The Benefits of IPT Treatment for Breast Cancer

When oncologists discuss treatment options with breast cancer patients, it’s usually the same old conventional methods: surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. This is because these are the methods that we are told about repeatedly, that are the best at mitigating cancer cells. However, these treatments are not what the medical community hypes it up to be. As a matter of fact, chemotherapy accounts for several deaths that are often categorized as “cancer deaths”, hence why discussing these treatments can often be thought-provoking and require conversation among family members and practitioners. According to the United States Library of Medicine, “there were 44 patients (27%) who died after receiving their first line of chemotherapy, 39 (24%) who died after two lines of chemo, and 72 patients (45%) that died on the third line of chemo treatments”¹. However, patients still blindly believe that these methods are their only option, when in reality that is not the case.

At LifeWorks Wellness Center, our cancer treatments don’t place the patient at risk, nor does it compromise their immune system. Instead, we perform a treatment called insulin-potentiation therapy (IPT) and combine it with other therapies such as ozone, intravenous therapies, peptides, supplement regimens and dietary changes.

What is IPT?

IPT is an alternative and less invasive form of chemotherapy. The purpose of the procedure is to target cancer cells and kill them without destroying healthy cells or the immune system. The theory behind it is that cancer cells thrive on glucose to multiply. Normally, cells use it to retain oxygen, and as a result, they can produce about 38 units of energy. On the other hand, cancer cells specifically change their metabolism to accept glucose without oxygen, therefore they produce a significantly lower amount of energy. This means that cancer cells desperately need high levels of glucose to survive and spread throughout the body. So, in order to properly fight and kill cancer cells they need to be deprived of their main fuel source. As a result, they will be weakened, vulnerable and eventually die.

What Happens During a Treatment?

During IPT, the patient’s blood sugar will be dropped to low (but safe) levels to deprive the cancer cells of their main source of fuel. The Nurse Practitioner will do this by administering insulin which takes approximately 15 minutes to get the blood sugar to the required level. The APRN will then administer a low dose of chemo drugs that are specific to the patient’s cancer type through their PICC or port. The insulin is used to open up the membrane of the cancer cells in order for them to fully digest the chemo drugs. This makes it easier for the malignant cells to be targeted without harming the healthy cells that our body needs.

The Benefits of IPT on Breast Cancer Cells

IPT reduces a person’s risks of experiencing chronic chemotherapy side effects. Due to the lowered chemo dosage (about 10% of the normal chemo dose), the cancer cells will be the primary target while healthy cells will not be affected, thus allowing patients to avoid hair loss, vomiting, and/or neuropathy. In addition, the procedure naturally increases the efficacy of chemo, allows patients to remain healthy and simultaneously is just as effective as regular chemotherapy treatments in mitigating breast cancer cells. This in turn will equate to an extended prognosis with an increased quality of life during one’s cancer battle.

Before the Treatment

Prior to receiving IPT, patients must consult with a LifeWorks cancer specialist to discuss their cancer type and stage along with medical background. The LifeWorks practitioner will then create a program that will likely include 10 IPT treatments along with ozone, intravenous therapies, peptides, supplements and the keto diet. Before patients begin their IPT, they must have their blood drawn and sent to a special lab where they test to see which chemo drugs will be the most effective in killing their cancer cells. This is often personalized to the patient’s cancer type as compared to conventional methods that provide the same chemo for everyone, regardless if it works for them or not. In addition, patients will be required to receive a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) prior to each IPT appointment.

What to Know For the First IPT

All breast cancer patients will be required to receive at least 10 IPT treatments. Initially, patients will be scheduled two IPTs per week for the first two weeks before doing them once weekly for the next six treatments. It’s important that patients avoid eating or drinking anything (except water) six hours prior to each IPT appointment. However, patients are required to bring something to eat and drink (besides water) in order for the treatment to work effectively. Juice, fruit and a form of protein (such as a hard-boiled egg) must be in the room before the treatment begins. These can be eaten after the last medication has been administered and is essential to help increase one’s blood sugar after being dropped to deprive the cancer cells of glucose. All supplements (besides blood pressure or thyroid medications) should not be taken until after their treatment.

Possible Side Effects

Since IPT requires dropping a patient’s blood sugar level, it’s possible that they may experience symptoms of hypoglycemia. This could include hunger, lightheadedness, sweating, irregular heartbeat, nausea and low blood pressure. Luckily, these side effects are only temporary and aren’t as destructive as conventional chemotherapy side effects.

The Result

After completing 10 IPT treatments, a LifeWorks cancer specialist will review all new test reports, CT scans, PET scans, and thermography’s to keep track of the process. During this time, the patient can continue other treatments such as ozone and intravenous therapies. Results of the scans will determine whether or not a patient will need more IPT’s or a reduced amount. The cancer specialist will continue to meet with the patient at regular intervals to review their results and advise them on the frequency of their IPT treatments.

If you or someone that you know have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are interested in an alternative approach to treatment, please call to schedule an appointment with a LifeWorks cancer specialist at 727-466-6789.

References:

1. Mortality within 30 days of chemotherapy: a clinical governance benchmarking issue for oncology patients (nih.gov)