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metastatic melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › metastatic melanoma

  • Post
    • December 1, 2010 at 6:51 pm
    redbaron0511
    Participant

      I have recently been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma,  May of 2010, and was wondering if anybody has any information on the use of LDN ( low dose naltrexone)? I've been doing some research on this interesting drug, which was FDA approved in the 80's for use in treating drug and alcohol addiction, at the 50mg dosage. There are a few dr's that are working with the dosage of 1mg-4.5mg, and are having pretty good results. I went to my oncologist with some info on LDN, but he acted like I never even brought the subject up.

      I have recently been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma,  May of 2010, and was wondering if anybody has any information on the use of LDN ( low dose naltrexone)? I've been doing some research on this interesting drug, which was FDA approved in the 80's for use in treating drug and alcohol addiction, at the 50mg dosage. There are a few dr's that are working with the dosage of 1mg-4.5mg, and are having pretty good results. I went to my oncologist with some info on LDN, but he acted like I never even brought the subject up. I can understand his reluctance as LDN is considered to be an off brand treatment.

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    • Replies
        • December 1, 2010 at 10:04 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          I know nothing about LDN, but do a search in the archives.  (Spell out the words for the search).  I have seen posts about this before over the years.  Not a lot, but it has been discussed before.

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          • December 1, 2010 at 10:04 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            I know nothing about LDN, but do a search in the archives.  (Spell out the words for the search).  I have seen posts about this before over the years.  Not a lot, but it has been discussed before.

            Best wishes,

            Janner

            • December 2, 2010 at 1:52 am
            MichaelFL
            Participant

              Myself as well as others have commented on this in the recent past. If you wist to read some of the posts go to:

              http://www.melanoma.org/community/archived-mrf-bulletin-board

              and type in Naltrexone.

              I would also like to make you aware that there are currently no clinical trials (at clinicatrials.gov) involving this drug in relation to melanoma.

              I also mentioned Naltrexone in a post on the 26th of Jan 2010.

              Per the post: (and as you stated) It was approved by the FDA in 1984 for the purpose of helping heroin or opium addicts by blocking the effect of such drugs through the receptors of the brain.

              There are also many trials currently for the Naltrexone drug, mostly for alcohol and drug dependency, and a few others such as smoking, bipolar disorder, and even breast cancer, but none for melanoma. (the drug itself is cheap and generic so there is no industry interest in funding formal trials for melanoma)

              For what it's worth, be aware that Quackwatch currently lists it as a dubious treatment for cancer, and it sounds like this is merely a (educated?) guess for melanoma, but it is supposed to boost the immune system, the side-effects are minimal, and it is readily available and at such a reasonably low cost, so I guess the choice is up to you to give it a try? Just make sure it does not disqualify you from the trial you are talking about.

              Michael

                • December 2, 2010 at 5:55 am
                dian in spokane
                Participant

                  Michael, bless you! I want to thank you for continuing to be such a valuable resource here.

                  I have been completely unable to master the skills necessary for searching the archives since the board changed over. Every time I try to look for something I KNOW is there, I get frustrated.

                  Thanks for all you contribute around here.

                  Dian

                  • December 2, 2010 at 5:55 am
                  dian in spokane
                  Participant

                    Michael, bless you! I want to thank you for continuing to be such a valuable resource here.

                    I have been completely unable to master the skills necessary for searching the archives since the board changed over. Every time I try to look for something I KNOW is there, I get frustrated.

                    Thanks for all you contribute around here.

                    Dian

                  • December 2, 2010 at 1:52 am
                  MichaelFL
                  Participant

                    Myself as well as others have commented on this in the recent past. If you wist to read some of the posts go to:

                    http://www.melanoma.org/community/archived-mrf-bulletin-board

                    and type in Naltrexone.

                    I would also like to make you aware that there are currently no clinical trials (at clinicatrials.gov) involving this drug in relation to melanoma.

                    I also mentioned Naltrexone in a post on the 26th of Jan 2010.

                    Per the post: (and as you stated) It was approved by the FDA in 1984 for the purpose of helping heroin or opium addicts by blocking the effect of such drugs through the receptors of the brain.

                    There are also many trials currently for the Naltrexone drug, mostly for alcohol and drug dependency, and a few others such as smoking, bipolar disorder, and even breast cancer, but none for melanoma. (the drug itself is cheap and generic so there is no industry interest in funding formal trials for melanoma)

                    For what it's worth, be aware that Quackwatch currently lists it as a dubious treatment for cancer, and it sounds like this is merely a (educated?) guess for melanoma, but it is supposed to boost the immune system, the side-effects are minimal, and it is readily available and at such a reasonably low cost, so I guess the choice is up to you to give it a try? Just make sure it does not disqualify you from the trial you are talking about.

                    Michael

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