What’s REALLY Going On With Antiparasitic Drugs and Cancer? A Doctor Explains

Why Antiparasitic Drugs Are Used in Cancer Care 0:00

It doesn't matter how good of a drug, It doesn't matter how good of a drug, either repurposed or on-label is for either repurposed or on-label is for either repurposed or on-label is for cancer, if you are allergic to it, you cancer, if you are allergic to it, you cancer, if you are allergic to it, you should not be taking it or be given it, should not be taking it or be given it, should not be taking it or be given it, or if you're sensitive to it, because or if you're sensitive to it, because or if you're sensitive to it, because obviously that's going to have a very obviously that's going to have a very obviously that's going to have a very bad outcome that you just don't need.

I'm Dr. A. I use this channel to answer I'm Dr. A. I use this channel to answer questions that we get and questions I questions that we get and questions I questions that we get and questions I get from patients and family and people get from patients and family and people get from patients and family and people all over the internet. I've been all over the internet. I've been all over the internet. I've been researching and teaching in the researching and teaching in the researching and teaching in the integrative and naturopathic medical integrative and naturopathic medical integrative and naturopathic medical communities for over 30 years and I've communities for over 30 years and I've communities for over 30 years and I've been in practice a long time and I get been in practice a long time and I get been in practice a long time and I get asked lots of questions. So, today I asked lots of questions. So, today I asked lots of questions. So, today I want to get into a question we got and want to get into a question we got and want to get into a question we got and this is going to be big picture and this is going to be big picture and this is going to be big picture and we'll get into other things that are a we'll get into other things that are a we'll get into other things that are a little more specific in other videos, little more specific in other videos, little more specific in other videos, but I get a lot of questions about but I get a lot of questions about but I get a lot of questions about repurposed drugs for cancer because I repurposed drugs for cancer because I repurposed drugs for cancer because I teach about that. Part of my practice is teach about that. Part of my practice is teach about that. Part of my practice is integrative oncology, so we use these integrative oncology, so we use these integrative oncology, so we use these things and we monitor them and all that.

things and we monitor them and all that. things and we monitor them and all that. So, the questions, of course, are very So, the questions, of course, are very So, the questions, of course, are very common. The first thing I want to get

What Off Label and Repurposed Drugs Actually Mean 0:58

common. The first thing I want to get common. The first thing I want to get into is repurposed or off-label drugs in into is repurposed or off-label drugs in into is repurposed or off-label drugs in cancer therapies include lots of cancer therapies include lots of cancer therapies include lots of different types of drugs. The one I want different types of drugs. The one I want different types of drugs. The one I want to talk about here shortly is to talk about here shortly is to talk about here shortly is anti-parasite drugs that are also used anti-parasite drugs that are also used anti-parasite drugs that are also used as repurposed or off-label drugs in as repurposed or off-label drugs in as repurposed or off-label drugs in cancer therapy. So, the first thing is cancer therapy. So, the first thing is cancer therapy. So, the first thing is why would we use something, quote, why would we use something, quote, why would we use something, quote, off-label or repurposed, the sort of new off-label or repurposed, the sort of new off-label or repurposed, the sort of new modern euphemism for off-label use of modern euphemism for off-label use of modern euphemism for off-label use of drugs? Well, currently in the United drugs? Well, currently in the United drugs? Well, currently in the United States, for the most part, any drug States, for the most part, any drug States, for the most part, any drug that's approved for one thing can be that's approved for one thing can be that's approved for one thing can be used for an off-label purpose if the used for an off-label purpose if the used for an off-label purpose if the physician clinician decides that that is physician clinician decides that that is physician clinician decides that that is medically indicated. So, you can have a medically indicated. So, you can have a medically indicated. So, you can have a drug that's approved for one particular drug that's approved for one particular drug that's approved for one particular thing in medicine and it might be wind thing in medicine and it might be wind thing in medicine and it might be wind up being used for a whole bunch of other up being used for a whole bunch of other up being used for a whole bunch of other things and that's the normal course of things and that's the normal course of things and that's the normal course of pharmacology and medicine. So, in pharmacology and medicine. So, in pharmacology and medicine. So, in repurposing drugs, it's another way of repurposing drugs, it's another way of repurposing drugs, it's another way of saying using it off-label because most saying using it off-label because most saying using it off-label because most of these drugs are not labeled for of these drugs are not labeled for of these drugs are not labeled for cancer treatment, generally speaking.

cancer treatment, generally speaking. cancer treatment, generally speaking. Because there's lots of categories of Because there's lots of categories of Because there's lots of categories of repurposed drugs, for instance, some repurposed drugs, for instance, some repurposed drugs, for instance, some blood pressure medicines are repurposed blood pressure medicines are repurposed blood pressure medicines are repurposed cancer drugs, some blood cholesterol cancer drugs, some blood cholesterol cancer drugs, some blood cholesterol medicines are repurposed cancer drugs, medicines are repurposed cancer drugs, medicines are repurposed cancer drugs, some anti-inflammatory drugs are cancer some anti-inflammatory drugs are cancer some anti-inflammatory drugs are cancer repurposed drugs, etc. I just wanted to repurposed drugs, etc. I just wanted to repurposed drugs, etc. I just wanted to bring up the anti-parasite category of bring up the anti-parasite category of bring up the anti-parasite category of drugs, which is heavily represented in drugs, which is heavily represented in drugs, which is heavily represented in the off-label or repurposed cancer drug the off-label or repurposed cancer drug the off-label or repurposed cancer drug treatment protocol world. So, the first treatment protocol world. So, the first treatment protocol world. So, the first thing is, why in the world would a

How Antiparasitic Drugs Affect the Immune System 2:32

thing is, why in the world would a thing is, why in the world would a anti-parasite drug, number one, be anti-parasite drug, number one, be anti-parasite drug, number one, be thought of to be used in the world of thought of to be used in the world of thought of to be used in the world of cancer, but also why might it work, what cancer, but also why might it work, what cancer, but also why might it work, what would it help, etc. So, the first thing would it help, etc. So, the first thing would it help, etc. So, the first thing is that it's not uncommon to see is that it's not uncommon to see is that it's not uncommon to see anti-infective drugs used alongside anti-infective drugs used alongside anti-infective drugs used alongside other cancer treatments for the general other cancer treatments for the general other cancer treatments for the general reason that some cancer treatments might reason that some cancer treatments might reason that some cancer treatments might help you be more open to infections, so help you be more open to infections, so help you be more open to infections, so we have to give you anti-infective drugs we have to give you anti-infective drugs we have to give you anti-infective drugs to counter that. So, that's sort of the to counter that. So, that's sort of the to counter that. So, that's sort of the obvious reason, right? A little bit obvious reason, right? A little bit obvious reason, right? A little bit though more below the surface is most though more below the surface is most though more below the surface is most drugs that are anti-something, so like drugs that are anti-something, so like drugs that are anti-something, so like an anti-fungal, antiviral, antibiotic an anti-fungal, antiviral, antibiotic an anti-fungal, antiviral, antibiotic {slash} antibacterial, anti-parasite, {slash} antibacterial, anti-parasite, {slash} antibacterial, anti-parasite, all of these actually are used in the all of these actually are used in the all of these actually are used in the repurposed drug world for cancer, for repurposed drug world for cancer, for repurposed drug world for cancer, for not the infectious part. So, what do not the infectious part. So, what do not the infectious part. So, what do they do beyond being anti-infective?

they do beyond being anti-infective? they do beyond being anti-infective? Like, why do I see this drug that should Like, why do I see this drug that should Like, why do I see this drug that should kill parasites being given to my cousin kill parasites being given to my cousin kill parasites being given to my cousin for cancer? Well, most of the for cancer? Well, most of the for cancer? Well, most of the anti-drugs, whether it's antibiotic, anti-drugs, whether it's antibiotic, anti-drugs, whether it's antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasite, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasite, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasite, etc., have other immune functions that etc., have other immune functions that etc., have other immune functions that they do. They're just not popularized, they do. They're just not popularized, they do. They're just not popularized, not talked about a lot till recently.

not talked about a lot till recently. not talked about a lot till recently. Anti-parasite drug category, of which Anti-parasite drug category, of which Anti-parasite drug category, of which there's many subtypes and all that, are there's many subtypes and all that, are there's many subtypes and all that, are used primarily as immunomodulators. used primarily as immunomodulators. used primarily as immunomodulators. So, you might then say, "Well, why would So, you might then say, "Well, why would So, you might then say, "Well, why would immunomodulation help cancer?" Part of immunomodulation help cancer?" Part of immunomodulation help cancer?" Part of what drives cancer forward is the immune what drives cancer forward is the immune what drives cancer forward is the immune system getting off balance and the system getting off balance and the system getting off balance and the cancer cells and the cancer cancer cells and the cancer cancer cells and the cancer microenvironment, microenvironment, microenvironment, the area that keeps the cancer cells the area that keeps the cancer cells the area that keeps the cancer cells working, and then the immune crosstalk working, and then the immune crosstalk working, and then the immune crosstalk between normal cells and cancer cells, between normal cells and cancer cells, between normal cells and cancer cells, that all gets kind of skewed into a that all gets kind of skewed into a that all gets kind of skewed into a pro-cancer immune modulation that's not pro-cancer immune modulation that's not pro-cancer immune modulation that's not good for you. So, things like good for you. So, things like good for you. So, things like antiparasitic drugs are sometimes given antiparasitic drugs are sometimes given antiparasitic drugs are sometimes given to help push back against that negative to help push back against that negative to help push back against that negative immune modulation, the bad for you immune modulation, the bad for you immune modulation, the bad for you immune modulation, to help you have more immune modulation, to help you have more immune modulation, to help you have more balance and calm down that pro-cancer balance and calm down that pro-cancer balance and calm down that pro-cancer drive.

drive. drive. >> Quick plug here, if you're a healthcare >> Quick plug here, if you're a healthcare >> Quick plug here, if you're a healthcare practitioner working with patients with practitioner working with patients with practitioner working with patients with these issues, I have a CE website and I these issues, I have a CE website and I these issues, I have a CE website and I do webinars on this topic and others. do webinars on this topic and others. do webinars on this topic and others. So, we're going to put a link in the So, we're going to put a link in the So, we're going to put a link in the description below to the CE website link description below to the CE website link description below to the CE website link and the particular webinar of interest.

and the particular webinar of interest. and the particular webinar of interest. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> So, sometimes what you see on, you know,

Do Parasites Actually Cause Cancer 4:56

>> So, sometimes what you see on, you know, >> So, sometimes what you see on, you know, social media a lot or whatever is social media a lot or whatever is social media a lot or whatever is somebody will assume, "Well, because somebody will assume, "Well, because somebody will assume, "Well, because it's a antibacterial drug or it's a antibacterial drug or it's a antibacterial drug or antiparasitic drug in case we're talking antiparasitic drug in case we're talking antiparasitic drug in case we're talking about right now, then does that mean about right now, then does that mean about right now, then does that mean that the parasites that that drug kills that the parasites that that drug kills that the parasites that that drug kills are what caused my cancer?" And that's are what caused my cancer?" And that's are what caused my cancer?" And that's usually not the case. I know people usually not the case. I know people usually not the case. I know people disagree with that, but there are disagree with that, but there are disagree with that, but there are associations with lots of infections and associations with lots of infections and associations with lots of infections and cancer. That's not a debatable fact, cancer. That's not a debatable fact, cancer. That's not a debatable fact, it's very common. And in more advanced it's very common. And in more advanced it's very common. And in more advanced cancers, you see lots of other cancers, you see lots of other cancers, you see lots of other infections that are, you know, around infections that are, you know, around infections that are, you know, around and are doing what? Infections also and are doing what? Infections also and are doing what? Infections also throw off your immune system and it throw off your immune system and it throw off your immune system and it turns out that chronic infectious things turns out that chronic infectious things turns out that chronic infectious things can push you into the immune imbalance can push you into the immune imbalance can push you into the immune imbalance that is pro-cancer. So, it's not that is pro-cancer. So, it's not that is pro-cancer. So, it's not necessarily that the infections created necessarily that the infections created necessarily that the infections created a chicken-and-egg sort of thing. The a chicken-and-egg sort of thing. The a chicken-and-egg sort of thing. The antiparasitic and the other anti-drugs antiparasitic and the other anti-drugs antiparasitic and the other anti-drugs are given as immunomodulators to oppose are given as immunomodulators to oppose are given as immunomodulators to oppose what is pro-cancer in the immune what is pro-cancer in the immune what is pro-cancer in the immune imbalance that's going on. Now, because imbalance that's going on. Now, because imbalance that's going on. Now, because things are popularized, you know, now things are popularized, you know, now things are popularized, you know, now especially we have the internet, things especially we have the internet, things especially we have the internet, things go around the world in milliseconds, and go around the world in milliseconds, and go around the world in milliseconds, and something that gets popularized and goes something that gets popularized and goes something that gets popularized and goes around is, well, there's, you know, this around is, well, there's, you know, this around is, well, there's, you know, this one off-label or repurposed drug is good one off-label or repurposed drug is good one off-label or repurposed drug is good for cancer. Well, it might be, but what for cancer. Well, it might be, but what for cancer. Well, it might be, but what we find in clinical practices is because we find in clinical practices is because we find in clinical practices is because we're trying to rebalance immune we're trying to rebalance immune we're trying to rebalance immune function and inhibit the signaling function and inhibit the signaling function and inhibit the signaling things that go on that trigger a things that go on that trigger a things that go on that trigger a pro-cancer environment, usually that is pro-cancer environment, usually that is pro-cancer environment, usually that is not done with one drug driving the whole not done with one drug driving the whole not done with one drug driving the whole bus, as it were. So, a lot of times bus, as it were. So, a lot of times bus, as it were. So, a lot of times you'll see a particular drug, whether you'll see a particular drug, whether you'll see a particular drug, whether it's something like mebendazole or its it's something like mebendazole or its it's something like mebendazole or its cousin albendazole or fenbendazole, cousin albendazole or fenbendazole, cousin albendazole or fenbendazole, those guys, or ivermectin, or any of the those guys, or ivermectin, or any of the those guys, or ivermectin, or any of the other drugs, chloroquine family, all of other drugs, chloroquine family, all of other drugs, chloroquine family, all of that stuff, you'll see one of them kind that stuff, you'll see one of them kind that stuff, you'll see one of them kind of get lost spotlight in the repurposed of get lost spotlight in the repurposed of get lost spotlight in the repurposed oncology community, and you know, they

Why Combining Repurposed Drugs Works Better 6:48

oncology community, and you know, they oncology community, and you know, they do work in that world. What we find do work in that world. What we find do work in that world. What we find clinically usually, and there's emerging clinically usually, and there's emerging clinically usually, and there's emerging research on this, and usually this goes research on this, and usually this goes research on this, and usually this goes along with the emerging research, is if along with the emerging research, is if along with the emerging research, is if you use a balance of repurposed you use a balance of repurposed you use a balance of repurposed medications and then other things that medications and then other things that medications and then other things that we do, you get more immunomodulation we do, you get more immunomodulation we do, you get more immunomodulation towards the anti-cancer side of the towards the anti-cancer side of the towards the anti-cancer side of the ledger. So, while one particular type of ledger. So, while one particular type of ledger. So, while one particular type of drug may be a category like the drug may be a category like the drug may be a category like the benzimidazoles I mentioned or benzimidazoles I mentioned or benzimidazoles I mentioned or ivermectin, which is an avermectin drug ivermectin, which is an avermectin drug ivermectin, which is an avermectin drug or others, they all might have a role to or others, they all might have a role to or others, they all might have a role to play. We might rotate them, we might use play. We might rotate them, we might use play. We might rotate them, we might use them together in some sort of sequence, them together in some sort of sequence, them together in some sort of sequence, so that each one does its own special so that each one does its own special so that each one does its own special thing and helps be anti-cancer. The thing and helps be anti-cancer. The thing and helps be anti-cancer. The other thing that that allows clinically other thing that that allows clinically other thing that that allows clinically is for you, in using a repurposed drug, is for you, in using a repurposed drug, is for you, in using a repurposed drug, to not try and do all the work with one to not try and do all the work with one to not try and do all the work with one drug. It allows you to lower the dose of drug. It allows you to lower the dose of drug. It allows you to lower the dose of each of the drugs and use them as sort each of the drugs and use them as sort each of the drugs and use them as sort of a little symphony of of a little symphony of of a little symphony of immunomodulators. That makes the dosing immunomodulators. That makes the dosing immunomodulators. That makes the dosing more safe for your body and it makes the more safe for your body and it makes the more safe for your body and it makes the side effect profile lower. So, what are side effect profile lower. So, what are side effect profile lower. So, what are the cautions that we have to be careful

Side Effects and Cautions to Monitor 7:52

the cautions that we have to be careful the cautions that we have to be careful around repurposed drugs, et cetera? around repurposed drugs, et cetera? around repurposed drugs, et cetera? Well, any drug that you use, if you're Well, any drug that you use, if you're Well, any drug that you use, if you're on chemotherapy, there's plenty of on chemotherapy, there's plenty of on chemotherapy, there's plenty of cautions. If you're on an antibiotic, cautions. If you're on an antibiotic, cautions. If you're on an antibiotic, there's plenty of cautions, et cetera.

there's plenty of cautions, et cetera. there's plenty of cautions, et cetera. But, the biggest cautions are number But, the biggest cautions are number But, the biggest cautions are number one, what does that drug normally do and one, what does that drug normally do and one, what does that drug normally do and what are its usual side effects? So, if what are its usual side effects? So, if what are its usual side effects? So, if I give you a repurposed cancer drug I give you a repurposed cancer drug I give you a repurposed cancer drug that's a blood pressure drug, there are that's a blood pressure drug, there are that's a blood pressure drug, there are those. What am I concerned about? I those. What am I concerned about? I those. What am I concerned about? I might be concerned that your blood might be concerned that your blood might be concerned that your blood pressure might go too low. That can be pressure might go too low. That can be pressure might go too low. That can be very bad for you. So, let's monitor very bad for you. So, let's monitor very bad for you. So, let's monitor that, watch the dose. What if I give you that, watch the dose. What if I give you that, watch the dose. What if I give you an antibiotic or an antiparasitic drug an antibiotic or an antiparasitic drug an antibiotic or an antiparasitic drug like we're talking about here? Well, we like we're talking about here? Well, we like we're talking about here? Well, we have to consider that you may already have to consider that you may already have to consider that you may already have parasites in your body or bacteria, have parasites in your body or bacteria, have parasites in your body or bacteria, something that are going to die and that something that are going to die and that something that are going to die and that might give you side effects. It might be might give you side effects. It might be might give you side effects. It might be digestive side effects, might be pain, digestive side effects, might be pain, digestive side effects, might be pain, inflammation, whatever else. So, we just inflammation, whatever else. So, we just inflammation, whatever else. So, we just have to look at what does that drug do have to look at what does that drug do have to look at what does that drug do not in cancer when we use it and just not in cancer when we use it and just not in cancer when we use it and just monitor for the side effects. Normally, monitor for the side effects. Normally, monitor for the side effects. Normally, because of this kind of symphony collage because of this kind of symphony collage because of this kind of symphony collage effect of using multiple drugs at lower effect of using multiple drugs at lower effect of using multiple drugs at lower doses, we don't get as many of these doses, we don't get as many of these doses, we don't get as many of these side effects, but they certainly have to side effects, but they certainly have to side effects, but they certainly have to be monitored. The other thing is, it be monitored. The other thing is, it be monitored. The other thing is, it doesn't matter how good of a drug,

Allergies and Sensitivities to Watch For 8:52

doesn't matter how good of a drug, doesn't matter how good of a drug, either repurposed or on label is for either repurposed or on label is for either repurposed or on label is for cancer, if you are allergic to it, you cancer, if you are allergic to it, you cancer, if you are allergic to it, you should not be taking it or be given it should not be taking it or be given it should not be taking it or be given it or if you're sensitive to it because or if you're sensitive to it because or if you're sensitive to it because obviously that's going to have a very obviously that's going to have a very obviously that's going to have a very bad outcome that you just don't need.

bad outcome that you just don't need. bad outcome that you just don't need. Well, I hope this quick little entree Well, I hope this quick little entree Well, I hope this quick little entree into antiparasitic drugs repurposed for into antiparasitic drugs repurposed for into antiparasitic drugs repurposed for cancer helps being that they are in the cancer helps being that they are in the cancer helps being that they are in the immunomodulatory class. We usually use immunomodulatory class. We usually use immunomodulatory class. We usually use them together with other drugs and them together with other drugs and them together with other drugs and usually less of each one does more of usually less of each one does more of usually less of each one does more of the job overall. I think this is an area the job overall. I think this is an area the job overall. I think this is an area as we move forward in the coming years as we move forward in the coming years as we move forward in the coming years and decades where there's going to be a and decades where there's going to be a and decades where there's going to be a growth area for anti-cancer treatments, growth area for anti-cancer treatments, growth area for anti-cancer treatments, for cancer remission treatments, et for cancer remission treatments, et for cancer remission treatments, et cetera. Obviously, we're going to do cetera. Obviously, we're going to do cetera. Obviously, we're going to do more content on this, but I really want more content on this, but I really want more content on this, but I really want to get this one out because it's just to get this one out because it's just to get this one out because it's just such a common question that we get. All such a common question that we get. All such a common question that we get. All right, I'm Dr. A. Thank you for tuning right, I'm Dr. A. Thank you for tuning right, I'm Dr. A. Thank you for tuning in. Thanks for all of you who have in. Thanks for all of you who have in. Thanks for all of you who have subscribed. Please do notifications, subscribed. Please do notifications, subscribed. Please do notifications, like, share, subscribe if you haven't.

like, share, subscribe if you haven't. like, share, subscribe if you haven't. I'll see you all in the next video.