Good Life Project Groundbreaking Cancer Research: How Common Meds May Change the Game | Matthew D. Park, PhD
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Feb 24, 2025 In this discussion with Matthew D. Park, a pioneering immunologist, listeners dive into how aging immune cells may inadvertently fuel cancer growth. Park reveals that myeloid cells can suppress cancer-fighting mechanisms as we age. He also explores how existing medications could reset this harmful process and transform cancer treatment, especially for lung cancer. The conversation highlights innovative strategies, including repurposed drugs like Anakinra, that could revolutionize care for high-risk patients.
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Cancer and Aging
- Aging is a primary risk factor for cancer, prompting research into preventative measures rather than just treatment.
- This shift in focus aims to understand the mechanisms that make older individuals more susceptible to cancer.
Aging Immune System and Cancer
- Aging immune systems, a major factor in cancer predisposition, produce more myeloid cells.
- These myeloid cells suppress cancer-killing cells, leading to worse outcomes.
Cancer Cell Age vs. Immune System Age
- Research reveals that older cancer cells are less aggressive, contrary to previous beliefs.
- The age of the immune system, not the cancer cells, determines cancer progression.