EMERGING
TARGETED
DEVELOPING
Repurposing drugs into cancer have produced widely varying trial results
A few of these drugs are showing increasingly well targeted use in oncology
In many cases results have been disappointing such including in metabolic therapies and metformin. Or even alarming, as with mebendazole.Â
The idea that more drugs is better is frequently not the case even inside of oncology. There are many examples in our other LIBRARIES showing more powerful a safe alternatives to pursue.
No evidence or case study justifies randomly self medicating in ever increasing combinations.
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NSAIDS
Exactly as with non prescription drugs and supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs can benefit some cancer treatment
But its a good idea to fully explore what can be done with supplements and over the counter drugs
DIRECT ACTIONS
Some drugs are showing specific anti-cancer activity of their own, statins are a leading example
Development and targeting continues but in many cases dedicated oncology drugs are more promisingÂ
ANTI-METASTATIC
Some success in vascular health protective capabilities of several repurposed drugs including in breast cancer
Along with aspirin, this is perhaps the most significant area for continued research
SIDE EFFECTS
Weakening of microbiome and multiple other unintended results including increased progression rates are commonly reported
Nothing should be done without active consultation with your oncologist
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STATINS
- Post diagnostic effects of adding statins vary by cancer type and stage
- Positive evidence from both analysis of case records and clinical trials
- Trials continue to develop specific targeting, many with atorvastatin
Statin therapy produces significant benefits on overall survival and cancer-specific survival.
ETODOLAC
- Promising phase I trials in colorectal cancer survival
- Similar clinical data for early phase breast cancer
- Clinical trials frequently in combination with propranolol
In this pilot clinical trial, a combined perioperative treatment with propranolol and etodolac significantly improved 5-year disease-free-survival.
PROPRANOLOL
- With etodolac, increases survival in colorectal cancer survival
- Reduced metastatic activity in clinical data early phase breast cancer
- Clinical trials frequently in combination with etodolac
In protocol compliant patients 0/11 (0%) vs. 8/17 (47%) exhibited recurrence in treatment vs. placebo groups, respectively
CELECOXIB
- Some evidence for breast cancer patients with no chemotherapy
- In colorectal cancer, postive results for so called P3KCA mutated tumors
- Negative effects in breast cancer outcomes during chemo for EFGR- patients
celecoxib treatment (400Â mg daily for 2Â years) in a subgroup of 655 breast cancer patients who did not receive chemotherapy reduced the hazard ratio for recurrence over 10Â years by 35%Â
CIMETIDINE
- Moderate early phase evidence in colorectal cancer overall survival
- Pilot study in advanced ovarian cancer showed strong benefits
- Appears to have generated hyperprogression in new lung cancer trial
Robust beneficial effects of cimetidine were noted: the 10-year survival rate of the cimetidine group was 84.6% whereas that of control group was 49.8%
SGLT2 INHIBITORS
- Diabetic patients often reported with better outcomes
- Emerging positive outcomes in pancreatic cancer
- More evidence is needed in non diabetic groups
In sum, there is evidence that dapagliflozin may potentially be efficacious as adjunctive therapy for advanced PDAC [pancreas] treatment,
DISULFIRAM
- Pilot study in advanced lung cancer saw 10% remission rate
- Some indications of efficacy in liver cancer
- Negative outcomes in brain and prostate cancers
An increase in survival was noted for the experimental group (10 vs. 7.1 months). Interestingly, there were only two long-term survivors, both in the disulfiram group.
HYDRALAZINE
- Combination with valproic acid has some positive evidence in older trials
- Early results in a variety of cancers which require replication and targeting
- Interesting example of so called epi-genetic therapy approach to therapy
This phase II study suggests that DNA methylation and HDAC inhibitors overcome resistance to chemotherapy because clinical benefit (PR + SD) was observed in 80% of patients
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
- Positive trends in pancreatic cancer for certain identified markers
- Pilot trial in advanced melanoma showed benefits with chemotherapy
- Broader evidence for its impacts are lacking and negative effects substantial
There was a nonsignificant trend toward improved median OS in patients treated with HCQ with SMAD4 loss
DIPYRIDAMOLE
- Meta-analysis indicates possible benefits with aspirin in colorectal cancer
- No effects found in advanced breast and colorectal cancer trials
- Some trials terminated due to side effects and lack of efficacy
Our data indicate that the anti-cancer effect of aspirin against CRC may be enhanced by combined administration with dipyridamole.
IVERMECTIN
- Currently no clinical trial evidence published with any positive impact
- Only one active clinical trial ongoing in breast cancer
- Effects with oncology including side effects remain to be assessed
Further studies are necessary for reliably establishing ivermectin’s effectiveness and safety when used to treat cancer in humans.
MEBENDAZOLE/ FENBENDAZOLE
- May have accelerated progression of digestive system cancers
- Unfavorable phase 2 trial in 2021 with chemotherapy
- Fenbendazole is not even approved for safe use in humans
dose adjusted mebendazole is safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced cancer but all patients experienced rapid progressive disease.
METFORMIN
- Meta-analysis of clinical trials results in no effects
- In some cancers, metformin has decreased patient survival
- Most benefits are seen in diabetic patients only
..the assessment of combination with immunotherapy, and potential as a cancer preventative agent still warrant well-designed clinical investigation.
DOXYCYCLINE
- Early evidence of helping reduce breast cancer stem cells
- No evidence in metastatic breast cancer trials, high toxicity
- Antibiotics use have been seen to cause disease progression
..oral doxycycline treatment effectively reduced the expression of two CSC markers, in early breast cancer patients
NALTREXONE
- Pilot trial in breast cancer reports lack of impacts
- Ongoing trials in several other cancers
- Evidence needed on if and where to apply LDN
However, this evidence is still too limited. Hence, there is a necessity to conduct more studies, especially clinical trials