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Does anyone know anything about IPT?

JillianO
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Hello CancerChat!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  My Aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and had a double-mastectomy.  She was undergoing chemotherapy and appears to be progressing appropriately. I have since learned more about chemotherapy and I came across a hybrid treatment of sorts called Insulin Potentiated Therapy (IPT).  Have you heard of it? I tried finding forums, blogs and more about it for reviews, but I can't really locate anything? I did find an alternative cancer treatment centre (with lots of FAQs and similar)  - but I still want to read "real patient" reviews. Do you know of any places I can learn more?

From what I gather it is a mix of low-dose chemo and natural mixtures of nutrients meant to kill the cancer, while not going overboard and hurting other parts of your body.  The reason I am interesting in this option is because I know chemo is so hard on the body.  From the sounds of it, it's weakening, sickening and can outright hurt you.  That being said, I understand the need for it and how it is one of (if not the best) option for killing cancer. So an option like this makes sense to me (not a Doctor, obviously) and I wanted to learn more.

Thanks in advance and I appreciate your help pushing me in the right direction.

Best,

-JO

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    Hi Jo ...

    Have looked online and there are quite a few sites that give information about IPT - just put  Insulin Potentiated Therapy in Google.  I suggest you go on the Quackwatch site as it shows the dangers of this 'medication'.

    If your Aunt is responding well to conventional chemotherapy, in my opinion, you would be looking after her interests more if she continues with the course of treatment she is currently on. BC has a very good survival rate nowadays and I am sure her oncologist has made the right decisions for her disease - she will be closely monitored to ensure that her body is coping well with the treatment. I presume your Aunt is on a 6 or 8 cycle plan and not on chemotherapy long-term so your worries regarding long-lasting damage are unfounded. Far better to stick to tried and tested treatments that are proven to work and approved by NICE, than 'quack' remedies. Good luck to your Aunt and your family.  Max x

  • Offline in reply to max56

    Hi Max-

    I am so sorry for not being more clear.  My Aunt is doing well and while the chemo really took a toll on her, I/we believe she will be fine.  I was more curious about learning about IPT for the sake of learning and educating myself.  I love to learn and I like to know why some things work and others do not.  It seems like I can't find any "real patient reviews" of IPT...only cancer sites talking about it.  For example, if you're curious about a plastic surgery procedure you can go to RealSelf.com and learn about them from real patients.  Let's say your husband wants to work on his Jeep, he can go too JeepForum.com and speak with people who are also working on their Jeep. Something like that is what I am looking for?

    I agree, and my Aunt does too, the chemo worked, but my goodness was it aggressive. That's where my mind started wandering about some other options.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and I'm sorry if I was not as clear as I could have been.

  • Offline in reply to JillianO

    Hi Jo ...............  no worries and I so very glad your Aunt is doing so well. Its a hard old journey for sure and goodness knows why it is sent to some of us. The only thing I can suggest is that some of the US forums may be more knowledgeable about alternative treatments as more people seem to go along that route there, possibly because they dont have the NHS system like we do. If not give the nurses a call on CR - their number is at the top of the page, and they can point you in the right direction. Best wishes to you and your family x

  • Offline in reply to max56

    Hi Jillian and Max,

    There is a statement on IPT from the American Cancer Society which says:

    "Despite supporters' claims that insulin potentiation therapy has been well researched, no scientific studies that show safety and effectiveness have been published in available peer-reviewed journals. These claims cannot be verified.

    ¿There are also concerns about using lower doses of chemotherapy drugs. When chemotherapy drugs are tested in clinical trials, their effects are carefully monitored to learn which dose will best balance the need to kill cancer cells with the goal of keeping side effects at a tolerable level. There is no evidence that chemotherapy at a fraction of the recommended and tested dose can produce the same effect as the full dose if used with insulin.¿

    I hope this is helpful.

    Best wishes

    Jane

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jane

    Thank you Max and Jane. I forgot to log in foir a few days and just saw your messages.  I appreciate you replies and help!

  • Offline

    Hi Summerdays

    Could you please tell me the Facebook Group that you joined in your message, it would be greatly appreciated?

    Many thanks

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