Cancer and the Search for Selective Biochemical Inhibitors

Summary

The world of medicine has become splintered into two factions, that of orthodoxy and its counterpart, alternative or complementary medicine. A problem with alternative medicine is, of course, that of anecdote and hearsay. The solution: the disclosure, in an unassailable fashion, of the underlying biochemical principles for alternative cancer therapies.

Cancer and the Search for Selective Biochemical Inhibitors, Second Edition delineates the underlying biochemical principles for alternative cancer therapies. Completely revised and updated, this edition includes coverage of the link between concepts and practices of alternative and conventional medicine. The author examines anticancer plant substances and other alternatives such as Vitamin C, essiac tea, shark cartilage, and cat’s claw. The text also addresses the problem of determining selective and non-toxic enzyme inhibitors for cancer cell metabolic pathways.

While an increased number of allopathic professionals are in tune with alternative therapies, the integration of the two factions is far from the norm. Keeping the same format that made its predecessor a benchmark text, this book compares complementary, alternative, and integrative treatments with chemotherapy and other more traditional treatments.

Table of Contents

Crossroads
Introduction
The Nutritional Brouhaha
The Ponderables of Biochemistry
Troubles of Mind
What Seems to Work
Scourges in the Making
Remedies in Nature
Poisons in Nature
From the Ordinary to the Bizarre
The Environment, Naturally and Not So Naturally
Where to from Here?
Cancer Origins and Characteristics
Introduction
Cancer Formation and Oncogenes
Types of Cancers
Pleomorphism
Viral or Microbial Origins and Treatments
Viruses and Lysogeny
Viruses and Subviruses
Antiviral Agents
Immune Reactions
Vaccines

Biochemical Insights

The Warburg Cancer Theory
Cell Metabolism
Enzyme-Catalyzed Metabolic Pathways
Overall Glycolytic Conversions
Cancer Cell Metabolism vs. Normal Cell Metabolism
Selective Biochemical Inhibitors
The Tricarboxylic Cycle and Respiration
Vitamins and Hormones as Inhibitors or Promoters
Chemotherapy Drugs as Enzyme Inhibitors
More on Folic Acid
Enzyme Transformations

Starting at the Genetic Level

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
The Ubiquitous Roles of Proteins
Genetics as Science
Digestive Processes
Proteases and Their Inhibitors
Protein Degradation Rates
The Influence of Antibiotics
DNA Replication and Alteration
Chemoprevention
Commentary
Enzymatic Biochemical Treatment Protocols
Enzymes
Enzyme Inhibitors
Enzyme Inhibition in Modern Medicine
Enzyme Inhibitors for Melanoma
Diet
Dietary Extremes
Iron in the Diet
Garlic and Allicin and Other Sulfur-Containing Compounds as Anticancer Agents
Aberrations
Immunity
Cancer Markers
High-Tech vs. Low-Tech
Footdragging on Using Enzyme Inhibitors
The Alternative Scene
An Introduction to Alternatives
Some Alternatives, Information Sources, and Assessments
More About the Plant World
Poisonous and Medicinal Plants
Plants and Herbs as Agents Against Other Diseases
Selectivity
The Nitrogen Connection and Immunotherapy
Alkaloids and Bioactivity
Microorganisms and Immunity
In Short Summary

Surveying Anticancer Plant Substances

Status of Plants Against Cancer
Laetrile Quandaries
Plants of the American West and Southwest
Chaparral
Other Plants and Herbs
South Africa
China
Soviet Union
Mexico
Australia
Egypt and Israel
United States
Great Britain
Still Other Options
Mystique Surrounding Cancer Cures
Miscellaneous
Neo Tropica
Some Further Alternatives
Successes vs. Failures
Biological Response
On Overcoming the Intractability of Cancer
Cell Resistance and Some Consequences
Alternative Treatment: The Status Quo
Controversies
Heroic Efforts
More about Compound-X and the Like
An Update on News and Views
Cancer Directives
The Continuing Legacy of Wayne Martin and Compatriots
More of the Latest on Alternatives
Magnesium
Peripherals
Subviral Agents: Prions
More on DNA
More on Diet
The Navajo and Cancer
Cancer Esoterica
The Morphism of Cancer Cells
Electromagnetic Phenomena and Cancer
Some Inexplicables
Metastasis, Resistance, and Aberrations
More on Immunity
Bioterrorism
The Halogens and Cause and Cure
The Effect of Toxins in the Environment
More on Chemotherapy, Alkaloids, and Other Plant Biochemicals
Recourses
Circling the Wagons
More on Genetic Modification or Engineering
Vaccination and Cancer
Telomerase Inhibitors
Histone Diacetylase Inhibitors
Markers for Monitoring Cancer Growth and Remission
Moral and Ethical Quandaries

The Inhibition of Cancerous Stem Cells

The Subject of Stem Cells and Cancer
Cancerous Stem Cells and Immunity
Inhibition of Cancerous Stem Cells
Tyrosine Kinase
Plant Sources for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

A Summing Up

Index