My PC summary: Metastatic prostate cancer diagnosed in Nov. 2018. Low PSA (4.68), but high Gleason scores (9's and 10's). Currently on Eligard and soon to start Docetaxel. May add Abiraterone along with the Doce.
Duke researchers have shown in new research that one olfactory receptor plays a critical role in the progression of prostate cancer. They found that activating an olfactory receptor called OR51E2 in prostate cancer cells caused the cancer to morph into the more aggressive, ‘castration-resistant’ form of the disease.
The finding suggests that taking the opposite approach -- blocking the receptor with specific molecules, or perhaps even with specific scents -- could provide a new way to treat prostate cancer.
What led me to research this topic and find this article?
Over the past two weeks, I have noticed a marked change in my sense of smell. It has become more acute and seems to "overstate" the smell. I've noticed it mostly with food.
Additionally:
I found this study particularly interesting, because along with my change in smell I am reasonably confident that my PC is also progressing. This would cross-foot with the suggestions made in the article. A final determination has not been made yet (new PET scan scheduled), but it appears that I may have become castrate resistant, even though it has only been two months since the start of Eligard. I have several reasons for thinking my PC has progressed, including results from a CT scan from a recent ER visit, which showed some bad stuff on my liver compared to the scans taken in November. RO confirmed this week that it is possible that the PC has spread to my liver. My liver enzymes were also double the top of range. Also, I've been feeling horrible, which is new, and my PSA "probably" just increased from .53 to 1.2, although I can't be certain that the increase wasn't due to the lab used.
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Skipper238
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That is really odd because just after halfway through my husbands chemo schedule of 6 infusions and around four months after starting firmagon, I noticed that his sense of smell had improved. The scan taken after infusion three was good but then the cancer spread even during the chemo and coinciding with the better sense of smell.
Olfactory receptors (ORs) are expressed not only in the sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium, where they detect volatile substances, but also in various other tissues where their potential functions are largely unknown. Here, we report the physiological characterization of human OR51E2, also named prostate-specific G-protein-coupled receptor (PSGR) due to its reported up-regulation in prostate cancer. We identified androstenone derivatives as ligands for the recombinant receptor. PSGR can also be activated with the odorant β-ionone. Activation of the endogenous receptor in prostate cancer cells by the identified ligands evoked an intracellular Ca2+ increase. Exposure to β-ionone resulted in the activation of members of the MAPK family and inhibition of cell proliferation. Our data give support to the hypothesis that because PSGR signaling could reduce growth of prostate cancer cells, specific receptor ligands might therefore be potential candidates for prostate cancer treatment.
When I saw this article in 2018, I implemented (in my daily routine) to smell every evening Bergamot oil. I‘m still castration sensitiv after 2 y ADT, Abi + Prednisone. But this is certainly no proof of this theory. I think due to the observations above, I will do this now several times during the day. Let’s see what happens…
bwochf, have you thought about the citrus bergamott capsules, that include the flavonoids brutieridin and melitidin (BMF) that may target cancer stem cells? One 500 mg capsule apparently equals about one bergamott fruit. No idea how the BMF content measures up against that of the apparently mainly preclinical trial you linked to, with its intricate processing to extract the two flavonoids.
In vitro studies often translate dismally to humans, but the odds could improve with BMF:s link to statins and a fast search gives some evidence of other (associated?) health benefits in humans.
I am unsure how much science there is behind the Tippens protocol. But the many anecdotal reports and the case study report by the Stanford reseachers, together with the benign side effect profile, makes me go for it.
Your comments are interesting. But I think your proposal with the bruteridin & melitidin flavonoids is a slightly different approach, which will probably not be directed to the olfactory receptors. Due to the fact that the Duke scientists mentioned that perhaps specific scents could block the olfactory receptors, I will follow the „scents route“. Therefore, scents like rose essential oil (see above Graham49), Bergamot oil, etc. seem to me most appropriate.
But I have to admit, my approach is based on hoping and not on knowing…
Indeed, the Duke article is about olfactory receptors which gives the scents route.I believe the article you linked to was mainly about bruteridin and melitidin and their potential in inhibiting some key characteristics of cancer stem cells. If I have not misunderstood?
This sparked my interest in the bergamott fruit, which includes those flavonoids.
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Consider that it is observational and sponsored by Bayer but...Darolutamide Bests Other Androgen Receptor Inhibitors in nmCRPC
Castration resistance
