Drug Repurposing - a great introduction

This week's Yes to Life show on Health Radio with Robin Daly talks to Jane McLelland - she is the wonderful pioneer whose groundbreaking book first introduced this topic to a wider audience. 

"Knowledge about drugs intended for one purpose that actually have beneficial effects in another, say cancer, has been around for a long time, but the lack of financial incentives in off-patent drugs has meant that the research has generally collected dust – until, that is, Jane’s need to survive terminal cancer spurred her into a deep dive into the medical literature."

The show also looks at the Somatic theory of cancer vs the metabolic approach - often the root of why many oncologists are so dismissive of an integrative approach. We so need oncologists and more to understand where those of us taking an integrative approach are coming from.

Listen to the Jane McLelland show at: https://yestolife.org.uk/radio_shows/drug-repurposing/

This Yes to Life radio show is well worth a listen every week - you can also listen back on all the previous shows (8 years worth) with many other pioneers in an integrative approach - see: https://yestolife.org.uk/radio-shows/

See my very short interview with her from 2018:

https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2018/09/can-we-starve-our-cancer.html
Great 30 min documentary on this topic: https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2020/10/starving-cancer-new-documentary.html

Previous blog on approached to cancer: https://myunexpectedguide.blogspot.com/2023/05/could-this-be-day-world-changes-for.html

High-dose IV vitamin C plus chemo doubles survival in advanced pancreatic cancer

Research this month concludes: "A randomized, phase 2 clinical trial shows that adding high-dose, intravenous (IV) vitamin C to chemotherapy doubles the overall survival of patients with late-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer from eight months to 16 months. The finding adds to mounting evidence of the benefits of high-dose, IV vitamin C in treating cancer."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241118125040.htm#google_vignette

Wow as author Jane McLelland says: "Who has been told by their doctor not to waste your money on intravenous vitamin C? This study should be HEADLINES in every paper as it DOUBLES survival times. If it were a patented drug the excitement would be intense....My lowest ever cancer markers when I had stage 4 was when I took a combination of dugs/supplements with IVC. IVC should not be considered "alternative" it should be considered as a standard treatment.....IVC works by increasing #ferroptosis which you are not allowed to know about as my second edition which discusses this topic is still deemed 'offensive' by @amazon and is still not reinstated. Shame on you. Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst diagnoses."

Update 8/1/25: https://rumble.com/v5ylhwb-intravenous-vitamin-c-and-cancer.html

Universal screening for prostate cancer?

Seven years ago I blogged here about whether a PSA test should be standard for over 50s - see here - at that time there were strong reasons for and against testing. However the evidence is growing for 'a targeted national prostate cancer screening programme'....

In the most recent Newsletter from Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) (pictured) they cover a report in which they look at the crucial issue of over diagnosis and over treatment - a huge issue - their argument is that with improvements in MRI (mpMRI) and guided transperineal biopsies the picture is very different. There is also more acceptance of active surveillance rather than going straight to invasive treatments.

We know the current situation does not work: "The existing “informed choice” system for requesting testing places the onus on men to understand their risk and actively seek testing. This system is both ineffective and inefficient and contributes to the fact that men from high-risk groups, particularly Black men, are more likely to be diagnosed late and are more than twice as likely to die from this disease."

Deloitte's were commissioned to look at a cost-benefit analysis for change. This indicates that the introduction of a targeted national prostate cancer screening programme for high-risk groups using the current pathway could deliver:

• Around 650 earlier diagnoses annually for men with a family history of prostate cancer aged 45-69 and in the region of 170 for Black men aged 45-69.

• For these groups, almost 230 men with a family history of prostate cancer per year being spared a stage 4 diagnosis, when prostate cancer becomes incurable. For Black men, 60 avoided stage 4 diagnoses.

• Up to £14,000 net socio-economic benefit for every high-risk man diagnosed.

This would be achieved using current technologies and pathways, and by targeting men from high-risk groups:  Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer (including those with BRCA1/2 mutations).

Here are the headline figures noted in their newsletter:

The report concludes that with the introduction of an effective 'reflex test' between a PSA and MRI in the critical pathway, a universal screening programme for men aged 50-69 could save lives and benefit the country economically. This would also move the UK from being one of the worst OECD performers on prostate cancer to being one of the best.

PCR are taking their report forward and meeting with Members of Parliament to put the case. It is also interesting to note in a further landmark report presenting evidence for change the three key areas to go forward. See here: https://www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/PFYP/

Here they are taken directly from their report:

1. Introduce targeted prostate cancer screening for high-risk groups as soon as possible
Right now, we need to optimise screening using a PSA test, focusing on high-risk groups – Black men, those with a family history, and those with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. This approach, prioritising those at highest risk of prostate cancer, has been shown in our report to provide economic benefits, while requiring the lowest level of health system change.
2. Trial new diagnostic tests in clinical practice
Alongside more targeted PSA testing, we need to focus on getting new diagnostic technologies into trial (e.g. reflex tests), to gather real-world evidence and understand the benefit in diverse populations. Once the value of this has been demonstrated, we should expand the screening programme to cover the general population using a test with greater accuracy, as this will realise the greatest economic benefits.
3. Adopt AI-driven tech to enhance patient outcomes and efficiencies
To further improve patient outcomes and the economic benefits of earlier detection, we need to integrate AI technology into the NHS. We need to leverage its potential to improve the accuracy and reliability of screening, avoiding the need for unnecessary biopsies, while also boosting operational efficiencies. By adopting AI-driven technologies in imaging, we can streamline processes, reduce diagnostic errors and ensure resources are allocated more effectively.

Thank you PCR!

20 tips to reduce prostate cancer risk

This article from three weeks ago by Professor Robert Thomas has some good reminders of what we can all do:
https://www.nationalworld.com/health/prostate-cancer-oncologist-gives-20-tips-to-slash-mens-risk-4848581

Osteopenia

Back in 2021 I had a Dexa scan to look at bones - it showed I had Osteopenia and this was likely caused by the cancer treatment - see my blog post here. Well I just read today a great article that looks at bone health - I was pleased to see I'm doing all of that but thought it worth posting on this blog - take a look at: https://chriswoollamshealthwatch.com/your-illness/general-health/osteoporosis-six-simple-steps-for-strong-bones/

Here are Chris Woollams six simple steps to maintaining strong bones – 

• Heal your gut,
• Focus on vitamin D (and possibly K2 for prevention), 
• Magnesium, Phosphorus, Boron,
• Natural calcium intake from plants, 
• Iodine, and
• Weight bearing exercise.