Deborah Weatherby -Falk, Canada

Diagnosis: Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the nasal cavity

Beginning of treatment: February 2007

Treatment:
Gene Therapy: ‘Gendicine’ injections
Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy
Traditional Chinese medicine 

Deborah was diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity at 2006. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of head and neck cancer. In her native country, Canada, Deborah underwent local surgery and radiation treatments, yet one year later the cancer returned.   When Deborah realized that the only treatment offered to her by doctors in Canada is a drastic surgery to remove the tumor, a surgery that has radical consequences on a patient’s quality of life, she was determined to search wherever possible for alternatives.  Being an experienced senior nurse, she understood her condition well and without the support of her doctors, decided to take her life in her own hands.

Her research led Deborah to gene therapy. She soon found out that the most promising solution under research for treating cancer is found in a gene called P53-gene, the most studied tumor suppressor gene, which has the ability to inhibit metabolic activity and cell division inside tumors.           

When it was made clear to her that the only place where she could get an injection of P53-gene was China, she did not hesitated and made arrangements with the hospital to come for treatm

PET-CT SCAN BEFORE THE TREATMENT:

On arrival in China, in February 2007, Deborah underwent a PET-CT scan, which confirmed that the cancer has returned. A first cycle of gene therapy – local injection of ‘Gendicine’ (P53 tumor suppressor gene and modified adenovirus serotype 5), proved to be very effective for Deborah and the tumor seemed to be in remission. However, in November 2008, Deborah was diagnosed with an aggressive recurrence of the cancer.

Convinced and hopeful by the effectiveness of the first treatment, and knowing she has no other alternative, Deborah returned to Beijing for a second treatment.

After the second cycle of treatment Deborah’s cancer had shrunk significantly, and tested to have no metabolic activity.

PET-CT SCAN AFTER THE TREATMENT:

As a senior nurse, Deborah had professional tools to evaluate the treatment and care she received during her treatment, and through the cultural differences and language barrier, Deborah appreciated the skilled care she received:

“The treatment offered at Phoenix hospital is valuable, especially given that there has been no advancement in treatment for squamous head and neck cancers in over 150 years. China offers hope for those afflicted with this wretched disease” She says.

Deborah was treated under an integrative treatment program which included:

• Local injections of ‘Gendicine’
• Intravenous application of Nimotuzumab
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine solution for cancer treatment