Naltrexone is an FDA approved drug that was initially indicated for the treatment of heroin addiction. Lack of patient compliance led to disuse of the drug. In 1985, Bernard Bihari, MD began his work with Naltrexone in low doses and spent his career in clinical research on the therapeutic effects of this medication in a variety of cancers and a number of other disorders including multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and others.
How Does It Work?
The following video demonstrates the proposed mechanism of action of Naltrexone in its capacity as an immune modulator:
Basically, Low Dose Naltrexone exerts its effect through its interaction with OGF (Opioid Growth Factor) and OGF receptors. OGF is also known as Metenkephalin. The end result is control and modulation of cancerous cell growth, and enhanced immune effect on the spread of disease.
Links
LDNscience – www.ldnscience.org
According to the site, LDNscience™ is a public information project of the MedInsight® Research Institute. The MedInsight® Research Institute is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to bridge the ever-widening gap between medical research and actual medical practice. We are dedicated to bringing relief to those who suffer from cancer or chronic medical conditions by raising awareness of:
• Commercially unsponsored medications.
• Off-label or secondary uses for approved medications.
• Specialized tests that enable treatments to be tailored to the individual.
A comprehensive site about Low Dose Naltrexone maintained by Dr. David Gluck, an internist from New York City. Besides providing a lot of information about Low Dose Naltrexone, the site also details the clinical experiences of Dr. Bernard Bihari in his many years of practice using Low Dose Naltrexone in patients.
LDNers.org is a website dedicated to helping patients learn about Low Dose Naltrexone. SammyJo Wilkinson shares her story about her recovery from MS with LDN, and tracks all news reports, books, interviews, medical studies and related LDN developments. Click here.
LDNNow is a group of determined individuals confronting the politics surrounding LDN, pushing for government funded research, raising awareness of LDN amongst influential people and helping people find LDN and to use it effectively. Our focus is on the campaign to get trials for LDN and get it installed as the front line, first do no harm, therapy option on all the health systems of the world. Click here.
LDN sounds like a great method of treatment. It’s great that it can be used to slow the production of cancerous cells. My sister has cancer, and she’s willing to try any kind of treatment she can find. Where would she go to try LDN out?
An HCP who is familiar with the immunomodulatory possibilities of LDN would be able to prescribe LDN through a compounding pharmacy. While not a stand-alone treatment, LDN could be beneficial as an adjunct or strategy to incorporate if remission has been achieved.