The Medical Advisor

In a follow-up investigation into the multibillion-dollar drug ticagrelor, The BMJ has uncovered fresh concerns, this time in key platelet studies used in its FDA approval. For more than a decade, ticagrelor (Brilinta in the US and Brilique in Europe) has been recommended for patients with acute coronary syndrome—a range of conditions related to sudden reduced blood flow to the heart. Last December, an investigation by The BMJ found serious data integrity problems in the landmark clinical trial (PLATO) that was used to gain worldwide approval for ticagrelor, calling into question the drug's advantage over cheaper rivals. Now, as generic versions of the drug prepare to launch this year,  The BMJ  has expanded its investigation, looking at two key platelet studies that AstraZeneca claimed explained ticagrelor's ability to treat  acute coronary syndrome  successfully. It finds that the "primary endpoint" results (the trial's key measurement) for both  clinical tri...

Summary of the anti-cancer pathways of the repurposed drugs and nutraceuticals Some drugs that were originally made for other health issues are now being used to treat cancer. Here are a few examples: > Mebendazole:  Originally used to treat parasites, this drug has shown promise in treating brain tumors and other cancers.  A wide variety of cancers, including NSCLC (non small cell lung cancer), adrenocortical, colorectal, chemo-resistant melanoma, glioblastoma multiforme, colon, leukemia, osteosarcoma/soft tissue sarcoma, acute myeloid sarcoma, breast (ER+ invasive ductal), kidney, and ovarian carcinoma, have been shown to be responsive to benzimidazoles, including MBZ ( Guerini 2019 ,  Meco 2023 ).  First-in-the-World Ivermectin, Mebendazole and Fenbendazole Protocol in Cancer has been peer-reviewed and published on Sep.19, 2024 in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. Co-authors include Dr Paul Marik and Dr William Makis:  Targeting the Mitochondrial-St...

Contents Ivermectin revolutionised veterinary medicine and arguably stabilized the world’s food supply. Ivermectin is active against the FLU and RSV. Ivermectin reduces inflammation throughout the body. Improves the gastrointestinal microbiome by boosting levels of the probiotic Bifidobacterium. May help with athletic and sports performance by boosting cellular energy output in the heart. Ivermectin has profound anti-cancer properties. Introduction Inspired anew by my podcast with my friend Dr. Kory (who must be considered the world’s expert on the use of Ivermectin in COVID), I wanted to share some summary insights with you about this truly astonishing medication. I like to call it “The People’s Medicine.” Why? Well consider for yourself.. From humble origins being discovered in a soil sample near a golf course in Japan (NB: still the only place in the world it has been found), this little natural medicine has benefited human health like few others in history. For good reason the Nobe...

Patients with lupus have an imbalance in a crucial chemical pathway in their bodies, according to a Nature study published on Wednesday. Researchers found  (Nature) that this imbalance produces more disease-causing cells that promote lupus. If this chemical imbalance can be corrected, they believe lupus can be reversed. Current lupus treatments often target symptoms or broadly suppress the immune system, leading to side effects. The researchers believe targeting the specific chemical imbalance identified could more effectively treat lupus without systemic immunosuppression interventions. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissues and organs, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. There is currently no cure for lupus. A Surprising ‘Molecular Switch’ The chemical that researchers identified is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). AHR is a key protein involved in the imbalance of immune cells in lupus patien...

In April 2025, doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering  published results  (NEJM 2025) showing a monoclonal antibody treatment that's typically reserved for advanced-stage mismatch repair-deficient rectal tumors can completely replace chemo in earlier stages of disease. "What was amazing, and is still amazing, is that all the patients in the rectal group had a complete response to just immunotherapy," Dr. Andrea Cercek, a medical oncologist at MSK, told BI during ASCO. "Everyone's organs were completely preserved — very minimal toxicity." The  form of immunotherapy  used in the trial, called  Jemperli  (dostarlimab) and produced by the drug company GSK, received the FDA’s “Breakthrough Therapy Designation” on December 16, 2024, for treating people with a particular type of rectal cancer.  The  FDA says this breakthrough designation  aims to “expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition” where clinica...