limited range but thanks to new technology called diffusing alpha emitter radiation therapy (DaRT), alpha emitters can now diffuse within tumor tissue at targeted locations to provide targeted cancer therapy treatment.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy utilizes your body’s own natural immune system to fight cancer. It has been successfully used against melanoma, lung and other forms of cancer; furthermore it may also prevent their recurrence.
Immunotherapy treatments vary, depending on the size, location, and progression of your tumor. Some cancer-fighting drugs like monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, which work by unblocking immune checkpoints on your immune system, may help. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy uses scientists in the lab to transform your own immune cells into powerful cancer fighters – another option.
Your physician will monitor the progress of immunotherapy with regular blood tests and scans. Side effects may include fatigue, itchy skin or swelling at the site of injection – should any such symptoms arise contact your healthcare provider immediately.