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glucose starvation of cancer cells

ivanb
0 Recommendations

spread to the backbone and liver

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Metabolic acidosis Pain Adriamycin Bladder cancer Glucovance

14 replies

Cheyenne

Hi Ivan. Welcome to BCAN. We are available to help you. We will need a bit more information though. Is this a metastasis of bladder cancer? Please fill us in on the details so we get give you the information and assistance you need.

ivanb

the cancer is of the type tcc which has spread to the liver,backbone . the origonal cancer was found 3years ago in the uretr, and was surgiccally removed with the associated kidney. the actual bladder is clear.

Karego

Welcome IvanB, You case is not the usual diagnosis of bladder cancer, which is the majority of us here. We do have members that can address what treatment they've had with upper renal involvement.
Also, please contact our parent site www.BCAN.org (click on the BCAN logo at the top of the page)
There you may find information that can connect you with clinical trials for your diagnosis.
Since you are in Australia, we may be limited in knowing what is availabe to you locally.
We do have Australian members though, so they may come on and offer their knowledge of where you might seek help in your country also.
Karego

jj803

Hi Ivan,

Sorry to hear of the metastasis of your ureteral tcc. In the US metastatic bladder TCC is treated with MVAC (methotrexate,vincristine (or vinblastin I can't remember which), Adriamycin, and cis Platinum or GC (gemcitabine and cis platinum). I don't know but would guess that TCC from other primary sites would be treated similarly. I'm not sure I know what you mean about glucose starvation of cancer cells, but I can say that all cells (cancerous and non cancerous) utilize glucose as an energy source. Most of the metabolic pathways for energy at the cellular level end up providing glucose for energy production. Best wishes,

JJ

ivanb

thankyou for your reply to my email.i know all cells get their energy from glucose. whitch is converted to non-oxidised atps(cell food).this can only be converted from carbs and sugars.(glycosis) however, fats and proteins are converted to atps by a process called ketotis (ketones) which is an oxidised form of atps, which cancer cells cannot use. but the normal cells can, can anyone help me in following this up? has any trials been carried out using this principle? yours ivan b

jj803

Very high protein and or fat diets with inadequate carbohydrates can be converted to energy, but in so doing produce ketones which can have substantial toxicity particularly to the kidneys. One needs to approach those diets with great care.

JJ

nancynursez637

You really cannot starve cancer cells from glucose without putting other tissues at risk, like kidneys as jj mentioned and brain which simply will not function without adequate glucose.

Nancy

ivanb

i am told that the brain can use keytone atps as wwell as glucose apts. it just prefers glucose.iagree that too many keytones can be dangerous hence must be done under medical (doctor)care. does anyone know of any trials using the keytone and glucovance (or alternarive) and 2d-oxy glucose medications.as i am seriously considering this protocol. this protocol is recommended for a duration of 1 month and then a break to analise results

ivanb

jj iagree the ketone aproach has its dangers, but under strict medical supervision this can be minimised, if this diet is used in conjunction with glucovance(or alternative) and 2d-oxy glucose,this may kill the cancer cells by starvation. do you know of anyone or trails that have been done? yours Ivan

jj803

Ivan,

Sorry I do not know anything of these trials, but agree that if you engage in this that strict supervision is essential. I would think you would want periodic renal function tests as well as tests for ketones. As Nancy points out these have severe consequences. Diabetics who due to an inability for glucose to enter their cells, use the metabolic pathways that the low carb diets promote. One of the life threatening consequences is diabetic keto-acidosis, caused by the metabolism of fats and proteins with the production of ketones. This can be a rapidly fatal result preceded by a comatose state. Although I do not know, I am quite sceptical about glucose starvation of tumors. In addition, if you have had cystectomy and have a urinary diversion you are already at risk for metabolic acidosis, I would think a ketotic diet would increase that risk. Best wishes,

JJ

ivanb

the cancer swas discovered the end of 2006 in the ureter 5cm big. this was surgically removed with the associated kidney. after 5 chemos and 6 weeks of local radiation i was deemed clear of cancer. in oct 2008 numerous tumers were found in both lobes of the liver (up to 8.5cm) and back bone. my current treatment is chemo (gemzar and cisplatin 4times a month and zemara once a month). the cancer tumers are now stable and about half the size the were in january. i am also taking allternative medication and i feel good as well as putting on weight and sleeping well. the pain leval has now decreased such that i take only one mild painkiller per day instead of 8.

jj803

Glad to hear that you are making progress. Best wishes,

JJ

ivanb

thankyou for replying so quicickly. i agree with what you say about acidosis, and i am told that taking bicarbinate of soda and associated saliva or urine tests with litmus papers should control this danger. also jj to do nothing new will not cure this cancer. the drug 2d-oxy glucose has passed w1st phase fda trials. have you heard of this drug?

jj803

I have not heard of this drug, but hope it works well for you. I certainly agree that in the circumstances you describe, I would be looking for trials that showed promise. As I am sure that you know, with current standard treatments the prognosis for metastatic transitional cell ca is not good. Best wishes,

JJ

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