Sarcomas are rare cancers that come in many forms and are difficult to treat with conventional medicine. The number of cases has been growing since the pandemic. A Review on treatment options.
Sarcoma cases seem to have risen greatly since the pandemic. Survival rates with Sarcoma vary by the type of sarcoma, but are generally poor. You can see how Chris Woollams helped Tabs Headington beat her rare synovial sarcoma here. You can find out more about how Chris helped George beat his rhabdomyosarcoma here.
Sarcoma background
Sarcomas tend to be divided into soft tissue and bone sarcomas - although they account for just 1% of all cancers, they are responsible for about 20% of cancer deaths. Oncologists talk of complicated issues - difficult to treat, chemoresistance, local recurrences, high metastatic disease and a limited knowledge of the underlying biological mechanisms.
Here we continue our review of different cancers, looking ‘outside of the box’ to see what the Conventional Medicine playlists may be missing and what complementary and alternative treatment options may be available (writes Oxford University, Biochemist Chris Woollams)
Understanding Sarcoma
1) Cancer Stem Cells - Sarcoma can be beaten, only to return a number of years later. The major reason why cancers recur is that, at their heart, they have cancer stem cells, and these cause recurrence. No conventional drug can kill them off. Dr Young S. Kim, the Director of the National Cancer Institute for Nutrition and Cancer, has talked about natural compounds such as Turmeric, Resveratol, sulforaphanes, Genistein, vitamin A and Total vitamin E reducing the risk of recurrence. Others include Holy Basil (Tulsi) and EGCG. And then there are off-label drugs such as Doxycycline, Niclosamide, Retinoic Acid and Ivermectin that research shows are also useful. See - https://www.canceractive.com/article/top-ten%20natural%20compounds%20against%20cancer%20stem%20cells
2) The gut microbiome is very important in cancer - most oncologists know little about it. Sadly, their chemotherapy drugs damage it, as do drugs such as PPIs (e.g. omeprazole) and antibiotics. A poor microbiome means a poor immune system when you need a good immune system to fight your sarcoma.
Candida, Clostridium, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas strains have been found in most cases of sarcoma and are negatively linked to overall survival times - https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.11541. You can kill these with compounds such as artemisinin, oregano oil and pau d’arco.
I'm not alone in my view of the importance of the microbiome with sarcoma patients - pathogens and viruses are a real problem and are even now considered a treatment opportunity - https://www.canceractive.com/article/the-sarcoma%20microbiome%20as%20a%20therapeutic%20target.
3) Galectin-3. The longer a cancer is in the body, the more cancer cells build Galectin-3. Galectin-3 is also found in higher levels in hard-to-treat cancers such as Neuroendocrine, TNBC and Sarcoma.
Galectin-3 is a protein that plays a significant role in the tumor microenvironment and is associated with the progression, invasion, and metastasis of sarcomas. It has been found to suppress immune surveillance by killing T cells and interfering with NK cell function, thereby supporting tumor growth and metastasis. No conventional drugs are currently available to inhibit Galectin-3. However, Galectin-3 can be neutralised by Modified Citrus Pectin - see https://www.canceractive.com/article/Modified-Citrus-Pectin,-MCP-and-cancer
4) Boosting lymphocytes to fight sarcoma - Lymphocytes are the cornerstone of your immune attack on cancer. Cytotoxic T-cells (CD8 cells), and Natural Killer (NK) lymphoid cells play a direct role in attacking and killing rogue cells, such as cancer cells, when they appear in the body. This is principally through the Innate immune system. If these cells fail, T-helper cells (CD4 cells) can release specific small molecules called cytokines, essential to prompting B-lymphocyte development and making antibodies for the Adaptive immune system, the second part of the immune system.
Lymphocytes, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, are involved in the immune response against sarcomas. However, research indicates that yet another type of T-lymphocyte is important in Sarcoma - tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which are lymphocytes that have attacked and then migrated into the tumour; their presence and levels are strongly correlated with survival outcome in sarcoma. The more, the better in soft tissue sarcomas.
Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) have been successfully isolated from sarcoma tumours, they can then be cultured outside the body and then reinfused into patients to enhance their immune response against the tumour.
The use of TILs is an emerging field in the treatment of sarcoma. Clinical trials are taking place. But it highlights the fact that many patients having chemotherapy treatment (and patients with a sarcoma tend to have a lot) experience damage to their levels of lymphocytes, and oncologists have little or nothing to boost their numbers. Radiotherapy and even low dose doxycycline, an antibiotic, can lower levels of lymphocytes. This leaves the patient with a poor ‘attack system’ and lowers their odds of survival.
Herbs are particularly good at boosting lymphocytes and helping with cytokines.
Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) have been used for hundreds of years and have each been proven to boost lymphocytes.
Echinacea boosts levels of T-lymphocytes. Cat’s Claw has been shown to boost the immune system and help cytokine production to 'prime' the B-lymphocytes. Turkey tail mushrooms and Astragalus boost the B-lymphocytes and NK cells,.
Your Lymphocytes should be between 2.0 and 4.0 and ideally at least 2.4 to 2.6. If your lymphocytes are below range or in range but nowhere near the top, you should start with Echinacea, Cat’s Claw and Astragalus to increase the most important aspect of your immune system and your personal odds of survival.
After you have finished a course of conventional treatment always rebuild both your microbiome AND your lymphocyte levels. Research has shown that both increase survival times.
5) Natural Compounds and Sarcoma - Compounds such as oridonin, wogonin, evodiamine, parthenolide (feverfew), shikonin, berberine, triptolide (Thunder God vine), phillygenin, and oxyresveratrol have shown anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion, and interfering with key signaling pathways. All have preclinical research against cancer and sarcoma.
6) p53, or protein 53. Often called the Tumour Suppressor Gene, p53 is ‘protein 53’; TP 53 is ‘Tumour protein 53’. It is often called ‘The Guardian of the Mitochondrial Genome”. (Not all of your genes are in your nuclear DNA - you have 37 genes in your mitochondria). And it is often your mitochondria that have ‘gone wrong’ in cancer. Wikipedia reports that p53 is deficient in 50% of cancers!
However, p53 is found to be deficient in 90% of sarcoma. Yet again, Doctors do nothing about it. It is linked to poorly functioning mitochondria which power down, leading to oxidative phosphorylation and cancer. Off-label drugs such as Niclosamide can overcome oxidative phosphorylation, as can natural compound IP-6. Compounds such as magnesium, iodine, and CoQ10 are essential, and even Methylene Blue could play a part. This is a metabolic issue - no conventional drugs fix the issue. We have a whole 2023 article on correcting p53 here - https://www.canceractive.com/article/a-metabolic%20therapy%20for%20cancer%20%20correcting%20p53%20deficiency
7) The Mevalonate pathway - Lipids are essential for cancer cell structure, signaling, survival, mobility and cell proliferation. Cholesterol in particular is essential in angiogenesis, metastasis and cell membrane building. Cancer cells need more than healthy cells. And some cancers - like sarcoma - overexpress genes from the cholesterol mevalonate bio-synthetic pathway to achieve their progression. Liposarcomas - as the one my patient Tabs Headington had, are dependent on cholesterol for survival. Upregulation of the mevalonate pathway is important in almost all sarcoma.
A lipophilic statin, (e.g. Atorvastatin), can restrict the mevalonate pathway in sarcoma. You should take a small aspirin (75-81 mg) with it, to improve effectiveness (unless you are on drugs such as blood thinners).
The Mayo Clinic recommends that you always take CoQ10 with the lipophilic statin to prevent myopathy (weak muscles) or even brain fog and dementia. A lipophilic statin gradually reduces cellular CoQ10 levels, which would increase metastasis. Beware!
8) Covid and the mRNA Vaccines - Recent studies by Yale Medicine have shown the Spike Protein from the vaccines can stay in the body for almost two years in some of the vaccinated. We know that the UK Government has research showing the Covid-19 Spike protein can damage the gut microbiome. You should read this - Neutralising spike protein - https://www.canceractive.com/article/How%20you%20might%20neutralize%20spike%20protein%20in%20the%20body
There's a protocol at the end to get the Spike protein out of you - it attacks the gut and lungs - take Ivermectin, Nattokinase, bromelain, quercetin, NAC. And for info, read Turbo cancer, it could be a reason this came back and is worse this time - https://www.canceractive.com/article/turbo-cancer%20%20the%20new%20pandemic
9) Arginine - In the USA they are looking at whether or not you can cut this amino acid and starve a sarcoma. 2011 research shows that there is an over-expression of Arginine-metabolising enzymes in most soft tissue sarcoma. Brian A. Van Tine, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine and colleagues found that all cancer cells, but especially those from sarcomas, have a critical defect - they rely on arginine in the blood for boosting blood supplies and fuel. Normal cells make their own arginine, but 90 percent of sarcoma cancer cells cannot because they lack argininosuccinate synthetase. When deprived of arginine, these cells starve, and begin a process called autophagy (self-eating).
To enhance the effectiveness of arginine deprivation therapy, researchers have combined it with other drugs. For example, adding chloroquine to arginine deprivation therapy has been shown to induce apoptosis and necroptosis in ASS1-deficient sarcomas, leading to cell death.
Researchers believe this dual metabolic stress strategy could potentially be applied to up to 90% of sarcomas, regardless of their histology. So, starving sarcoma cells of Arginine seems like a good idea. Arginine deprivation therapy is currently being investigated in clinical trials for various types of cancer, including sarcomas, liver cancer, lung cancer, and others. The arginine-depleting drug ADI-PEG 20 is one of the agents being tested in these trials.
The little problem is that L-Arginine is an essential amino acid for humans - a substrate for both arginase and nitric oxide synthase enzymes. Nitric oxide prevents heart attacks, for example, by lowering blood pressure. You need Arginine - arginine dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow and triggers the production of protein. It is involved in wound healing, helping your kidneys remove toxins from the body, removing ammonia, and in immune and hormone function. Cancer tumours metabolise arginine (see - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21292446/).
Arginine is found in nuts, seeds, dairy, meat and whole grains from brown rice to oats. Too much arginine can however cause migraines in humans and can block the amino acid lysine, which prevents cold sores.
So, it may not be quite as simple as just cutting arginine. Anyway, an amino acid called serine can act as a backup to cancer cells needing arginine. This is a non-essential amino acid that you make yourself from glycine. Low levels are linked, for example, to low levels of myelin around nerves, chronic fatigue syndrome, and it is involved in making immunoglobulins for antibodies. It may be of benefit in dementia and poor sleep. Serine is found naturally in egg white, seeds, soy, seaweed products, dairy and especially milk and parmesan, beef and peanut butter. The list is endless.
Personally, I think this route is doomed to failure. But I pass it on because you may well read about it! And you could always do what some US patients do, and cut arginine for a few weeks at a time.
10) Fixing the basics -
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Vitamin D - The US Government and Harvard have concluded that anyone with a blood level of Vitamin D below 80 nmol/L is deficient (that’s 32 ng/ml in the US system). Expert Michael Holick says Healthy levels are between 100 and 150 nmol/L. We say ‘be over 125 nmol/L’. Vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin, there are receptors throughout your immune system and on sarcoma cells. Without adequate vitamin D in your bloodstream, your immune system can fail, and you cannot correct sarcoma cells. Holick suggests supplementing with 5,000 IUs a day. In France if the oncologist thinks you are low, he will provide an injection of 125,000 IUs (which is still less than you will get from 2 weeks of beach holiday).
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You must restrict Homocysteine. Homocysteine builds up before all chronic illnesses - Cancer, heart disease, dementia, diabetes, osteoporosis, MS etc. It can build up because of a poor diet, stress, smoking, alcohol, environmental toxins, poor thyroid function, and a poor microbiome. It builds up in cases of sarcoma, and there’s specific research on osteosarcoma. In some cases, the patient has inherited the MTHFR gene (Check). .In all cases, this amino acid can be lowered by taking Turmeric. Or Berberine. Or fish oils + B-6, B-9 (folate). and/or B-12. Some drugs such as metformin increase levels.
Homocysteine blocks the cellular copying process leading to mutated messages. It also causes inflammation in the body through several mechanisms, can damage blood vessels and produce an increased CRP score. The maximum Homocysteine level should be 12 μmol/L. Most of our CANCERactive patients are around 9-10 μmol/L.
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Magnesium - Sarcoma patients undergoing conventional treatment will have lowered magnesium levels. Magnesium is essential for strong bones, teeth, a healthy liver, a healthy immune system and more. It is involved in approximately 800 pathways and 300 crucial enzymatic reactions in your body.
Low magnesium can drive and worsen cancer, weakening liver, gut and lungs. You must have good levels of magnesium in your body - but ALL drugs (chemo, statins, antibiotics, PPIs, blood thinners, bisphosphonates, ADT's, pain killers etc.etc.) lower your magnesium levels!!! As do stress, alcohol, a poor diet and dairy. Magnesium is essential to good health. Take Magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate, for better absorption and cut dairy consumption, which blocks absorption. Magnesium iodide could also be useful as it would give you magnesium and iodine (see next point). Women should take 350 mg a day, men 450 mg. Always with a meal.
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Low Iodine is a promoter of cancer. It is linked to low oxygen, poor cellular metabolism and lethargy, weight gain, fatigue, depression, anaemia and more. Iodine also kills cancer cells, cancer stem cells and surrounding pathogens, especially viruses. Recent research shows that 88% of landlocked people with cancer are deficient, especially those who eat little from the sea.
Iodine aids the immune system, is crucial to thyroid function and has been shown to improve survival in a number of cancers - https://www.canceractive.com/article/iodine-and-cancer.
The thyroid hormone 'carries' iodine to the body's cells and selenium is essential in the production of that hormone. We suggest you consume sea fish or sea kelp or sea moss four to five times per week and take 200 mcg of selenium twice a week.
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You must have good levels of CoQ10 in your body. As we said above, CoQ10 is essential if you want healthy mitochondria and to avoid metabolic dysfunction. Your mitochondria keep your body running properly in terms of energy production and metabolism. Low CoQ10 is a major risk factor for cancer; and if you have cancer and your CoQ10 levels go down, your cancer progression and metastases increases.
CoQ10 is actually present in your mitochondria - you have the most in your muscles, brain and organs such as your heart. You make it, but you can obtain some from foods, notably offal, fatty fish and nuts. Drugs and particularly statins lower CoQ10 levels. Take 50 mg ordinarily; 200 mg if on a statin.
We hope you found this interesting and helpful. Clearly there is much you can do to help yourself fight a sarcoma.
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