Notes on weathering cancer
Diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer at 36, but cancer free with no evidence of disease at 40 thanks primarily to Immunocine immune therapy and Keytruda/Pembrolizumab checkpoint inhibitor medication.
Benefited greatly from guidance given by Heal Navigator, and a self-sought companion diagnostic.
Personal suggestions on what actions to take if diagnosed with cancer. Not medical advice.
Patented double-loaded dendritic cell immune therapy took my stage IIIc / 4 diagnosis (there was one lesion in my liver that disappeared) to no sign of disease. This was provided by Immunocine which, in 2024, provided treatment to about 90 selected patients with very different kinds of tumours with an objective response rate of over 90%. The method uses the body's own dendritic immune cells and a sample from the tumour and trains the immune cells to identify the cancer as a threat such that the body is able to marshal its own defences to eliminate cancer cells. The treatment has had remarkable success on various types of cancer and is being fast-tracked through the FDA (FDA fast track designation).
The ideal counterpart to this therapy is the checkpoint inhibitor Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), which hinders the ability of cancer cells to hide from the immune system.
Cancer treatment structurally places the patient into a very passive role. We do things, your job is to receive it. There is a lot of stress involved in facing pain and death. However, having the capacity to advocate for yourself has been critical in my case, and I've seen it be so in other cases. In my case, once I had a recurrence after surgery, I started forcefully researching the current state of the art for my own diagnosis and expanded my reading to supplementation, diet, and repurposed medication. As a result of this, I discovered Immunocine, as well as was able to request an extended genetic panel from my oncologist after having talked to a leading cancer researcher to hear their advice. This genetic panel yielded a re-diagnosis of my tumour from being classified as micro-satellite stable to partially micro-satellite instability high (MSI-H). This opened the way for me to get the medication.
Without self-advocacy and support of this sort, I would not have gone for the immune therapy that eliminated all current measurable traces of my cancer and might be dead instead.
Through my cancer journey, I've discovered that diet can be a powerful complementary tool in treatment. I've found three key dietary approaches particularly beneficial: plant-based eating, therapeutic ketosis, and strategic fasting. If I had to go through cancer treatment again, I would absolutely incorporate these approaches (assuming cachexia isn't a major risk).
Fasting has been transformative in my treatment journey. It significantly enhances immune function while putting stress on cancer cells. During my chemotherapy, I practiced water fasting before and during treatments, which drastically reduced side effects. Yes, I even kept my hair, which everyone asks about! The science behind this is fascinating: when we fast, healthy cells enter a protective state where they become selective about absorbing substances like chemotherapy. Meanwhile, cancer cells, which are perpetually hungry, tend to absorb more of the treatment. Additionally, fasting frees up immune resources normally dedicated to digestion and triggers autophagy - the body's natural recycling and repair process.
Research has shown that a ketogenic diet can have significant anti-cancer effects across various cancer types. While eliminating sugar is important - as glucose is cancer's preferred fuel - it's just one piece of the puzzle. The key seems to be blocking multiple metabolic pathways that cancer cells rely on, ultimately weakening them until they either die naturally or become vulnerable to the immune system or treatments like ferroptosis.
I've found that combining these dietary interventions with other treatments has been particularly effective. For those interested in learning more about metabolic approaches to cancer treatment, I recommend reading "How to Starve Cancer", which provides a comprehensive look at these strategies.
Supplements can make a meaningful difference in cancer treatment, but professional guidance is valuable in finding actually useful combinations. It's important to remember that supplements, at best, supplement proper medical treatment - they don't replace it.
In my experience, supplementation has been effective in several ways:
All of these elements have been beneficial in my case, but particularly maintaining a strong immune system which enabled immunotherapy to function more effectively.
Navigating the world of supplements is challenging. There are many bad incentives to sell products that are ineffective or potentially harmful. Additionally, gold-standard scientific research with double-blind trials is difficult to conduct for supplement combinations, even when the causal pathways seem justified. Testing multiple supplement combinations requires exponentially more complex and resource-intensive trials, while offering limited profit potential.
My approach has been to understand the proposed biological mechanisms for each supplement and weigh them against known or potential side effects. I've documented my personal protocol in this spreadsheet. You can find many other protocols shared by others who have overcome difficult prognoses. I strongly recommend studying the background of any supplement you consider taking, or validating them with a holistic nurse. I've found Heal Navigator invaluable for this guidance.
Based on my research and experience, I would strongly recommend three supplements in particular:
I haven't found substantial evidence of significant adverse effects for any of these. Regarding melatonin specifically, I know people who regularly take 500 times the standard daily dose. There's an important correlation between melatonin and thymus function, with the thymus being critical for T-cell function and immune response.
Unpacking the protocol I used in 2023-2024.
A significant part of my protocol focuses on supplements believed to interfere with cancer cell metabolism and proliferation. Berberine, for instance, is thought to affect glucose metabolism for anticancer purposes and may interrupt the glutamine pathway to cancer cells. Research suggests it can inhibit breast carcinoma proliferation and metastasis. Similarly, the active compound in Black Cumin Seed, thymoquinone, is believed to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) and inhibit cancer cell proliferation. It may also offer chemo-protection and enhancement while supporting the immune system.
Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is another powerful supplement in my regimen, with studies indicating it has pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects, particularly in colorectal cancer. I also include Green Tea Extract, rich in the polyphenol EGCG, which may have anti-proliferative and anti-migration effects on colorectal cancer cells by blocking the glutamine fuel pathway. The supplement DIM (Diindolylmethane) is included for its potential to act as a suppressive agent in colorectal cancer, influencing proliferation, migration, and invasion through multiple signaling pathways.
A noteworthy addition has been Fenbendazole, an anthelmintic drug that has gained attention for its potential anti-cancer properties. It is thought to destabilize microtubules and disrupt glucose metabolism in cancer cells, leading to their death. Artemisinin, another supplement with huge anticancer potential, is believed to work through at least six different anti-cancer pathways, most prominently ferroptosis.
Inflammation is a key driver of cancer progression, so a portion of my protocol is dedicated to natural anti-inflammatory agents. Pycnogenol, an extract from pine bark, is included for its anti-inflammatory, immune-supporting, and anti-tumor properties, often combined with berberine. Loratadine, commonly known as Claritin, is an antihistamine that can act as a potent anti-inflammatory agent, potentially disrupting the microenvironment of colorectal tumors. Furthermore, a daily Low-Dose Aspirin is part of my regimen, as it may improve survival, and prevent recurrence and metastasis by making it more difficult for cancer cells to clump together and attach to new sites.
A robust immune system is crucial when undergoing cancer treatment. To this end, I have incorporated several immune-boosting supplements. Melatonin, taken at bedtime, not only improves sleep but also provides an immunity boost by increasing T-cell production. The thymus gland, a key player in immune function, is most active at night, correlating with high melatonin levels. Higher doses of melatonin appear to be safe and may have cancer-slowing effects. Ashwagandha is included primarily for its stress-relieving and immune-boosting properties, although some evidence suggests it has anticancer effects. Astragalus is another herb I take to potentially reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and enhance its efficacy.
Medicinal mushrooms are a cornerstone of my immune support strategy. Beta Glucans, found in mushrooms like Reishi and Maitake, are believed to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis while activating immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Reishi, in particular, may help suppress inflammation and carcinogenesis regulated by NF-ÎșB. Maitake is also thought to suppress tumor growth, prevent metastasis, and boost Natural Killer (NK) cell activity.
To manage the side effects of conventional treatments and support my overall health, I've included several key supplements. Alpha-Lipoic Acid is taken to reduce chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, thanks to its potent antioxidant properties and ability to regulate blood sugar, and research suggests it decreases cancer cell viability and proliferation in breast cancer. Ginger has been invaluable in protecting against nausea and vomiting, a common side effect of chemotherapy. Studies also suggest it can inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. Vitamin D3 is another crucial component, as maintaining an ideal blood stream level is believed to be beneficial, and it's considered one of the best vitamins to take during chemotherapy.
To protect my liver, which metabolizes many of these supplements, I take Milk Thistle. Beyond its liver-protective qualities, milk thistle extract has been found to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer stem cells. I also supplement with Magnesium for its potential to protect against nephrotoxicity. Iron is included to help prevent low blood counts.
My protocol also includes several other supplements. Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) has shown anti-metastatic qualities in various cancers by mediating cancer cell adhesion. Omega-3 fatty acids are included to potentially reduce cancer metastasis. Resveratrol is combined with Quercetin and Curcumin for a potentially synergistic effect. Ginseng has been shown in some studies to have anti-cancer effects and may also help combat cancer-related fatigue.
Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is another component with high anti-cancer potential. I also incorporate Baking Soda to potentially counteract the acidic microenvironment of tumors. CBD oil is used for its potential to inhibit invasion and metastasis in colorectal cancer cells and for stress reduction. Garcinia Cambogia is included for its broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity and potential to induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Garlic is used for its pro-apoptotic, proliferation inhibition, and immune-supporting properties. Finally, a daily Probiotic supplement is included to support gut health, which is integral to overall immunity.
This comprehensive protocol is what I have personally found to be a valuable and supportive component of my cancer treatment journey. It is a dynamic and evolving regimen, always discussed and reviewed with my medical team. It is my hope that by sharing this information, I can offer a starting point for others to research and discuss with their own healthcare providers. Remember, every individual and every cancer is unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another. The most important step is to remain an active and informed participant in your own care, working in partnership with your medical team to create the best possible treatment plan for you.
As I explore cutting-edge cancer treatments, I've become particularly fascinated by dendritic cell therapy - an innovative immunotherapy approach that harnesses our body's own immune system to fight cancer. Let me share what I've learned about this promising treatment.
At its core, dendritic cell therapy works by training our immune system's "sentinel" cells - dendritic cells - to recognize and fight cancer. These remarkable cells, first discovered in 1973, serve as the commanders of our immune response, directing T-cells to target specific threats in our body.
The process is elegantly personalized: doctors collect a patient's white blood cells and isolate the dendritic cells. These cells are then "educated" in the lab using material from the patient's own tumor - essentially creating a custom cancer vaccine. Some advanced approaches, like those used by Immunocine, use both tumor mRNA and proteins to train these cells, potentially creating a stronger immune response.
Once the dendritic cells have been trained, they're returned to the patient's body where they travel to lymph nodes and activate T-cells to mount a targeted attack against cancer cells. What's particularly exciting is that this can create lasting "immune memory," potentially helping prevent cancer recurrence.
Unlike traditional treatments that can damage healthy cells, dendritic cell therapy is precisely targeted. Research has shown it to be remarkably safe, with fewer side effects than conventional treatments. The FDA approved the first dendritic cell vaccine (Sipuleucel-T) for prostate cancer in 2010, and since then, thousands of clinical trials have explored its potential for various cancers.
The field continues to evolve, with researchers exploring combinations with other immunotherapies and developing more effective training methods. Recent studies suggest that combining dendritic cell therapy with other treatments might enhance its effectiveness even further.
As someone navigating cancer treatment, I find the precision and personalization of dendritic cell therapy particularly compelling. While it's not yet widely available for all cancer types, the growing body of research and clinical success stories suggest it could become an increasingly important tool in our fight against cancer.