Luteolin and Dog Cancer, Continued
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: April 27th, 2020
Summary
A look at the cutting edge, new bioflavoniod luteolin, its application in cancer treatment, and a source.
This is the follow up to the last post about luteolin, a bioflavonoid found in several plants (celery, perilla, artichoke, peanut hull, chrysanthemum and others).
This stuff has a whole slew of literature supporting it’s use for cancer.
It is so new though that not many have heard of it in this country.
I have been using it with dogs with cancer and have been impressed with some of the results. This of course is my clinical opinion, and is not meant to be a blanket recommendation.
Why did I get interested? Well, the evidence in rodents and people point to some really good stuff! And to top it off, there seems to be harmony with chemotherapy agents. Read on!
Cancers with a molecule on the outside of their cells called HER are pretty resistant to chemo. Luteolin showed it could decrease the tumors in rodents with these tough cancers. Here’s the link.
Luteolin also was able to decrease prostate cancer cell growth in mice, as well as oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Check out this article here
I found another article that showed the same for liver cancer cells. See for yourself!
For more helpful tools and information, get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide
So we have multiple different cancers all responding to luteolin in mice, and based on my research no significant adverse effects in 26 dogs so far. This is not that many in the broad scheme of things, but is pretty darned good anyway.
And this was all when it was given by mouth, in living bodies, not test tube or petri dishes, and not injected…
Finally, chemo effects were actually enhanced with cisplatin (read more), doxorubicin, and the human chemo drug paxlitaxe.
Luteolin is found in Apocaps, which was created for my patients and is now available.
As always, discuss medical decisions with your vet or oncologist before action, and I hope this helps!
Best,
Dr Dressler
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
I found this discussion after I purchased some Lutimax (I’d read about it in your book). The label doesn’t say what amount of xylitol is contained in each capsule. I’d rather not risk cumulative damage to my dog’s liver, especially at a time when he’s fighting osteosarcoma.
The nice folks at Lutimax accepted a return of the product and sent me a xylitol-free powdered luteolin instead.
Hello again. My 4-1/2 year old boxer, Pugsley (weighs in at 90lbs.), was previously diagnosed with a grade 2 MCT tumor on his rear leg (inoperable due to the location) and a small MTC on his ear. He was also diagnosed with a tumor in his testicles and after castration, this tumor was diagnosed as a malignant hemangiosarcoma. Dr. Lisa Fulton at MedVet in Columbus, OH says that this type of tumor in the testicle is so very rare (basically unheard of!) that there are no published papers or research on them. The lab still has the tumor. My local vet is confidant that he got all of the tumor, but Dr. Fulton is concerned about it metastisizing, but right now there is no evidence of this. I am waiting for test results from a CBC, urinalysis, chest x-ray and ultrasound. If all is well, MedVet wants to put Pugsley in a phase 2 double blind clinical trial for Pax 2 (2 out of 3 dogs get Pax 2, one gets CCNU, don’t know who got what until the trial is over). While I hope Pugsley gets into the trial (and receives the Pax 2, seems to be very promising with MCT) I would like to know what I can do to give him the best chance of overcoming this. I can’t afford the Lutimax, so I have been looking for other options. Dr. Fulton recommended Omega 3 fish oil and 75 mg. daily of Benadryl. She also indicated that giving him Turmeric wouldn’t hurt. She also said that the research on Luteolin was just beginning. I was thinking of lightly sauteing some broccoli, celery, parsley (all high in luteolin content), chicken liver and tomato in virgin olive oil and adding this as a supplement to his food. I would like an opinion before I do this. How much should I give him daily? Is any of this harmful to him? I just want to give him the best chance that I can. Any thoughts? Thanks so very much.
Also looking for other sources. Xylitol is highly toxic and so obviously we want to avoid it!
http://www.aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/xylitol.pdf (ASPCA peer-reviewed article on xylitol)
Mel,
Nice work on your research. One little detail though- you need to look at amounts. Table salt is highly toxic too, given enough, and so is water, which I am drinking right now 🙂 kidding, but in all seriousness the amounts in Lutimax are very low relative to the toxic levels needed. However,
another source is Apocaps, which is what I use in my own patients. It is not yet widely available, but will be soon:
http://www.apocaps.com/order/
Best,
D
Dear Dr. Dressler,
We just purchased your book today and I am a bit confused. The chapter where you discuss the use of Luteolin. You mention that we are to implement at least two to the Full Spectrum Approach. Does this mean that we are to use only two of the suggested supplements or are we to implement Luteolin, Curcumin, EGCG and Artemisinin all at the same time. My dog was just diagnosed with Lymphoma and I would like to start him on the Full Spectrum Approach a.s.a.p. I’m also thinking of starting him on Prednisone, is it okay for him to take Prednisone together with all the other supplements??
Sincerely, Alicia
Dear Alicia,
The strategy is to use two of the “Big Gun” supplements at the same time. Acceptable combos are EGCG and Curcumin, luteolin and Curcumin. The artemisinin can be used with either or by itself.
As usual, please make sure your veterinarian is involved in your pet’s treatments as he or she knows your friend’s unique needs…
Just bring the book to your vet and have he or she read the safety sections of the individual supplements to make sure there are no reasons to avoid one or the other. Curcumin and luteolin have some anti inflammatory effects and your if your pet has a sensitive stomach or ulcers pred should perhaps be avoided with these two, but that will vary depending on your individual dog. Severe interactions are rare.
Best
Dr D
Dr. Dressler, I know this is the dog cancer blog, but wasn’t sure where else to post my question since it involves luteolin and dogs. My 4 year old Pug has just been diagnosed with Pug Dog Encephalitis. As I am sure you are aware, this is a fatal disease which is immune mediated. I discovered luteolin while doing a search for natural supplements that aid treatment of encephalitis in humans. My question is, do you think it would be safe to give Apocaps to my dog? He will start treatment of corticosteroids, anti seizure meds, and immunosuppressive drugs this week. Just wanted to ensure Apocaps will not hurt instead of aid.
I swear by Transfer Factor, I have been using it on another Pug that suffers from chronic active hepatitis with great success, but I am hesitant to use it on this Pug with encephalitis, however, I would consider using something like Apocaps instead.
I am very interested in luteolin for my dog, however Lutimax contains the sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Any other good sources?
I’ve seen your discussion on Lutimax (for humans), and intend to use it with upcoming chemo for our standard poodle with lymphoma, along with K9 immunity, omega-3s, ginger, and cimetidine (and possibly ALC or CoQ10. I’m unclear on dosage for Lutimax–are the recommendations in your book for luteolin content, or for the Lutimax pill itself?
Many thanks
bob
Do you have any opinion about this supplement LutiMax http://www.lutimax.com? And, have you visited the Luteolin website?
Dr. Dressler,
Been reading about lutimax- just wondering on how to figure dosage of the powder to give to my dog with mast cell tumor- my veterinarian was unable to answer my question about it. He didn’t even know what it was. Thanks
Janet
Dear Janet
I am sorry to hear this news. 🙁
I would be using a blend of apoptogens instead of a single one. Cancer cells become resistant which is why we use multiple methods to try to keep them at bay for longer periods, along with diet changes, anti metatstatics, and conventional care (chemo, surgery, etc)
I hope this helps. You can read more if you like in the Guide.
D
Krishna, you can buy it from SynoRX in the form of Lutimax. Of course, discuss with your vet!
More in the upcoming e-book,
D
Dear K,,
Our schnauzer Benny has had a reccurrence of MCT as well.He has a lump on his back which is not shrinking with the prednisone he is presently taking (15 mg. every other day.) He has been taking Artemisinin for over 8 months and is on CANINE LIFE MUFFINS (cancer formula) which contain many beneficial ingredients and Luteolin is one of these ingredients. He also takes salmon capsules, reishi mushrooms, modified citrus pectin. If you would be interested in the MUFFINS here is the link to their website:http://cancer.landofpuregold.com/nutrition-diet.htm
We are not ready to “give up either” since Benny is only 6 and the best dog ever. Terrible, stressful disease, this cancer.
We don’t know what else we can do.
Joanne
w4ddd@earthlink.net. Have you heard any information on Graviola use in dog cancer. My Westie 9yrs old has TCC Bladder Cancer is on 2 mg of piroxicam and K9 Immunity daily. I am starting dog on N-Tense with graviola from Rain Tree. Human dose is 2 capsules 3-4 times a day. Am using 1/2 capsule twice a day for 17 lb dog. Checked with VET and giving graviola with piroxicam was ok to do. Dont know if you reply to these as I dont see any place to put in a e mail address. We decided not to go the chemo route. Purdue Univ shows this type of canacer with more longevity using just piroxicam and we just did not want to put the lil dog thru chemo.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11835443?ordinalpos=19&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
This is a publication linking graviola to a resistant form of parkingson’s disease. Don’t know if it has the same effect in dogs but I would avoid it to be safe, personally.
Thanks
D
Dr Dressler do you still recommend fish oils for dogs with mast cell tumors? I was wondering because of the histamine in fish . Thanks Tracie
Dear Tracie-
great question. I’ll often start with krill oil instead.
D
Dr. Dressler: On January 2, 2009, my 5 year old german shepherd began ammassed a belly full of fluid. This dog has always been healthy and energetic. I rushed him the local vet who Xrayed him and had me rush him 90 miles away to a special clinic that could remove the fluid around his heart. In two days the fluid in his abdomen and he is back to his old fun self. Of course I am keeping his quiet until our next appointment. The test results came back with a small cluster of mesotheolioma in the pericardial sac. There is no thickening around the pericardial sac and he has not been around asbestos. The prognosis is bleak but I refuse to give up. I don’t want him to suffer through the chemo or radiation. The vets tell me that removal of the pericardial sac will give him some relief from fluids, but he will die soon with or without treatment. I am in Newport News, VA. Can you recommend resources that can help me give my Piper a chance. Ray Furr
Ray, this bad news saddens me. There is a surprising amount of asbestos in many municipal water supplies, you may want to check this out.
Did they do an ultrasound?? Hemangiosarcoma is more common statistically, but if they got the cancer cells….likely that is the diagnosis. An old buddy of mine, Matt Antkowiak, runs the ER at South Paws, which is at least in the vague geographic area you are. This is a solid hospital.
Did the vet give some medication to manage the congestive heart failure (pimobendan, benazepril, furosemide, etc)? This would be to help the heart compensate for the harmful effects of the tumor.
D