What does dichloroacetate do to your body?

What does dichloroacetate do to your body? Oral dichloroacetate sodium (DCA) has been investigated as a novel metabolic therapy for various cancers since 2007, based on data from Bonnet et al that DCA can trigger

What does dichloroacetate do to your body?

Oral dichloroacetate sodium (DCA) has been investigated as a novel metabolic therapy for various cancers since 2007, based on data from Bonnet et al that DCA can trigger apoptosis of human lung, breast and brain cancer cells.

Is DCA a drug?

DICHLOROACETATE (DCA) is a drug that has been used for decades to treat children who are born with mitochondrial diseases. Mitochondria are organelles found in human cells and they play an important role in the production of energy required for many cellular functions.

What does sodium dichloroacetate do?

The sodium salt of dichloroacetic acid with potential antineoplastic activity. Dichloroacetate ion inhibits pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, resulting in the inhibition of glycolysis and a decrease in lactate production.

What is DCA in medicine?

Overview. DCA, or directional coronary atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove blockage from coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart muscle and ease pain. First, a local anesthesia numbs the groin area. Then the doctor puts a needle into the femoral artery, the artery that runs down the leg …

Is Dichloroacetate FDA approved?

US Food and Drug Administration Approval There is not enough evidence that dichloroacetate is effective in the fight against cancer, and it has not been approved by the FDA for cancer treatment.

How is DCA made?

DCA is typically prepared by the reduction of trichloroacetic acid (TCA). DCA is prepared from chloral hydrate also by the reaction with calcium carbonate and sodium cyanide in water followed by acidifying with hydrochloric acid. It can be also made by passing acetylene through solutions of hypochlorous acid.

Is DCA FDA approved?

While some experimental treatments have shown interesting results, DCA hasn’t yet been proven safe or effective for treating cancer. It’s not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a cancer treatment. Until further research is done, it’s not recommended to use DCA as an alternative cancer treatment.

What is DCA made of?

Classification. Dicholoroacetates are salts of dichloroacetic acid. Both the salt and acid are man-made chemicals. DCA is a by-product of the chlorine disinfection of water.

Is dichloroacetic acid a strong acid?

As an acid with a pKa of 1.35, pure dichloroacetic acid is classed as a strong organic acid; it is very corrosive and extremely destructive to tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract via inhalation.

What is DCA illness?

DCA cancer treatment. Dichloroacetate, or DCA, is a synthetic chemical used for cosmetic and clinical purposes. It’s commercially available as a cauterizing agent, meaning it burns the skin. This drug became popular in 2007 after a Canadian study suggested DCA might be able to reverse cancer growth.

What kind of cancer can you treat with DCA?

The cancer types studied so far are: colon, breast, prostate, ovarian, brain (neuroblastoma), brain (glioblastoma), lung (carcinoid), uterus (cervix), uterus (endometrial), lymphoma (non-Hodgkin’s), and cancer of unknown primary. There are several ways to obtain DCA since it has been used to treat metabolic diseases in children.

How long does it take to take DCA for cancer?

DCA (dichloroacetate sodium) treatment for cancer. It is easily absorbed by the body and the oral administration of DCA can be done at home. IV administration can be done at a cancer clinic or a doctor’s office. The length of treatment recommended is between six and eight weeks, although slow-growing cancers require a longer treatment time.

When did Medicor start prescribing DCA for cancer patients?

DCA (dichloroacetate) Therapy. Medicor Cancer Centres was the first cancer clinic in North America to begin prescribing DCA “off label” to cancer patients (in April 2007) under the full supervision of a medical team. We consulted with the relevant regulatory bodies in Canada and have been following their guidelines and policies.

How long does DCA therapy need to last?

In order to determine if DCA is effective in treating your cancer, we recommend at least 12 weeks of treatment. For slow growing cancers, longer treatment is needed, perhaps 4 – 6 months. If your cancer responds to the drug, therapy may continue indefinitely.