Rethinking Cancer Care: Integrative and Metabolic Approaches to Treatment and Prevention (2025)

 Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, despite advances in conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Emerging evidence suggests that integrative oncology, combining conventional treatments with metabolic and lifestyle interventions, may enhance patient outcomes. This review explores the metabolic basis of cancer, dietary interventions, repurposed pharmaceuticals, and the role of integrative oncology in optimizing cancer care. Special attention is given to recent findings on the potential relationship between COVID-19 spike protein exposure and aggressive cancer phenotypes. The article concludes that a multi-faceted approach incorporating metabolic therapies, repurposed drugs, and lifestyle modifications could significantly improve both survival rates and quality of life in cancer patients.

Introduction

Cancer is a complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation and genetic instability. Traditional oncological paradigms have focused primarily on genetic mutations as the root cause of cancer. However, an increasing body of evidence suggests that metabolic dysfunction—specifically, impaired mitochondrial function and dysregulated energy metabolism—plays a fundamental role in tumorigenesis. The Warburg effect, which describes the preferential reliance of cancer cells on aerobic glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation, has renewed interest in metabolic therapies for cancer.

This review explores emerging metabolic and integrative strategies, including dietary interventions, repurposed drugs, and complementary approaches, to provide a more holistic framework for cancer management. Furthermore, we discuss the growing concerns surrounding the potential association between COVID-19 and oncogenesis.

Metabolic Approach to Cancer Treatment

The Warburg Effect and Metabolic Reprogramming

The Warburg effect, first described in the 1920s, highlights the metabolic shift in cancer cells that favors glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen. This altered metabolism supports rapid cell growth by providing essential biosynthetic precursors and evading apoptosis. Recent studies suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction, rather than genetic mutations alone, may be the primary driver of cancer progression. Thus, targeting metabolic pathways presents a novel therapeutic avenue.

Dietary Interventions: The Ketogenic Diet and Intermittent Fasting

Dietary strategies aimed at reducing glucose availability have shown promise in controlling cancer growth. The ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by low carbohydrate and high fat intake, forces cells to rely on ketone bodies for energy, which cancer cells struggle to utilize efficiently. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that KD may enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Intermittent fasting (IF) and caloric restriction (CR) have also been investigated for their potential to induce autophagy and reduce insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling, both of which contribute to tumor suppression. Several trials have reported improvements in chemotherapy tolerance and reductions in tumor growth in patients adhering to IF protocols.

Repurposed Pharmaceuticals in Oncology

Overview of Repurposed Drugs

As background, some repurposed drugs are better at prevention and others are better when added to treatment.

Typically, when one adds repurposed drugs to standard cancer treatment, they improve their outcome, meaning that the tumor shrinks faster or their cancer biomarkers, such as PSA, Ca 125, or CEA, drop.

When this occurs in Stage 1, 2, or 3 cancers, it is sometimes difficult to tell whether it was the standard treatment, that is the surgery, chemotherapy or radiation that produced the benefit.

However, when the cancer has progressed to Stage 4, and particularly when it involves one of the often-incurable cancers such as the types in the below table under the “Palliation Only (Metastatic)” category where standard chemotherapy is largely ineffective, it becomes obvious that the repurposed drug made the difference.

Table Courtesy of Dr. Marik and Cancer Care

Drug repurposing involves using existing medications, originally developed for other conditions, in new therapeutic contexts. Given the lengthy and expensive process of novel drug development, repurposing approved drugs offers a cost-effective and expedited approach to cancer treatment. These agents are categorized based on the strength of evidence supporting their efficacy:

• Tier One: Strong evidence supports their use in cancer therapy (e.g., Vitamin D, propranolol, metformin, melatonin, curcumin, ivermectin and fenbendazole).

• Tier Two: Moderate evidence suggests a potential benefit (e.g., doxycycline, resveratrol, low-dose naltrexone).

• Tier Three: Limited evidence exists, warranting further investigation.

• Tier Four: Evidence suggests a lack of efficacy or potential harm, leading to a recommendation against their use.

Notable Repurposed Drugs

• Metformin: Originally used for type 2 diabetes, metformin has shown promise in reducing cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting the mTOR pathway and improving insulin sensitivity.

• Propranolol: A beta-blocker commonly used for hypertension, propranolol has been found to reduce metastatic potential in various cancers by inhibiting stress-induced catecholamine signaling.

• Ivermectin: Traditionally an anti-parasitic, ivermectin has demonstrated anticancer properties through its impact on cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial function.

Integrative Oncology: A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care

Integrative oncology bridges conventional cancer treatment with complementary therapies, emphasizing personalized patient care. The primary objectives of integrative oncology include:

• Symptom Management: Addressing pain, fatigue, and treatment side effects using acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and herbal medicine.

• Lifestyle Modifications: Encouraging exercise, stress reduction techniques, and optimized nutrition to support overall well-being.

• Patient-Centered Care: Engaging patients in shared decision-making and tailoring treatment plans to individual needs and values.

Countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Israel have adopted integrative oncology models where oncologists are trained in both conventional and complementary medicine, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

COVID-19 and Oncogenesis: Emerging Concerns

Recent case reports and epidemiological studies have suggested a potential link between exposure to the COVID-19 spike protein—particularly following mRNA vaccination—and an increase in aggressive “turbo cancers.” Observations include:

• The emergence of highly malignant cancers in younger patients.

• Increased recurrence rates in patients previously in remission.

• Evidence of spike protein localization in tumor tissues.

While research on this topic remains ongoing, it is crucial to investigate potential mechanisms, including immune suppression, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupted DNA repair pathways.

Conclusion

Cancer treatment is at a crossroads. While conventional approaches have made progress, survival improvements remain modest, and the toxicity of standard therapies continues to challenge patient quality of life. Integrative oncology, metabolic therapies, and repurposed pharmaceuticals offer promising adjunctive strategies that warrant further research and clinical implementation. By adopting a more holistic and personalized approach, the future of cancer care may shift towards improved survival, reduced toxicity, and enhanced patient well-being.

Reference: https://imahealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cancer-Care-FLCCC-Dr-Paul-Marik-v2.pdf