Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Dr. Jason R. Williams, President and Director at WCI, and Dr. Nathan Goodyear, Integrative Medicine Physician
The Future of Cancer Care: Treating Tumors at Biopsy and Transforming Cancer Cells
Dr. Jason R. Williams and Dr. Nathan Goodyear highlight a groundbreaking shift in cancer treatment: initiating therapy during the biopsy itself by delivering targeted treatments directly into tumors.
This intratumoral approach aims to stimulate the immune system early, preventing tumor inflammation and aggressive behavior caused by delayed treatment. The current healthcare system's reimbursement model presents challenges to this innovation, but clinical trials in the U.S., Mexico, and planned in Saudi Arabia aim to pave the way for broader adoption.
Furthermore, the future may go beyond destruction of cancer cells to transforming malignant cells back to normal, emphasizing healing and immune empowerment rather than war on cancer. This approach requires multidisciplinary collaboration, embracing precision medicine and integrating microbiome influences to personalize effective therapies.
Gut Microbiome's Cancer Role
- The gut microbiome significantly influences cancer risk and treatment outcomes.
- Environmental and food factors negatively affect the gut microbiome, potentially increasing cancer incidence.
Tumor Microbiome and Immunity
- Tumors have their own microbiome that communicates with the gut microbiome.
- This interaction affects the immune system and treatment efficacy, highlighting precision cancer care.