What’s New in Pancreatic Cancer Treatments?
The pancreas is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin, which regulate blood sugar levels. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the crucial aspects of pancreatic cancer, from its definition and symptoms to diagnosis, conventional treatment and alternative treatments.
Alternative Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer patients often explore alternative treatments to complement traditional therapies. These include:
> Integrative or alternative oncology clinics that may offer methods that are not yet available at standard clinics
> Dietary supplements
> Repurposed medications
These alternative options provide hope for enhancing the effectiveness of conventional treatments and improving patient outcomes. Let's dive into these best alternative treatments for pancreatic cancer:
Cutting Edge Pancreatic Cancer Treatments Available at Specialized Alternative clinics
Alternative clinics offer a variety of innovative treatments that are not typically available in standard medical settings.
These clinics often focus on integrative approaches, combining conventional therapies with complementary methods to enhance overall treatment efficacy and patient well-being. Patients seeking alternatives may find new hope in treatments designed to maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects, offering a holistic approach to managing pancreatic cancer
Hyperthermia for Pancreatic Cancer
Hyperthermia involves raising the temperature of the tumor and surrounding tissues to 40-45°C using various heating techniques like microwave, radiofrequency, or ultrasound.
In alternative clinics it is used on it’s own or as an adjunct to low dose chemotherapy to enhance their effects on pancreatic tumors.
A systematic review analyzed 14 clinical studies involving 395 pancreatic cancer patients, with 248 receiving hyperthermia along with chemo/radiotherapy. It was shown that the patients receiving hyperthermia showed longer median overall survival (11.7 vs 5.6 months) and better overall response rates (43.9% vs 35.3%) in the hyperthermia groups compared to controls .
Find clinics offering Hyperthermia>>
Regional chemotherapy (RCT) for Pancreatic Cancer
Regional chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer is a targeted treatment that delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor site in the pancreas.
By using a catheter placed in an artery supplying blood to the pancreas, RCT allows higher doses of chemotherapy to be concentrated at the tumor site while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body. This targeted approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the treatment but also significantly reduces systemic side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
RCT can be used for various stages of pancreatic cancer, including locally advanced and metastatic cases. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, with catheters placed in the appropriate arteries using imaging guidance.
Some studies have shown improved tumor response rates and survival outcomes with RCT, especially as a second-line treatment option for advanced pancreatic cancer.
By focusing the chemotherapy directly on the tumor, RCT offers a promising and potentially more effective approach to managing this challenging disease.
Find a clinic specializing in RCT>>
Dendritic Cell Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
Dendritic cell (DC) therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment. It leverages the body's immune system to more effectively target and destroy cancer cells by activating T-cells.
Recent animal study showed that some types of DCs, those secreting AIMp1 and IL-12, were highly effective for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These "Double Loaded" DCs have demonstrated better results in fighting cancer compared to other types.
The study further showed that combining DC therapy with traditional treatments like chemotherapy enhanced the outcomes. Gemcitabine, a common chemotherapy for PDAC, reduces tumor size but often leads to relapse. When combined with DC therapy, tumors did not return, showing a lasting response.
This promising result has led to a clinical trial exploring the effectiveness of Double Loaded DC therapy in human pancreatic cancer. Click here to get more details>>.
Click here for a clinic offering double loaded dendritic cell therapy>>
Repurposed Medications for Pancreatic Cancer
Mebendazole is from the same class of medication as Fenbendazole. In early pancreatic cancer models, mebendazole treatment led to reduced inflammation and dysplasia. In more advanced stages, it also lowered tumor size, lessened advanced tumors, and decreased metastasis. In 2021, a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study used two different mouse models to determine that Mebendazole could slow or stop the growth and spread of both early and late-stage pancreatic cancer.
Ivermectin, on the other hand, belongs to a different class of drugs called Avermectins. As an antiparasitic drug, it works by affecting the nervous system of parasites, causing paralysis and death. In terms of cancer, ivermectin hinders the growth of cancer cells and their spread to other parts of the body, encourages the natural death of cancer cells, blocks the development of tumor stem cells, and can even overturn resistance to multiple drugs.
In a study at the Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea, a first-of-its-kind study on pancreatic cancer, combining Ivermectin with Gemcitabine proved more effective in slowing down the cancer compared to using only Gemcitabine. This combination treatment stopped cancer cells from multiplying by blocking certain cell processes. It also made the cancer cells more likely to self-destruct while affecting their energy production and recycling systems. In tests on living organisms, the Ivermectin-Gemcitabine mix significantly reduced tumor growth compared to using only Gemcitabine.
Diet
Clinical trials explore the potential of natural products in combination with conventional therapies. Here are some main findings:
> Ginkgo biloba extract combined with 5-FU has shown favorable results in a phase II trial.
> GBS-01 (Arctium lappa)/ burdock root Showed promise in a phase 1 trial, with no dose-limiting toxicities and potential as a co-treatment with gemcitabine (2016).
> Curcumin- Two phase 2 trials showed mixed results, with some patients responding well and others experiencing severe side effects.
> Kanglaite (Coicis Semen extract)- Demonstrated improved progression-free survival in a phase 2 trial.
> Iscador Qu (Mistletoe extract): Improved quality of life in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in a phase 3 trial.
Conventional Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer
Treatment options depend on the stage and overall health of the patient:
> Surgery: The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) is the most common surgery to remove tumors in the head of the pancreas. Other surgeries include distal pancreatectomy and total pancreatectomy.
> Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
> Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells.
> Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific abnormalities within cancer cells.
> Palliative Care: Focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer begins when cells in the pancreas develop mutations in their DNA, causing them to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. The most common type is pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which originates in the exocrine cells responsible for producing digestive enzymes.
There are also rarer types, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, which start in the hormone-producing cells.
Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
Early-stage pancreatic cancer often does not cause any symptoms, making it difficult to detect. As the cancer progresses, symptoms may become more apparent, including:
> Abdominal or Back Pain: Persistent pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back.
> Unintentional Weight Loss: Significant weight loss without a known reason.
> Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, indicating a blockage in the bile duct.
> Loss of Appetite: A marked decrease in the desire to eat.
> Nausea and Vomiting: Frequent feelings of nausea and bouts of vomiting.
> Gallbladder or Liver Enlargement: Swelling of these organs, noticeable upon physical examination or imaging.
> Blood Clots: Unexplained blood clots, which can lead to other complications.
> Onset of Diabetes: Sudden development of diabetes, especially in individuals over 50 without a family history of the disease.
Causes of Pancreatic Cancer
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but several risk factors have been identified:
> Smoking: Tobacco use significantly increases the risk.
> Obesity: Excess body weight is a contributing factor.
> Chronic Pancreatitis: Long-term inflammation of the pancreas.
> Diabetes: Particularly type 2 diabetes.
> Older Age: Most cases are diagnosed in individuals over 65.
> Family History: A family history of pancreatic cancer increases risk.
> Genetic Syndromes: Conditions like Lynch syndrome, BRCA mutations, and others.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing pancreatic cancer typically involves a series of imaging tests and procedures:
> CT Scans: Detailed cross-sectional images to detect tumors.
> MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging for high-resolution images of the pancreas.
> Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Uses sound waves to create images from inside the digestive tract.
> Biopsy: Tissue samples are taken and examined under a microscope to confirm cancer.
Stages of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is staged from 0 to IV, indicating the extent of the disease:
> Stage 0: Cancer is confined to the top layers of pancreatic duct cells.
> Stage I: Localized to the pancreas, without lymph node involvement.
> Stage II: Local spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes.
> Stage III: Extensive spread to major blood vessels and lymph nodes.
> Stage IV: Cancer has metastasized to distant organs.
Survival Rate of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer has a low survival rate, with a 5-year relative survival rate of about 11%. This is primarily due to the difficulty of early detection. However, advances in treatment are gradually improving outcomes for patients.
Given the poor prognosis associated with pancreatic cancer, additional therapeutic approaches are essential.
In conclusion
Understanding pancreatic cancer involves recognizing its complexity and the multifaceted approaches necessary for its management. While conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation remain the primary methods, alternative treatments like hyperthermia, regional chemotherapy, dendritic cell therapy, and repurposed medications provide additional avenues for improving patient outcomes. These alternative therapies offer hope and potential improvements in survival rates and quality of life for those affected by this challenging disease.
