Repurposing perampanel (glutamate receptor blocker)?

About a week ago there was a major study published in the journal Nature called "Glutamatergic synaptic input to glioma cells drives brain tumour progression".

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31534219

I've uploaded the full study to the Pathology folder in the Brain Tumor Library.

The study discovers a communication network between neurons and glioma cells, with certain effects (including tumor invasiveness) mediated by AMPA type glutamate receptors. Furthermore, these effects were blocked in vitro by the approved AMPA glutamate receptor antagonists, perampanel.

Perampanel was approved in 2012 for  partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures for people older than 12 years, so could also have anti-seizure effects in addition to potential anti-tumor effects.

The relevant discussion from the Nature paper is as follows:
The selective non-competitive AMPAR antagonist perampanel is an approved antiepileptic drug shown to have potential antitumour effects in patients with glioma and warrants further investigation. Chronic administration of perampanel to xenografted mice decreased the proliferation of GB cells as determined by in vivo imaging of tumour regions over time (Fig. 5j, k, Extended Data Fig. 9a) independently of cell-autonomous effects as determined by an in vitro proliferation assay (Extended Data Fig. 9b).

This is not the first paper to discuss perampanel effects on glioma and/or seizure control for glioma patients. For example:

AMPA receptor antagonist perampanel affects glioblastoma cell growth and glutamate release in vitro
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0211644

Adjunctive perampanel for glioma-associated epilepsy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30377587

Feasibility of modified Atkins diet during radiation - retrospective study

Feasibility of a modified Atkins diet in glioma patients during radiation and its effect on radiation sensitization.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31548811

Avastin alone?

Further to a recent previous post.

3 months of TMZ 5/23 showed that chemo is not working for unmethylated GBM. The tumor is very active according to MRI comparison between July and September 2019. There was alot of swelling which is currently being reduced with 16 mg steroids per day in the past week. Speech has improved alot with this. Was told it is too close to previous radiation or surgery to have either done again.

2 weeks ago clonazepam was prescribed 10mg x 2 and Keppra increased to 1500mg x 2 and Phenytoin 300mg in the morning -  all of this is keeping seizures, twitches and focal seizures away.

Oncologist is going to start IV Avastin today and stop all treatment - asked if it was pallatiative but answer no it is not pallatiative treatment yet. Thought it was unusual to go ahead with Avastin by itself and not combine it with another chemo treatment such as lomustine?

Have been following cocktail since during radiation treatment back in April 2019 which I posted about in previous post. This includes daily chloroquine (155mg active ingredient); celebrex 200mg; metformin 500mg x 2; Atorvastatin; ramipril; ranitidine 75 mg; mebendazole; melatonin 20mg.

Also the usual daily supplements of mulitvitamin; 16 strain Probiotics; PSK; Maitake D; ; Mushroom supplement mix for brain (lions mane 300mg; bacopa 250 mg; reishi 150 mg; gotu kola 130 mg; ginko 120 mg); curcumin (longvida); vitamin D; ECG; Milk Thistle; Berberine; Boswellia; Resveratrol; Omega 3-6-9; Soy Falvonoids (geinistein)

Wondering if anyone has any experience of just Avastin being prescribed? I am wondering what is even the point in doing avastin alone? Appears to have more side effects and very little extra benefits, or OS? I was optimistic that Richard Geiber had Avastin and low dose TMZ but that doesnt seem to be on offer to us? Or any chemo alternative?

Very disappointing TMZ stupps protocol + cocktail did not seem to work. 

CUSP9v3. Gliovac. Toca 511

Dear Stephen, dear all!
1) What do you think about GLIOVAC(https://www.erc-immunotherapy.com/products/gliovac-erc1671)?
And about DCVax?
What is the difference between them?
And there is also dendritic cell vaccine in IOZK (the cheapest one).
Which one has better statistics? Is it worse trying?

2) What about CUSP9v3 protocol effectiveness? Want to try it for my mom. A lot of discussions here in the blog, but can't find information about latest clinical trials results.

3) What do you think about Toca 511? Any experience?

Thank you!

Cocktail question, Fluoxetine or Celebrex?

Dear Stephen and all,

I have a question concerning my girlfriend's father. He is 57 years old. He was diagnosed with a Grade IV, MGMT unmethylated Glioblastoma in the left occipital lobe, September 2018. After the surgery, he received radiotherapy and chemotherapy using VAL-083 in China during 08/11/2018 - 27/06/2019. He had an MRI scan on 20/08/2019 and there is a 17mm*10mm GBM recurrence in the left temporal lobe.

Now his oncologist suggests receiving the standard 5/23 Temozolomide treatment. Since his GBM is MGMT unmethylated, we want to have the cocktail to enhance the performance of Temozolomide for him. He is taking Metformin, Verapamil, Chloroquine and Keppra. We want to choose 1 more medicine from Fluoxetine and Celebrex, which one is better?

Thank you for your help! Best wishes to everyone.

Details of the condition of my father are listed below:

• On 28/09/2018 he had surgery due to a tumor in the left occipital lobe. According to the biopsy, he was diagnosed with a Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme, MGMT unmethylated, ki67 70%, IDH1/2(-), 1p/19q non-codeleted, non-diffuse.
• On 08/11/2018, he began to receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy using VAL-083 with a dose of 30mg/m2 IV. But soon he suffered severe myelosuppression and both radiotherapy and chemotherapy are stopped for 2 weeks. After that, the dose of VAL-083 was tuned to 20mg/m2.
• On 24/06/2019, the assessment via MRI is CR I class, complete response (that shows the VAL-083 is effective for him)
• On 27/06/2019, he finished the clinical trial, including 10 cycles of treatment using VAL-083.
• On 20/08/2019, MRI shows that there is a 17mm*10mm enhanced mass in the left temporal lobe (the original tumor was in left occipital lobe).

Urgent help for an 11 year old girl

Dear Stephen and all,

I have a question concerning my friend’s daughter. She is a Spanish 11 year old girl. She has been diagnosed with a grade IV medular glioma. She had surgery, but the tumor could not be removed. They just took a biopsy. She has had 30 sessions of radiation and 27 days of temozolomide. Parents are desperatly looking for possible clinical trials that would fit her case. Any suggestions on specific treatments or cocktails would be of much help as well. Even though they live in Spain they would have no problem travelling overseas. We are attaching pathological report, MRI and tractography report.

Please click on the following link.  Once the link takes you to the page of the girl's medical information, click on "Visualizar el estudio" to see her images and "Descargar el informe" to read the medical report:

http://resultados.healthtime.es/PortalPaciente/OpenSharedStudyRequest/a4ac550a-19f7-4d58-99ad-6e1fb2e06ccb

The picture I am including is the report of the pathologist.  It is in Spanish, but I think it is understandable.  If you have any questions, please contact me. 

Thank you all in advance.

Isabel

Cocktail questions, also foot twitching?

My dad aged 59 had a grand mal seizure 25th Feb 2019; operation/debulking 7th March 2019, Radiochemotherapy 30 sessions in May 2019. Completed 2nd round of 5/23 chemo cycle. He is negative for IDH, MGMT.

Overall he has been doing ok with the treatment. The only set back was when he had around 3 to 4 multiple grand mal seizures around 30th June 2019. We had no warning about that seizure and our medical team didn't warn us that he could get seizures from the radiation swelling 4 weeks post radiation (we thought maybe just during radiation treatment). He had no side effects during radiation treatment period itself - we were shocked that it happened - 

Question 1: Seizures post radiation 4 weeks after radiation

I guess it is a "normal" side effect? We thought seizures would be a side effect later on when the treatment might stop working. The hospital put him into an induce coma for 2 days to stop the seizures. He took steroids for about 6 weeks after and has come off the steroids now and has had no further seizures. We are also surprised that nobody ever mentioned to us to have buccal midazolam injection at hand as when we called the ambulance, the paramedics had to call the fire brigade for an advance paramedic to inject IV anti seizure drug. If we had the buccal midazolam this might have prevented the multiple seizures. He now carries the buccal midazolam injections around.

Question 2: Foot twitching post seizure, same side as tumor

His Keppra was 2 x 500mg up until then and now they have increased it to 2.5g per day and added Phenytoin. Since that seizure he has had a foot twitch during the night and a sore pain in his thumb - can be normal effects from the swelling and tumor? The tumor is on the left side and the twitch is on the left side which is unusual? The doctors would expect the tumor to effect the right side.

We stopped doing the cocktail after 30th June with the big seizure then but then continued with Chloroquine and Celebrex a week later. We have since started back doing the cocktail (see below).

Question 3: Celebrex

I read the Brain Tumor Charity do not support taking Celebrex and some articles says it is not good to take, what is the opinion about it now given the new clinical trail data? Also it seems like it can react with Epainutin (Phenytoin) so we give it to him in the evening. - https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/brain-tumour-diagnosis-treatment/treating-brain-tumours/treatments-licensed-other-illnesses/celecoxib-celebrex/

https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bcp.12785

Question 4: Daily timetable of cocktail

Do people have a daily timetable to avoid interactions between anti-seizure drugs and others? 

Question 5: Disulfiram

We have disulfiram but we have never given it to him as it seems to interact with the Epanutin (Phenytoin). Have people taken this together?

Question 6: Curcumin

He is taking Doctors Best High absorption Curcumin with C3 Complex and Bioperin 1000 mg. This tablet he finds hard to digest because it is very big and solid even using a tablet cutter. Is there a different brand which people recommend which is easier to take?

Question 7: Reishi

He is taking Reishi as part of a multi-mushroom supplement for Brain function called Fungi Perfecti, MycoBotanicals for the Brain. However we read on Sloan Kettering that reishi is not good to take?

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom

Question 8: Ranitidine in absence Cimetidine

He is taking Ranitidine as we could not get cimetidine. We asked a friend in Spain to get the cimetidine but they got us cinitaprida normon? It is for treating stomach ulcers but I guess its totally different as it doesn't appear to be a H2 antihistamine. We were not sure if it was any use giving it to my dad? We have not given him the Cinitaprida normon but we give him 75mg Ranitidine a day.

Question 9: Mebendazole

He is taking Mebendazole 100mg daily - i know its well below the dosages a human would need to take compared to the mouse study? Do people take much higher doses? The studies do not seem clear about it but I know it is used in Care Oncology alot? 

Question 10: Antibiotics Doxycycline/Minocycline

Antibiotics – he was only on these when during radiochemo phase but not now…Care oncology seems to recommend doxycycline and a rotation with other antibiotics such as minocycline? Should he start taking this too? How much do people take, do people rotate each month? Surely antibiotics will cancel out the effects of building up the immune system? 

Question 11: Valacyclovir and other antiviral drugs?

Should we look into taking Valacyclovir? (I know there is no right or wrong cocktail). If so, how do people get this, how long do they take it for? We read somewhere that people can get tested for different virus's in their system such as Herpes? Is there a test for CMV? Is there any other herpes/CMV drugs we should take?

Question 12: Amino acid Brain supplements L-tyrosine and N-acetyl cysteine

We had been giving him L-tyrosine and N-acetyl cysteine and we stopped after the seizure. I know Cheryl Broyle mentioned using NAC. I don't know if these 2 compounds have good/bad effects on the brain? For a normal brain they are meant to be good. 

Question 13: Vitamin C IV

I read up on Vitamin C IV and I don't know if we should try that - it doesn't seem clear if it is effective or not and it doesn't mention it could flush out the anti-seizure drugs?? Those studies mention N-acetyl cysteine reverses the benefits of IV Vit C?? 

Question 14: Berberine

Only recently ive seen many people taking berberine. Are many people taking this supplement?

Question 15: Other Repurpose drugs

Interesting article with a few extra repurpose drugs which I have not mentioned above. Not too familar with them and the cocktail?

https://www.canceractive.com/article/repurposing-old-off-patent-drugs-as-new-and-effective-cancer-treatments

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00681/full

Prescribed by GB:
Keppra - Anti seizure. he was on 500 mg x 2 day but since the seizure it is now 2.5g per day. 

Epanutin - Phenytoin. Anti seizure..100 mg x 3
Atorvastatin – Cholesterol treatment 20 mg per day
Metformin – diabetic, 500 mg twice a day
Ramipril - To lower blood pressure, 5mg

Melatonin 20 mg

Off-label prescription/non prescription drugs:
- Chloroquine Phosphate, 250 mg/day
- Celebrex (Celecoxib), 200 mg/day

- Mebendazole 100mg - this is the recommended daily dose for normal pinworm treatment but i read people are on more?

- We could not get Tagamet (cimetidine), so we were using Ranitidine, another Histamine H2 receptor (usually used for stomach uclers - repurpose of Cimetidine is immune, anti invasion. We do not know if Ranitidine is a good replacement but apparently cimetidine can interact with Celebrex, but I think Ranitidine has reduce side effects to Tagamet). - we have not restarted Ranitidine yet

Supplements: Majority of these we get from iherb apart from the coriolus versicolor which we order from evitamins.

- Coriolus versicolor extract PSK/PSP (Turkey tail mushroom)
- Maitake-D mushroom extract, 1200mg per day
- Reishi mushroom extract - for immune. We got Fungi Perfecti mycobotanicals for the Brain
- Curcumin High absorption extract 1000mg
- Omega-3-6-9 1200 mg
- Boswellia extract 500 mg – to reduce edema
- Standard multivitamin/multimineral capsules, time-release
- Probiotic (Garden of Life, Dr. Formulated Mood+ 16 strains)
- Vitamin D, 5,000 IU/day
- Selenium (we just used a multi purpose vitamin)
- Soy Extract (we were using Soya Isoflavonoids which I think contains genistein which is meant to be good).
- Resveratrol 200mg
- Green Tea Extract ECGg 400 mg

- Silymarin

Stopped taking - should we take again?

- NAC N-acetyl cysteine– I noticed Cheryl Broyle was taking this but it is not on Stephen’s cocktail list.
- L-Tyrosine 500mg – I did not see this on any cocktail list but it is an amino acid which is meant to help with brain function.

Never started this but should we after the seizure? Can it interfere?:

- Disulfiram and he has not started this. 

Low Level Dex Long-Term/Indefinitely

Hello,

I'm hoping to interact with those who have needed to stay on Dex long-term at low levels (2mgs or less) or hear from experts on the topic.

My Uncle was on very high levels for many months but we've not gotten him down to 2mgs and it seems that going lower is not an option to do - safely. He had regrowth immediately after surgery, that said he's got tumors in his head taking up space, and also at this point his adrenals are shot.

I imagine that just like any drugs the lower the level, the less detrimental they are.

Is anyone on 2mgs or less - indefinitely?

Thanks :)

Demention. Hbot. Glioblastoma. Radiation therapy consequences.

Dear Stephen! Dear all!

My mom has demention because of hydrocephalus, as well as, probably, in connection with radiation therapy. Today she will have a shunt. However, we need to treat the consequences. One person said that in England in this case they use hbot.

Questions:

1) can hbot cause glioblastoma progression? I read that this procedure improves blood supply, because the tumor is usually well supplied with blood vessels and blood supply could it make worse? Or is it incoherent things? We are currently taking Avastin.

2) could hbot really help with demention? Any experience?

3) could you please advise other good methods to treat demention and consequences of radiation therapy? Cbd oil, lions mane, ps100?

Thank you!

A KETOGENIC PILL FOR GLIOBLASTOMA ?

Came across this study and would love to know others' thoughts. I have been following the progress of the ketogenic (almost no carbohydrate) diet for some time and its potential value in glioblastoma and epilepsy. This study seems to show that some of the purported benefits could be achieved through a ketone ester supplement, which serves to provide the brain with its alternative non-glucose fuel source (Ketone bodies)
direct link to abstract: https://academic.oup.com/neuro-oncology/article-abstract/20/suppl_6/vi36/5154383?redirectedFrom=fulltext )

Any thoughts on this, and how it might be translated to human use?

Thanks!

Alternative to Bosellia Wokvel?

I've seen previous posts explaining the rationale behind the recommendation of Boswellia (WokVel) preparation. However, this formulation is currently out of stock from all suppliers in my area (UK). I note from Ben Williams' book that the dose of boswellia used in the cited German trial (showing reduced oedema) was 4200 mg/day, which is much higher than the 999mg suggested on this site. What's the best alternative to WokVel, given that I am unable to source it? I assume that taking it alongside Celecoxib is tried-and-tested?

Do statins, ACE inhibitors or sartans improve outcome in primary glioblastoma?

Hello all,
I spotted this paper and thought it was best to share: “Do statins, ACE inhibitors or sartans improve outcome in primary glioblastoma?” Although I’ve not read the full paper, it’s worth noting that they concluded:

This secondary analysis of two large glioblastoma trials thus was unable to detect evidence for an association of the use of statins, ACEI or sartans with outcome in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma

Should we abandon ACE inhibitors, etc?

Seeing feedback on proposed treatment plan and drug/ supplement cocktail

Hi Stephen,

I finally have medical data back for my dad and we had our first meeting with his oncology teams yesterday. I have summarized his medical data as well as our treatment plan below.

A couple of notes and questions upfront:

• I didn't see anything on my dad's medical records about MGMT
• Would greatly appreciate your feedback on the proposed drug cocktail and supplements 
• Are we missing anything?/ Dosages?
• I would like to supplement COC protocol with some additional re-purposed drugs (particularly the first 4 in the table below. Do you have any information on dosage and how others go about getting prescriptions for these?
• 

Many thanks again for your continued help.

Silvia

MEDICAL DATA:

• Clinical synopsis
• 64M p/w expressive dyphasia and headache with likely malignant transformation of L) temporal LGG
• 2018 June generalised seizure diagnosed with left temporal mass likely LGG
• Monitored as outpatient
• Started on keppra and phenytoin for seizure control (self ceased keppra in January due to rash)
• Last seizure in April
• July 2019 clinical synopsis
• Presented with headaches and expressive dyphasia 
• Treatment
• Stereotactic left temporal craniotomy and debulking of glioma (3 July)
• Good postoperative course
• Discharged 11 July
• Medications

• Histopathology results
• Final Diagnosis: Left insula lesion: Glioblastoma. Features in keeping with IDH wild type (WHO grade IV)
• GFAP positive
• IDH-1 R132H negative (not mutated)
• ATRX positive (not mutated)
• P53 positive
• P16 CDKN2A negative
• Topoisomerase - approximately 20%

• Post operative MRI
• Small focus of residual enhancing tumour at the posterosuperior resection margin. Extensive oedema with midline shift measuring 9mm to the right and left uncal herniation has slightly improved

• Recommending SOC treatment
• Radiation / chemo to begin in ~3 weeks (~12 August)
• Combined radiation & TMZ
• Confirming targeted cavity and margin, not whole brain
• Starting with 3 week course as patient is over 60
• If patient is fit will recommend more aggressive 6 week treatment (TBD)
• Followed by TMZ maintenance schedule 

OUR CURRENT PLAN

• Commence SOC protocol as prescribed by medical team in ~3 weeks
• Complement with 
• (1) Ketogenic Diet
• Strict 4:1 ratio, targeting Glucose / Ketone Index of 1:2 or lower (ideally 1:1 at 3mmol/ L each)
• Calorie restricted ~900kcal/ day
• Intermittent fasting (work towards target 2 - 8pm eating window)
• Supplemented with Exogenous ketones (Caprilic acid and BHB salts during fasting window and can also be consumed during eating window) 
• (2) Repurposed drugs cocktail per Care Oncology Clinic (submitted info, waiting for treatment plan)
• 
• (3) Supplements
• 

Curcumin preparation type?

Apologies if this is going over some issues previously discussed: There are lots of different curcumin pills and potions around, and 1000-2000 mg+ (Longvida) has been recommended elsewhere on this site. There seems to be a world of difference in how much curcumin gets into the brain depending on in what form it is taken.

I wondered on what basis is Longvida's product recommended? I noticed this 2015 conference presentation: "Intratumoral bioavailability and changes in Phosphoethanolamin-MRI of the solubilised natural compound curcumin in glioblastoma patients", which demonstrated how curcumin accumulated in glioblastoma tumours when it was given orally as "solubilisated curcumin". With a bit of internet searching using the terms in this study description, it seems to be that they used NovaSOL curcumin, or something very similar ("Micelle solubilized curcuma extract") I'm not sure how the doses used in the study (apparently a total of 3g of solubilized curcumin per day, which sounds like a heck of a lot!) equates to the NovaSOL capsules that can be bought (each of which contains just '30mg Curcuminoids and 5.4μg Vitamin D' ). Less certain again is how this might equate to an actual clinical effect on the tumour when combined with chemotherapy, although the likes of review articles such as 'Curcumin for the Treatment of Glioblastoma' would say that it is definitely worthwhile adding to the mix.

All input greatly received from cocktail-makers!

Thanks,
Stu

Nicotine and brain tumour growth

Has the topic of nicotine (and other stimulants) been considered by the collective community?
My grade 2 astrocytoma was recently found to have advanced to grade 3(after 11years). Now IDH mutant, 1p / 19q not-codeleted, MGMT methylated. Both nicotine (via lozenges) and coffee are helpful in fighting fatigue and helping concentration.
Any thoughts? I am naturally concerned about taking anything that may hinder radiotherapy and chemotherapy (due to start at the beginning of August).
Thanks!

Stu

IDH1+ GBM recurrence--any help appreciated!

Hi,  I have found Stephen and many of you to be great sources of information over the years and would really appreciate any help.  (Unfortunately, I can post but not comment thru some weird glitch.)  I have given my son's background before, but briefly he is a 26 y/o with secondary GBM (IDH1+) which was found to have recurred on a scan today.  He was diagnosed with AO2 (or perhaps AA3) in 2011 and had not quite total resection, "left-over" resected in 2012 and then had proton therapy as part of a clinical trial.  He did well for over 5 years--graduated from college and started med school.  He had a very small recurrence found 1/18 that had mutated to GBM (hypomutated with no actionable mutations other than IDH1 per Foundation One) with a very total resection.  He had never had any chemo and we opted to use a PARP inhibitor (BGB-290) with temozolamide--started 4/18.  He returned to medical school on chemo--tolerated both pretty well.  Today found out that 3 mm area of "uncertain significance" found 7 weeks ago is now 2.6x2x2.7 cm and near a ventricle (though some of size likely incorporates scar).  So, trying to figure out the next step. 

He was offered TMZ and radiation as options.  He wants to have the tumor "debulked", which seems supported in the medical literature.  (His tumor is left frontal lobe.) 

Options we have considered:  TOCA (thru IST program maybe?) with proton
                                                 LITT  with pembro
                                                 AZD-1390 trial --since ATM/ATR inhibitors useful if IDH1?
                                                 Duke Poliovirus--only works 21% and no better if mutant
  (Of course, I don't know if he will qualify for any of these.)

Would very much appreciate any suggestions!     Marcia

Newly Diagnosed GBM

Hi all,

My name is Silvia, I am new to this community and a week ago knew nothing about GBM. I'm incredibly grateful for the wealth of information here and would like to thank everyone in advance for your support.

My 64 father was diagnosed with glioblastoma last week. He had a subtotal resection on July 3rd which was successful in removing ~95% of the solid part of his tumor. He is recovering well and was discharged from hospital on July 11th.

He is based in Melbourne Australia and is being treated by the team at Royal Melbourne Hospital, who are recommending the radiation/TMZ protocol. I am still waiting for them to send me his medical data but our current plan is the following

1. Press-Pulse protocol as a neoadjuvant treatment while he is recovering from surgery with the hope that if there is improvement in his MRI we can delay chemo/radiation
• Details of the protocol:
• Based off the metabolic theory of cancer
• Press (ongoing): 
• Ketogenic Diet with intermittent fasting supplemented with exogenous ketones
• Low dose metformin
• Pulse: 
• Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy
• High dose IV vitamin C
• Cancer specific glycolytic inhibitors: (e.g. 2-Deoxyglucose (2DG), Dichloroacetate (DCA), 3-Bromopyruvate (3BP); Lonidamine)
• insulin potentiation
• https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12986-017-0178-2
• https://peterattiamd.com/domdagostino/ [Dom describes the protocol for GBM at 1:59:45]
• https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2018.00020/full

1. Repurposed Drug/ Supplement cocktail 
• Will post details of this to get feedback once I have his detailed diagnosis and a consultation with the Care Oncology Clinic
2. Proceed with radiation/ chemo if no improvement in MRI prior to planned start date

I have a few questions for now: 

1. Has anyone in this community tried the press-pulse protocol and if so how (what parts, neoadjuvant/ concurrent/ adjuvant with SOC etc.?) and with what result? Does anyone know of any practitioners located in Australia that might be able to help in implementing the protocol?

2. Has anyone had any experience with the Burzynski clinic / Antineoplastons? (https://www.burzynskiclinic.com/)

·         For context: My mum and dad are very against radiation and chemo, and unfortunately subscribe to big pharma conspiracy theories. They are searching for information on youtube which means that on top of the research I am doing myself, I must also spend a lot of time researching and more often than not debunking the “cures” they come across

·         The quick research I've done on this seems to suggest it's controversial and unproven

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/antineoplastons-pdq

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burzynski_Clinic 

1. Does anyone know if there is any harm with Laetrile (Vitamin B17 /Amygdalin)? I know there is no evidence to support its efficacy but my mum is convinced it will help and I wonder if its worth fighting her on it if it doesn't do any harm (she's currently giving him apricot kernels ~ 40-50 / day)
2. Similarly with Phour Salts? 

Thank you all in advance for any information you might be able to share!

Silvia

Question About D-Dimer Blood Test

Hello All,

Does anyone have good knowledge on D-Dimer and its importance? I understand that there can sometimes be false positives on results, but if a D-Dimer reading came back super high should the patient go in for a scan right away for clots? The range is .20-.45, my Uncle's just came back at 2.25. Any advice appreciated.
Thank You ~

Antioxidant use in IDH1 mutant tumors

I'd like to open a topic up for debate here regarding antioxidant use in IDH1 mutant tumors. My understanding is that IDH1 mutant tumors are characterized by generally low Glutathione (antioxidant) levels, significantly sensitizing them to ROS generation. Some researchers speculate that this is the primary reason for superior OS stats for IDH1 mutant tumors, e.g.:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24362902

Given this particular dynamic, should I conclude that use of antioxidants which stimulate Glutathione (e.g. Alpha Lipoic Acid, Green tea, Cinnamon,...) should better be avoided in the case of IDH1 mutant tumors?

I am particularly interested in this question as my tumor is IDH1 mutated, and I recently started taking the Metabloc protocol (Alpha Lipoic Acid + Hydroxycitrate), since it seems to deliver very promising synergy with Metformin use. After investigating a bit, I am contemplating skipping the Alpha Lipoic Acid, however. 

Any thoughts on this topic? Thanks!

John

Boswellia during radiation

Hi Stephen/others,

Do you think it is a bad idea to use Boswellia during radiation? -  A week ago I started Boswellia Serrata Extract (Wokvel) 333mg three times a day after having a seizure on radiation day #11 out of 30 sessions.  There is the thought that the radiation and Temodar 180mg daily are causing some edema.   I have started taking keppra 500mg in AM and 750mg in PM.  I am not on any steroids(dexamethasone).  I have been told that research has shown signs of Boswellia having pretty strong antioxidant properties-  but I do not have the source(s) for that thought.  So now I am concerned that Boswellia may not be great to take right now if it could interfere with the radiation treatments? 

Also, I don’t know if I should actively pursue changing to Valproic Acid to capture any potential benefits it could have as a radio-sensitizer?  Any opinion?

Thanks,
Mike