Cancer Immunotherapy - A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment

Cancer Immunotherapy – a New Frontier in Cancer Treatment

This past decade has seen a rapid and dramatic shift in cancer management with the increasingly widespread use of cancer immunotherapy drugs. Immunotherapy is based on the concept of cancer immunosurveillance (1), the idea that a natural function of the immune system includes detection and elimination of transformed host cells, and that by extension, enhancing immune function can amplify antitumor response and aid in eradication of existing cancers and metastases. There are currently several distinct classes of immunotherapeutic drugs, including monoclonal antibody therapy, cytokine therapy, cellular immunotherapy, and antitumor vaccination (2).

Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy

The side effects seen with immunotherapy drugs are distinct from those reported with traditional chemotherapy, and requires unique monitoring and treatment. Given that these immunotherapeutic drugs act on the spectrum between anti-tumor and anti-self, it is not surprising that external manipulation of these pathways disrupts the balance of self-tolerance, resulting in high rates of autoimmune toxicity. The study of immune related adverse events and their management is a critical area of immunotherapeutic research, as the development of autoimmune related toxicity often limits the use of these otherwise effective cancer therapeutics.

1. Smyth MJ, Dunn GP, Schreiber RD. Cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting: the roles of immunity in suppressing tumor development and shaping tumor immunogenicity. Adv Immunol. 2006;90:1-50. doi:10.1016/S0065-2776(06)90001-7.
2. Granier C, De Guillebon E, Blanc C, et al. Mechanisms of action and rationale for the use of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer. ESMO Open. 2017;2(2):e000213. doi:10.1136/esmoopen-2017-000213.

Natural battery design inspired by the electric eel

Natural battery design inspired by the electric eel

Although batteries are seemingly ubiquitous in modern society, battery design has not been keeping up with technology. As computers and electronic devices become increasingly faster and smaller, a need for new battery technology with substantially reduced and flexible footprint becomes more and more urgent. A revolution in battery technology is long overdue. One research group from the University of Fribourg has attempted to solve this by going back to nature’s blueprints and analyzing how electricity is generated and stored in electric eels, and applying this to the development and design of a unique type of battery.

How do electric eels generate electricity?

The electric eel is a freshwater fish known for its unique ability to generate potentially lethal shocks up to 860 volts with 1 ampere of current. About 80% of the electric eel’s body is made up of three complex electric organs. The eel’s electric organ contains thousands of specialized cells called electrocytes, which are stacked in long rows separated by fluid-filled spaces. Each electrocyte pumps positively charged ions out of the cell, creating an energy gradient that can be harnessed when the electrocyte flips its pump direction. When this happens, a small voltage is created across the cell, which is amplified by thousands of cells working in parallel, resulting in the capability of generating very large electrical charges.

How do the novel batteries work? The new batteries under development consists of a series of saltwater and freshwater gels that are separated on a sheet. These gels are bridged by gel channels on a second sheet that selectively allow either positive or negative ions to pass, directing the flow of ions in very specific directions when the two sheets are in contact. This control of ion flow produces a small amount of voltage per gel, but can produce up to hundreds of volts with thousands of microscopic gels in parallel. Large sheets can be arranged and packed using origami folding techniques to allow the correct gels to come in contact with each other in a space efficient manner with a very small footprint. Because the batteries can be printed on thin sheets, they can be produced very small, are by nature soft and flexible, and can be made to comfortably fit items better than traditional rigid batteries. Artificial versions of the electric eel’s electricity generating cells could be developed for applications such as microscopic devices or medical implants, among many other uses.

Perhaps this cutting-edge research can advance battery technology and form the basis for novel battery design. The potential for this research is vast and will require further extensive analysis, but the future is exceedingly bright.

Is PETA too radical for its own good?

Is PETA too radical for its own good?

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights group in the world, claiming nearly 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide. Although PETA champions a positive message to stop animal abuse and cruelty, their tactics have been criticized as extremely offensive and radical. Their historical controversy and increasingly radical activism arguably diminishes their social impact and turns off many prospective members.

PETA has four core issues, namely opposition to factory farming, fur farming, animal testing, and the use of animals in entertainment. As their slogan proclaims, "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way." Many people would agree with this message, and support policy changes to benefit animals in these ways.

However, PETA’s use of shock and overtly graphic imagery in their campaigns to raise awareness is problematic. Many of PETA’s campaigns objectify women, and have received criticism from feminist rights advocates as being exploitative and degrading. Various media ads have compared animal abuse to victims of human exploitation, child labor, slavery and murder-cannibalization cases, which have generated angry responses from war-torn refugees and murder victim’s family members, among others who claim that the organization downplays and disrespects those affected by these countless human rights crimes.

In addition, despite PETA’s vocal animal welfare stance, the organization has come under attack for running an animal shelter which euthanizes over 81% of its animals. PETA’s operation of their animal shelter has drawn criticism from lawmakers and other animal rights activists, who balk at the idea of a shelter that makes almost no attempt to save animals, claiming that the organization is more “euthanasia clinic” than “shelter.” As testament to their reckless overuse of euthanasia, two PETA employees had been charged with cruelty to animals in a widely publicized case in which over 80 euthanized animals were left in shopping center dumpsters. In a separate incident, PETA was found to have been involved in the kidnapping and illegal euthanasia of a family dog who was wrongfully taken from their yard.

These events, media campaigns, and other incidents showcase the many various aspects in which PETA’s extremist leanings have manifest. PETA’s controversial and aggressive media campaigns and inciting actions have alienated and offended a large majority of the population who might otherwise be supporters of their message. Many radical activists believe PETA should stop the constant media stunts and use of nudity, as the resulting media circus clouds the topic at hand and prevents people from accepting animal rights as a serious issue. There has been criticism from both the conservative and radical ends of the animal rights movement, with many people agreeing with their core ideology, but disagreeing vehemently with their guerilla tactics. However, it is hard to argue with success, and PETA is by far the most successful animal rights organization in the world, despite (or perhaps because of) its controversy and criticism.

Assisted Living in Twin Falls, Idaho

Assisted Living in Twin Falls, Idaho

Assisted living is the fastest growing long-term care option for seniors, providing a housing solution for adults who can live independently with the help of mild to moderate assistance. Choice of assisted living facility is an important and often complicated decision, with communities offering different types of residences, apartment styles, and services. Room and board and daily meals are typically covered, however additional items including entrance fees, deposits, laundry, housekeeping, health and exercise programs vary between facilities. The availability of elder care in Twin Falls, ID is increasing as the average population age rises due to better healthcare and increased life expectancy, with over 50 assisted living facilities indexed. Given the vast number of housing options, and the often substantial differences in standard of living and additional options, seniors frequently require assistance in making these long term care decisions.

Twin Falls offers several excellent resource centers, including the College of Southern Idaho Office on Aging, which provides services to assist the elderly including client assessments, in-home services, transportation services, and access to the Aging & Disability Resource Center to aid and educate clients with long term care options and empower them to make informed choices. The Information & Assistance gateway can help seniors access referrals and services throughout the Magic Valley, and an active Ombudsman Program works to assist residents in protecting resident rights, safety, and welfare. The availability of these established professional services is a great benefit to seniors in Twin Falls, and we hope that these opportunities will prove useful for clients seeking assisted living options.

Cancer Immunotherapy - A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment

Cancer Immunotherapy – a New Frontier in Cancer Treatment

This past decade has seen a rapid and dramatic shift in cancer management with the increasingly widespread use of cancer immunotherapy drugs. Immunotherapy is based on the concept of cancer immunosurveillance (1), the idea that a natural function of the immune system includes detection and elimination of transformed host cells, and that by extension, enhancing immune function can amplify antitumor response and aid in eradication of existing cancers and metastases. There are currently several distinct classes of immunotherapeutic drugs, including monoclonal antibody therapy, cytokine therapy, cellular immunotherapy, and antitumor vaccination (2).

Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy

The side effects seen with immunotherapy drugs are distinct from those reported with traditional chemotherapy, and requires unique monitoring and treatment. Given that these immunotherapeutic drugs act on the spectrum between anti-tumor and anti-self, it is not surprising that external manipulation of these pathways disrupts the balance of self-tolerance, resulting in high rates of autoimmune toxicity. The study of immune related adverse events and their management is a critical area of immunotherapeutic research, as the development of autoimmune related toxicity often limits the use of these otherwise effective cancer therapeutics.

1. Smyth MJ, Dunn GP, Schreiber RD. Cancer immunosurveillance and immunoediting: the roles of immunity in suppressing tumor development and shaping tumor immunogenicity. Adv Immunol. 2006;90:1-50. doi:10.1016/S0065-2776(06)90001-7.
2. Granier C, De Guillebon E, Blanc C, et al. Mechanisms of action and rationale for the use of checkpoint inhibitors in cancer. ESMO Open. 2017;2(2):e000213. doi:10.1136/esmoopen-2017-000213.