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Impact of Antioxidant Supplementation on Chemotherapeutic Efficacy

In a review of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of concurrent use of antioxidants and chemotherapy, antioxidant use during chemotherapy was not found to decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy and in fact, was associated with increased survival time, increased tumor responses, and fewer toxicities. The authors searched various medical databases and identified 845 articles, out of which 19 randomized, controlled clinical trials met their inclusion criteria. Antioxidants used in the studies included: glutathione (7 studies), melatonin (4), vitamin A (2), antioxidant mixture (2), vitamin C (1), N-acetylcysteine (1), vitamin E (1), and ellagic acid (1). Analysis of the results of these studies found no sign of decreased efficacy of chemotherapy as a result of antioxidant supplementation, as has been argued by some. On the contrary, increased survival times, increased tumor responses, and fewer toxicities were found among persons taking antioxidants along with chemotherapy as compared to those on chemotherapy alone. The reviewers point out that lack of adequate statistical power was a consistent limitation. The authors conclude, "Large, well-designed studies of antioxidant supplementation concurrent with chemotherapy are warranted."

Reference:"Impact of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapeutic efficacy: A systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials," Block KI, Koch AC, et al, Cancer Treat Rev, 2007 Mar 14; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Education, 1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 350, Evanston, IL 60201, United States.

Keith Block has published an entirely quotable article finding ANTIOXIDANTS are NOT negating chemotherapy results.

"On the contrary, increased survival times, increased tumor responses, and fewer toxicities were found among persons taking antioxidants along with chemotherapy as compared to those on chemotherapy alone."

However, we all carry increasing responsibility to review all potential adverse interactions with our treatment programs. These will become increasingly complex, as many new approaches to cancer begin to be more widely available.

I find most of us have not yet considered that giving Ascorbic Acid in as little as 5 Gm quantities makes our chelation therapy at least INITIALLY, over the first 5 or so treatments, a pro-oxidant therapy to some extent. Then, when we realize that by tying up transition metals, chelation therapy may negate the full effectiveness of a particularly pro-oxidant therapies it may be advisable to leave off oral and/or IV chelation therapy for 8-12 hours or longer before administering high dose IV Vitamin C infusions. Some therapies, such as appropriately selected Colloidal Silver, may enhance oxidative therapies.

Yet all of the therapies we employ may have many modes of action, and thus there can still be an overall benefit in spite of perhaps unintentionally lowering some overall oxidant activity. For example, we know that giving transition metal like Iron, and to some extent copper, can produce strong Oxidative activities (Fenton Reaction). We are all on a learning curve at this time about all the potential ramifications of our combined therapies. It is good to have Dr Block make the effort to prove we are overall providing benefits; however, we can always strive to enhance those effects. There is a concept called chronobiology. Someday we may learn that a treatment could be twice as effective just given at a different time of day. This is why we call this the PRACTICE of Medicine, as we all must always continue to learn.

Garry F. Gordon MD, DO, MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
http://www.gordonresearch.com

Regarding your questions about the discussion on the cancer topic in our live blood dark field course, yes we dicuss this as well, but yu can get already here some more informations: http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=93&t=12149&sid=ec40f56d01f2be3608b25a6a841f30d4