Published April 3, 2017 by

How to win the war on cancer

Amongst the most terrifying words a doctor can say to a patient are, “You have cancer.” This year, more than 600,000 Americans will die from cancer. Deaths from heart disease still outnumber cancer, but that is quickly changing. Cancer has now surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in almost half of the states in America. Tragically, nearly 50% of Americans can now expect to get a diagnosis of cancer during their lifetime. This is a serious problem that has resulted in the loss of countless millions of precious lives and a huge economic burden on society. It does not have to be this way!

Cancer is a cunning, shrewd, and highly adaptable disease. It has been outsmarting physicians for a very long time. With conventional treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy), the statistics are not good. Of the nearly 2 million people newly diagnosed with cancer last year, over 600,000 of them have already died.

Although treatment outcomes have improved with conventional treatment over the last few decades, there are significant challenges that must be addressed, such as multi-drug resistance, disease progression, metastasis, and inevitable recurrence. Except for childhood leukemia, little progress has been made in the treatment of late-stage cancers in the past 20 years in terms of overall survival. The need for new treatment approaches has never been more urgent.

There is a debate regarding the long-term efficacy of chemotherapy treatment for advanced-stage cancer (click here), not to mention the heavily compromised quality of life in terms of numerous side effects (click here), including accelerating the aging process (click here). It can be a double-edged sword and may only provide a short-term solution. While chemotherapy can shrink tumors, it will not prevent cancer recurrence. This is because it can trigger systemic inflammation and the production of DNA-damaging free radicals, as well as stimulate cancer stem cells. This can open a gateway for tumors to proliferate and for secondary cancers to form (click here and here). For many cancers, conventional therapy alone may not be enough. We provide synergistic treatments that can not only reduce systemic inflammation, neutralize free radicals, and target cancer stem cells, but can also sensitize cancer cells to conventional therapy while helping to protect normal cells.

ENCOURAGING NEWS

If you have been given a poor prognosis and conventional and/or alternative cancer treatment has failed, please do not give up hope. Our goal is to help people with advanced cancer live better and longer. We offer various salvage treatments, also known as “rescue” therapies. These are treatments that are given after cancer has become unresponsive to treatment. By providing numerous and powerful weapons to fight cancer, our goal is to help shift cancer management from a palliative mode to a curative mode whenever possible. Our aim is to transition patients from intractable stage-4 cancer to stable disease, partial remission, or complete remission, with the fewest adverse side effects as possible.

A NEW THEORY HAS EMERGED

For decades, physicians have held the belief that cancer depends on the activation of tumor-promoting genes (oncogenes) and/or the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes for its initiation and survival. This is known as the genomic theory of cancer. However, recent studies have shed light on the vital mechanisms that assure the survival of cancer cells, including the ability to avoid immune destruction, as well as the ability to sustain metabolic adaptations that provide cancer cells with a guaranteed energy supply for their uncontrolled growth and spread. As a result, targeting the “horse” (metabolism) rather than the “cart” (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes) may be a wiser strategy for eliminating cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

The new metabolic theory of cancer holds that cancer’s deadly path begins in the mitochondria where cells generate energy. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are involved, but they are likely secondary to or a consequence of defects in the energy-producing mitochondria (click here, here, here, and here). Under this theory, cancer is a systemic metabolic disease and the tumor is a “symptom,” and to treat cancer more effectively, you must target the one weakness that is common to virtually all cancers. That common weakness is damaged mitochondria resulting in altered metabolism.

CANCER METABOLISM

Metabolism is defined as the collection of complex biochemical processes that cells use to generate energy and maintain their growth and survival. Metabolism encompasses the synthesis and breakdown of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, and the generation of energy-rich ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Cancer needs a lot of energy to enable its unabated growth and spread. Cancer cell metabolism differs from normal cells from which they are derived, conferring cancer with metabolic advantages, but also affording opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Cancer cells alter their metabolism to support rapid proliferation, continuous growth, invasion, metastasis, avoidance of immune attack, resistance to treatment, and survival in harsh conditions (click here).

The metabolism of cancer cells is remarkably different from normal cells. Normal cells derive most of their energy from a process called oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) which takes place in the mitochondria. In the late 1920s, the metabolic distinction between normal cells and cancer cells was discovered by German scientist Dr. Otto Warburg who found that, even in the presence of sufficient oxygen, cancer cells choose to metabolize glucose outside of the mitochondria via glycolysis instead of OXPHOS. This is termed the Warburg effect or aerobic glycolysis.

Even though the glycolytic pathway is technically less efficient than OXPHOS to produce energy, it has significantly faster kinetics, meaning that it can produce an equivalent amount of ATP during the same amount of time. This metabolic reprogramming smartly conserves nutrients to produce nucleic acids, lipids, and amino acids needed to support the growth and spread of cancer, rather than being oxidized in the mitochondria for maximal output of ATP. Also, a high rate of glycolysis leads to increased lactate production which results in purposeful acidification of the tumor microenvironment. This acidification increases the invasive potential of cancer, allows tumors to escape immune attack, and enables resistance to treatment.

If faced with insufficient glucose, to ensure their survival, cancer cells will turn to “Plan B” and shift their metabolism to derive energy from the amino acid glutamine and/or fatty acids. Glucose, glutamine, and fatty acids are the primary fuels that drive all cancers. To starve and weaken cancer, we are pioneering the use of diet, meal timing, natural compounds, and repurposed medicines to lower cancer’s ability to utilize glucose, glutamine, and fatty acids needed to fuel its growth and spread.

When backed into a corner from dietary glucose, glutamine, and fatty-acid deprivation, cancer cells can turn to “Plan C” and use protective autophagy as a last resort to ensure their survival. Also known as the reverse Warburg effect, this is a process where tumor stroma cells—specifically cancer-associated fibroblasts or CAFs—are autophagocytosed (self-digested) to create energy-rich compounds, including lactate and ketones, to feed hungry cancer cells. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the reverse Warburg effect may be the chief mechanism driving tumor metabolism, especially in aggressive cancers (click here and here). This data has provided us with additional strategies for even more potent anticancer therapy using natural compounds and repurposed medicines to metabolically “uncouple” cancer cells from their associated fibroblasts, block protective autophagy, and inhibit the reverse Warburg effect. Any treatment that targets cancer cells without also targeting the tumor stroma will likely fail in terms of achieving long-term survival. To learn more, click here.

Cancer cells usually reside in a harsh microenvironment of hypoxia, acidosis, hyponutrition, excess oxidation, and inflammation. Despite these extremely stressful conditions, cancer cells can survive and proliferate by altering or reprogramming their metabolism. Here are the individual metabolic steps that lead to cancer and its spread:

  1. Damage to mitochondrial DNA and/or membranes leads to oxygen underutilization and a shift from aerobic respiration to glycolytic metabolism. When the capacity of the mitochondria to generate energy using oxygen is impaired, the malignant transformation of the cell begins.
  2. Damaged mitochondria send signals to the nucleus to activate cancer-promoting genes (oncogenes) and deactivate the cancer-suppressor genes. This allows the abnormal cells to avoid apoptosis (programmed cell death) and proliferate uncontrollably. The net result is cancer.
  3. Mitochondrial injury leads to sustained oxidative stress and inflammation. This further promotes uncontrolled cellular proliferation.
  4. Affected cells regress to “selfish-cell” survival behaviors. Normally, the body’s cells work together, each contributing to the greater good. Cancer cells, which divide and colonize in the body, are an exception to this rule. They prosper at the expense of normal cells, but foolishly seal their fate by eventually killing the host.
  5. Cancer continues in glycolytic metabolism with subsequent immune evasion, angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels) to feed and grow the tumor; production of cancer stem cells; metastasis (spread of malignant cells); pain; body-wasting; multi-organ failure, and ultimately death.

SPECIAL FOCUS ON IMMUNOMETABOLISM

Over the past decade, “immunometabolism” has become one of the most exciting areas of scientific research. Immunometabolism is an emerging field that investigates the interaction between immunologic and metabolic processes. Interest in this field is gaining momentum due to the realization that metabolism plays a central role in immune responses in healthy individuals, and lack of proper immune response in those with cancer (click here). This important discovery is paving the way for cutting-edge therapies designed to starve and weaken tumor cells and while spurring immune cells to attack the tumor.

CANCER STEM CELLS

In the human body, there are healthy stem cells that help repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Similarly, in tumors, there are cancer stem cells (CSCs) that help repair and regenerate tumors. This subset of cancer cells is also known as tumor-survival cells (TSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs). CSCs are drug-resistant and remain after each round of chemotherapy to repopulate the tumor with new cancer cells.

Many experts believe that successful eradication of CSCs could change the face of cancer treatment. Not only are CSCs a chief driver of treatment failure, cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence (often more aggressive), CSCs may also be the root cause of the original tumor itself (click here). Because of the powerful survival mechanisms of CSCs, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are unable to kill them. In fact, conventional therapy may do the opposite and stimulate the proliferation and virulence of CSCs.

CSCs can migrate and nest in distant sites of the body and remain quiescent (dormant) for months, years, or even decades until the right stimuli come along and awaken them. Conventional therapy can cause tumors to shrink, however, it will not prevent tumor recurrence. Sooner or later, lingering CSCs can form new and often more aggressive tumors from a small number of cells (as few as 100). In other words, being “tumor-free” is not the same as being “cancer-free.” Eradicating tumors is not enough. CSCs must also be eradicated to achieve long-term survival. At present, there are no drugs that are FDA-approved to specifically target CSCs. To address this urgent and unmet need, we are pioneering the use of repurposed medicines and natural compounds that have been found to target CSCs by killing them and/or preventing them from entering a dormant and more resistant state.

SENESCENT CANCER CELLS

Besides cancer stem cells, the other problematic cells are senescent cancer cells. Not all cancer cells can be forced into apoptosis (programmed cell death) when treated with conventional and/or alternative therapy. Instead of dying, some cancer cells will simply stop dividing and multiplying and enter a senescent or dormant-like state. This is called senescence-associated growth arrest (SAGA), and while it sounds good, it is accompanied by something not so good called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in which there is an overactive secretion of pro-inflammatory, cancer-promoting compounds by the senescent cancer cells. Furthermore, this senescent “microenvironment” can promote cancer stem cells and inevitable cancer recurrence (click here and here). Bottom line, senescent cancer cells must be dealt with.

Again, it is good that senescent cancer cells do not divide and multiply like regular cancer cells, however, because senescent cancer cells do not die, they retain their dysfunctional cellular metabolism and secrete pro-inflammatory, cancer-promoting compounds. If too many senescent cancer cells accumulate and the immune system does not kill enough of them, this can lead to further growth and spread of cancer. Because cancer patients are usually immunosuppressed due to disease and/or treatment, we are pioneering the use of repurposed medicines and natural compounds that have been shown to target senescent cells by directly killing them and/or reducing the effects of SASP.

HALLMARKS OF CANCER

Tumors are well organized and follow a strict set of rules. Scientists have identified 12 nearly-universal pillars or traits of human malignancy that give it the capacity to grow, invade surrounding tissues, survive in the circulation, and spread to distant organs. Collectively, these are called the “hallmarks” of cancer, and therapeutically targeting them can enhance standard treatment and improve your chances for achieving remission and long-term survival:

  1. Resistance to apoptosis (cell death): Apoptosis is a protective mechanism by which cells are programmed to die if they become damaged and potentially harmful. Cancer cells bypass this mechanism. Therapeutic targets: Activate caspase protease enzymes and downregulate TP53-Induced Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR) protein.
  2. Replicative immortality: Normal cells die after a finite number of cell divisions. Cancer cells bypass this limit and are capable of infinite divisions (immortality) and sustained proliferation. Therapeutic targets: Deactivate telomerase and destabilize telomeres.
  3. Evading immune attack: Cytotoxic T-cells (CTCs) and natural killer (NK) cells are the main anti-cancer immune cells. CTCs and NK cells can be rendered impotent by immunosuppressive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and T-regulatory cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment. Therapeutic targets: Increase the number and competency of CTCs and NK cells, reprogram CAFs and TAMs, and suppress the activity of Tregs.
  4. Genetic instability: DNA is damaged many times during each cell division. That damage must be repaired, including in cancer cells. Otherwise, the cells may die due to this damage. Therapeutic target: Inhibit the enzyme known as PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) used by cells to repair damage to their DNA.
  5. Altered metabolism and deregulated cellular energetics: The metabolism of cancer cells and the tumor stroma is different from normal cells. Cancer and stromal cells use alternative metabolic pathways to generate energy and building blocks to fuel malignant growth and spread. Therapeutic targets: Disable metabolic coupling between cancer cells and stromal cells, and deprive cancer of the high-energy nutrients it needs (i.e., glucose, glutamine, fatty acids, ketones, and lactate).
  6. Inflammation: Local or systemic inflammation induced by the tumor microenvironment acts as a major driver of cancer. Therapeutic targets: Suppress local and systemic inflammation.
  7. Tumor hypoxia and angiogenesis: A growing tumor soon outstrips its oxygen and blood supply and needs to grow new blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients. To orchestrate this, cancer cells boost the production of growth factors that stimulate angiogenesis. Therapeutic targets: Inhibit hypoxia-inducible factors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
  8. Invasion and metastasis: Cancer cells invade surrounding tissue and spread (metastasize) to distant sites in the body. Therapeutic targets: Inhibit HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), c-Met (mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor), lymphangiogenesis (growth of new lymph vessels), and exosome release.
  9. Sustained proliferative signaling: Cancer cells can permanently activate signaling pathways that promote excessive growth. It’s like the accelerator pedal is stuck. Therapeutic targets: Inhibit cancer-promoting MDM2 oncogene and block epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
  10. Evading growth suppressors: To prevent overcrowding, normal cells have mechanisms that prevent excess cell growth and division. In cancer cells, tumor suppressor proteins are altered so they don’t prevent cell division. It’s like the brakes don’t work. Therapeutic targets: Unmutate and activate the cancer-suppressor p53 gene and inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
  11. Reversal of the pH gradient: In normal cells, the intracellular environment is more acidic (lower pH), and the extracellular environment is more alkaline (higher pH). In cancer cells, this is reversed, where the intracellular environment is more alkaline, and the extracellular environment is more acidic. This condition enables tumors to grow and spread, resist the effects of chemotherapy, and inhibit immune attack. Therapeutic targets: Decrease the pH of the intracellular environment of cancer cells and increase the pH of the extracellular environment by inhibiting membrane carbonic anhydrases and monocarboxylate transporters.

OUR TREATMENT APPROACH

Cancer is a disease of the entire body, not just a body part. To improve treatment outcome and quality of life, you must target cancer methodically and hit it from multiple angles. To stop cancer progression, induce cancer regression, achieve remission, and maintain remission; or turn cancer into a stable and long-term manageable disease (like diabetes or high blood pressure), you have to kill the cancer cells, cancer stem cells, and senescent cancer cells. Our approach does this by targeting the numerous “hallmarks” of cancer as well as biochemical changes associated with the disease. These are extra steps that conventional oncology often overlooks. This oversight can impair your ability to stop cancer and improve your quality of life. We take a more comprehensive approach by expanding our attention to the following:

  1. Disrupting cancer cell metabolism by blocking access to the nutrients it needs to fuel its growth and spread
  2. Inhibiting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor metastasis
  3. Inducing autophagy and apoptosis in cancer cells while inhibiting autophagy in stromal cells
  4. Eradicating cancer stem cells, senescent cancer cells, and senescent fibroblasts
  5. Downregulating cancer-promoting genes and upregulating cancer-suppressor genes
  6. Stimulating DNA repair mechanisms
  7. Blocking cancer-promoting hormone receptors
  8. Decreasing oxidative stress and chronic systemic inflammation
  9. Reducing tissue hypoxia and acidosis
  10. Improving the ability of the immune system to recognize malignant cells as foreign entities and clear them from the body

We fight cancer and target its hallmarks using an arsenal consisting of a low-methionine diet, exercise, natural compounds, and repurposed medicines. Compared to synthetic (man-made) anti-cancer compounds that are designed to affect a single molecular target, the natural bioactive compounds and treatments below have a broad range of targets:

In addition to the natural compounds above, we have been leaders in the use of novel drug “cocktails” (combinations) of non-cancer medicines that have been found to have significant anti-cancer properties. The “repurposed” medicines below have been around for decades, have low toxicity, and are generally well-tolerated:

INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT

Every person is unique. We do not prescribe any course of treatment until a thorough consultation and evaluation have been completed. Our treatment is individualized, therefore, not all compounds and medicines listed above are used. A personalized treatment plan is formulated based on the type and stage of cancer, your current treatment regimen, as well as your overall health status.

If you are already taking vitamin supplements for cancer, instead of fighting cancer, some of those supplements could be stimulating your cancer. Supplements that may help prevent cancer can have the opposite effect when treating cancer. Furthermore, many supplements purported to help fight cancer have little-to-no effect and therefore are a waste of money. We scrutinize what you are taking and advise accordingly.

Here are the types of cancer that we treat:

  • Bladder
  • Brain
  • Breast
  • Cervical
  • Colorectal
  • Esophageal
  • Germinoma
  • Head & neck
  • Kidney
  • Leukemia
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Lymphoma
  • Melanoma
  • Myeloma
  • Ovarian
  • Pancreatic
  • Prostate
  • Sarcoma
  • Stomach
  • Testicular
  • Thyroid
  • Uterine

We help people from all over the world. Because of the distance, some are unable to come to our office regularly for treatment. To make it possible for long-distance patients to receive our help, we have treatment protocols that can be done at home, and progress can be monitored remotely by using a local lab and medical imaging center, internet video conferencing, and email.

INTRAVENOUS THERAPY

To target and kill cancer cells and cancer stem cells, one of the most potent treatments we offer is high-dose intravenous vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) augmented with intravenous artesunate, azithromycin, calcium chloride, doxycycline, magnesium chloride, ozone, potassium chloride, along with oral copper, iron, and celecoxib. This goes far beyond the vitamin C drips offered by the trendy “IV lounges” that are popping up, as well as most clinics that offer intravenous vitamin C.

Because of the unique bi-oxidant properties of vitamin C, at low (oral) doses, it works as a potent antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress. However, at high (intravenous) doses, vitamin C becomes a potent pro-oxidant “drug” that selectively induces severe oxidative stress in cancer cells through the formation of cytotoxic levels of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is highly toxic to all cells; however, normal cells have higher levels of the enzyme catalase which neutralizes hydrogen peroxide. Cancer cells have up to 100 times less catalase than normal cells. The hydrogen peroxide produced by high-dose intravenous vitamin C cannot be fully neutralized by cancer cells, thereby activating cell death.

Poor tumor blood perfusion and tumor hypoxia are common problems that limit the effectiveness of both conventional and alternative cancer therapy. The level of intratumoral blood flow and oxygenation may be the most important limiting factors in the anticancer effect of high-dose intravenous vitamin C. Intravenous ozone has been found to safely increase blood perfusion in dense tumor tissue and reduce tumor hypoxia (click here). Prior to the infusion of vitamin C, we infuse ozonated physiologic saline to increase the subsequent blood-flow delivery of vitamin C deep into tumors and increase tumor oxygenation. To sustain the increased tumor oxygenation, during the infusion of vitamin C, we administer supplemental oxygen to breathe.

There is a large volume of published studies documenting the use of intravenous vitamin C for cancer. Not only is there ample evidence that it is safe and effective when combined with conventional cancer treatment, but there is also evidence that high-dose intravenous vitamin C can function as a stand-alone chemotherapeutic agent, killing cancer cells through the well-defined pro-oxidative, cytotoxic mechanism described above (and click here).

High-dose intravenous vitamin C targets many of the underlying pathologies that lead to the formation and spread of cancer. Artesunate, copper, iron, ozone, and celecoxib potentiate (amplify) the pro-oxidative, cytotoxic, anti-cancer effects of vitamin C. The addition of azithromycin and doxycycline targets cancer stem cells. And the addition of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium chloride prevents electrolyte imbalances during treatment. Through the following mechanisms, this potent and synergistic combination exploits vulnerable metabolic and signaling pathways of cancer, creates a tissue microenvironment that is unfriendly to cancer, and compromises cancer’s ability to survive, while improving quality of life:

  • Induces oxidative stress and subsequent programmed cell death via apoptosis and ferroptosis in cancer cells by generating cytotoxic levels of hydrogen peroxide
  • Lowers the catalase, glutathione, and thioredoxin reductase pool in cancer cells, leading to further oxidative stress and apoptosis
  • Inhibits glycolysis by targeting the activity of GAPDH, a key glycolytic enzyme
  • Reduces cellular hypoxia and improves aerobic respiration by oxidizing NADH to NAD in the Krebs cycle
  • Downregulates the pentose phosphate pathway and the ability of cancer to generate nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) and fatty acids needed to generate new cancer cells
  • Increases electron flux through the mitochondrial electron transport chain
  • Inhibits cancer-promoting MDM2 oncogene and activates cancer-suppressor p53 gene to help restore normal apoptosis in cancer cells
  • Reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines
  • Neutralizes DNA-damaging free radicals
  • Inhibits angiogenesis and reduces tumor blood supply
  • Increases tumor sensitivity to natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T-cells (CTCs)
  • Targets cancer stem cells by directly killing them and preventing them from entering a dormant and more resistant state
  • Targets senescent cancer cells by directly killing them and inhibiting their effects
  • Supports detoxification systems in the body
  • Promotes the formation of collagen to wall off tumors
  • Inhibits hyaluronidase to retard metastasis
  • Reduces pain and increases energy
  • Renders cancer cells more vulnerable to the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, while helping to protect normal cells from side effects

Treatment with intravenous vitamin C takes about 3 hours. We administer treatment for 5 days in a row, once per month, for 6-12 months. This intermittent, hit-and-run approach follows the “Press-Pulse” (on-off/weaken-kill) concept elucidated by renowned cancer biologist Dr. Thomas Seyfried (click here). Diet, meal timing, exercise, targeted supplements, and repurposed medicines are designed to weaken cancer cells, and intermittent intravenous treatment is designed to kill the weakened cells. This repeating weaken-then-kill cycle is powerful. Treatment progress is monitored using tumor markers and/or scans every 3 months.

Note: An emerging pro-oxidative, cytotoxic intravenous treatment that may be a bit more potent than intravenous vitamin C is intravenous sodium selenite, augmented with intravenous ozone and oral celecoxib. Sodium selenite also has the ability to dissolve parafibrin that coats tumor cells and blocks immune destruction. This treatment is reserved for patients who have a chest port, as it cannot be infused through an arm vein.

RESOLVING INFLAMMATION

Chronic inflammation is a major contributor to the development and spread of cancer. Most cancer patients have elevated levels of inflammatory blood markers, such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen, as well as outward symptoms like persistent pain. Resolving cancer-promoting inflammation is crucial and should a central component of any anti-cancer protocol. Natural compounds like curcumin can inhibit the initiation of inflammation and may reduce its severity, but they do not resolve ongoing inflammation. The latter requires unique fatty-acid derived compounds known as specialized pro-resolving mediators or SPMs. SPMs facilitate the removal of dead and dying cells and cellular debris leftover from inflammation. SPMs help restore an appropriate balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. And SPMs initiate and promote the regeneration of tissues that have been damaged by inflammation.

CANCER METASTASIS

Metastasis is the spread of cancer from the site of origin to another part of the body. It is the main cause of death in cancer patients. Hemangiogenesis (also known as angiogenesis) is the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones. Lymphangiogenesis formation of new lymph vessels from preexisting ones. Both processes are required for metastasis. While countless drugs have been developed to target tumor growth, comparatively little has been done to develop drugs that target metastasis. Although a handful of anti-angiogenic drugs have been developed, such as Avastin® (bevacizumab) and Afinitor® (everolimus), overall survival has improved very little as a result of using them. This is because most metastases occur following invasion of and dissemination through lymph vessels rather than blood vessels. Because of this urgent and unmet need, to inhibit cancer metastasis, we are pioneering the use of natural compounds to block lymphangiogenesis as well as hemangiogenesis.

THE PROBLEM OF ANEMIA AND TUMOR HYPOXIA 

Anemia (low hemoglobin) is a common problem in cancer patients. It is a result of the disease itself and/or bone-marrow suppression resulting from chemotherapy. Hypoxia is the chief consequence of anemia, a condition where cellular oxygen levels drop below normal. This can happen even when blood flow and tissue oxygen saturation measurements appear normal. Hypoxia stimulates the formation of and stabilizes (activates) hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α). Accumula­tion of stabilized HIF-1α initiates a whole cascade of events that promote the proliferation and survival of cancer cells and cancer stem cells, induce tumor invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels to nourish cancer cells), and immunosuppression, and confer resistance to treatment.

Pro-oxidative, cytotoxic therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and intravenous vitamin C are less effective under hypoxic conditions. Also, hypoxia can inhibit the anti-cancer activity of some repurposed medicines. For example, under hypoxic conditions, metformin is unable to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibit the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which then prevents the inhibitory effects of metformin on tumor growth.

The vicious circle of tumor hypoxia, disease progression, and further anemia presents a challenge. We deal with this challenge by using natural compounds that prevent HIF-1α accumulation and promote its degradation—even under hypoxic conditions. This can result in slowed tumor cell growth and division. To sensitize tumor cells to the pro-oxidative, cytotoxic effect of intravenous vitamin C, to promote tumor oxygenation, we administer intravenous ozonated saline and supplemental oxygen with the treatment.

OXIDIZING CANCER CELLS TO DEATH

Cancer cells are particularly prone to oxidative stress because they are more active than normal cells, their mitochondria are often dysfunctional, and tumors possess abnormal vascular networks resulting in unstable oxygen delivery. All conventional anti-cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, kill cancer cells by severe oxidative stress by inducing the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). Immune cells also utilize severe oxidative stress to kill cancer cells.

Oxidative stress upregulates numerous survival mechanisms of cancer and allows tumors to grow and spread by enabling them to resist the effects of treatment and evade immune attack. Oxidative stress is a double-edged sword, however, and cancer cells have their limit. The way to push cancer cells past their limit and induce apoptosis (cell death), is to impair their antioxidant defense system by depleting their stores of glutathione and thioredoxin reductase—cancer’s two main antioxidants that neutralize oxidative stress. By doing so, we sensitize cancer to the deadly effects of oxidative stress by exceeding the capacity of its protective antioxidant defense system and push the oxidative insult to the point where, instead of enabling cancer cells to thrive, it now results in their death.

By using a combination of a low-methionine diet, targeted supplements, and well-tolerated repurposed medications, we can selectively kill cancer cells by inducing cytotoxic levels of oxidative stress, dually inhibiting the glutathione and thioredoxin systems in cancer, and improving immune response.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO TUMOR DRUG DELIVERY

For treatment to be effective, anti-cancer compounds must enter the bloodstream, travel to the tumor stroma microcirculation, and cross the interstitial tissue to reach the cancer cells within the tumor. Any well-intentioned treatment may be misguided and destined for failure if you do not target the conditions that exist in the tumor microenvironment that inhibit adequate penetration and delivery of anti-cancer compounds (click here). This denial of access of the compounds to the cancer cells is often misinterpreted and drug resistance. It must be dealt with to improve treatment outcomes.

Compared to mature and functional (normal) blood vessels in healthy tissue, tumor blood vessels are immature and dysfunctional. They are malformed and disorganized, blood flow is erratic and insufficient, and the vessel walls are filled with holes rendering them porous and leaky. Combined with fast proliferating tumor cells in a limited space, the lack of lymphatic drainage, and the presence of inflammatory molecules in the tumor microenvironment, this leads to edema (accumulation of fluid) in the interstitium or extracellular space (spaces around the tumor cells). The net result is an increase in the tumor interstitial fluid pressure that exceeds the fluid pressure in tumor blood vessels. This reverse pressure gradient—also known as tumor interstitial hypertension—prevents adequate amounts of cancer-killing substances from being able to exit the tumor blood vessels and penetrate into the interstitium and flow to the cancer cells. Increased tumor interstitial fluid pressure is the first obstacle that must be overcome.

The second obstacle that must be overcome is the density and stiffness of the tumor microenvironment. The difficult journey that a drug must take to reach cancer cells is like pushing your way through a crowded concert to get to the bathroom (click here). If a drug has been lucky enough to cross the vessel wall and penetrate into the tumor, it must now traverse the tumor interstitium to the cancer cells. Fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) are the most abundant non-malignant cells in tumors. They produce a tangled web of tightly-packed collagen fibers and glue-like fibronectin that make tumors a dense, fibrotic, and sticky mess. The collagen fibers wrap around and squeeze tumor vasculature and limit blood flow, and along with fibronectin, acts as a physical barrier making it difficult for anti-cancer compounds and immune cells to diffuse freely through the tumor interstitium.

To help achieve more effective delivery of anti-cancer compounds to cancer cells, we are pioneering the use of repurposed medication, natural compounds, and treatments to remodel the tumor microenvironment by increasing tumor blood flow, decreasing tumor interstitial fluid pressure and collagen density, and inhibiting fibronectin.

CANCER CACHEXIA

Cancer cachexia (pronounced kuh-KEK-see-uh) is a complex metabolic wasting syndrome caused by cancer. It is a devastating and debilitating condition encountered in more than half of late-stage cancer patients. It is characterized by marked weight loss due to a dramatic loss of muscle and body fat. It is accompanied by a lack of appetite, fatigue, depression, and decreased strength. Patients are often so frail and weak that just walking can be difficult.

Cachexia compromises the effectiveness of cancer treatment, is a strong predictor of poor prognosis and accounts for nearly one-third of all cancer deaths. Sadly, no safe and effective conventional treatment exists. Because of this urgent and unmet medical need in cancer treatment, we are pioneering the novel use of natural compounds and peptides (short-chain proteins) to counteract cachexia and help rescue patients from its devastating consequences.

THE ROLE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Integral to cancer prevention is a healthy (competent) immune system (click here). A competent immune system can identify and destroy cancer stem cells and nascent (emerging) cancer cells and in a process called immunosurveillance, which functions as our primary defense against cancer. Advancing age is associated with a decline in immunity, known as immunosenescence. Contributing factors include involution (atrophy) of the thymus gland and declining bone marrow activity, resulting in a reduction of cancer-killing cytotoxic T-cells (CTCs) and natural killer (NK) cells.

Having a healthy immune system, especially having ample and functional (immunocompetent) CTCs, may be the key to living a long and disease-free life (click here). Lack of CTC and NK cell activity impairs immunosurveillance and leads to an accumulation of cancer cells, cancer stem cells, and senescent cancer cells. Furthermore, CTCs and NK cells can be rendered impotent by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (click here). To address all of this, we are pioneering the use of repurposed medicines, peptides, and natural compounds to help regenerate functional thymus tissue, boost the production of competent CTCs and NK cells, and disrupt immune suppression of CAFs.

TUMOR-ASSOCIATED MACROPHAGES

Monocytes are large white blood cells that circulate through the blood for 1-3 days before migrating into tissues, where they become macrophages. Macrophages are a vital part of our immune system. Their job is to locate, engulf (surround), and phagocytize (eat) bacteria, viruses, parasites, cancer cells, and cellular debris, and stimulate the activity of other immune cells. This type of macrophage is also known as an M1 polarized macrophage, which is a “classically” activated macrophage that promotes an efficient immune response to kill tumor cells. M1 macrophages also produce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) which further promotes the killing of tumor cells.

M1 polarized macrophages are actually “recruited” by tumors. When M1 macrophages infiltrate a tumor, instead of killing the cancer cells, they end up helping the cancer cells. That is because cancer cells can alter the very function of these macrophages. Once inside the tumor, M1 macrophages are quickly changed by cancer-associated fibroblasts into M2 polarized macrophages, which are “alternatively” activated macrophages—also known as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs).

Instead of killing cancer cells, TAMs assist them by promoting tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis; suppressing the immune system; and nurturing cancer stem cells. To target tumor-associated macrophages and increase intratumoral levels of TNFα, we are pioneering the use of natural compounds to “repolarize” tumor-promoting M2 macrophages back into tumor-killing M1 macrophages. Doing so triggers intratumoral recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T-cells (CTCs) from the periphery. Along with M1 macrophages, these infiltrating NK cells and CTCs play a major role in the killing of cancer cells and maintaining the M1-state of TAMs.

REPAIRING LEFTOVER DAMAGE

Studies have shown that conventional cancer treatment can accelerate the aging process, leading to weakness and fatigue, a decline in brain function, heart disease, and a return of cancer. Long after treatment has been completed, chemotherapy and radiation can leave lasting damage to the heart, lungs, brain, nerves, kidneys, urinary bladder, liver, intestines, bone marrow, immune system, muscles, and reproductive organs. This can permanently affect your physical function and quality of life and can shorten your life. This is an area that nobody is addressing adequately. Because of the urgent and unmet need, we are pioneering the use of repurposed medicines, peptides, and natural compounds to help repair tissue damage and restore physical function and quality of life.

PREVENTING CANCER RECURRENCE

Cancer patients can be divided into 3 groups: those receiving standard or experimental treatment, those who have become unresponsive to these treatments, and those in remission but at risk for recurrence or a secondary (new) cancer. At present, conventional oncology has no strategy to offer cancer survivors to reduce the risk of recurrence of the primary tumors or occurrence of secondary cancers.

Cancer usually does not happen overnight nor by random chance. Cancer should be considered a wake-up call because it can often result from years of eating a nutritionally deficient diet and poor lifestyle habits that create a cancer-friendly cellular environment of hypoxia, acidosis, hyponutrition, excess oxidation, and chronic inflammation. Soon after treatment begins, we outline a plan to target these conditions and help prevent cancer recurrence.

Increasing age is the most significant risk factor for cancer. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that by slowing the aging process, you may delay or prevent the onset or recurrence of cancer and other chronic diseases (click here). Slowing aging centers around changes in diet; improving oxidative mitochondrial function; promoting effective immunity; increasing microcirculation and tissue oxygenation; promoting tissue alkalinity; enhancing detoxification; improving gut health; reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and exposure to environmental toxins; eradicating senescent cells; promoting sound sleep and physical fitness, and reducing stress. Together, this helps create a more tumor-resistant environment in the body (click here).

So why is increasing age is the most significant risk factor for cancer? Besides immune decline (click here) and systemic reductions in oxidative mitochondrial function (click here), aging enables the emergence of tumors through the onset of cell-cycle arrest (senescence) in aging fibroblasts, which makes them prone to autophagy (click here, here, and here). Senescence-induced autophagy creates a metabolic microenvironment conducive for tumor initiation and growth through the production of high-energy mitochondrial fuels from fibroblasts (such as lactate and ketones) that transfer to and feeds nascent (emerging) cancer cells. Senescent fibroblasts can also stimulate tumor formation and promote its growth and spread through the production of inflammation-signaling molecules.

Aging also leads to senescence of macrophages which makes them prone to polarization from tumor-killing M1 macrophages to tumor-promoting M2 macrophages (click here). To help prevent the onset or recurrence of cancer, in addition to changes in diet and lifestyle, we are pioneering the use of repurposed medicines, peptides, and natural compounds to eradicate senescent fibroblasts.

TAMING THE BEAST OF ANXIETY

Compared to those receiving conventional treatment only, patients receiving treatment from an integrative doctor that incorporates repurposed medications sometimes worry themselves into a tizzy. They stress over and obsess if they are “blocking all of the cancer pathways.” (Imagine asking a conventional oncologist, “Doctor, are we blocking all of the pathways?” They would look at you strangely and ask, “Pathways? What are you talking about?”)

Anxiety increases stress hormones which can inhibit a process called anoikis, which kills circulating tumor cancer cells (CTCs) and prevents them from spreading. Anxiety also increases the production of certain growth factors that can speed the development of tumors. Studies have shown that chronic anxiety can disrupt neuroendocrine circadian rhythms in ways that favor tumor growth and metastasis. Chronic anxiety can also induce cancer progression through immune dysregulation. Bottom line, you can literally worry yourself to death despite having the best treatment in the world.

To tame the beast of anxiety and enhance mental outlook, besides the peace of mind that comes from incorporating a metabolic-based and multi-targeted treatment approach described above, to further help induce a sense of calm, we use L-theanine, lemon balm, saffron, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, melatonin, lavender, and probiotics that contain lactobacillus helveticus and bifidobacterium longum. If needed, we add cranial electrotherapy stimulation to induce calming alpha brain waves.

Besides anxiety, the other emotions that some cancer patients harbor is bitterness and anger due to their diagnosis, and hostility towards those trying to help them. These negative emotions have a strong connection to cancer. Energy is better spent in cultivating a spirit of gratitude. Doing so may just help save your life.

TREATMENT INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Indications for complementary and alternative treatment of cancer are as follows:

  • Patients seeking to improve the effectiveness and/or reduce the side effects of conventional treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy
  • Patients who have failed or can no longer tolerate conventional treatment
  • Patients who do not qualify for a drug trial or failed to respond favorably to a trial drug
  • Patients wanting to prolong their remission with health-enhancing strategies
  • Patients seeking to improve their quality of life

In our many years of treating cancer, we have found the characteristics, signs, and symptoms listed below to be associated with greater difficulty in achieving remission. It does not preclude us from doing all that we can, but the goal of treatment may turn to palliation instead of remission.

  • Any mental, physical, or financial condition that prevents adherence to the recommended treatment
  • Unwillingness to incorporate conventional therapy with alternative therapy when appropriate
  • Severely compromised kidney and/or liver function
  • Severely elevated ferritin (iron)
  • Severely elevated inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen)
  • Severe anemia
  • Hypoalbuminemia (low blood albumin)
  • Jaundice (yellow tint to the skin or eyes caused by elevated bilirubin)
  • Severe cachexia
  • Moderate-to-severe ascites (fluid in the abdomen), pleural effusion (fluid between the lungs and chest wall), and/or anasarca (generalized swelling throughout the body)
  • Uncontrollable pain and/or nausea

CONSULTATION WITH DR. THOMAS

A consultation starts with us ordering comprehensive bloodwork, including metabolic and inflammatory markers closely linked to cancer. We then schedule a 2-hour videoconference appointment with Dr. Thomas to review your medical history and bloodwork results, answer questions, and discuss how a metabolic-based and multi-targeted treatment plan can help you fight your cancer better. Afterward, Dr. Thomas spends an additional 2 hours reviewing and researching your case. This is followed by an email that summarizes the crucial points discussed during the consultation and outlines a detailed plan with specific recommendations in terms of diet, lifestyle, supplements, repurposed medications, and possible intravenous therapy to address your cancer. You do not need to become an ongoing patient of Dr. Thomas to benefit from the consultation. The recommendations are designed to integrate with and complement your conventional cancer treatment, and many of the recommendations do not require a doctor’s prescription. The cost of the in-depth consultation and detailed follow-up email is $1500.

If you would like to move forward, please download our patient forms: Click here. After completing the forms, scan and email them to us at office@healthyandstrong.com or fax them to 1-888-481-6799. In addition to the patient forms, please include bloodwork results from the last 60 days (including tumor markers if available), a copy of your most recent physical exam, pathology report, and your most recent scan results. If you email the forms, they must be scanned and sent as a single PDF file. Photos taken with your smartphone cannot be accepted. (NOTE: Before completing the patient forms, please email Dr. Thomas at info@healthyandstrong.com to see if he is accepting new patients for a consultation.)

TREATMENT COST UNDER DR. THOMAS

The average oncologist takes care of 500 or more patients at any one time. Dr. Thomas, on the other hand, only accepts a small number of stage-4 cancer patients to be under his personal care. That way, he can provide the time, attention to detail, and up-to-date expertise necessary to deal with the complexities of advanced-stage cancer and fight for your life.

After the consultation, if you would like to become an ongoing patient and have Dr. Thomas personally administer and oversee the treatment recommendations, the cost is $1500 per month. This fee includes remote or in-office monitoring and ongoing medical management by Dr. Thomas, prescriptions and refills, ordering and reviewing bloodwork and scans when needed, videoconferences, and permission to email Dr. Thomas at any time. The monthly fee also includes access to potentially life-saving compounds and medications that are unavailable at retail or compounding pharmacies and must be custom synthesized for us by medicinal chemists, such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose, gallium maltolate, perillyl alcohol, pyrvinium pamoate, syrosingopine, and thymosin.

Not included in the fees are supplements (most are available on Amazon.com) and prescription medications, as well as custom-synthesized medications or intravenous therapy if needed. Insurance may cover some of the costs of the prescription medications. They can also be purchased at a discount using coupons from GoodRx.com. Depending on the type and stage of cancer and the success or failure of previous treatment, patients require 12-18 months of treatment. Due to the powerful and multi-targeting nature of the treatment, we usually know within 6 months if it is making a positive difference as verified by repeat scans and/or tumor markers.

Our fees are substantially less than what people pay in Mexico, Germany, or Austria for alternative cancer treatment. Clinics there often charge $30,000 to $60,000 for the first month of treatment yet, because of their incomplete understanding of the biology of cancer, they can put patients at risk by failing to target key survival mechanisms of cancer.

Other than covering the cost of bloodwork and some medication (if you have prescription drug coverage), health insurance and Medicare do not cover the cost of integrative cancer treatment. Therefore, we cannot accept or bill health insurance or Medicare, nor can we provide a superbill to submit to them. If you have a life insurance policy and have stage-4 cancer, you may be able to pay for treatment by receiving a cash advance from your policy, while still preserving coverage for your family (click here). If this is not an option and you are unable to pay for treatment on your own or from help from family or friends, you may wish to turn to GoFundMe (click here).

PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM DR. THOMAS

When an oncologist says to a patient, “There is nothing more that can be done,” this statement can crush one’s hope for recovery. What they should say is, “I cannot do anything more for you. If you want to do more, you must seek help elsewhere.” When patients look elsewhere, some of them are fortunate enough to find a physician trained in integrative medicine. Integrative physicians have numerous “tools” and “techniques” not used by conventional oncologists. Integrative physicians can often provide hope, even to those who are quite ill.

If a cancer patient asks me, “Am I going to die?” I answer, “Maybe, but maybe not. In over 30 years of medical practice, I have seen numerous patients beat the odds. Because of this, I do not believe that any case is hopeless, but some can be rather challenging.” As a compassionate and tenacious physician, I do not lose hope easily, nor do I give up fighting unless the patient tells me to do so. My duty is to think outside the box and, based on the latest scientific research, provide more treatment options.

I have witnessed numerous patient success stories over the years. Many people come to us after failing conventional and/or alternative therapy. My experience and training in metabolic medicine and integrative cancer therapeutics allow me to offer more options. As a result, we typically see higher overall survival rates and enhanced quality of life compared to conventional treatments alone. Your chance of success will depend on your diagnosis and stage of cancer, as well as your overall health. Obviously, we cannot make any guarantees. Should you pursue treatment with us, we will do everything we can to give you the best chance of recovery.

Due to my academic credentials in integrative cancer therapy and over 30 years of clinical experience in metabolic and nutritional medicine, I was invited to join the CareOncology™ team—a London-based group of forward-thinking scientists and physicians dedicated to developing novel ways to metabolically inhibit cancer by depriving it of the nutrients it needs to grow and spread. I consulted for Care Oncology for 18 months to help them establish a presence in the United States.

To provide attentive care of the highest quality, we take on very few patients. We provide hope to people from all over the world by providing safe, science-based, and innovative solutions to help stop cancer and prevent it from coming back. If you have cancer and would like to learn more about my credentials and how we may able to help you, please visit our main website (click here). If you are seeing an oncologist, click here to obtain a list of the top 10 questions you need to ask your oncologist.

Whichever direction you decide to take to fight your cancer, whether it is conventional therapy or alternative therapy, or a combination of the two, please do not delay treatment. Delaying for as little as one month can jeopardize your chances for recovery (click here).

Dr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS
344 S. Highland St.
Mount Dora, FL 32757
Phone: 352-729-0923

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Dr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS

Dr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS

Dr. Thomas is a dedicated and hard-working physician with a wealth of education, experience, and expertise. With a career spanning over thirty years, he has helped people worldwide by providing innovative solutions to improving and maintaining their health. His strength lies in his scientific curiosity, creative and analytical thinking, and practical application of groundbreaking biomedical research. Despite the rigors of a full-time medical practice, to stay at the forefront and continuously improve the care of his patients, Dr. Thomas devotes 20-30 hours each week to reviewing the latest scientific publications to uncover potentially promising treatments. He can be reached at drthomas@healthyandstrong.com.