Mom just diagnosed

Dear Laura,

Here are the links for coriolus versicolor and maitake mushroom. This is where I started my research. As mentioned in these websites, there are many brands and not all of them are standardized. In general, I think Japanese source is more reliable.

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69194.cfm

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69294.cfm

As for Immunocal, here are two published papers related to cancer:

Anticancer Res. 1995 Nov-Dec;15(6B):2643-9.

The use of a whey protein concentrate in the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma: a phase I-II clinical study.
Kennedy RS, Konok GP, Bounous G, Baruchel S, Lee TD.

Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) concentration is high in most tumour cells and this may be an important factor in resistance to chemotherapy. Previous in-vitro and animal experiments have shown a differential response of tumour versus normal cells to various cysteine delivery systems. More specifically, an in-vitro assay showed that at concentrations that induce GSH synthesis in normal human cells, a specially prepared whey protein concentrate, Immunocal, caused GSH depletion and inhibition of proliferation in human breast cancer cells. On the basis of this information five patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast, one of the pancreas and one of the liver were fed 30 grams of this whey protein concentrate daily for six months. In six patients the blood lymphocyte GSH levels were substantially above normal at the outset, reflecting high tumour GSH levels. Two patients (#1, #3) exhibited signs of tumour regression, normalization of haemoglobin and peripheral lymphocyte counts and a sustained drop of lymphocyte GSH levels towards normal. Two patients (#2, #7) showed stabilisation of the tumour, increased haemoglobin levels. In three patients (#4, #5, #6,) the disease progressed with a trend toward higher lymphocyte GSH levels. These results indicate that whey protein concentrate might deplete tumour cells of GSH and render them more vulnerable to chemotherapy.

Anticancer Res. 2000 Nov-Dec;20(6C):4785-92.

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and glutathione modulation in cancer treatment.
Bounous G.

Research & Development Department, Immunotec Research Ltd., 292 Adrien-Patenaude, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada, J7V 5V5.

Abstract
The glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system is foremost among the cellular protective mechanisms. Depletion of this small molecule is a common consequence of increased formation of reactive oxygen species during increased cellular activities. This phenomenon can occur in the lymphocytes during the development of the immune response and in the muscular cells during strenuous exercise. It is not surprising that so much research has been done, and is still being done on this small tripeptide molecule. Whey protein concentrate has been shown to represent an effective and safe cysteine donor for GSH replenishment during GSH depletion in immune deficiency states. Cysteine is the crucial limiting amino acid for intracellular GSH synthesis. Animal experiments showed that the concentrates of whey proteins also exhibit anti-carcinogenesis and anticancer activity. They do this via their effect on increasing GSH concentration in relevant tissues, and may have anti-tumor effect on low volume of tumor via stimulation of immunity through the GSH pathway. It is considered that oxygen radical generation is frequently a critical step in carcinogenesis, hence the effect of GSH on free radicals as well as carcinogen detoxification, could be important in inhibiting carcinogenesis induced by a number of different mechanisms. Case reports are presented which strongly suggest an anti-tumor effect of a whey protein dietary supplement in some urogenital cancers. This non toxic dietary intervention, which is not based on the principles of current cancer chemotherapy, will hopefully attract the attention of laboratory and clinical oncologists.

Maggie

as i stated in my earlier note my wonderful mother was just diagnosed days ago.. i’m still numb and she is in stage 4 surgury is not an option..she is going to give chemo a try but if she doesn’t feel better she said she is going to stop..i also have my father who is 82 with heart and lung issues.. he is terribly upset…i have not told my mother she is in stage iv but she knows there is a not a cure and chemo can potentially help shrink the tumors ..from what i am reading it appears there is some hope and i dont want to discourage my mother it will just depress her more.. i think we all have to try and have hope ….i wish you all blessings….loving daughter

“Recurrent fever due to lack of fluid intake”? Thank you, Marion. I’ll try & get more liquid into my sister.

Laura – Welcome to the family. There’s such a wealth of care, information & support on this site. I’ve been here for over a year now & have been worrying about my sister’s recurrent fevers when she’s sleeping. Your post has helped me get some more information & I really, really hope our posts will help you, too.

Please keep coming back & letting us know how you & your mum are.

Julia x

Laura,

Welcome to our little family here, I hope we can be helpful.

If your mom’s energy is low her blood pressure should be checked. My mom could not have radiation the first time she went because her blood pressure was too low so that can affect her chemo.

Also, how high is the fever? Even if it is mild it can be worrisome in cc patients.

Also, does she have any other health problems? And since you say she was not jaundiced, how was the cancer discovered, what prompted her to go to the doctor or hospital? Was it just the fever and pain or other symptoms? Is she itching?

Patty