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An unexpected method for controlling cancers has been discovered in recent
clinical research. Investigators at the University of Michigan reported in
January 2000 on a Phase I clinical trial that involved aggressive decrease of
the copper levels in a diverse group of cancer patients. The positive
results of this initial work has started what has amounted to a small but
growing movement of cancer patients who have found doctors willing to
integrate copper reduction into their care. As such, there are many
questions about copper reduction’s long term effects on the body. The dire
condition of many cancer patients though puts more emphasis on immediate
results. As such, there have been a number of interesting anecdotal accounts
that strongly suggest copper reduction can have a strong inhibitory effect on
tumor progression. Moreover, the anecdotal accounts of both successes and
failures appear to match what has been found in the early clinical work. For
clinicians though, there are a number of problems that have not been solved.
The way it works and does not work in the human body needs to be clarified.
Also, there are many unanswered questions about how long term copper
reduction affects different parts of the body. For example, copper reduction
can be achieved fairly quickly in the liver, but the brain appears to take
much longer. The implications of that difference needs much more clinical
research.
This website is dedicated to reporting on progress in copper reduction
therapy (CRT), as well as the problems. CRT is a very new and very unusual
approach to cancer. What is striking about it is how benign it can be when
compared to surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. While it may not replace
those options, some evidence suggests it may ameliorate the use of those
options. That, plus other advances also suggest that CRT will have a very
important role in cancer treatment in the future. And, as such, it should be
thought of as a tool for managing cancer. This website presents the issues
relating to copper reduction, as well as how copper reduction might be used
with other therapies.
A number of websites have been developed due to the excitement and belief
about the possibilities of CRT. So, this website provides links and
otherwise serves as a portal to them. In addition, the other pages on the
website cover the critical problems with understanding CRT and the growing
evidence of where and how it is best used in various clinical settings. So,
people visiting this site are encouraged to check out all the pages and
investigate all the links. They are resources rich in detail about what
promises to be a key development in battling cancer.
DEFINITION
CRT is a method of lowering the amount of copper in a person’s body for the
purpose of stopping the progression of cancer. Less copper in a person’s
body inhibits tumor growth in a number of cancer patients by disabling
certain small protein molecules called angiogenic peptides. These peptides
are thought to recruit certain cells in the body that are responsible for
building blood vessels that ultimately feed the tumor.
Copper reduction therapy (CRT) for treating various cancers in people was
first announced to the public in January 2000 when Dr. George Brewer and
coworkers at the University of Michigan described the results of a two year
long Phase I trial. Patients had been treated to have the level of copper in
their body reduced to 20% of normal. A number, though not all, of the
patients responded successfully, and have been cancer free for over three
years. Page two of this website discusses the trial
in greater detail.
STATUS
There is a growing global community of cancer patients who seek "alternative
remedies" to mainstream methods of treating cancer patients. This is
reflected in the membership of the chat boards which include people from
Ireland, Italy, and other countries. Copper reduction therapy is utterly
unique and cannot be categorized as belonging to either group. In its current
state of development, CRT is being developed by those in the mainstream of
medicine. However, there is very keen interest by a number of people using
alternative remedies. That CRT has a strong position with both groups shows
that it belongs to neither group. CRT is not radiation, it is not surgery,
and it is not chemotherapy.
While some cancer therapy research fields seem stalled out, and others are
just tinkering with unimaginative variations on established compounds, CRT is
full of potential advances only because it is so different from everything
that has been tried. Thus, it is the perfect candidate for supporting other
therapies and it even allows one to speak the unmentionable: A true synergy
with other anti-cancer compounds. Moreover, it is a way of thinking that has
the potential to develop entirely new strategies for combination therapies.
MISLEADING SIMILARITIES TO OTHER THERAPIES
CRT can be confused with chelation therapy only because both involve removal
of metals from the bloodstream. CRT uses certain drugs that selectively bind
and pull copper out of the bloodstream. Chelation therapy is only based on a
polymeric compound called EDTA and is more non-specific because it removes
several different metals from the bloodstream. The clinical data for
chelation therapy is ambiguous and controversial. The clinical data for CRT
is clear cut. There are patients who clearly benefit.
While some patients from the original clinical trial are still surviving
after three years, the long term implications of having patients on this kind
of therapy are unknown. Also, there are questions about the types of drugs
that are used reduce copper levels in the body. These drugs are discussed in
the FAQ section. There are questions about whether or
not such therapy would be suitable for young children, pregnant women, or
elderly people who have anemia. Also, there are questions about how effective
CRT can be. If a cancer progresses past a certain point, the tumor masses may
be so large that CRT is no help. So, there are many issues that need to be
resolved in order to make the best use of CRT.
So, given all that needs to be learned, this website will also provide
current information on progress reports, new ideas, new research along with
running debates on the merits of CRT for the future.
CAUTIONARY NOTE
This website is designed as a starting point for information on CRT, as well
as how it can be integrated with other therapies. This website is not a
substitute for using a doctor. It is here to inform and educate those
concerned with finding other means for treating cancer besides radiation,
surgery or chemotherapy. A growing number of oncologists and other
physicians are providing clinical support for patients who decide to try
CRT. That is the only way a patient should approach CRT. There is a
considerable range of testing for copper levels and other diagnostic measures
that cannot be done without the help of a trained physician.
Finally, this site will "pull no punches" when it comes to reporting on the
experiences of other patients. It is important to know successes as well as
failures, along with good ideas and bad mistakes. This kind of information
is critical for patients to make informed decisions. So, also, since it is
worth repeating, below is the most important warning throughout this whole
website.
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