University of Alberta-Cure?

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Merilee
Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
edited June 2014 in Alternative Medicine

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited January 2012
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2012

    It is interesting, and it is being tested in human trials, according to wiki anyway. There are also side effects apparently, neuropathy and with extended use danger of liver cancer.

  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited January 2012

    Your question is a question that belongs in both the forums about standard care AND in forums about alternative care.

    Why?

    Because forums about alternative care (care that is not yet standard) are automatically considered to be "treatments that are used INSTEAD of standard, evidence-based treatment".

    I too have been interested in the possible metabolic management of cancer, and have initiated threads about recent information regarding the use of metformin for its effects on the mitochondria. It is not yet standard treatment, but it too is based on evidence-based treatment.

    I post this update on DCA that I found. I don't have the current status of DCA, but for those who wonder if the DCA idea "died" as being "too far out" and "too kooky" in comparison to the standard treatment with chemotherapies, or whether the research into DCA has continued to slowly make progress, this is something of an update on DCA.

    This research over time into DCA also provides some insight into the controversies about obstruction in the development of better treatments, and whether the system we have for recommending treatments now is self-perpetuating in favoring more toxic treatments, due in part to our desperation at time of diagnosis and our tendency to want to rely on treatments that hit cancer "as hard as possible".

    http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2010/05/evangelos_michelakis_on_dichloroacetate.php

    One way to make better progress with such work as the metabolic management of cancer would be to train endocrinologists to focus specifically on metabolic management of cancer and to sit as members with full authority to make recommendations for treatment on each of our tumor boards. It could provide more humane and less expensive solutions for the generations to come.

    AlaskaAngel

    P.S. You can lead someone to water, but you can't make them drink.

  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited January 2012

    http://www.dca.med.ualberta.ca/Home/Updates/2010-05-12_Update.cfm

    Couldn't watch the video on scienceblogs but here is an update from the University of Alberta. Looks like they are looking for funding for larger clinical trials. A dissection of the research by Michelakis is on Orac's blog: http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2010/05/dichloroacetate_dca_and_cancer_deja_vu_a.php

  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited January 2012

    The May, 2010 info you and I posted is both encouraging and discouraging because time continues to pass. For those with mets it is particularly heartbreaking not to at least have trials in progress to get answers one way or the other.

    Since the research into metabolic management with the use of the common, inexpensive drug metformin is similar, that is another possibility to discuss with providers.

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited January 2012

    I know right? DCA is available and I can't see how it could hurt to try it if you are in late stages. Would any one besides me take it even though it is not through the formal FDA process yet?

  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited January 2012

    Because I am not metastatic at this point and possibly have more time on my side, I want to see it receive full approval based on its proven merits, and would be concerned about possibly giving it a bad rap before it got approved if we didn't take the time to learn as much as possible about avoiding dangerous dosing levels, applying it to certain patients with a tendency to develop adverse reactions, etc.

    But watching the video and knowing how hard those research scientists at Alberta are trying to find out just how well it works but have to walk so slowly because of lack of adequate funding would truly be torture for those who are metastatic.

    A.A.

  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited January 2012

    I would not take DCA, at least not yet and not on my own. Many drugs that look promising on animals don't pan out for humans. I can still hope. It's different with foods that work on animals and don't harm humans. These are definitely worth trying.

  • chatsworthgirl
    chatsworthgirl Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2012

    I checked out the DCA videos and research.  There are now ongoing trials in the US and we will find out if it is truly a cure.  I did read, however, and this was from the Alberta research team, that it can cause side effects such as neuropathy and liver damage and some mental impairment in certain dosages.  So it will remain to be discovered what dosage is correct and also how to counteract side effects if they occur..

    They cautioned that self medicating would be risky because if you were not followed - as you would be in a clinical trial - any side effects could not be controlled and you could wind up with liver failure or some other problems.

    I was very exicted by this at first and ready to order some online but after much research I realize that I will have to wait until the clinical trials are complete. I am not a gambler and my life is at stake so it's a pretty big thing to gamble with.

    Kathy

  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited January 2012

    Side effects sound a bit like Taxotere

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2012

    Chatsworth, I pretty quickly found the same info. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet.

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