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2DG for Cancer
2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a glucose analog that cannot be metabolized because its 2-hydroxyl group is replaced by hydrogen. This modification prevents it from participating in glycolysis (sugar breakdown), thereby potentially starving cancer cells and inhibiting their neoplastic activities.
2-Deoxy-D-glucose closely resembles ordinary table sugar in its powdered form, making it visually indistinguishable. However, it differs significantly in taste, lacking the sweetness of regular sugar and presenting a neutral flavor instead. It is typically dissolved in water and consumed on an empty stomach.
Historically, 2-Deoxy-D-glucose has been used as a non-toxic, orally available diagnostic tool in PET scanning. Today, it is emerging as a promising anti-cancer therapy.
Glucose is the primary energy source for cellular processes and is vital for all cells. Rapidly growing tumor cells have a significantly higher glucose uptake, consuming glucose at rates hundreds of times greater than normal cells. Because tumor cells consume glucose much faster, 2DG effectively shuts off sugar frombeing used in these cells.
The principle of 2DG is to “Cheat the Cheater.” Tumor cells, which multiply by hijacking energy from human cells, require glucose (sugar) for each multiplication. 2DG acts as a “pseudo” glucose. When cancer cells absorb it, their growth is halted, enabling the body to combat and overpower the tumor.
Articles
Discover the history of 2DG, its use, interactions with other treatments, and possible side effects.
2DG Implications for Cancer Therapy
Dive into the transformative potential of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) in cancer therapy with this insightful video. Explore how 2DG disrupts cancer…
How 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) Works?
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What is 2-Deoxy-D-glucose(2DG)?
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Safety and Side Effects
2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a safe alternative cancer treatment, well-tolerated with mild side effects like temporary fatigue and slight nausea at…
FAQ
You can always contact us via comments, but be sure to check most commonly asked questions, there is a good chance you will find the answers here!
Can a Doctor Prescribe 2DG to a Patient?
Currently, doctors do not typically prescribe 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) for cancer treatment. Most medical professionals are trained to utilize conventional oncology treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. As a result, they might not be well-versed in alternative treatments like 2DG.
However, this situation is gradually evolving. In some regions, such as India, 2DG has gained approval and is available in sachet form for use in certain treatments, including for COVID-19. Outside of such areas, obtaining 2DG usually requires participation in clinical trials or purchasing from chemical suppliers.
How Long Does 2DG Stay in Your System and Blood?
2DG, when taken orally, is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract on an empty stomach. It enters the system rapidly. The half-life of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) varies depending on the study and specific conditions, but it is generally reported to be around 4-5 hours.
Traces of 2DG are typically detectable in the blood for around 20-25 hours.
Does 2DG Accumulate in Cancer Cells?
Oral 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is rapidly taken up by the blood stream and thus distributed to organs where glucose is absorbed most readily. In patients with cancer, this is the tumor tissue because the cancer cells absorb glucose quickly due to their fast growth.
When delivered via the bloodstream, 2DG gets absorbed by the cells just like regular glucose, but because it can’t be broken down to generate cellular energy it builds up inside. This traps the tumor cells – unable to absorb the arrival of real glucose (sugar), the cancer will perish without the nourishment it needs to grow and survive. Starved of energy, the growth of the cancer cells will slow.
This nutrient depletion induces selective apoptosis (programmed cell death), and, because the tumour cells have few energy reserves, they become susceptible to attack by the immune system and more sensitive to other cancer-fighting therapies – shrinking the tumour and preventing its spread.
Where Can I Find a Source for 2DG in the USA and Europe?
You can purchase 2DG from chemical suppliers such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sigma-Aldrich, or from online retailers offering it in powder form. Some places also list it on online platforms, which are mentioned in our Vendors section.
How Is 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) Eliminated from The Body?
2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is primarily eliminated from the body through renal excretion. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that after administration, 2DG is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. This process is a key pathway for the clearance of 2DG from the bloodstream.
Why Is a Week Pause Recommended Before Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy When Using 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG)?
2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is a fake sugar that cancer cells eagerly absorb, preventing them from taking in real sugar and growing. This accumulation of 2DG slows down cancer cells, making them weaker and more vulnerable to treatments. Cancer cells naturally take in more sugar than normal cells, which is why they grow uncontrollably and eventually metastasize.
While 2DG significantly improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it’s important to take a short break from 2DG—ideally 2 to 7 days, with one week being the best—before starting these treatments. This brief pause ensures that the weakened cancer cells fully uncover themselves, making them prime targets for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which are designed to identify only rapidly dividing cells.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy specifically target fast-dividing cells. By pausing 2DG, we allow the weakened cancer cells to think the coast is clear and start dividing rapidly again, making them more susceptible to aggressive treatments. Although 2DG clears from the blood in about 24 hours, we recommend taking at least one week off 2DG to ensure our protocol is foolproof and to avoid any counterproductive effects on chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
In summary, this strategic pause maximizes the overall effectiveness of your cancer treatment plan by ensuring that cancer cells are as vulnerable as possible to aggressive therapies.
Why Is There Only a Two-Day Break From 2DG Before Starting Immunotherapy (Biological Therapy) Or Surgery For Cancer Treatment?
When preparing for immunotherapy or surgery in cancer treatment, only a two-day break from 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) is necessary. During this short pause, the already weakened cancer cells are exposed, making them more vulnerable to subsequent primary treatments. This strategy helps ensure that the remaining cancer cells are effectively targeted and eliminated.
This brief pause is a crucial part of the treatment strategy, leveraging the unique action of 2DG to enhance the effectiveness of subsequent therapies.
Think of 2DG as a Trojan horse for cancer cells. It mimics a nutrient that cancer cells mistakenly consume, but unlike real sugar, 2DG cannot be used to build the cells. This shrinks the tumor and lowers its guard down, making the cancer cells more vulnerable. By damaging and making the tumors smaller in size, 2DG makes it easier for the immune system and targeted therapy to track down and eliminate them.
Timing is everything: attacking cancer at its weakest moments makes it the most manageable to cut out completely – and by undermining the cancer cell’s protective barrier, 2DG increases the effect of surgery, which then does its job more effectively. This strategic timing—minimal or no pause before starting immunotherapy or surgery—ensures that the treatments can capitalize on the tumor’s weakened state. By acting swiftly, we maximize the effectiveness of the treatments, improving the overall success rate of cancer eradication. Therefore, the pause from 2DG treatment is kept to a minimal two days, ensuring that the tumor remains in its most vulnerable state for subsequent therapies.
Did I Develop Cancer Cells, And How Can 2DG Help Me?
In a healthy body, new cells are constantly being generated, with our bodies producing about 3.8 million new cells every second. While most of these cells are harmless, some can acquire mutations that may make them cancerous. Normally, the immune system identifies and eliminates these potentially dangerous cells.
However, in cancer patients, this natural defense is often compromised. Over time, cancer cells accumulate genetic errors that make them resistant to the body’s defenses. This is where 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) can help.
2DG acts by mimicking a nutrient that cancer cells mistakenly consume, but unlike real sugar, it disrupts their growth and weakens their defenses. This reactivates the body’s ability to kill these cancer cells naturally, making them more susceptible to treatment.
2DG is versatile in its application. It works effectively on its own to achieve this goal. By weakening the cancer cells and improving the body’s natural defenses, 2DG plays a crucial role in the overall treatment strategy. Additionally, it can be used alongside other treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy, enhancing their effectiveness.
Moreover, 2DG is beneficial in preventing cancer from returning after the initial treatment has been successful. By incorporating 2DG into the treatment plan, patients can maximize their chances of eliminating cancer and maintaining long-term health.
Why Can’t I Just Avoid Sugar or Sugary Foods to Starve Cancer?
Cancer is a cunning entity that doesn’t starve easily. If you deprive yourself of essential nutrients, tumors will start extracting glucose from other sources in your body, such as stored fats or muscle tissue. This process provides them with glucose and glutamine, which are crucial for tumor growth and spread.
Starving yourself or completely avoiding carbohydrates can be counterproductive, often leading to cachexia—a condition that can accelerate the demise of cancer patients by up to 10 times faster. This is a dangerous mistake that many cancer patients make when trying to help themselves.
Cancer patients actually require more calories than healthy individuals to maintain bodily functions, preserve healthy tissues, and withstand cancer treatments. On top of that, they have a tumor that steals their nutrients and energy. A clean diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which includes healthy greens, fats, and proteins, is advisable.
Unlike general starvation, 2DG specifically targets cancer cells by blocking their sugar intake pathways, making it a smarter strategy in combating this disease. Starve the cancer without starving yourself.
What Is the Best Diet To Follow During 2DG Treatment?
A low glycemic diet or the Mediterranean diet are both excellent choices. Remember to eat healthily, follow the principles of these diets, and maintain a generally healthy lifestyle. Cancer does not have to be a death sentence, it can change your life and your emotions, but cancer in the 21st century is a manageable disease.
Talk to your family and friends and consider joining a cancer support group to share your fears and hopes. You are not alone.
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