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Cancer Aggressivity with Chemotherapy



Can Cancer be more Aggressive with Chemotherapy?

The idea that cancer can become more aggressive post-chemotherapy is widely debated and researched. Because chemotherapy is a cornerstone of many conventional cancer treatments, understanding its influence on the body and tumors is critical. To better educate those considering chemotherapy, here is an overview of some of the potential ways chemotherapy can cause cancer growth to be more aggressive.

Mechanisms That Could Contribute to Aggressiveness

 

1.     Inflammation and Growth Factor Release:

o   Chemotherapy-induced tissue damage can lead to the release of inflammatory signals and growth factors that promote tumor growth and spread.

o   For example, studies have shown increased levels of cytokines after chemotherapy, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are linked to tumor growth. This transforms “the cancer cell type into a monster” according to Dr. Yu Rou Puar in Biomedicines (2018).

o   Increased inflammation can:

1.     Stimulate more rapid cancer growth (proliferation).

2.     Increase resistance to apoptosis (programmed cell death).

3.     Increase invasive and metastatic behavior of the cancer.

4.     Stimulate angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation).

5.     Create a chemo-resistant cancer cell type.

2.     Selection for Resistant Cells:

o   Chemotherapy may leave behind resistant cancer cells that survive the chemotherapy treatment. If these resistant cells expand, a more aggressive form of cancer can result.  

o   Some studies indicate that chemotherapy may cause mutations such as in the p53 tumor suppressor gene, causing more resistance to chemotherapy while promoting tumor development. 

 

3.     Tumor Environment Changes:

o   Chemotherapy can damage a tumor’s healthy surrounding environment like blood vessels or immune cells.  

o   This damage can inadvertently create conditions that favor cancer cell survival or metastasis.

 

4.     Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT):

o   Chemotherapy can produce stress responses in cancer cells, triggering EMT, a process that renders cells prone to invasion and metastasis.

o   EMT-associated markers, like vimentin and N-cadherin, have been found in increased numbers in some post-chemotherapies.  

 

Clinical Examples

  1. Breast Cancer:

    • Some studies identified that certain subtypes of breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, may have more aggressive behavior following chemotherapy because of residual cancer stem cells.

 

  1. Pancreatic Cancer:

    • Research has found that chemotherapy-induced inflammation can trigger metastasis.

 

  1. Lung Cancer:

    • Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) often recurs more aggressively after initial chemotherapy because of the survival of resistant cell clones.

Takeaways

 

Research continues to be done to better understand the effects of chemotherapy on cancer growth. There are benefits and risks of chemotherapy, so it is important to discuss them openly with a team that is familiar with alternatives that fit your situation. At Dayspring Cancer Clinic, we help people understand holistically their options when considering cancer therapies to best minimize side effects and the risk of cancer growth. Learn more by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Andrew Dickens by calling 480-699-7400 or registering at https://www.dayspringcancerclinic.com/contact.

 

 

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