Immunotherapy: Hope From Within For Filipino Cancer Patients

Every now and then, we hear stories about people battling cancer. Some of us have friends or relatives with cancer and we all know how much of a burden this disease is. 

Cancer is one of the most challenging diseases and annual cases are expected to rise to 22 million within the next two decades. In 2012 alone, there were 14 million new cases reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) with 8.2 million cancer-related deaths. A significant contributor to this statistic is lung cancer, which is the top cause of cancer mortality for both sexes worldwide.

Sadly, incidence from the Philippines is not far off from the global data. According to Globocan 2012, Iung cancer is the second most common cancer in incidence and mortality among Filipino men and women. Melanoma on the other hand affects around 300 Filipinos annually. Though melanoma is not one of the most common cancers in the country, early diagnosis remains a challenge for most patients. 

The good news is that for many cancers there have been significant breakthroughs – from prevention to treatment options – however, the unmet needs remain high. 

Last March 17, 2016 in Diamond Hotel, I was very eager to learn about this spark of hope made even brighter for Filipino patients with advanced stages of lung cancer and melanoma as MSD in the Philippines, a leader in oncology research and development just introduced Immunotherapy, one of the most innovative cancer treatment methods to date.

Dr. Gerry Cornelio discussing about the different types of Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors is a form of cancer treatment that prevents the interaction between the immune system’s T-cells and the tumors. When tumors and T-cells interact, a protein found in the tumor called the Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) deactivates T-cells so they become incapable of recognizing and destroying cancer cells. Through immunotherapy, this interaction is blocked so that T-cells can detect and ward off the cancer cells.

In the Philippines, the anti PD-L1 immunotherapy drug Pembrolizumab received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced or metastatic lung cancer and melanoma after failing first-line treatment. In a media round table symposium held March 17 in Manila, Dr Gerardo Cornelio, Cancer Institute Head of St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City shared that "Pembrolizumab has the potential to become an integral part of cancer treatment. It has and will be tested across a broad spectrum of cancers." said Dr. Cornelio.

Clinical trials have shown immunotherapy’s efficacy in the treatment of advanced lung cancer and melanoma. According to a study published in LANCET, Pembrolizumab showed superior overall survival with less high-grade toxicity for previously treated, PD-L1-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Results of the trials showed that the most common side effects for lung cancer patients receiving Pembrolizumab were decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, and rash.

Clinical trials also showed that Pembrolizumab has superior anticancer activity in patients with advanced melanoma who failed previous therapies. In terms of safety profile, Pembrolizumab showed a lower incidence of treatment-related adverse events compared to chemotherapy. 

Biomarkers play a key role in patient response. The expression of a certain biomarker in patients’ tumors played an important role in their response to Pembrolizumab. Biomarkers are proteins found in a patient’s tissue, blood or fluids that can help determine the outcome of a patient’s disease or response to medication. Clinical trials have shown that if a patients’ tumors express the biomarker Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), patients are more likely to have a better response to the drug.

Addressing the rising incidence of cancer is indeed a tough road to embark on and MSD has been dedicating its resources to developing innovative oncology medicines.  

Writing my message for all cancer patients. Finally, cancer is hopeless case no more!

With this Immunotherapy finally available in the Philippines, cancer patients need not equate being diagnosed with advanced or metastatic lung cancer or melanomas a death sentence. Thanks to this breakthrough in cancer medication, patients in the Philippines and abroad have a ray of hope and confidence in what used to be a hopeless case. 

Join the Ultimate Royal Treatment Fans Day

One of the today's brightest stars came from humble beginnings, from a teenage girl who dreamt of being a celebrity, finally blossomed into one of the brightest stars in the industry of showbiz. Kim Chiu has proven that a simple girl from Cebu can achieve superstar status. It’s almost too easy for her to captivate anyone with her style of acting and her bubbly personality and thanks for her wide support of her fans, she is now dubbed as the Chinita Princess.

It’s time to give back to the millions and millions of fans who have supported Chinita Princess, Kim Chui throughout her bright career. FatOut’s The Royal Treatment Fans Day is a day for you, by ATC Healthcare and Kim Chiu. So unroll your sleeves, loosen up and give yourself a kind of relaxation fit for a royalty. FatOut’s The Royal Treatment Fans Day will be a day filled with royal relaxation and a royal performance from, none other than, Chinita Princess herself, Kim Chiu! What else are you waiting for? Grab your tiaras and join this awaited FatOut’s The Royal Treatment Fans Day.

Have you been waiting for your Fairy God Mother? Then wait no more! FatOut is giving you the Ultimate Royal Treatment with The Chinita Princess, Kim Chiu! Get ready to be pampered and meet your Idol, FatOut’s newest endorser Kim Chiu! 

What are you waiting for? Go hit the nearest Drugstore and buy FatOut now! Don’t forget to keep the receipt so you can register online to make your entry and tickets valid!

Who's Going To Be The Next Century Tuna Superbods?

I am fond of watching all sorts of pageants ever since I can remember. I admire how each candidates gracefully and confidently flaunt their face and body. That is why when I got an invite to the VIP launch of the 26 finalists of Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016, I did not hesitate to go. Monika Sta. Maria one of my favorite models is a product of this pageant, she was the winner back in 2012. 

So last March 16, 2016  the Valkyrie Nightclub in BGC was filled with bevy of fab and fit hopefuls who were all excited, full of anticipations, and filled with exhilarating energy as Century Tuna recently presented its lineup of finalists for the much-awaited Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016, the biggest, hottest and most fabulous summer event in the country brought to you by the country's number 1 tuna. 

From hundreds of fit, sexy, and pumped up men and women who joined the go-sees all over the country, 24 finalists were chosen in a series of intense screenings and callbacks. This year’s batch of hopefuls all showed amazing potential that the competition presented 12 local pairs of finalists, instead of the initially planned nine.

“We are very proud and excited by this year's batch of Superbods finalists. They are all brimming with potential not just in terms of physical fitness but in terms of personality, talent and achievement. The judges will really have a tough time in choosing this year's winners,” remarks Greg Banzon, Century Pacific Foods General Manager. ”Furthermore, it’s heartening to see that the Superbods competition, after ten years, continues to inspire these young men and women to stay healthy and in shape through proper exercise and healthy diet.”

Since its inception in 2006, Century Tuna Superbods search has indeed gone bigger, better, and bolder. For its 10th year, this is the first time the brand widened the competition, drawing numerous candidates from all over the country and the United States. 

After the rigorous screening sessions which saw the hopefuls strut their stuff on the catwalk and put their best bodies—and personalities—forward, these fine men and women were declared as finalists:

   Carla Meneses        Cassie Umali        Ambra Guitierrez    Maria Martinez

       Tanya Hyde        Carmela Fernandez   Princess Abella      Mirtle Gimenez

Nancy Leonard            Kaara Tan           Olivia Medina           Anja Peter

John Padilla              Cedric Roxas          Ali Khatibi              Jose Pio Luz III

   Ameen Sardouk         Erie Obsena             Jerome Tan                Ryan Sy

     Tom Esconde       Shawn Stansbury           Jake Khan            Clint Bondad

Aside from the 24 hot candidates, the one and only Superbod Anne Curtis graced the event.

From here, the 24 finalists will move to the next leg of the competition, where they will be joined by two Superbods candidates from the USA. The search will culminate in the finals night on April 10, 2016, at the ultra exclusive Palace Pool Club. 

You too can take part of the action in this electrifying search—by joining the online voting for your favorite Superbods 2016 finalist!

Simply download the Century Tuna Superbods App from either the Google Playstore or the App Store on Itunes. Look out for and purchase selected Century Tuna Flakes in Oil in 180 grams with can toppers and scratch off a portion to reveal the unique code for viewing. Input the code onto the Superbods App voting section. Random, computer selected voters will get a chance to win tickets to the Superbods Nation Finals Night! Online voting is ongoing until April 2.

Other exciting activities to watch out for in the 10th year of the Century Tuna Superbods search are the Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016 Challenge and the Century Tuna Superbods Consumer Weekend on April 2 and 3 at the Bonifacio High Street, where you can meet and greet with past and present Superbods and some of the hottest celebrities, events sure to fire up the summer season.