Dichloroacetate has a website
This site is to help inform people of the exciting research done on DCA by scientists at the University of Alberta. (This is the drug that U of A is trying to raise money for so that it can conduct clinical trials. To date, no pharmaceutical has stepped up to offer to do these clinical trials as the drug is unpatentable and therefore unprofitable)
It also has various forums around the topic including one that is chronicalling the experiences of people who are self-medicating with this drug. www.thedcasite.com |
As with any medication or supplement, it's advisable to discuss possible interactions before self medicating with any substance. It's very early days for DCA, caution is advised.
Wikipedia: Dichloroacetic Acid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichloroacetic_acid |
Official website is at the U of Alberta, not in Sonora
I can't help but notice that the Sonora, California address given for the dca site website is the same as for this website:
http://www.buydca.com/ which says that it is only selling DCA to be used on pets, so I am suspicious of the whole thing. The official DCA website of the researchers who will be testing DCA on cancer patients is at http://www.depmed.ualberta.ca/dca/ . Under their FAQs, the University of Alberta researchers state the following: "Can I find and use DCA on my own? Absolutely not! This can actually be dangerous. For example, DCA can be found in stores selling chemicals to scientific laboratories. Often, DCA is sold in a form that is very acidic and if consumed could cause serious or catastrophic complications. Even for use in animals DCA often has to be processed with chemicals to correct its acidity etc. In addition, the dose in patients with cancer, or its interactions with other medications that cancer patients might be on, are completely unknown. |
I think clinical trials are the only way to prove effectivness. I don't know what I'd do if I were in a worse condition and felt desperate enough to "try anything", so I can't pass judgment on any one willing to take a risk on an unproven medication, at least unproven against cancer. I do think some of these websites touting unproven therapies are bordering on unethical practices.
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There is no doubt that the results of the Alberta lab experiments are impressive. But as much impressive have been the observed side effects on patients treated for acidosis with DCA: severe temporary or pemanent neuropatic damage, death.
Now, it may be that these tragic side effects were partly the result of having to deal with debilitated patients suffering from the genetic defects associated with acidosis. But it looks like some twicking of the drug may have to be done to make it tolerable (unless the course of the treatment is going to be so fast & effective as to be too short to cause serious side effects). |
I don't know what to make of it all, but here is a link to a blog with some info about DCA. Read through the comments. For some it might make it clearer... for me it just got more confusing. It will be interesting to see where it goes, but for starters, I am curious about it being a carcinogen. Could be a lot more exploration is needed.
http://www.newscientist.com/blog/sho...or-cancer.html |
Because Dichloroacetate is already an approved medication for certain types of human metabolic disorders the doctors already know the maximum doses that can be given as well as potential side effects. From what I have read, the typical patient taking "normal" doses (not in combo with other meds) experiences little to no side effects. This is why, once enough money is raised, the doctors are hoping to start the clinical trials at a "Phase 1-2" stage immediately. The pure phase 1 stage isn't necessary because the dosage data already exists.
This is the reason that I posted this information. As we all know, chemo certainly has side effects. And as for myself, I know if I thought that my options had run out and the end was visible, I would certainly be putting my hands on this medicine - even if it were only to give myself a bit of hope. Since this medication is already approved for a different disorder, I believe that doctors can prescribe it off-protocol. How many would is a different question - but certainly a few would. There is no reason to take the stuff that has been rendered for animals or take ridiculous doses that are likely to cause side effects. The website clearly indicates that there is only indirect proof through animal studies - which often don't translate to humans - that it will work. This is definately a crap-shoot. My rational for taking it would be the same reason for volunteering to take an experimental vaccine. Both offer a ray of hope - and even if they were to do absolutely nothing to aide me - they are not that dangerous to take and they offer a potential upside versus a definate downside. I would be prepared to take my chances. Each person on this walk has to make their own choices. Some with food changes, some seek alternative medicine, others meditate or do lifestyle changes. Me? I'm the kind of person that would roll the dice. |
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