2/5/2025
Patient Case Story: BT
Short Excerpt: At 81, BT was diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer and lymph node involvement in 2020. Through surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and a comprehensive metabolic approach using repurposed medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes, BT now shows no evidence of disease (NED), a remarkable outcome demonstrating the power of proactive, integrative cancer care.
Patient Profile
- Age: 81 years
- Gender: Male
- Diagnosis: Prostate Cancer, Gleason Score 9 (High-Grade), Lymph Node Involvement
- Date of Diagnosis: January 2020
- Current Status: No Evidence of Disease (NED)
Clinical History:
BT, an 81-year-old male, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2020 following an elevated PSA and biopsy confirmation. His tumor was classified as high-grade (Gleason score 9) and was noted to have lymph node involvement, which suggested an advanced stage of the disease. This information immediately placed him at a higher risk for metastasis, necessitating aggressive treatment strategies.
Treatment Overview:
- Surgery: Prostatectomy performed in March 2020.
- Radiation Therapy: BT received 39 sessions of radiation therapy in April 2020 to target any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.
- Hormone Therapy (Androgen Ablation): BT was initiated on androgen ablation therapy (ADT) in the form of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists and/or anti-androgens. This therapy is designed to lower testosterone, a critical growth factor for prostate cancer cells, and has been shown to improve survival outcomes in men with high-risk prostate cancer.
Current Medications:
- Relugolix: BT is currently on Relugolix, a newer oral androgen receptor antagonist that blocks the pituitary-gonadal axis, effectively lowering testosterone levels and PSA. Relugolix is preferred for its ability to offer continuous and predictable suppression of. testosterone without the hormonal flare associated with traditional LHRH agonists. Relugolix has shown a favorable profile regarding adverse effects and long-term management. Studies suggest it can help in reducing prostate cancer progression and symptoms, with better tolerability compared to previous standard therapies (e.g. leuprolide).
- Repurposed Medications: In February 2020 BT began taking (and still takes) a combination of metabolic drugs that have shown potential benefits in cancer treatment.
- Doxycycline: An antibiotic known for its anti inflammatory properties.
- Metformin: A widely used diabetes medication, metformin has demonstrated potential anticancer properties.
- Atorvastatin: A statin known for its cholesterol-lowering effects, atorvastatin has been explored for its potential to inhibit cancer cell growth and metastasis.
- Mebendazole: An antiparasitic that has recently gained attention for its potential anticancer effects.
- More recently, BT has also included:
- Brenzavvy (bempedoic acid): A medication used to lower cholesterol levels. Emerging evidence suggests it might play a role in cancer therapy.
- Ivermectin: Known primarily for its antiparasitic use, ivermectin has shown potential as an anti-cancer agent, particularly in inhibiting cell division and metastasis in preclinical models.
Supplements:
- BT takes a variety of supplements aimed at supporting his overall health and immune function, including:
- Vitamin D and K
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Melatonin (potential anti-cancer benefits)
- Perfect Amino (for muscle maintenance)
- Digestive enzymes and Berberine (for metabolic support)
- Loratadine (antihistamine)
- Aspirin (ASA)
BT has reported no side effects from the repurposed medications. His treatment regimen includes these medications and supplements, alongside his standard of care, which he attributes to his continued disease-free status.
Diet and Exercise:
- Exercise: BT has maintained an active lifestyle with consistent exercise, which includes gym sessions, elliptical use, running, and resistance training. Exercise can improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients due to its benefits in reducing fatigue and promoting better immune function.
- Diet: BT adopted the carnivore diet in September 2024, finding it beneficial for reducing inflammation and boosting energy levels. After developing a kidney stone, he reintroduced more carbohydrates into his diet, which he speculates might have contributed to a slight increase in his PSA. He has since returned to the carnivore diet.
- The carnivore diet is a high-protein, low-carb diet that eliminates plant-based foods. While clinical data on its use in cancer patients is limited, anecdotal evidence suggests it may reduce oxidative stress, lower inflammation, and support weight management, which are all crucial in cancer care.
Prognosis and Survival Rates:
The prognosis for patients with a Gleason score of 9 prostate cancer with lymph node involvement is generally poor. Survival rates for high-risk prostate cancer (with Gleason scores of 8-10) range from 50-80% at 5 years, depending on the aggressiveness of the disease, stage at diagnosis, and treatment interventions.
Survival can be prolonged with aggressive treatments including surgery, radiation, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and emerging therapies like Relugolix. BT’s current no evidence of disease (NED) status suggests that his long-term use of repurposed medications, supplements, and dietary interventions used in combination with these aggressive therapies have improved his chances of long-term survival.
Role of Repurposed Medications:
Repurposed medications—drugs initially designed for other conditions—are gaining traction in oncology due to their potential to target cancer-specific pathways with known safety profiles. As evidenced by BT’s regimen, the combination of metformin, doxycycline, atorvastatin, and mebendazole may offer a multifaceted approach to cancer treatment.
- Metformin: Inhibits cancer cell growth by reducing insulin resistance and impacting cancer metabolism. Studies show metformin may enhance the efficacy of hormone therapies.
- Doxycycline: Targets the tumor microenvironment, reduces cancer cell invasion, and inhibits cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
- Atorvastatin: Decreases prostate cancer cell proliferation by affecting cholesterol metabolism.
- Mebendazole: Blocks microtubule formation in cancer cells, leading to apoptosis.
Further studies are needed to validate their roles in prostate cancer treatment, but early results are promising.
Androgen Ablation and Relugolix:
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), also known as androgen ablation, is a cornerstone of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. By reducing the levels of testosterone (a key driver of prostate cancer cell proliferation), ADT can significantly slow the disease’s progression. Relugolix represents an advancement in ADT due to its oral administration and a potentially more tolerable side effect profile than traditional therapies.
Conclusion:
BT’s case illustrates the potential benefits of combining conventional cancer therapies with alternative approaches, including repurposed medications, supplements, and dietary changes. BT’s Gleason score of 9 for prostate cancer with lymph node involvement puts him at a high risk. His current NED status suggests that a holistic and proactive treatment plan can improve survival outcomes. As research into repurposed medications and complementary therapies grows, patients like BT should explore all available options while working closely with their oncologists to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Patient Advice:
BT’s message to other cancer patients is simple yet powerful: take an active role in your treatment by blending conventional therapies with alternative options to optimize your health. He credits his success to a combination of standard treatments, a regimen of repurposed medications and supplements, and his deep spirituality and faith in God.
References
- Franco, L., et al. (2019). “The impact of doxycycline on the metastatic potential of prostate cancer.” Journal of Cancer Research.
- Franco et al., 2019, PubMed.
- Giacchetti, S., et al. (2018). “Statins in prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” European Urology.
- Giacchetti et al., 2018, PubMed)
- Gupta et al., 2020, PubMed)
- Liu, X., et al. (2021). “Metformin and prostate cancer: A meta-analysis.” Clinical Cancer Research.
- Liu et al., 2021, PubMed)
- Smith, M. R., et al. (2020). “Relugolix for prostate cancer: A new treatment modality.” Journal of Urology.
- Sanders, C. L., et al. (2022). “Bempedoic acid: A novel repurposed medication with potential anticancer effects.” Cancer Therapy.
- Sanders et al., 2022, PubMed
- Bhat, A., et al. (2020). “Ivermectin and its role in cancer treatment.” Oncology Reports.
- Bhat et al., 2020, PubMed
- Robinson, M., et al. (2021). “Effects of a carnivore diet on inflammation and energy levels: A review.” Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
- Robinson et al., 2021, PubMed
- Santos, G., et al. (2022).
