Transcript Low Dose Naltrexone Elizabeth Phan English 101

What is LDN?
• It is a lower dosage of the FDA-approved drug,
naltrexone which is used to treat heroin and
opium addiction by blocking the body’s opioid
receptors that causes euphoria
• It was discovered by Dr. Bernard Bihari, MD
– He found that when naltrexone is used at a low
dose (1.5-4.5mg), instead of blocking the opioid
receptors, their numbers and strength increases,
producing opioids which in turn, help regulate the
body’s natural immune defense system
How would LDN help benefit cancer
patients on island?
Is cancer actually a big issue
here?
Cancer in the CNMI
• In an article by Moneth Deposa in Saipan
Tribune, according to the Commonwealth
Healthcare Corp, as of 2010, noncommunicable diseases are part of the Top 5
causes of death in the CNMI and among these
NCDs, cancer is the number one killer on the
islands
Cultural Heritage
• In an academic journal on cultural alteration
of human teeth in the CNMI, excavations at
the Academy Gym site located in Guam
unearthed four skeletal remains of individuals
estimated to be from earlier than the year
1521. Dental studies conducted on the
remains of all subjects show signs of dark
reddish-brown staining, evidence of areca nut
chewing (Ikehara & Douglas, 1997, p. 386).
Interview: Johnny S. Aldan
• What is the most common form of cancer here?
– Oral cancer followed by cervical cancer
• Do we have treatment here? For what type of
cancer?
– Chemotherapy treatment
• What happens if there is not treatment for a
particular form of cancer on island?
– Refer patient off island; Philippines or Hawaii
• Is there a possibility of importing or bringing new
medication for treatment here?
– Yes
These are the types of cancers that have been
reported to respond to LDN according to Dr. Bernard
Bihari:
A Work in Progress
 HPV, an STD that often
cervical cancer, can also
cause head and neck
cancers
 Although oral cancer is
not listed here, LDN can
treat some cancers
related to or that can be
caused by oral cancer
 Since LDN has still not
been clinically tested, it
leaves open opportunities
to finding more diseases
it can treat
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Bladder Cancer
Breast Cancer
Carcinoid
Colon & Rectal Cancer
Glioblastoma
Liver Cancer
Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell)
Lymphocytic Leukemia (chronic)
Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's)
Malignant Melanoma
Multiple Myeloma
Neuroblastoma
Ovarian Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Prostate Cancer (untreated)
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Throat Cancer
Uterine Cancer
What I learned? What would I
have done different?
References
Aldan, Johnny S. (2013, December 1). Personal Interview with G. Ngiraibuuch.
Deposa, Moneth. (2013, January 28). “CHCC: 90 deaths due to NCDs noted in 2010.” Saipan
Tribune. Retrieved from
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=124862.
Gluck, David. (n.d.). LDN and Cancer. Retrieved from
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/ldn_and_cancer.htm.
Ikehara-Quebral, Rona & Douglas, Michele Toomay. (1997). Cultural Alteration of Human Teeth in
the Mariana Islands. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 104, 381-391. Retrieved
November 29, 2013, from
http://www.academia.edu/2511708/Cultural_alteration_of_human_teeth_in_the_Mariana
_Islands.