Since 2007, scientific researchers have been studying whether dichloroacetate sodium (DCA) can be used to treat different types of cancer. As defined by the RECIST standards, a decrease or disappearance of cancer in an imaging scan is called a response. DCA does not cause the planned cell death of apoptosis, and is thus considered a cytostatic drug both in the laboratory and in living subjects. We outline the case of a 57-year-old woman with advanced-stage colon cancer who took oral DCA therapy and was able to hold the condition in check over a period of four years without substantial adverse effects. This is atypical as people with stage 4 colon cancer normally experience continual deterioration with resulting disability and mortality.
In this case, a 57-year-old woman’s stage 4 colon cancer was effectively managed for more than four years by taking DCA orally with no serious negative reactions. The RECIST criteria were used to measure how effective the therapy was in diminishing or eradicating the tumor. DCA may also stimulate programmed cell death, also known as cytostasis.
Since 2007, a study conducted by Stacpoole et al. using rats both in the laboratory and in a living environment has demonstrated the effectiveness of sodium dichloroacetate (DCA) in combating human lung, breast, and brain cancer by ceasing mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase. Moreover, the study proved its usefulness in the treatment of congenital lactic acidosis, and the results indicated that no damaging effects could be found in the heart, lungs, kidneys, or bone marrow, with the only possible consequence being peripheral neuropathy, which disappeared after stopping the DCA.
The only other recorded symptom was an increase in liver enzymes for some of the participants. Due to its efficacy in tackling congenital lactic acidosis, DCA has grown in popularity as a metabolic treatment for various cancers and four clinical tests have attested to its effectiveness. Yet, most of the research tends to concentrate on those at a later stage in their diagnosis, and short-term therapy is often the go-to solution.
Research from 2007 conducted by Bonnet and co-authors have found that Dactylcysteinol (DCA) carries the capability to put an end to cancer cells and is correlated to the Warburg effect and mitochondrial potassium ion channels. In several cases, including those of colon, prostate, ovarian, neuroblastoma, lung carcinoid, cervical, endometrial, cholangiocarcinoma, sarcoma, and T-cell lymphoma, DCA has been confirmed to be effective. This has led to theorizing that it might have anti-tumor characteristics. It is assumed that its impact on cell survival is connected with transformations in HIF1, pH-regulating enzymes like V-ATPase and MCT1 and other genes, containing GLUT1, PUMA, Bcl2, and p53. In vitro studies more often than not use doses of DCA that are much more prominent than those that would be suitable for therapeutic objectives.
Generally, taking low doses of DCA has been seen to have lacklustre results in regards to cytostatic. More noteworthy results were found when it was consumed together with other drugs. Sun and colleagues’ study of breast cancer in a living organism exhibited that DCA was able to put a stop to tumor growth without causing any apoptosis. Additionally, DCA was noticed to reduce the spread of cancer in a rat model of breast cancer. This suggests that it could potentially be employed just like anti-angiogenic treatments to restrain cancer. Nonetheless, there is no confirmation that continued use of DCA would permanently keep the state of the disease away.
Since 2007, Dr. Khan, a naturopathic doctor, has used Dietary Complementary Ascorbate (DCA) as a therapy for cancer patients who have not responded to traditional treatments. To protect the nerves from potential toxicity, acetyl L-carnitine, R-alpha lipoic acid, and benfotiamine were taken. Results from the surveys revealed that DCA was beneficial for over 300 people with advanced cancer. The daily intake of 20-25 mg of natural neuroprotective drugs, taken in a bi-weekly cycle with a week’s break in between, helped reduce neuropathy symptoms by 20%. Although a small number of participants (2%) were found to have raised liver enzyme levels, this was reversible.
A person diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer, who had a standard life expectancy of nine to twelve months while taking intense traditional palliative chemotherapy, had persistent cytostatic benefits due to being administered oral DCA by Dr. Khan combined with neuroprotective medications prescribed by Dr. Andrews.
An individual of 57 years old with late-stage rectal cancer presented to the doctor’s office in March. They had been feeling constipated and lower back pains in the past 12 months. The medical examination disclosed rectal cancer, which made it challenging to provide a colonoscopy. The tests established a differentiated colon cancer. A scan showed 3 cm cancerous growths in the liver, tiny tumors in the lungs, and a circular rectal cancer, resulting in the patient’s condition being classified as stage 4 (it was complex to discover the limits of the tumor compared to the contiguous tissue based on the scan).
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The patient had a loop ileostomy because of the obstruction. Following this operation, the rectal tumor stayed. Treatment using FOLFIRI and bevacizumab began afterward. Initially, the CEA marker of the patient fell from 260.9 ng/mL to 3.5 ng/mL before the DCA treatment began. There was no progress with the chemotherapy; by the time the patient was referred to the author’s clinic, their condition was simply kept in a steady state.
The patient was comparatively healthy before two decades ago. Even though they consumed alcohol occasionally, they were affected by colon and stomach cancer. They were prescribed Hydromorphone-ER 32mg twice a day, 2-4 mg orally in combination with chemotherapy, hydrogen peroxide enemas, oral vitamin C, and oral vitamin D when needed; there were no adverse reactions noted. Adverse effects that they experienced included small mouth ulcers due to chemotherapy, minor diarrhea, and moderate periodic rectal bleeding. Their pain in their upper right shoulder was at a level of three, and lumbar and sacrum pain reached a level of six, possibly due to liver metastases.
After taking into account the positive results and limited side effects of the current chemotherapy routine, a decision was reached to supplement it with additional treatments. An appropriate professional was picked to arrange a suitable plan for the patient, consisting of administering 10,000 IU of vitamin D orally, providing an intravenous dosage of 50 g of vitamin C, and a quantity of 49 mg/kg of sodium dichloroacetate.
He was given R-alpha lipoic acid (at a dose of 150 mg to be taken three times a day), acetyl L-carnitine (500 mg – taken three times each day), benfotiamine (with each dosage amounting to 80 mg, taken twice daily) and racemic alpha Lipoic acid (500 mg when having the DCA infusions) so as to try and lessen side effects linked to DCA. The timing of his infusions was arranged in a way that any possible drug interactions would be eliminated, and was scheduled at least 48 hours apart with his chemotherapy treatments.
Because of the antioxidant effects of lipoic acid extracts (licorice extract), it was not to be given on, or the day before, or after chemotherapy days. An exacting standard was applied in March 2012, and as no negative outcomes had taken place, the regular quantity of 66 mg/kg of i.v. DCA was raised to 4000 mg per week. Interestingly, taking hefty amounts of DCA barely induced drowsiness.
The Metformin dosage for the patient ranged from 500mg a day to the maximum of 500mg three times per day to increase responsiveness to chemotherapy. To address the pain from sacral neuropathy, Pregabalin was begun at a dose of 50mg per day and increased up to 50mg taken three times a day. The side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting, prevented the patient from taking the Metformin so as to avoid dehydration difficulties. For more visit: https://www.dcaguide.org/dca-for-cancer-treatment/
