Cancer Survival Tips – Repurposed Drugs and Compounds

Check out Aspirin – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This 2023 Meta Analysis says:
Meta-analyses of 118 observational studies of mortality in cancer patients give evidence consistent with reductions of about 20% in mortality associated with aspirin use.

An article in Oncology Times reported on a study involving 3,193 patients: Regular aspirin use after diagnosis of prostate cancer is associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer mortality and metastases, according to new data from the large observational Physicians’ Health Study (1982-2009) reported at the 2016 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (Abstract 306). “Among men with prostate cancer, regular aspirin use after diagnosis was associated with a 39 percent decreased risk of dying from prostate cancer,” Laboratory studies show that Aspirin can target cancer stem cells.
See Aspirin

Hydrazine Sulphate (Sehydrin) – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
Hydrazine sulfate is a compound that has been studied as a treatment for cancer and for cancer-related anorexia (loss of appetite) and cachexia.
This study says: In 38 patients with glioblastomas Sehydrin administration resulted in at least tumor stabilization and tumor regression in 27 (71%)…Survival time was increased from 9 to 16 months (average, 13+0.6 months)–twice the survival as after usual surgery. Eight (30%) of those 27 patients survived more than 19 months and one patient–more than 30 months. 
See Hydrazine Sulphate 

Check out Antihistamines – most cancer types

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This study included all 54,406 women with Breast Cancer [BC] diagnosed in Sweden 2000 through 2008. It concluded:
This population based registry study shows that women treated with second generation antihistamines have a better overall and BC specific survival compared with non users regardless of age, history of allergy, ER status and tumor stage. The results are strongest for desloratadine use and use after BC diagnosis.
Note: There is some concern that the antihistamine Cimetidine has estrogenic properties. If you have a certain type of breast cancer or prostate cancer, for example, this may be a concern.
See Antihistamines

Check out Beta-blockers – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This study retrospectively reviewed 722 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received radiotherapy concluded:
…the incidental use of beta-blockers in this group of patients with NSCLC was associated with improved distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival…
This study says: Propranolol was also shown to have an effect on metastasis to the brain – the other major site of interest in breast cancer. This meta-analysis provides evidence that beta blocker use can be associated with the prolonged survival of cancer patients, especially patients with early-stage cancer treated primarily with surgery.
This study concluded…we observed reduced cancer-specific mortality among prostate cancer patients taking beta-blockers. See Beta-blockers

Check out Bisphosphonates (anti-hypercalcemia drugs) – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This article in The Lancet referenced a meta-analysis of randomised trials of bisphosphonates involving 18,766 women over a 20 year period. In postmenopausal women, the addition of bisphosphonates resulted in highly significant reductions for bone recurrence (6·6% vs 8·8%) and for breast cancer mortality (14·7% vs 18·0%) at 10 years…This landmark report on breast cancer treatment should lead to widespread adoption of bisphosphonates as a standard of care for the adjuvant therapy of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
See Bisphosphonates

Check out Metformin (type 2 diabetes drug) – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This 2020 study recruited 2,400 patients with gastric cancer undergoing gastrectomy…Among them, 651 had type II Diabetes and 1749 patients did not have Diabetes. The study showed that the use of Metformin significantly reduces the risk of tumour recurrence and confers cancer-specific survival benefits in patients with stage III Gastric Cancer and Diabetes after surgery.
This meta-analysis looked at 18 studies (8 on lung cancer risk and 10 on lung cancer survival) were included. Metformin treatment was associated with decreased lung cancer incidence and increased lung cancer survival. This study reviewed the records of 460 consecutive patients with pathologically proved stage I-III breast cancer…Regarding overall survival, diabetic breast cancer patients treated with metformin as antidiabetic agent had longer mean overall survival time (59.71 months) than diabetic patients not treated with metformin (41.79 months) and nondiabetic patients (52.0 months).
This 2020 Meta-Analysis of 12 studies involving 35,346 Pancreatic Cancer patients found significant differences in overall survival between Pancreatic Cancer patients who were treated with metformin and underwent pancreatectomy and those who underwent pancreatectomy without metformin use.
Laboratory studies show that Metformin can target cancer stem cells.
See Metformin

Check out Mifepristone (abortion pill) – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
Case Report: We show long-term high-quality survival following single-agent treatment with a progesterone receptor antagonist in two cases of advanced metastatic cancer.
This study of 34 ovarian cancer patients treated with Mifepristone says: Nine (26.5%) of these patients had a response to Mifepristone. Three (9%) patients had a complete response, and six (17.5%), a partial response…

Laboratory studies show that Mifepristone can target cancer stem cells.
See Mifepristone

Check out Artemesinin (Anti-Malaria drug) – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
The natural compound artemisinin, or sweet wormwood, kills parasites and is effective against  pathogens like E coli. It also kills yeasts and can even attack cancer cells.

This study involving 23 patients tested the anti-Colorectal Cancer properties of oral artesunate (a derivative of Artemisinin). Patients planned for curative surgery were randomised to receive either 14 daily doses of oral artesunate or placebo. During a median follow up of 42 months, there were 6 recurrences in the placebo group and 1 recurrence in an artesunate recipient. The survival beyond 2 years in the artesunate group is estimated at 91% whilst surviving the first recurrence in the placebo group is only 57%. Laboratory studies show that Artemisinin can target cancer stem cells.
See Artemesinin

Check out Heparin (anticoagulant) – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This 2020 study published in the journal Cell Adhesion and Migration says:
Clinical studies suggest anticoagulant therapy with heparin leads to better prognosis and survival for patients with diversiform tumors.
A growing body of evidence suggests that heparin can decelerate the development of cancer and metastases. However, the risk of bleeding caused by anticoagulants limits the application of traditional heparin in cancer treatment, leading to the development of a number of synthetic heparin derivatives.

This 2020 study says: A multicenter clinical trial exploring the influence of anticoagulant treatment in 277 small cell lung cancer patients showed that 5-week subcutaneous heparin treatment led to substantially improved survival rates compared to no treatment at 1, 2 and 3 years (40% vs. 30%, 11% vs. 9%, and 9% vs. 6%, respectively)…Additional studies have found evidence that heparin and its derivatives reduce the emergence of metastatic lesions and prolong cancer survival in patients.

Cancer Survival Tips – Additional therapies available at a cancer clinic in Germany

Hyperthermia – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
This Study says: Significant improvement in clinical outcome has been demonstrated for tumours of the head and neck, breast, brain, bladder, cervix, rectum, lung, oesophagus, vulva and vagina, and also for melanoma. Additional hyperthermia resulted in remarkably higher (complete) response rates, accompanied by improved local tumour control rates, better palliative effects and/or better overall survival rates.
More about Hyperthermia

Sonodynamic and Photodynamic Therapy Combined – all cancers

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
A combination of sonodynamic therapy and photodynamic therapy is a new composite cancer therapy. This study states: Clinical studies revealed that PDT can be curative particularly in early-stage tumors. It can prolong survival in inoperable cancers and significantly improve quality of life. Minimal normal tissue toxicity, negligible systemic effects, greatly reduced long-term morbidity...
See more at Sonodynamic and Photodynamic Therapy Combined

Oncolytic Virotherapy – solid tumors only

Studies have shown that this extends survival in cancer patients.
The following is from the website of the National Cancer Institute
Treatment using an oncolytic virus (a virus that infects and breaks down cancer cells but not normal cells ). Oncolytic virotherapy may make it easier to kill tumor cells with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is a type of targeted therapy. Also called oncolytic virus therapy, viral therapy, and virotherapy.
RIGVIR^®  is the world’s first approved oncolytic virotherapy medicine for the treatment of melanoma, local therapy of skin and subcutaneous metastases of melanoma, prevention of relapse and metastases after surgery.
This Study concluded: Rigvir significantly prolongs survival in early-stage melanoma patients without any side effect.
See Oncolytic Virotherapy

Cancer Survival Tips – For patients with limited options

Sodium Dichloroacetate

FOR PATIENTS WITH LIMITED OPTIONS
This study says: Observational data collected from more than 300 cancer patients with advanced disease revealed measurable benefits from DCA therapy in 60%-70% of cases…Based on our clinical experience, combined with existing publications, off-label DCA therapy is an option for patients with limited available conventional treatments, once they understand and accept the risks and benefits of therapy.
This study says: Interestingly, DCA could significantly affect cancer stem cell fraction and contribute to cancer eradication.
See Sodium Dichloroacetate

Cesium Chloride (inorganic compound)

FOR PATIENTS WITH LIMITED OPTIONS
This study reports on 50 patients treated with Cesium. An impressive 50% recovered from various cancers, i.e., cancer of unknown primary, breast, colon, prostate, pancreas, lung, liver, lymphoma, ewing sarcoma of the pelvis and adeno-cancer of the gallbladder. A consistent finding in these patients was the disappearance of pain within the initial 3 days of Cs-treatment.
This study warns:
Cesium chloride, which is used as alternative therapy by some cancer patients, has been determined to have significant adverse effects, especially cardiovascular effects.
See Cesium Chloride

Cancer Survival Tips – Essential steps for a lasting recovery

Kill Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs).

According to this 2020 study: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to the initiation, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer; however, there are still no drugs targeting CSCs in clinical application.

How can we target Cancer Stem Cells?
This scientific review says natural products, including those found in common foodstuffs have demonstrated the ability to modulate pathways responsible for Cancer Stem Cells function and inhibition.

Top Five
This 2020 study says: Certain phytochemicals have been shown to interfere with CSC pathways leading to elimination of CSCs, in particular
curcumin (found in Turmeric)
epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG – found in GREEN TEA)
sulforaphane (found in broccoli, cauliflower, and broccoli sprouts)
resveratrol (found in red grapes and red wine)
genistein (found in soy beans and fava beans)

See Cancer Stem Cells

Clear Senescent Cancer Cells 

Senescent cells are unique in that they eventually stop multiplying but don’t die off when they should. (source)

According to this 2020 Review in Trends in Cancer, a significant number of commonly used cancer interventions have been associated with the induction of cellular senescence in either tumor or non-tumor cells and tissues.
Therapy-induced senescence can cause cancer metastasis and relapse and several adverse reactions to cancer treatments.

How can we target Senescent Cancer Cells?
Senolytics are a class of drugs that selectively clear senescent cells. 
Studies have identified the following compounds as Senolytics:
Curcumin (natural plant compound)
Berberine (a plant extract)
Nicotinamide riboside (a micronutrient)
Piperlongumine (a natural alkaloid)
Tocotrienols (a type of vitamin E nutrient)
Danazol (androgenic hormone)
Foxo4 (protein) inhibitors
HSP90 (protein) inhibitors
Navitoclax (ABT263) (anti-cancer drug)
Dasatinib (chemo drug) and Quercetin (a plant pigment) – used in combination.
Phloretin (a crystalline substance)
Selective BCL-XL inhibitors A1331852 and A1155463 ( targeted therapies)
Sources: study, study, 2019 Review

See Senescent Cancer Cells

On completion of your standard treatment you might want to consider a liver cleanse because toxins from treatment can damage your liver and ultimately reduce survival time.
Go to Cleanse your liver

See also Alternative treatments

Surviving against all the odds.

For her ground-breaking book Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds Dr Kelly Turner, PhD studied over 1000 cases of people who recovered from cancer against all odds. She found 10 key factors that most of these people used to get better:

1. Radically changing your diet
2. Taking control of your health
3. Following your intuition
4. Using herbs and supplements
5. Releasing suppressed emotions
6. Increasing positive emotions
7. Embracing social support
8. Deepening your spiritual connection
9. Having strong reasons for living
10. Daily physical exercise

Cancer Survival Tips from a medical doctor and recovered cancer patient – 4 mins

Cancer Survival Tips from a recovered cancer patient – 2 minutes

This page updated 2024

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