Complete Remission of BCG-Refractory High-grade Bladder CIS with Pharmacologic Ascorbate and Mistletoe
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
|March 18, 2023
Summary
This case study shows that a combination of pharmacologic ascorbate (PA) and mistletoe treatments led to a complete remission in a patient with high-grade bladder cancer refractory to standard therapies. These findings suggest a promising new approach for difficult-to-treat non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
Area of Science:
- Integrative Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Bladder cancer, particularly high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), is challenging to treat, with limited options for BCG- and MIT-C-refractory cases.
- Standard treatments like Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and Mitomycin-C (MIT-C) are effective in only about 60% of patients, leading to high recurrence rates and the need for cystectomy.
- Environmental factors are implicated in NMIBC, especially in non-smoking females, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the benefits of combined pharmacologic ascorbate (PA) and mistletoe therapy in a patient with environmentally-induced NMIBC refractory to standard treatments.
- To investigate the potential synergistic mechanisms of PA and mistletoe, focusing on their immune-modulating effects.
Main Methods:
- An integrative oncology case study involving a 76-year-old female with high-grade CIS of the bladder.
- Treatment regimen included intravenous PA and various administration routes of mistletoe (subcutaneous, intravenous, intravesical) over an 8-week induction period, followed by maintenance therapy.
- The study incorporated surgical, cytological, and pathological evaluations throughout the treatment course.
Main Results:
- The patient achieved a cancer-free outcome, maintaining remission for 78 months following the combined treatment protocol.
- The treatment incorporated intravesical, intravenous, and subcutaneous mistletoe, intravenous PA, nutraceuticals, and exercise.
Conclusions:
- This case study reports the first instance of complete remission for BCG- and MIT-C-refractory high-grade NMIBC using combined intravesical, subcutaneous, and intravenous mistletoe with intravenous PA.
- The findings suggest that these functional medicine treatments, considering BCG shortages and treatment resistance, warrant serious clinical consideration for refractory NMIBC.
- Further research with standardized methodologies is recommended to validate these combined therapies and explore their efficacy across different cancer types.
