In addition, colony growth factors are able to accelerate regeneration of blood cells following chemotherapy. Interferon directly inhibits cancer cell proliferation and has already been used in the therapy of hairy cell leukemia, Kaposi's sarcoma, and malignant melanoma. These drugs must be carefully administered by an oncologist, as they can produce temporary side effects. Ask your oncologist to consider prescribing vitamin A analog drugs such as Accutane. Again, the use and dosage of potentially toxic drugs such as Accutane must be carefully prescribed by your attending oncologist.
Some cancer patients produce too many T-suppressor cells that shut down optimal immune function.
The administration of drugs such as cimetidine prevent cancer cells from prematurely shutting down the immune system. The proper administration of Neupogen or Leukine prior to the initiation of chemotherapy can dramatically reduce the immune damage that chemotherapy inflicts on the body and increase the cancer cell killing efficacy of conventional chemotherapy drugs. Please remember that, so far, we have only talked about drugs that require physician administration. There are safe nutrients that can be self-administered that also protect against chemotherapy toxicity and immune impairment. Some of these nutrients include Coenzyme Q10, which has been shown in several studies to protect against chemotherapy damage to the heart.