Reversal of Signs and Symptoms of a B-Cell Lymphoma in a Patient Using Only Low-Dose Naltrexone

Berkson, Burton M.; Rubin, Daniel M.; Berkson, Arthur J.

doi:10.1177/1534735407306358

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…It has been suggested that treatment with low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may be beneficial for a range of inflammatory conditions, including Crohn’s disease (4), multiple sclerosis (5), and fibromyalgia (6–8). Reports also describe therapeutic effects of LDN in treatment for cancers including B cell lymphoma (9) and pancreatic cancer (10, 11). The molecular targets and potential immunomodulatory mechanism(s) of action for naltrexone in inflammatory conditions, however, require further investigation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Naltrexone Inhibits IL-6 and TNFα Production in Human Immune Cell Subsets following Stimulation with Ligands for Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors

2017

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The opioid antagonist naltrexone hydrochloride has been suggested to be a potential therapy at low dosage for multiple inflammatory conditions and cancers. Little is known about the immune-modulating effects of naltrexone, but an effect on the activity of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been reported. We analyzed the effects of naltrexone hydrochloride on IL-6 secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro following stimulation with ligands for TLR4 and for the intracellular receptors TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. Naltrexone did not affect cell viability or induce apoptosis of PBMC. Intracellular staining demonstrated that naltrexone inhibited production of IL-6 and TNFα by monocyte and plasmacytoid dendritic cell subsets within the PBMC population following treatment with ligands for TLR7/8 and TLR9, respectively. No effect of cytokine production by PBMC following stimulation of TLR4 was observed. Additionally, naltrexone inhibited IL-6 production in isolated monocytes and B cells after TLR7/8 and TLR9 stimulation, respectively, but no effect on IL-6 production in isolated monocytes after TLR4 stimulation was observed. These findings indicate that naltrexone has the potential to modulate the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in response to intracellular TLR activity, supporting the hypothesis that it may have potential for use as an immunomodulator.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Naltrexone Inhibits IL-6 and TNFα Production in Human Immune Cell Subsets following Stimulation with Ligands for Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors

2017

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“…Alternatively the use of small doses of naltrexone may up regulate the production of met enkphalin or increased sensitivity of the opiate growth factor receptor, reducing tumour proliferation and angiogenesis. Such changes may be shown to reduce the incidence or growth of lymphomas as observed in a case study by Berkson et al [44], in which a patient with stage III follicular lymphoma was successfully treated with low dose naltrexone (3mg, once daily). The authors reported that after 6 months of treatment, the patient's enlarged cervical and lymph nodes, originally measuring 7.6 cm and 12.7 cm respectively, were no longer palpable had almost completely resolved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The Occurrence of Spontaneous Lymphomas but Not Adenomas or Sarcomas in Rats Treated With Sustained Release Naltrexone

Kelty¹

2012

Clin Exp Pharmacol

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Naltrexone has been observed to have both a stimulatory and inhibitory effect on the development of tumours in rodents, potentially mediated by changes to the neuroendocrine system as a result of blockade of the opiate receptors, with the period of blockade and the tumour type thought to be influential. This study examined the occurrence of spontaneous tumours in rats treated with a sustained release naltrexone preparation. Materials and methods: 27 male and 27 female rats were randomized into three equal treatment groups (A, B and C). Rats in group A were implanted with a single naltrexone implant tablet, rats in group B were implanted with a single polymer implant tablet (placebo) and rats in group C underwent a sham procedure (control). Three different groups of spontaneous tumours were observed; lymphomas, adenomas and sarcomas. Lymphomas (4 tumours/3 rats) were observed solely in naltrexone treated rats, while adenomas (9 tumours/5 rats) and sarcomas (4 tumours/3 rats) were only observed in the placebo and the control groups. The data suggests that the association of naltrexone on the development of tumours maybe dependent on tumour type. Long term exposure to naltrexone appears to have both a stimulatory and inhibitory effect on tumours in rats, dependent on tumour type.

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“…In experiments on mice injected subcutaneously with human cancer cells, the anticancer action of ALA inhibiting tumor growth was revealed . The benefits of ALA have also been shown in the treatment of cancer patients . Thus, the observed positive effects of ALA are believed to be a consequence of its participation in oxidation‐reduction processes in tumor cells .…”

Section: Anticancer Properties Of α‐Lipoic Acid Are Linked With Aldehmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Endogenous Formaldehyde as an Anticancer Metabolite: Its Oxidation Downregulation May Be a Means of Improving Therapy

Dorokhov

Sheshukova

Bialik³

et al. 2018

BioEssays

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Malignant cells are characterized by an increased content of endogenous formaldehyde formed as a by‐product of biosynthetic processes. Accumulation of formaldehyde in cancer cells is combined with activation of the processes of cellular formaldehyde clearance. These mechanisms include increased ALDH and suppressed ADH5/FDH activity, which oncologists consider poor and favorable prognostic markers, respectively. Here, the sources and regulation of formaldehyde metabolism in cancer cells are reviewed. The authors also analyze the participation of oncoproteins such as fibulins, FGFR1, HER2/neu, FBI‐1, and MUC1‐C in the control of genes related to formaldehyde metabolism, suggesting the existence of two mutually exclusive processes in cancer cells: 1) production and 2) oxidation and elimination of formaldehyde from the cell. The authors hypothesize that the study of the anticancer properties of disulfiram and alpha lipoic acid – which affect the balance of formaldehyde in the body – may serve as the basis of future anticancer therapy.

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Reversal of Signs and Symptoms of a B-Cell Lymphoma in a Patient Using Only Low-Dose Naltrexone

Cited by 20 publications

References 13 publications

Naltrexone Inhibits IL-6 and TNFα Production in Human Immune Cell Subsets following Stimulation with Ligands for Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors

Naltrexone Inhibits IL-6 and TNFα Production in Human Immune Cell Subsets following Stimulation with Ligands for Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors

The Occurrence of Spontaneous Lymphomas but Not Adenomas or Sarcomas in Rats Treated With Sustained Release Naltrexone

Human Endogenous Formaldehyde as an Anticancer Metabolite: Its Oxidation Downregulation May Be a Means of Improving Therapy

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