Advances in liver cancer treatment offer hope for black patients

Karmanos Cancer Institute makes history in Detroit with revolutionary liver cancer treatment

Globally, liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, more than 42,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease each year, resulting in an estimated 30,000 deaths in the United States. The Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit marks a historic milestone by using an innovative approach to launch a breakthrough liver cancer treatment, injecting hope into those battling the disease, a large portion of whom are Black.

While liver cancer poses a significant threat to individuals from diverse communities, recent research suggests that Black patients may face unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment. A study conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reveals unique characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a form of liver cancer, in black individuals, revealing that although their underlying disease is less severe, they often develop more Advanced liver cancer cancer, liver disease.

The March 2021 cancer study, which involved 1,195 patients, 390 of whom were Black, revealed unique characteristics of Black individuals who develop liver cancer. Of note, black patients showed higher liver function and lower serum total bilirubin and international normalized ratio at diagnosis. They also showed fewer overt indicators such as structural changes in the liver, ascites, splenomegaly, and low platelet counts.

Liver cancer rates are as high as 10.2 cases per 100,000 in African Americans, compared with 6.3 cases per 100,000 in white Americans. Although the stage of diagnosis was similar for both racial groups, African Americans (21%) had significantly lower 5-year survival rates than white Americans (25%) at all stages.

An important finding of the study was that black patients with liver cancer had lower biomarker scores, suggesting the need to reconsider surveillance guidelines and expand their scope to include black patients without certain indicators and biomarkers.

The underlying causes of racial disparities in liver cancer incidence are unclear and may indicate race/ethnicity-specific differences in the prevalence of associated risk factors. Recognized risk factors include chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Karmanos Cancer Institute pioneers new treatment for advanced liver cancer:

Detroit’s Karmanos Cancer Institute has become the first U.S. provider of a new FDA-approved treatment for advanced liver cancer. The TheraBionic P1 device, designed to treat advanced HCC, is a home therapy device that emits low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. This innovative treatment stops the growth of tumor cells without affecting healthy tissue.

HCC accounts for approximately 90% of all liver cancers, with an average survival rate of 6 to 20 months. The TheraBionic P1 device provides a non-invasive treatment option for patients 18 years and older who have failed first- and second-line treatments. Dr. Boris Pasche, President and CEO of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, expressed satisfaction with the launch of the device and highlighted its potential to prolong the fight against this incurable cancer. Struggle for people’s lives.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see the TheraBionic P1 device finally enter the market alongside Karmanos, an organization at the forefront of cancer innovation, research and novel therapies. Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an incurable disease cancer, the FDA’s approval of this non-invasive treatment option is revolutionary as doctors across the country will now have access to this revolutionary treatment, which has been shown to prolong life in patients with the disease. Struggle for human life.”

How TheraBionic P1 works:

The TheraBionic P1 is a handheld device that generates low-level 27.12 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields that are amplitude modulated at tumor-specific frequencies. The device, administered three times a day for an hour, combines with a spoon-shaped antenna placed on the patient’s tongue to deliver low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields throughout the body. The treatment is completely portable and safe for home use, with lower radiofrequency levels than those produced by cell phones.

The launch of TheraBionic P1 marks a major advancement in liver cancer treatment, especially for patients with advanced HCC who have limited alternative options. The success of this innovative therapy opens the door to further exploration of its potential to treat a variety of other cancers. Multiple clinical trials are currently underway to study the effects of TheraBionic P1 on breast, brain, ovarian, gallbladder, pancreatic and prostate cancer, bringing hope to a wider range of patients.

Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma, presents complex challenges, and the unique characteristics observed in black patients underscore the importance of tailored screening and treatment approaches. Karmanos Cancer Institute’s pioneering efforts with the TheraBionic P1 device mark a critical step forward in meeting the unique needs of patients with advanced HCC. As research continues to evolve, these breakthroughs offer hope for improved outcomes and longer lives for liver cancer patients, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.

“We are very pleased that the TheraBionic P1 device will provide our patients with an effective alternative treatment option,” said Dr. Anthony Shields, medical oncologist and leader of Karmanos’ gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine multidisciplinary team. “We are pleased to be the first cancer hospital in the United States to offer this innovative therapy, which is safe, well-tolerated and has the clinical benefit of reducing tumor growth.”

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