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Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.

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Fun Stem Cell Collection for Multiple Myeloma? Viagra? Wait, What???

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Inexpensive, fewer side effects, more effective, easier, more fun- all benefits of harvesting stem cells for an autologous stem cell transplant using Viagra.

 

According to James Berenson M.D., multiple myeloma specialist, autologous stem cell transplants (ASCT) harm the majority of those who have an ASCT and help only a small percentage of people. While I agree with Dr. Berenson, I believe that whether you intend to have an ASCT or not, I believe that all newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients (NDMM) should harvest their stem cells once they’ve completed their induction therapy.

An ASCT is aggressive, high dose chemotherapy. This expensive procedure causes a great deal of damage resulting in short, long-term and late stage side effects.

The only reason why I encourage NDMM patients to harvest their stem cells is to be prepared, or have your own stem cells, with as low a presence of MM stem cells as possible,  just in case.

I harvested my stem cells about two months before my autologous stem cell transplant. I did so by undergoing high-dose cytoxan as well as G-CSF/Neupogen/Filgrastim.

As is often the case with conventional therapies, neupogen/figrastim comes with risks and benefits. The potential side effects are listed below. Further, neupogen is expensive and comes with a long list of possible side effects.

If I had it to do all over again would I choose neupogen or viagra? Definitely viagra. But that may be just me.

Your call.

If you have any questions or comments, scroll down the page, post a question and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:


Viagra Enables Efficient, Single-Day Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization

“Discussion

The value of alternative HSC mobilization regimens to complement G-CSF-based protocols is multiple. G-CSF, and G-CSF plus AMD3100 (Figures S1K and S1L), effectively mobilizes HSCs in most donors and will likely persist as a common clinical procedure.

Importantly, however, a mobilization regimen that does not involve cell expansion, yet offers robust yields of HSCs, would increase the availability of HCT for autologous candidates who cannot tolerate the standard G-CSF mobilization treatment, such as the very ill, elderly, or sickle-cell patients (Fitzhugh et al., 2009, Giralt et al., 2014).

New mobilization strategies are also needed to reduce the incidence of mobilization failure, which continues to hamper HCT success, especially for patients with a history of chemotherapy (Demirer et al., 1996, Gertz, 2010, Morgan et al., 2004, To et al., 2011).

Viagra and other rapidly acting HSC mobilizers such as VEGFR agonists, Neuropeptide Y, the CXCR2 agonist GROβ and the integrin inhibitors Bio5192a and BOP (Cao et al., 2016, Hoggatt et al., 2018, Ramirez et al., 2009, Singh et al., 2017, Smith-Berdan et al., 2015) are promising candidates for overcoming these challenges. Novel regimens may also reduce side effects, including the bone pain and nausea that frequently accompanies G-CSF treatment (Murata et al., 1999, Navarro et al., 2013, To et al., 2011).

Importantly, Viagra alone did not lead to detectable increases in HSPCs in the blood, eliminating concerns of inadvertent HSC mobilization in patients using Viagra for other indications.

Cost reduction is another consideration. Viagra generics, at ∼$2 per human dose equivalent to 3 mg/kg, is cheaper than G-CSF/Neupogen/Filgrastim, which costs ∼$3,800 per treatment regimen (B.C. Cancer, 2018, Consumer Reports, 2017, Shaughnessy et al., 2011, James et al., 2017).

Additional cost reductions are also afforded by the simplicity of oral intake of Viagra versus the multi-day injections required for G-CSF.

The combined benefits of reduced time commitment and complexity of administration, and the more beneficial side effect profile of Viagra versus G-CSF, would likely attract more volunteer donors and make HCT a reality for additional patient cohorts.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra among others, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.[7][4]

Common side effects include headaches, heartburn, and flushed skin.[7] Caution is advised in those with cardiovascular disease.[7] Rare but serious side effects include a prolonged erection that can lead to damage to the penis, vision problems, and hearing loss.[7] Sildenafil should not be taken by people on nitrates such as nitroglycerin (glycerin trinitrate), as this may result in a serious drop in blood pressure.[7]…”

Patients Undergoing Autologous Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Collection And Therapy

“NEUPOGEN is indicated for the mobilization of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cells into the peripheral blood for collection by leukapheresis [see Clinical Studies].”

SIDE EFFECTS

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:

 

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2 comments
Kathryn Guillaum says 3 years ago

I’m assuming that Viagra for this purpose can be used by females also!?

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    hi Kathryn- yes, according to the studies, Viagra can be used for stem cell collection for women as well as men.

    Reply
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