PL Patient Journey (Brain Cancer)

Patient Case Story: PL

Short Excerpt: Diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2023, PL combined surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and a ketogenic diet with repurposed medications and faith-driven perseverance. Now showing no evidence of disease, he has regained mobility and vitality, demonstrating how integrative, metabolic, and spiritual approaches can offer renewed hope in one of the most aggressive cancers.

Patient Profile

• • Age: 68 years

• • Gender: Male

• • Date of Diagnosis: April 2023

• • Primary Diagnosis: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a highly
    aggressive and malignant form of brain cancer

Clinical Course

1. Initial Presentation and First Surgery:

• March 31, 2023 – PL seeks medical attention for weakness in his right hand. Initial imaging revealed a brain mass determined to be Glioblastoma.
• On April 7, 2023, PL underwent laser surgery (laser ablation) to treat the tumor. The surgery targeted the bulk of the mass but, unfortunately, left the microscopic edges of the tumor intact to avoid more postoperative motor deficits. The medical team discharged PL two days post-operatively to return for a follow-up in five weeks. After the surgery, he lost further function in his right arm. Over the next few weeks, PL’s condition deteriorated rapidly. His tumor was progressing quickly. PL’s prognosis was determined to be estimated to be only 3-4 months without treatment. With intervention, doctors suggested that his life expectancy might extend to up to 2 years.

2. Second Surgery:

On April 25, 2023, PL underwent a second surgery involving a more extensive resection. The procedure required a large incision (ear-to -ear) to remove as much of the tumor as possible. By this point, PL had lost mobility in his left leg.

3. Rehabilitation and Standard of Care Treatments:

After the second surgery, PL was moved to an acute rehabilitation center for one month.  Following attempted rehabilitation, he was transferred to a second facility, and he was scheduled to begin radiation therapy and chemotherapy (Temodar). Before starting these treatments, PL’s wife had been researching potential alternatives in treatment and discovered the book “Keto for Cancer” by Miriam Kalamian. Inspired by the nutritional approach, PL’s wife arranged a consultation with the author, who recommended the ketogenic diet and explored repurposed medications as part of the treatment plan.

Integrating Repurposed Medications and Alternative Therapies

Under the guidance of Dr. Charles Meakin, PL began a protocol of repurposed medications in June 2023.  These medications have shown potential in the management of GBM by targeting metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells and augmenting the effects of standard therapies. The following repurposed medications are in his treatment plan:

• Doxycycline is an antibiotic with anti-cancer properties that inhibits GBM cell proliferation by impacting protein RNA transcription and induced apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells.
• Metformin: A commonly used diabetes medication found to possess anti-cancer properties by reducing insulin resistance and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells by downregulating the MTOR growth pathway.
• Atorvastatin is a lipophilic statin drug with good CNS penetration. It is typically used to lower cholesterol, but it has also been studied for its potential to inhibit the growth of various cancers, including GBM, by interfering with cancer cell metabolism via many pathways, but mostly AMPK and MTOR.
• Mebendazole: An antiparasitic drug with emerging evidence supporting its use in cancer therapy by inhibiting DNA replication and glutamine uptake in cancer cells and enhancing the effects of chemotherapy.

In addition to the medication protocol, PL’s wife meticulously prepared all of his meals, ensuring strict adherence to a ketogenic diet. This high-fat, low-carbohydrate regimen has slowed the progression of certain cancers, including Glioblastoma. By modulating down tumor cells of their primary energy source of glucose, a ketogenic diet may help promote metabolic changes that could inhibit cancer growth.

Supportive Supplements and Therapies

To further support his immune function and overall health during treatment, PL supplemented with the following:

• Vitamin D3 is known for its role in the modulation of the immune system and cancer prevention.
• Vitamin K2: To enhance the effectiveness of Vitamin D3 and support bone health.
• Omega-3 Fish Oils (2000 mg/day): Known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
• Melatonin(10-20 mg/day): Used as an adjunct in therapy to reduce oxidative stress in the surrounding brain cells post surgery and radiation and improve sleep quality.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) increases the oxygen supply to tissues, enhances healing, and improves the effectiveness of radiation therapy while providing another anti-cancer impact via its oxidant challenge to the GBM cell.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

PL proceeded with radiation therapy and chemotherapy (Temodar) as part of standard treatment.  Remarkably, PL experienced very few side effects from these treatments, attributing his excellent tolerance to the ketogenic diet and repurposed medication protocol. He was even able to stop taking insulin, previously required due to the high doses of steroids prescribed for swelling around the tumor.

Clinical Outcome

By the end of July 2023, just a few months after starting the combined therapy regimen, an MRI showed no evidence of disease (NED) on MRI imaging. This finding was a significant milestone, as GBM is typically a very aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis. PL continued with regular MRIs every two months, all of which have shown no recurrence of the tumor measured grossly, and hopes any microscopic disease has been inactivated or rendered dormant via his multiple therapies.

Rehabilitation and Mobility Recovery

Though initially dependent on a wheelchair after his surgeries, PL sought intensive physical therapy in Mexico, where he made significant progress. With dedicated rehabilitation, he has regained mobility and can walk without a cane. He continues his physical therapy and rehabilitation regimen, drastically improving his quality of life.

Adjustments to Repurposed Medications

While in Mexico, PL transitioned from Mebendazole to Albendazole as part of his repurposed medication protocol. Albendazole, molecularly similar to Mebendazole, is a related antiparasitic with potential anti-cancer properties. Available in Mexico, Albendazole was used in some clinical trials for GBM. PL continues to take Metformin, Atorvastatin, and Doxycycline.

Ongoing Treatment and Health Maintenance

PL continues chemotherapy (Temodar) on an intermittent basis—five doses per month for five months—and maintains the ketogenic diet intermittently. He reports feeling well and attributes his current health status to the combination of standard-of-care treatments, repurposed medications, and the ketogenic diet.

Psychological and Spiritual Perspective

PL, a pastor, firmly believes that divine intervention played a role in his survival. He thinks he and his wife were “led by God” to the treatments and protocols contributing to his recovery. His faith and the guidance of spiritual and medical professionals have been integral to his positive outlook.

PL’s Advice to Other Cancer Patients

PL offers the following advice to other cancer patients:

• Research and stay open-minded about the possibilities outside traditional treatment protocols.
• Consider combining approaches—standard therapies, repurposed medications, and dietary changes.
• Keep a positive attitude and stay hopeful. Unexpected and unconventional treatments may provide a significant benefit.

Conclusion

PL’s case is an inspiring example of how an integrative approach can improve outcomes in a patient diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme. His progress in disease stability and functional recovery underscores the potential benefits of exploring adjunctive treatments alongside conventional care. PL and his lovely wife and family’s decision to try again with the second surgery and comprehensive new strategy showed courage and fortitude, as many would have given up at that point. This pivotal decision has allowed him to continue to touch lives as a minister and carry out his life mission with more than words but as a true life example to his parishioners. PL’s ongoing treatment and regular monitoring will be crucial in assessing the long-term effectiveness of this integrative approach.

References

1. 1. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.00218/full
   2. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-024-02608-8
   3. https://academic.oup.com/noa/article/3/1/vdab075/6308707
   4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8699739/
   5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9367381/
   6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03224-y
   7. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-021-03209-2
   8. https://jeccr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13046-017-0642-x/tables/1