Current Research Projects
The mission of the Nutritional Oncology Research Institute is to research, develop and clinically evaluate nutritionally based cancer treatments that are
safe, reliable and effective. The institute is not involved in developing pharmaceutical agents or any other potentially toxic form of cancer therapy.
The following is a description of the areas of research that are currently under
either scientific or clinical investigation.
High Dose Selenium
Currently, the institute is conducting clinical studies using the inorganic form of selenium, sodium selenite, as a selective chemotherapeutic agent.
Studies conducted using human cancer cell lines have demonstrated a time and dose dependent apoptotic response at very low concentrations of various selenium compounds. No harm to normal cells has been observed. This effect is common to almost every form of cancer.
Selenium is an essential trace element found in many foods. Selenium has been shown in clinical trials to have a potent chemo-preventive effect.
Recent studies suggest that certain selenium compounds have a potential to function as powerful chemotherapeutic agents with little or no side effects.
The institute is engaged in research that will enable simple home treatment using an oral supplementation protocol using a form of selenium. The protocol
also involves specific dietary modifications designed to alter the cellular micro-environment which can slow progression, boost the immune system and restore overall health.
Specific dietary modifications are essential for successful cancer treatment and long lasting remission. Many dietary factors have a profound effect on cancer cell growth stimulation. IGF-1 and insulin are possibly the most significant growth and proliferation driving factors and their levels can be modified by
specific dietary modifications. The institute is intensively studying a wide range of nutritional factors that are important for both cancer prevention and successful cancer treatment.
Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibition
Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of palmitate within all cells. FAS is up-regulated in all cancer cells. Natural FAS inhibitors
such as EGCG and luteolin can trigger apoptosis in cancer cells while causing no harm to normal cells. FAS inhibitors improve insulin sensitivity.
Glutamine Depletion
Cancer cells metabolize an unusually high quantity of glutamine which is a nonessential amino acid. It is practical to lower plasma glutamine to a level that will halt the cancer cell's ability to synthesize proteins necessary for growth and replication.
Glutamine depletion can be accomplished by dietary interventions and non-toxic compounds. The treatment protocol will be evaluated clinically as a standalone treatment and in combination with high dose selenium.
Glutamine depletion is supported by over 40 years of solid scientific evidence
and was once viewed as a target for cancer treatment. It is currently being investigated in modern cell culture studies.
Glutamine depletion can be implemented safely by diet, natural compounds and without pharmaceutical agents. This treatment is very simple and can be administered at home with support from a qualified nutritionist.
Methionine Restriction
Methionine is an essential amino acid but can be restricted for the purpose of triggering apoptosis in cancer cells. Plasma methionine can be easily lowered to a very low level that will starve cancer cells from this nutrient. Normal cells are unaffected. The positive health effects of caloric restriction are due to the reduced intake of methionine. Animal foods are the highest sources of methionine. Excess methionine in the diet has many negative consequences.
Targeted Amino Acid Deprivation
Targeted amino acid deprivation is an extension of glutamine depletion therapy. Cancer cells are sensitive to the deprivation of amino acids other than glutamine. Asparagine and arginine are two other amino acids that have been identified as being essential for cancer cell replication. Deprivation of these amino acids interferes with protein and DNA synthesis in the cancer cell.
Normal cells are not effected but cancer cells bypass check points in the cell cycle and suffer from cell cycle arrest and then die.
The concept of depriving specific amino acids to treat cancer is not new. More than 40 years ago, a therapy still in use today, uses an enzyme to deplete asparagine for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Amino acid deprivation is reemerging as a targeted cancer therapy but the focus is on developing patented drugs. There is an alternative approach using dietary manipulation but research funds are not being directed towards this potential form of treatment.
A diet designed to deprive the amino acids glutamine, asparagine, methionine and arginine is potentially a powerful component of combination therapy. These four amino acids are found primarily in animal foods but are also present in many plant foods. Careful selection of foods can significantly lower plasma levels of these amino acids with no risk to health if implemented on a short term basis for therapeutic effect.
Natural PTK Inhibitors
PTK is Protein Tyrosine Kinase which serves as a biological switch and signaling mechanism. Tyrosine kinases regulate cell growth and proliferation. They have been extensively studied as targets for cancer therapy.
Genistein is a natural PTK inhibitor found in soybeans and other plant foods.
It is in a class of phytonutrients called isoflavones. Genistein is also a phytoestrogen that may have benefit in estrogen positive breast cancer.
Genistein has shown activity against prostate cancer.
Drug companies are actively researching ways to develop patented compounds
that mimic the effects of natural PTK inhibitors. Natural PTK inhibitors are found in commonly available supplements typically labeled as soy isoflavones.
Genistein and diazdein are the primary active compounds found in this soy extracts.
Summary
All of the above mentioned research projects and future projects will be the groundwork for the development for a powerful cocktail of compatible natural
cancer treatment protocols. It is not likely that a single treatment protocol will be sufficiently powerful to treat all cases of cancer. A combination of compatible treatments will very likely produce a high response rate and very rapid reversal of the disease.
The core of the treatment protocol is a specially designed diet that targets
specific nutritional pathways by restricting nutritional substrates. One aspect of this approach is selective amino acid depletion. Another is fatty acid depletion. Carbohydrate as provided by fruit is not restricted and is the primary source of energy.
Each protocol must be administered independently but simultaneously producing a synergistic effect. Each protocol will complement the other
resulting in a potent treatment program for all forms and stages of cancer.
The cocktail will be very inexpensive to administer, well tolerated with no negative side effects and very effective.
High dose sodium selenite stands out as the most reliable and effective form of natural chemotherapy but the addition of other natural compounds will enhance the effectiveness allowing for lower doses and shorter term of treatment. This protocol coupled with the amino acid deprivation diet is expected to yield very positive outcomes.
Disclaimer: The information presented within this website is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The information presented has not been evaluated by the FDA. Individuals are encouraged to consult with a licensed
health professional before beginning any treatment program.
