Sunday, November 3, 2024

Dogs and Cancer - Some Promising Information

One of my Shepherds, Kali, was found to have multiple growths and tumors when she went in for her spay surgery in the fall of 2022. Because of this, I've done a lot of research on cancer in dogs, and thought I'd share some of the most useful information that I've found so far. I haven't found a magic cure, but it does seem that there are quite a few things that will keep it at bay, or keep the tumors from spreading. 

In addition, it's important to recognize that tehre are also things that could make the tumors and growths get bigger.

A few weeks ago, I took all my shepherds for their rabies shots. They all seemed fine right after, but... I kid you not, within days, I noticed strange bumps suddenly popping up on 3 of the 4 dogs (Shelby, the half-goldie, is the only one whom I didn't find any new or enlarged bumps on). Really does make you wonder what the heck they are putting into these shots. I'm not saying people shouldn't get their pets vaccinated, but I will always wonder if I should have gone with a better, safer vaccine. I'd heard there is something called PureVax, and I wanted to get that but just didn't have the time or budget to do it, and I needed to get them vaccinated because there is a chance we may move to Hawaii, and everything has to be done within a pretty tight timeline. 

Again, I'm not telling anyone to NOT get their dogs vaccinated. In many places (like in my county), it's the law. But as a pet guardian you should also be aware of the potential side effects of the rabies vaccine, and all your options.  And you can see a whole episode of the Highwire, that's about some of the hidden dangers of pet vaccines, on THIS PAGE.

You can learn more about Rabies vaccine options HERE.

Dog De-wormers have actually shown a lot of promise in treating cancer. You can read more about that on THIS PAGE.


UPDATE 11-10-24

I don’t know what this growth was, but I’m just glad it’s gone way down. When I noticed it on my shepherd Titus on 11-5-24, I was alarmed. I put some hypochlorous acid on it, because I remembered how my friend Amy told me that when she got her machine (same one as I have, that makes the stuff), she put some hypochlorous acid on a cotton ball and put it on some weird growth that was on her Dad's head, and it disappeared. She said she was so bummed she didn't take a picture of it before, so she could show the before and after, but it just vanished so she had no proof. I don't know if it was the hypochlorous acid that made Titus' bump go away cause I just used it on him once (I did make a strong batch with a little extra salt) but I'm just glad it went WAY down!  

I have also been giving Titus occasional capsules (2-3x this week) with wormwood (artemisia) leaves and oregano oil, both of which contain carvacrol, a strong anti-cancer compound. Again, I don’t know what it is that caused this bump to go down, but I’m glad it  happened. I only noticed it today, 11-10-24.  I was so conerned about Kali (my older female shepherd) because her tumors are getting a lot bigger, that I kind of forgot about Titus’ growth.  I’m hoping Kali’s tumors will start to shrink also.  Hers is not the same type of mass but I’m hoping the carvacrol can help. 

Another pic of what it looked like before...





Artemisia, aka WORMWOOD

EVERY DOG owner should know about Artemisinin, and in my opinion, every person should have a plant growing in their back yard. This stuff is not only a potent antimalarial, but it's also been shown to reduce the symptoms of Covid (I used it myself and can vouch that it worked). And it's been shown to also be a portntial cancer drug with a lot of promise!

It can help most types of cancers, but contraindications included not using it for dogs who are undergoing radiation (for a few months) and dogs who are on seizure drugs. You can hear a vet talk about that in this podcast (which is also embedded on this page).

Artemisinin for Dogs with Cancer | on DOG CANCER ANSWERS  (podcast below this video)


Artemisinin for Dogs with Cancer | Dr. Nancy Reese Deep Dive


You can also visit their website, DogCancerAnswers.com. 

https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/


This is a mind-blowing story of a man named Joe Tippens, who used a cheap $5 dog de-worming drug to get rid of 100% of his cancer!

https://thecanceralternative.blogspot.com/2019/12/incredible-story-man-takes-cheap-dog-de.html


You can see lots of reviews for Artemisinin extract (for dog cancer, as well as human cancer), by clicking this link:

https://thecanceralternative.blogspot.com/2021/01/artemisinin.html


I don't buy the pills because I have it at home. 

I'm not a vet so I can't tell others what to do, but this is what I do for my girl Kali (and sometimes my other shepherds, to keep cancer cells at bay). 

I take leaves from the wormwood plant and either put them in a blender when I mix their food, or, sometimes I shove the leaves into a large capsule, with about 5 drops of very strong oregano oil, which is also known to kill cancer cells (and candida, which is a precursur for cancer). 

Carvacrol is a very potent, strong, cancer-killing compound that's found in oregano oil, and it is ALSO found in wormwood! You can read more about carvacrol in these studies below:


Ads

Growing your own Wormwood

(It may be best to buy a plant first, to be sure  you are getting the correct type of wormwood plant)

The plant that seemed to be the most affordable with the best reviews was THIS ONE.  But feel free to shop around. You can also find them on ebay and ETSY.  And I have seen them growing wild like weeds, on hikes and along the roadside. It's a very easy plant to grow, doesn't require a lot of water or care, and produces tons of seeds!


Part of the reason I recognized this plant when I saw it growing in the wild, is because I already had a plant I'd bought off ebay earlier that year! But in addition, the foliage also kinda reminds me of the same leaves you'll find on a california poppy (one of my favorite flowers). 

If you don't already know how to use Google Photos and Google Lens to identify plants, check out this video below.  It's awesome.  If you want to be 100% on the safe side, go ahead and purchase the plant online or at a nursery if you can find it. What I did, was, I already bought the plant online, but because of that, I was very familiar with it, and could easily recognize it when I saw it growing in the wild : )


Check out this paragraph from THIS ARTICLE

Tyson took part in a clinical trial involving amplified concentrations of the protein interleukin-15 (IL-15). Recently, the two oncologists who conducted the trial, human surgical oncologist Robert J. Canter and veterinary oncologist Robert B. Rebhun, published their findings that showed that IL-15 can stimulate immune system defenses against some cancers in dogs. The dogs inhale a mist containing IL-15, a type of immunotherapy, twice daily. Within a few weeks, some of the dogs exhibited significant responses that lasted well beyond the two-week course of treatment. 


Artemisinin can inhibit the expression of IL-15, an inflammatory cytokine. Artemisinin is a natural compound that has been used as an antimalarial drug. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, and may be useful in treating other conditions such as sepsis, ARDS, and COVID-19. 
Here's some more information about artemisinin and IL-15:

  • Artemisinin
    Artemisinin can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors, such as IL-15, IL-1β, and IL-6. It can also improve the inflammatory response in the brains of mice. Artemisinin is often recommended at a daily dose of 400–800 milligrams, and has been shown to be safe for six to 12 months. 
  • IL-15
    IL-15 is a cytokine that is produced by epithelial cells, fibroblasts, activated monocytes, and dendritic cells. It is thought to be involved in the physiopathological mechanisms of RA. IL-15 is a candidate for cancer therapy, and is being studied in clinical trials for renal cancer and melanoma. 


Here's some information about Cleavers / Bedstraw for cancer (this actually seemed to help to make my dog's tumors a little softer and smaller)

https://thecanceralternative.blogspot.com/2024/04/cleavers-bedstraw-goose-grass-for.html


The Groundbreaking Cancer Expert: (New Research) "This Common Food Is Making Cancer Worse!"







I'm really hopeful that they will make a version of this for dogs!

'Tumors just vanished': Cancer patients now in remission after drug trial




Medical Trial Of Cancer Drug Dostarlimab Cures All Patients, Providing Hope Across The World







Why does dostarlimab work?




I couldn't help wondering if Carvacrol might have a similar effect, and found this online:

Carvacrol—A Natural Phenolic Compound with ...

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC10215463
by W Mączka2023Cited by 49 — Carvacrol has a strong antimicrobial effect against many strains of bacteria and fungi that are dangerous to humans or cause significant losses in the economy ...
Missing: PD- ‎L1 ‎axis:

Carvacrol is a phytochemical that has shown potential to inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis:
Carvacrol and PD-1/PD-L1
In vitro studies have shown that carvacrol has a higher binding affinity to PD-1 than thymol, another compound that also inhibits the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. The docking energy of carvacrol with PD-1 was -4.2 kcal/mol, while thymol's docking energy was -4.1 kcal/mol.
PD-L1 and cancer
PD-L1 is an immunosuppressive protein found on the surface of tumor cells that can prevent T cells from attacking cancer cells.
Carvacrol and other biological effects
Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid phenol that has many biological effects, including antimicrobial, insecticidal, anti-angiogenic, and anti-tumor activity. It's also used in traditional medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Carvacrol is found in the essential oils of oregano and thyme. The FDA has approved its use as a food additive, which indicates its non-toxic nature.


Uses of Wormwood herb

Vinmec
https://www.vinmec.com › Home › Use Medicines Safely
Wormwood contains small amounts of thymol and carvacrol, as well as other phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects. 2.



Antitumor Effects of Carvacrol and Thymol: A Systematic Review

Please note here are some different excerpts from the study,plasted below (not in order). Click the link above to see the full study.

Results: A total of 1,170 records were identified, with 77 meeting the established criteria. The studies were published between 2003 and 2021, with 69 being in vitro and 10 in vivo. Forty-three used carvacrol, 19 thymol, and 15 studies tested both monoterpenes. It was attested that carvacrol and thymol induced apoptosis, cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, antimetastatic activity, and also displayed different antiproliferative effects and inhibition of signaling pathways (MAPKs and PI3K/AKT/mTOR).

Conclusions: Carvacrol and thymol exhibited antitumor and antiproliferative activity through several signaling pathways. In vitro, carvacrol appears to be more potent than thymol. However, further in vivo studies with robust methodology are required to define a standard and safe dose, determine their toxic or side effects, and clarify its exact mechanisms of action.

There is, therefore, an ongoing search for substances that can be used to develop more effective treatments, with less side effects, to use against cancer; one promising group of substances are natural products (NPs). There are many medicinal plants whose pharmacological properties have already been described and scientifically proven (Nelson, 1982; Mishra and Tiwari, 2011; Carqueijeiro et al., 2020). However, the enormous diversity of nature still holds many plant compounds without sufficient studies, particularly in the oncology area (Gordaliza, 2007; Asif, 2015). Historically, secondary plant metabolites have made important contributions to cancer therapy, such as, the vinca alkaloids (vinblastine and vincristine) and the paclitaxel terpene that was obtained from the Taxus brevifolia Nutt. species (Martino et al., 2018). More recently, other compounds, such as perillyl alcohol and limonene -monoterpenes found in aromatic plant species, have been widely studied due to their antitumor potential, and have been included in clinical phase studies (Shojaei et al., 2014; Arya and Saldanha, 2019).

In this context, carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) and its thymol isomer (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), classified as natural multi-target compounds, deserve attention. Both are monoterpenoid phenols, the main components present in essential oils obtained from several plant species of the Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae families, such as oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and “alecrim-da-chapada” (Lippia gracilis) (Santos et al., 2016; Salehi et al., 2018; Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018; Baj et al., 2020), which have already been reported to exhibit beneficial effects against many diseases (Silva et al., 2018), including cancer (Elbe et al., 2020; Pakdemirli et al., 2020). In addition, these compounds present anti-inflammatory (Li et al., 2018; Chamanara et al., 2019) and antioxidant (Arigesavan and Sudhandiran, 2015; Sheorain et al., 2019) activities that enable the reduction of inflammation and an increase in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the tumor environment (Gouveia et al., 2018). Hence, this systematic review aims to examine and synthesize knowledge about the antitumor and antiproliferative effect of carvacrol and thymol, as well as to report the main mechanisms of action already described for the two compounds against cancer. to provide guidance for future research.




This is an interesting video about MCWE. I couldn't easily find where to buy it but didn't look that hard (you might be able to have better luck). 






Use of a Mycobacterial Cell Wall Extract (MCWE) in ...

ScienceDirect.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com › article › abs › pii
by D Rogan2007Cited by 58 — Results indicate that MCWE was an effective treatment for the elimination of endometritis caused by S. zooepidemicus in mares.









Are Flea & Tick Medications Safe for Our Pets?





This is moreso about huans but I'm putting this video here because it's super interesting, and it may be related to dogs if we can incorporate some of these foods into their diet, when they're safe. 




Prevent Cancer in Dog's with These 7 Budget-Friendly Diet Tips


This ad for an immune booster popped up on the youtube page. I have not used this on my dogs, but I am listing it here because it does look good. The ad said it helped a million dogs. 


News Release

Energizing the Immune System to Eat Cancer

Abramson Cancer Center study identifies method of priming macrophages to boost anti-tumor response

January 21, 2019

Macrophage

PHILADELPHIA – Immune cells called macrophages are supposed to serve and protect, but cancer has found ways to put them to sleep. Now researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania say they’ve identified how to fuel macrophages with the energy needed to attack and eat cancer cells. It is well established that macrophages can either support cancer cell growth and spread or hinder it. But most tumors also express a signal called CD47, which can lull macrophages into a deep sleep and prevent them from eating. Researchers have found that rewiring macrophage metabolism can overcome this signal and act like an alarm clock to rouse and prepare macrophages to go to work. Their findings were published in Nature Immunology today.

Macrophages are immune cells just like T and B cells, but differ in that they can eat cells that are not supposed to be in the body. In fact, they are the most prominent immune cell found in cancer, but unfortunately, most are often convinced to help cancer grow and spread. Cancer cells frequently stop macrophages from attacking them by expressing CD47, a “don’t eat me” signal. Researchers now say that merely blocking inhibitory signals like CD47 is not always sufficient to convince macrophages to attack cancer. Instead, two signals are required. First, they need a signal to activate them – such as a toll-like receptor agonist. After that, a second signal – such as a CD47 inhibitor – can lower the threshold needed to wage battle on the cancer.

“It turns out macrophages need to be primed before they can go to work, which explains why solid tumors may resist treatment with CD47 inhibitors alone,” said the study’s senior author Gregory L. Beatty, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine. Jason Mingen Liu, an MD and PhD graduate student in Beatty’s lab, is the study’s lead author.

The team used this approach by activating macrophages with CpG, a toll-like receptor agonist that sends the first signal, and found that it rapidly induced shrinkage of tumors and prolonged survival of mice even without the requirement of T cells. Unexpectedly, they also found that the activated macrophages were able to eat cancer cells even in the presence of high levels of CD47.

To understand the molecular basis of this phenomenon, the team traced the metabolic activity of macrophages and determined that activated macrophages began to utilize both glutamine and glucose as fuel to support the energy requirements needed for them to eat cancer cells. This rewiring of the macrophages metabolism was necessary for CpG to be effective, and the researchers say these findings point to the importance of macrophage metabolism in determining the outcome of an immune response.

“Cancer does not shrink without the help of macrophages and macrophages need the right fuel to eat cancer cells and shrink tumors,” Liu said. “To do this, a shift in metabolism is needed to steer the energy in the right direction. It is the metabolism that ultimately allows macrophages to override signals telling them not to do their job.”

Beatty points out that patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions are routinely treated with drugs that could affect macrophage metabolism, but virtually nothing is known about how these drugs might impact immunotherapy responses in cancer, meaning the team’s discovery has implications even for existing treatments.

Collaborators on this study include Nathaniel Snyder, an assistant professor at Drexel University, and Roddy O’Connor, PhD, a research assistant professor in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn.

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01 CA197916, R03 HD092630, F30 CA196124) and the Seed Grant Program from the American Medical Association Foundation.

Topic:
 
Cancer

Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service. The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.

The Perelman School of Medicine is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $550 million awarded in the 2022 fiscal year. Home to a proud history of “firsts” in medicine, Penn Medicine teams have pioneered discoveries and innovations that have shaped modern medicine, including recent breakthroughs such as CAR T cell therapy for cancer and the mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System’s patient care facilities stretch from the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore. These include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, Lancaster General Health, Penn Medicine Princeton Health, and Pennsylvania Hospital—the nation’s first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others.

Penn Medicine is an $11.1 billion enterprise powered by more than 49,000 talented faculty and staff.











You can boost macrophages in dogs by feeding them foods that stimulate the immune system, such as probiotics, turmeric, and garlic. You can also exercise your dog regularly and reduce stress. 
Foods that boost macrophages
  • Probiotics: Stimulate immune cells in the gut, including macrophages, to identify and eliminate pathogens 
  • Turmeric: An immunomodulator that interacts with macrophages, dendritic cells, and B and T cells 
  • Garlic: Stimulates macrophages, lymphocytes, and other immune cells 
  • Maitake mushrooms: Contain vitamins and active ingredients that stimulate the immune system 
Other ways to boost your dog's immune system
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity, like walking, jogging, and playing, can help support your dog's immune system 
  • Reduce stress: Mental and physical stimulation can help your dog feel more fulfilled and have a higher immunity 
  • Feed a nutritious diet: Avoid fillers like rendered chicken fat, potato, and grains 
  • Provide fresh water: Chlorine in tap water can weaken your dog's immune system 



 Echinacea can activate macrophages which are immune cells that seek out and destroy foreign invaders. It also boosts T-cell production and chemokines, which help immune cells migrate to areas of infection. (2, 3). The key is that you need to give it to your dog before he is sick to set his immune system up for success.Jan 31, 2022

Description

Black Walnut helps promote the body’s innate resistance to pathogens. It’s also rich in natural iodine.

  • Promotes the Body’s Innate Resistance to Pathogens
  • Rich in Natural Iodine


Black walnuts can be toxic to dogs and can cause a variety of health problems, including neurological issues and vomiting: 
 
  • Mold: Walnuts can grow a toxic mold called Aspergillus flavus, which produces aflatoxin. Aflatoxin can cause vomiting, decreased appetite, and even death. 
     
  • Mycotoxins: Moldy walnuts may contain penitrem A, a mycotoxin that can cause vomiting, muscle tremors, and seizures. 
     
  • Choking or intestinal blockage: Whole walnuts can be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. 
  • Black Walnut Poisoning in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, ...
    Aug 22, 2016 — Recovery of Black Walnut Poisoning in Dogs Bothe fatality and recovery are recorded in black walnut poisoning in dogs.
    Wag!
  • Clinical signs associated with ingestion of black walnut tree ...



 



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