DCA enhances Velcade in Myeloma

Hi Dennis-

I have never seen a study that cites doses. I have no idea.

Sorry,

David Emerson

Hi Not sure your name-

I am not sure of the efficacy of DCA and velcade for high risk MM patients. I will send you the integrative therapy guide if you email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@google.com though genetic abnormalities such as 17 p deletion are rarely studied.

Sorry I can provide more info-

David Emerson

Hi Carolyn-

I am sorry to read about your mom’s fatigue. This is a common side effect of many chemo regimens. Velcade (bortezomib) is also used as a low-dose maintenance therapy. The benefit of an integrative therapy such as DCA or curcumin, according to research, is that you can either/or/both reduce the dose or reduce the possible side effects.

Good luck,

David Emerson

Hi Jonathan-

I am sorry to read of your partner’s MM diagnosis. You are correct. According to the article about DCA linked in the blog post you came in on, ” In addition, DCA increased MM cell line sensitivity to bortezomib, and combinatorial treatment of both agents improved the survival of myeloma-bearing mice.”

The challenge is, that study was conducted in mice. Therefore DCA would be considered a non-conventional, not approved by the FDA integrative therapy.

Based on my research and experience as a long-term MM survivor, MM patients must consider both FDA approved therapies such as Velcade as well as evidence-based but non-conventional therapies such as DCA, curcumin (also synergizies with Velcade), anti-angiogenic nutrition and lifestyle therapies such as whole body hyperthermia.

I know it may sound complicated but MM is a complicate blood cancer.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck and hang in there,

David Emerson

Hi Ron-

Bortezomib aka Velcade has been shown to kill MM. Injection of Velcade has been shown to reduce the risk of CIPN- chemo induced peripheral neuropathy. Cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs also kill normal cells. Omega 3 fatty acids, curcumin, and other integrative therapies have been shown to integrate with Velcade enhancing its efficacy in MM.

If you would like to see the research for the above as well as for other evidence-based, non-toxic integrative therapies as well as anti-MM nutrition, supplementation, bone health, lifestyle and mind-body therapies consider becoming a myeloma cancer coaching client.

What stage of MM was your original diagnosis? Have you previously undergone any chemotherapy or radiation? Are you experiencing any symptoms such as bone damage, anemia or kidney damage?

Thanks,

David Emerson

Hi Laudrick-

What type of cancer and what stage? I supplement with both curcumin and resveritrol daily. I cannot access CBD as I live in Ohio.

David

Hi Mandy-

I am sorry to learn of your dog’s cancer. I know very little about canine cancer. When my dog Maisy was diagnosed with canine melanoma I followed the same basic philosophy that I pursued with my own cancer. And that philosophy is that toxic therapies will limit a dog’s quality of life and may or may not add any length of life.

Maisy underwent surgery twice to debulk the cancer. Each surgery allowed approx. 18 months before the cancer returned. There was a short recovery period but no side effects that I could see.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi Sarah-

Your account of your dad’s MM experiences are similar to many MMers I work with, many in the chat room/forums I participate in. Several issues in response to your questions.

DCA stands for dichloroacetate. DCA is an integrative therapy that may potentiate Velcade for your dad. The difficulty you and I have in understanding non-conventional therapies like DCA is that they are not well researched. Information is thin.

Other therapies that have been shown to enhance the efficacy of Velcade (aka make it work better…) is Cannabis aka CBD. Again, the research is thin. Add that Med. Mar. is illegal in some states… again, it is difficult to make a decision.

Curcumin is an anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic supplement that 1) has shown the ability to kill myeloma and 2) also potentiates the efficacy of Velcade. This supplement has been studied pretty well and many MMers use it. I do even though I have been in remission since ’99. I will link studies below and I will link the brand I take that I buy through Amazon.

Omega 3 fatty acids also kill MM and potentiate Velcade- see the links below-

Lastly, please consider resveritrol. Like curcumin this is also fights MM and potentiates Velcade.

I’m not an oncologist so I can’t tell you what to do at this point but I will tell you that the two supplements above have helped me stay MM free-
Curcumin in Multiple Myeloma
Omega-3 fatty acids (aka fish oil) kills multiple myeloma and enhances Velcade
Resveritrol, Velcade

Brands that I use-
Curcumin-
Omega 3 fatty acids
Resveritrol-

While I can’t provide you the research, I have read anecdotal accounts that these supplements potentiate each other when taken together. As for dosages, I would follow the label. The curcumin brand that I showed you is supposed to be many times more bio available- better absorbed in your blood.

I think there is reason to think that both DCA and CBD enhance Velcade, I’m not talking about these only because I don’t know much, I don’t take them, I don’t read about them. If you lived in Canada where CBD is legal I would tell you to go for it…

Let me know if you have any questions.

Take it easy and hang in there.

David Emerson

Hi Sylvia-

I am sorry to learn of your husband’s ex myeloma. I belong to several cancer forums and while DCA is mentioned occasionally, I know of no MMers who talk about DCA therapy. Further, I searched for DCA with myeloma on the Internet and I could find nothing relevant.

If you and your husband are/were satisfied with Velcade, consider reading these posts- there is mention of integrative therapies increasing the MM to velcade once again.
Omega-3 fatty acids (aka fish oil) kills multiple myeloma and enhances Velcade
Curcumin in Multiple Myeloma

Let me know if you have any questions.

David Emerson

Hi P-

Regarding your question ” I have already use a lot of therapies: velcate, caelyx, dexamethazone, doxorubicin and others. Can i use DCA?” the short answer is that I can’t say conclusively. There just isn’t enough research.

The long answer is that the article linked below cites a number of trials for DCA combined with many chemotherapies and the studies talk about DCA enhancing the efficacy of the chemo. Scroll way down the page.

The short annoying answer is what choices do you have? I don’t mean to be annoying but it sounds as though you have been managing your mm for a while now using a host of chemotherapies. Since I noticed that revlimid is not on the list, consider this chemo and combine it with both curcumin and resveritrol. Another therapy to consider.

Let me know if you have any questions. David

Potential cancer drug DCA tested in early trials