What is Dichloroacetate?
DCA / Dichloroacetate is a drug that has been considered for different conditions such as anti-diabetic, brain and heart conditions, and more.
The potential of DCA for cancer treatment got more attention following a 2007 publication from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. The scientists concluded that DCA might act as a metabolic therapy for cancer; cancer cells are difficult to kill as they suppress the mitochondria (which power the cell). In the research, DCA activated the mitochondria within the cell.
DCA enters cancerous cells and forces them to use their mitochondria for energy production. The cancer cells slow down their proliferation and division during this process, effectively stopping cancer from spreading or growing.
DCA was shown to shrink tumors in rats and kill cancerous cells while not affecting healthy cells.
What does Medical Research say about DCA and Cancer?
Due to its mechanism of action, DCA showed positive outcomes for research of different types of cancers, including:
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Breast cancer
- Colon and colorectal cancer
- Glioblastoma
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Lung cancer
- Neuroblastoma
- Non-Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
Other positive impacts of DCA, were pain reduction and reduced ascites in patients without adjuvant chemotherapy.
DCA, alongside Conventional Treatment
DCA can actually support chemotherapy and radiotherapy by increasing Oxygen and reducing acidity around the tumors. Furthermore, once the acidity around the tumor is reduced, the immune system function better.
How is DCA Administered?
DCA can be given as an oral medication to cancer patients or administered intravenously (through an IV). However, the preferred method is through an IV, as it is considered more powerful and has fewer side effects.
Safety and Toxicity
DCA for cancer treatment is well tolerated by most patients. However, DCA can cause a reversible peripheral neuropathy that may be lessened or prevented with thiamine supplementation. Some other mild side effects can include fatigue, confusion, memory loss, sedation, tremors, hallucination, agitation, depression, heartburn, and nausea.
DCA is metabolized by the liver. Therefore, it is important to be cautious when administering DCA to patients with compromised liver function.
The video below, by Dr. Sharon Gurm, explains and describes in further detail what DCA for cancer treatment is, as well as how it is used as an effective cancer treatment.
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