Buzdar and Feuerstein are both playing word games to sow confusion and doubt.
“The weakness of this approach [in reporting results early] is that there have been many studies in which tumors are injected locally -- the injections could consist of anything -- and you see tumor regression because of necrosis caused by inflammation. But it is a tremendous leap to say that this is a real response, which is why what the company is saying is so inappropriate.”
The inflammation most people are familiar with is a Th2 response (allergic, granuloma forming). Th2 response is not effective against cancer and chronic Th2 type inflammation is associated with a variety of diseases including cancer. An effective Th1 response is not symptomatic in the Th2 sense and is anti-cancer. In fact, down-regulation of Th2 and up-regulation of Th1 is necessary for strong immune defense and response against cancer.
Buzdar’s agenda is to protect his franchise. Buzdar was key investigator in the aromatase inhibitor (anti-estrogen) Arimidex (anastrozole) and encourages its use despite evidence of significant side effects including significant increases in bone fractures, joint symptoms and a 26% increase in relative risk of cardiovascular events (~ 24% absolute increase in events). His endorsement in the face of significant side affects, as evidenced by his article Endocrine-therapy-related symptoms and breast cancer, speaks volumes as to objectivity.
Buzdar states in the lede,
“The association of a treatment-related adverse effect with treatment success has been reported in various clinical situations. The development of vasomotoror joint symptoms is an indication of therapeutic benefit in women receiving endocrine treatment for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.”
Buzdar notes in the main body,
“Anti-oestrogen therapies are associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events, uterine cancer, and rarely, uterine sarcomas.“
but nevertheless completes his endorsement with the following:
“In conclusion, women treated with aromatase inhibitors experience an increased frequency of joint symptoms, and rather than switch their therapy to another endocrine agent, one should share with the patients the information that these therapy-related adverse effects are actually associated with a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence. Compliance with any oral therapy is an important concern, and this reassurance might help patients cope with their symptoms and potentially enhance their compliance with therapy, ultimately reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence.”
By Buzdar’s logic,
“The association of a treatment-related adverse effect with treatment success has been reported in various clinical situations. The development of inflammation symptoms is an indication of therapeutic benefit in cancer patients receiving dendritic cell vaccine for inoperable cancers.”
“Dendritic cell therapies are associated with an increased risk of inflammation.“
“In conclusion, metastatic cancer patients treated with dendritic cell vaccines experience an increased frequency of inflammation, and rather than switch their therapy to a cytotoxic agent, one should share with the patients the information that these therapy-related adverse effects are actually associated with a lower risk of cancer recurrence. Compliance with any dendritic cell vaccine is an important concern, and this reassurance might help patients cope with their symptoms and potentially enhance their compliance with therapy, ultimately reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.”