“Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) may well be the most important therapeutic breakthrough in over fifty years. It provides a new, safe, and inexpensive method of medical treatment by mobilizing the natural defenses of one’s own immune system.” — David Gluck, MD

This blog is for women who may feel stuck on their healing journey and are not seeing the results they expected with just natural medicine. While I usually look to natural ways to prevent and heal breast cancer, sometimes it is necessary to temporarily help put the fire out, so to speak. Pairing Eastern and Western medicine and minds may give you the best of both worlds.

The drugs listed below use the metabolic approach of targeting specific pathways of cancer cells. No two journeys are the same for conquering cancer and living a vibrantly healthy life. We must all find what our unique bodies and lives need for prevention and healing. It’s why I spend so much time creating blogs, podcast episodes, recipes, and so forth to provide a range of options to prevent and heal breast cancer while making you even healthier than before! 

The primary drug I will be discussing in this blog is low-dose naltrexone (LDN) for breast cancer treatment. I will also touch on metformin, atorvastatin, mebendazole, and doxycycline.

What is Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)? 

Naltrexone is a pharmaceutical drug, not a substance found in nature. In 1984, it was first used for drug detoxification and alcohol dependence. Now, it is used in a low-dose manner to normalize the immune system to help those with autoimmune diseases, cancers, central nervous system disorders, and HIV/AIDS. 

By blocking opioid receptors, naltrexone also blocks the reception of the opioid hormones that our brain and adrenal glands produce. Many body tissues have receptors for these endorphins and enkephalins, including virtually every immune system cell.

Low-Dose & Low-Cost

Low-dose naltrexone for breast cancer is also a very affordable treatment. For example, The Compounder’s recent price (Spring, 2017) for a one-month supply (30 capsules) of LDN was $36, plus a $10 shipping fee. Here is a list of pharmacies known to be reliable compounders of LDN. It is also vital to specify that you do NOT want LDN in slow-release form as the LDN therapeutic effects may be inhibited. That being said, do NOT take any type of medication without first discussing with your medical team.

Low-Dose Naltrexone for Breast Cancer

Dr. Bernard Bihari was a physician in New York City in the mid-1980s when he discovered that a very low dose of naltrexone (about 3mg once a day) dramatically improved immune response in his HIV patients. Later on, he found the optimal LDN dosage for most adults is 4.5mg.

Since Dr. Bihari’s research, it’s been shown to improve patients with lymphoma, lupus, and Crohn’s disease. Many studies have confirmed promising results for people with primary cancer of the bladder, breast, liver, lung, lymph nodes, colon, and rectum.

A recent study from the St. George University in London and published in the International Journal of Oncology reported that LDN could reduce tumor growth in a “variety of cell lines.”

This happens by interfering with the tumor cell signaling (i.e.communication) and by modifying the immune system. Even more interesting, they also found that following an “on-off” schedule for LDN administration helped to enhance the effect. This report also noted, “Our data supports further the idea that LDN possesses anti-cancer activity, which can be improved by modifying the treatment schedule.” 

Learn more about LDN via: LDNresearchtrust.org and LowDoseNaltrexone.org

Side effects of LDN

Another amazing benefit of taking low-dose naltrexone is its virtually NO adverse side effects. During the first week of use, occasionally, patients report having a difficult time sleeping. However, this rarely continues after the first week. LDN works best when taken between 9 pm to 3 am, which brings a new element to one’s nighttime routine. However, anecdotal reports indicate that taking it first thing in the morning still has positive effects but does not affect sleep. 

Other Off-Label Drugs for Breast Cancer Healing

As I always say, “You have OPTIONS!” You do not have to go with the first or the cookie-cutter treatment plan prescribed. Get a second and third opinion. Do your research. Take DNA and hormone tests to see what is really going on in your body. Learn to be your own health detective.

Some other treatments to look into include:

Metformin

Metformin is typically used to treat people with type 2 diabetes. Given that glucose is an essential cellular metabolic substrate and that insulin signaling has mitogenic effects, this medication can help kill off cancer cells. Since the proliferation of breast cancer is intimately linked to cellular glucose metabolism, women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop breast cancer. For this reason, a growing interest has focused on anti-diabetic agents in the management of breast cancer. Learn more via this recent study about Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment. 

Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin and a proper diet have been used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride (fats) levels in blood to help prevent heart attacks and strokes due to fats clogging blood vessels. In one prospective study of 1,945 early-stage breast cancer survivors, initiation of statin (such as atorvastatin) use <3 years after diagnosis was independently associated with decreased 5-year breast cancer recurrence rates in a duration-dependent manner. This collection of studies continues with more fascinating research on the benefits of taking statins for healing breast cancer and preventing recurrence. These drugs are often available at a meager price of only $12/month.

Mebendazole

Mebendazole was first used to treat gut infections such as threadworms, pinworms, and other infections from worms. Yes, it sounds gross, but this common anthelminthic drug has shown to deplete breast cancer stem cells in a TNBC model and act as a potent radiosensitizer in vitro and in vivo.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is a strong antibiotic and has a wide range of uses, such as treating infections and severe acne and preventing malaria. It has also been found to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells and the self-renewal of BCSCs. Part of the mechanism of inhibition of self-renewal is due to the suppression of key developmental stem cell factors, such as Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and c-myc. Learn more in this study.

Let’s Create Your Healing Plan

We are fortunate to live in a time of immense information, studies, and treatment options. However, all of this can lead to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm  about choices. This is why we offer individual coaching so that you can work with one of our health coaches who specializes in helping women create a tailored plan of action. You are never alone!