 |
| 1. |
How Does Copper Reduction Therapy Work?
The current thinking is that certain small proteins called angiogenic peptides
are used by cancer cells to recruit endothelial cells in the building of blood
vessels that shunt blood to tumors and thereby enable them to grow. These
angiogenic peptides are dependent upon copper in order to function. If copper
is not present, these angiogenic peptides are claimed to be unable to
facilitate biochemical reactions that build these cancer-feeding blood
vessels.
Somehow, the body allocates copper to where it is needed most first. The
sufficient lowering of available copper then leaves then "high and dry". It
should be pointed out that copper reduction does not kill tumors. It only
keeps them from growing more.
Three drugs are commonly mentioned for lowering copper levels: 1)
Tetrathiomolybdate (TM-), 2) Penicillamine, and 3) Trientine. There are
others as well, but there is far less experience with those compounds. TM is
considered the best of the lot for low toxicity, and a good clinical profile
for extended use. Dr. Brewer is the leading authority on a rare genetic
disorder called Wilson's Disease (WD). WD is caused by copper metabolism
disorders. TM is used to manage the proper levels of copper in the body.
|
| 2. |
How is Copper Reduction Different From Other Therapies?
Chemotherapy involves the killing of cells in the body, both normal and
cancerous. Radiation kills both normal and cancerous cells. Surgery is
intended to remove tumor masses. Copper reduction does not kill cells and it
does not involve the removal of any tissues from the body. In this sense it
is an exceptionally benign approach to treating cancer.
Another way of thinking about copper reduction is that it involves the
selective removal of substances that tumor cells need in order to grow. In
that sense, it might be thought of as a type of nutritional therapy requiring
the use of a prescription drug.
|
| 3. |
Where has CRT Been Successful?
CRT helped approximately 30% of the patients who were in the Phase I trial.
This group of six patients, out of the 18 who were evaluated, have reportedly
been on TM all this time with no problems. Dr. Brewer has been noted as
wanting to keep them on the therapy because it has continued to work so
well.
There have also been a few anecdotal accounts outside of clinical trials where
patients have been using physicians to help manage their own therapy have seen
tumor reductions.
|
| 4. |
What are the Problems with CRT?
CRT is not a panacea. The other 12 patients also had metastatic cancer, but
for various reasons it continued to progress. Why is not clear. Their cancers
may have been in later stages, they may have been progressing by means other
than angiogenesis, and killing patients by other means than mere growth of
tumors.
The main problem is that reducing copper levels to 20% of normal pose a number
of theoretical health risks for patients. Anemia, leukopenia, hypertrophy of
the heart muscle, and other problems can result from long term copper
reduction. Also, if done for many years there are unanswered questions about
problems in different parts of the body. Different organs sequester copper
more or less aggressively. The liver tends to surrender copper easily while
the brain does not. Thus, clinical experience with managed copper reduction
is very limited. Dr. Brewer has found that when managed and followed, 20% of
normal levels does not seem to produce problems. Where there are problems, the
conditions are easily reversed by increasing the amount of copper in the
body.
|
| 5. |
What is the Future of CRT?
There will be a growing number of clinical trials and supporting research,
along with investigations into adjunct therapies, combinations and other
developments. It is argued here that in ten years, CRT will seen acceptance
as a mainstream standard of care for a wide range of cancers.
|
|
|
|
