Gleevec, vitamin C and insulin slows disease Gleevec-resistant GIST patient is helped by a unique combination By Jerry Call and Norman Scherzer We report the case of a Life Raft Group member, a man whose GIST was resistant to Gleevec and twice responded positively when Gleevec was combined with vitamin C and insulin. This patient was 51 when diagnosed with a GIST of the small bowel. No metastases were present at the time of diagnosis. Seven months after surgery removed the primary tumor, a CT scan showed a liver metastasis. When the liver met was discovered, he started on 400 mg. Gleevec. The dose was raised to 600 mg. about two weeks after starting Gleevec. His initial response was stability and slight shrinkage. After 11 months on Gleevec, a CT scan showed the cancer was starting to progress. This was verified at the next scan (threeand- a-half months later) when several liver lesions, a moderate-sized mesenteric mass, and a moderatesized pelvic mass were noted. A twice-weekly intravenous regiment of vitamin C (75 grams) and insulin (5 units) was added to the 600 mg. of daily Gleevec. The herbal supplement artemisinin (300 mg./ day) was also added. A CT scan three months later showed a fairly significant improvement of the pelvic mass, and the mesenteric mass was also slightly smaller. There was little change in the liver masses. At this point, the patient decided to continue with the “alternative treatment” of vitamin C, insulin and artemisinin, while discontinuing Gleevec. The next reported CT scan occurred a year later and showed very large liver masses and extensive peritoneal disease. The patient continued the twiceweekly vitamin C+insulin treatment and restarted Gleevec at 600 mg. a day. He discontinued the artemisinin. A CT scan three-and-a-half months later showed some improvement in the liver masses and quite significant regression of the peritoneal masses. The next CT scan revealed increases in size of some hepatic masses and decreases in others. The peritoneal masses remain unchanged and there is slight improvement in soft tissue nodularity in the pelvis. What is unusual about this case is that, after demonstrating resistance to Gleevec, the patient responded on two separate occasions to a combination of Gleevec, vitamin C and insulin. The latest report is mixed and demonstrates some progression and some shrinkage. The Life Raft Group routinely monitors the treatment of GIST patients both in and out of clinical trials. This is the first time the Life Raft has reported on the use of an alternative therapy. The patient was carefully questioned about his complicated treatment history. In addition, an independent radiologist reviewed and confirmed the results of the last four CT scans. Nonetheless, the Life Raft strongly cautions readers against concluding that this treatment is either safe or effective. Patients are encouraged to discuss their unique situation and treatment options with their doctors. Jerry Call is the Life Raft Group’s science coordinator; Norman Scherzer is the executive director. Newsletter of the Life Raft Group — April-May 2005 — PAGE 13 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.