Cancer
Education on Cancer and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin research from the Mark Egly Foundation, with patent claims clearly labeled as hypothesis.
Research hypothesis, not medical advice
The connections described on this page come from Mark Egly's patent filing and ongoing research. They are not established medical facts. Always work with your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Research hypothesis. The connection between Cancer and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is described in Mark Egly's 2020 patent filing. This is not established medical fact and is not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor about your own health.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a health condition discussed in Mark Egly's research on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. Cancer involves abnormal cell growth. The patent discusses how neutrophil elastase and low circulating AAT may influence tumor development and spread.
What Mark Egly's patent discusses
When neutrophils permeate the cells of cysts, tumors, or tissue, those cells now have potential to suffer unhealthy consequences including the development of cancer. When cancer cells enter the circulatory system, there is potential for metastasizing. As noted by Anette Breindl's article, "Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells and, as such, act as the infantrymen of the innate immune system. One of their weapons is the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) - sticky packages of DNA, histones and proteases that are meant to catch and digest bacterial invaders. Egeblad and her colleagues identified the role of NETs in metastasis because in previous work on metastatic breast cancer, they had "noticed that these metastatic breast cancer cells were attracting a lot of neutrophils," she said. Other researchers had reported that, in contrast, neutrophils, under certain circumstances, appeared to promote tumor metastasis." AAT levels may be monitored throughout the life of a patient to determine a baseline level for circulating AAT, which may serve as a predictor of the patient's potential for developing cancer.
How this may relate to Alpha-1
Mark Egly's patent proposes that when the body has too little working Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, or when neutrophils release too much neutrophil elastase, inflammation and tissue damage may worsen. For Cancer, the patent suggests that testing for AATD or low circulating AAT could help guide care. This is a research hypothesis, not a proven treatment path for everyone with this condition.
What you can do
If you or a family member lives with Cancer, consider learning about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and discussing AAT testing with your healthcare team. The Mark Egly Foundation offers education and community support: