Patient Case Story: CW
Short Excerpt: Diagnosed with stage 3C high-risk endometrial cancer in 2021, CW combined surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation with metabolic repurposed medications and a Mediterranean lifestyle. Now three years cancer-free (NED), she exemplifies the potential of integrative oncology, merging evidence-based medicine with metabolic and lifestyle therapies to achieve remission and lasting wellness.
Patient Profile
- Age: 72 years
- Gender: Female
- Primary Diagnosis: High-Risk Endometrial Cancer, Stage 3C
- Date of Diagnosis: February 2021
Clinical Presentation
CW, a 72-year-old woman, was diagnosed with high-risk endometrial cancer (stage 3C) in February 2021. CW initially presented with symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and pelvic discomfort.
At the time of diagnosis, the prognosis was poor, with a 5-year survival rate estimated at only 28%. Stage 3C endometrial cancer is characterized by the spread of cancer cells to regional lymph nodes, which worsens the prognosis.
Treatment Plan and Course
1. Surgery (March 2021):
- CW underwent a total hysterectomy, including bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes).
- The pathology report revealed metastases in her pelvic lymph nodes, confirming the cancer had spread beyond the uterus.
2. Radiation Therapy (April 2021):
- CW received a course of pelvic radiation to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
3. Chemotherapy (April to July 2021):
- CW received a combination chemotherapy regimen of Cisplatin and doxil (liposomal doxorubicin), which was administered until July 2021.
4. Adjunct Metabolically Acting Repurposed Drug Protocol ( May 2021- present): – During and after standard-of-care treatments, following insights gained from reading How to Starve your Cancer by Jane McClellan, CW joined Care Oncology as a patient and began using a protocol of repurposed medications as an adjunct therapy. These medications include:
- Doxycycline(antibiotic with anti-cancer properties)
- Metformin (commonly used for diabetes, shown to have anti-cancer effects)
- Atorvastatin (cholesterol-lowering drug, potentially anti-cancer due to its effect on cancer cell proliferation)
- Mebendazole (anthelmintic with potential anti-cancer activity through targeting cancer cell metabolism and microtubules)
5. Supplements:
- CW followed a regimen of supportive supplements aimed at enhancing immune function and overall health:
- Vitamin D3, Omega 3 Fish Oils, Melatonin, L-carnitine, Berberine, Glucosamine
Chondroitin, Magnesium, Probiotic BLIS K12, Quercetin, Taurine, SAM-e, Turmeric, Vitamin C, Zinc
Lifestyle Changes
- CW adopted a Mediterranean diet, focusing on healthy fats, whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins, strongly emphasizing limiting carbohydrate and sugar intake. She incorporates regular exercise into her routine, including walking, using an exercise bike, and kettlebell training several times a week. She has made it a goal to increase strength and resistance training.
- CW drinks large amounts of green tea daily, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may assist in cancer prevention.
Follow-up and Current Status
- CW had a CAT scan one week after completing chemotherapy in July 2021, which showed No Evidence of Disease (NED). This result was highly significant, considering the extent of her cancer at the time of diagnosis.
- CW continues to be monitored with regular scans every 6 months. As of November 2024, she remains NED and is in good overall health.
- CW attributes her current NED status to the combination of standard cancer treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) and the adjunctive use of repurposed medications aimed at disrupting cancer cell metabolism.
Discussion
Life Expectancy and Prognosis in Stage 3C Endometrial Cancer
Stage 3C Endometrial cancer is a high-risk, aggressive form of uterine cancer where the disease has spread to regional lymph nodes, which complicates the prognosis. Approximately 16% of endometrial cancers are diagnosed at stages III or IV. Vaginal bleeding is a presenting symptom in about 90% of women with endometrial cancer. Standard 5-year survival rates for stage 3C endometrial cancer hover around 28%, with many patients experiencing recurrence within a few years of treatment.
CW’s prognosis, based on her stage and initial lymphatic involvement, was similarly bleak, but her current NED status after more than 3 years is a positive outlier. This may be attributable to the successful integration of standard therapies and adjunctive metabolic interventions.
Role of Repurposed Medications in Cancer Treatment
- Metabolically Acting Repurposed Medications are increasingly being explored as adjunct therapies in cancer treatment. These drugs were initially designed for other purposes but have been found to exhibit anticancer properties through various mechanisms.
- Metformin is primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes. Still, it has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth by reducing insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels and activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which can help inhibit tumor cell proliferation.
- Doxycycline, an antibiotic, has been identified as potentially applicable in cancer therapy due to its effects on the tumor microenvironment, including reducing tissue inflammation, decreasing protein production, and disrupting the mitochondrial function of cancer cells.
- Atorvastatin(a statin) has been shown to reduce the proliferation of specific cancer cells, including endometrial cancer, by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway and altering cellular signaling pathways often hijacked by tumors.
- Mebendazole, an antiparasitic drug, has demonstrated promise in targeting cancer cell metabolism and microtubule dynamics, which are critical for cell division. Preclinical studies have shown it to halt the progression of various cancers, including endometrial carcinoma.
CW’s use of these drugs, in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy and radiation, supports the growing body of evidence that metabolic targeting can offer additional benefits in cancer treatment. These drugs are often well tolerated, relatively low-cost, and accessible compared to more novel therapies.
Integrative and Complementary Therapies
CW’s journey highlights the potential benefit of integrating complementary therapies—such as diet, lifestyle changes, supplements, and repurposed drugs—alongside traditional cancer treatments. CW advises other patients to do the research and find an Integrative oncologist, like Dr. Meakin, who could be instrumental in guiding patients through personalized treatment plans that combine the best of both worlds: evidence-based medicine and metabolic therapies aimed at preventing recurrence and enhancing overall well-being.
Future Directions
More clinical research is needed to better understand how metabolically acting repurposed medications can be effectively used in the treatment of high-risk cancers like endometrial carcinoma. Studies assessing the synergistic effects of these drugs in combination with standard therapies are essential.
The development of precision medicine approaches tailored to the individual patient’s cancer type, genetic profile, and metabolic vulnerabilities holds promise for improving outcomes, particularly for high-risk patients like CW.
Conclusion
CW’s case provides an encouraging example of how adjunctive therapies can complement traditional cancer treatments and potentially improve survival outcomes, even in poor prognoses. The use of repurposed medications, a Mediterranean diet, regular physical activity, and supportive supplements may have contributed to her current NED status. As research into metabolic therapies for cancer advances, more patients may have access to these complementary treatments, improving the overall survival and quality of life for individuals battling high-risk cancers like stage 3C endometrial cancer.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10001006/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36899930/
- https://www.facingourrisk.org/info/risk-management-and-treatment/cancer-treatment/by-cancer-type/endometrial/targeted-and-immunotherapy
- https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/ddi/endometrial-cancer-pharmacologic-management/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-024-01808-1
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/endometrial-cancer/treating/targeted-therapy.html
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/12/3199
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221011598
