The University of Alberta is working to develop what they hope will be a cheap and simple cure for cancer. Apparently, a simple molecule called dichloroacetate or DCA (pictured above) is currently being tested as a treatment to shrink cancerous tumours. According to research done by a 1930 biochemist named Otto Warburg, cancerous cells use a process called glycolysis to supply energy to themselves. DCA prevents this process, while leaving other bodily cells undamaged.
DCA is a drug that “boosts” the function of mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy-producing units within cells and they regulate the energy production in the body (i.e. the metabolism). Cancer somehow suppresses the function of mitochondria and by achieving this it gains “eternal life”. We believe that cancer cells die when the mitochondria are “normalized” or boosted by DCA. Because these effects in mitochondria occur only in cancer and not normal cells, we believe that DCA will not have the significant side effects (hair loss, nausea, heart failure etc) that many standard chemotherapies have. - Taken from the DCA FAQ
Unfortunately, the fact that DCA has been around for a while is both a blessing and a curse. Due to it’s age, DCA cannot be patented, and as such is not worth the money that it would take to put the drug through the necessary clinical trials. Drug companies who put it through clinical trials would not be able to prevent rivals from making the drug themselves, and as such would not be able to charge exorbitant fees for it in order to remain competitive.
It seems ridiculous that such a huge discovery would be blocked by greed. It makes me wonder how well the concept of “open-source” would apply to the medical world. Just a thought…
1 comment:
Both stem cells and Cancer stem cells run on glycolysis. We need to study both. Some people are taking DCA and posting results here: www.thedcasite.com Works for some apparently. In the U.S., it can be made by a combining pharmacy with a Dr.'s perscription. Some of the side effects included dizziness, confusion, and severe numbness and tingling. The stop taking it till it goes away. Cancer stem cells are what chemo doesn't target, in fact, they pump out chemo. I think its a survival mechanism developed by the fetus and stem cells, including cancer stem cells. Radiation makes cancer stem cells grow faster unless the radiation really fries the tumor.
Not using Warburgs knowledge, and not studying stem cells is why the war on cancer has failed miserably since President Nixon began the whole war on cancer. So here we have this disease that involves stem cells and kills millions in the U.S. every year, and Bush and the republicans have chased away and entire generation of potential stem cell researchers, and denied federal funding. Warburg was right on all fronts. Even his oxygen claims. By the way, cancer cells convert to glycolysis as soon as telomerase is activated per Mohammed Sabet. Telomerase expression is only found grossly in cancer and the fetus. Cancer is an embryonic disease (E.V. Gostjeva Jan 2006 paper on bell shaped nuclei).
Robert Smith
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