SPDT has the following requirements: 1. A Sensitizer. A sensitizer is a molecule that gets preferentially absorbed into cancer cells. When subjected to specific wavelengths of light and sound, the electrons in the sensitizer molecule get stimulated to an "excited" energy level causing the desired biological effect described below. 2. A Sound and Light Source. The range of wavelengths of sound and light used are specific to the sensitizer – in other words, they need to be in the range where they can cause the activation of the sensitizer. While light, by nature, is not penetrative, sound can utilize the water in the body as a carrier to transmit its frequencies deep into the body. As a result, the combination of light and sound allows us to address tumors at various depths in the body. We have also worked to enhance our light technology. Our portable, pulsed LED light source is both easy to use as well as many times more penetrative than a regular light source of the same wavelength.
3. Molecular Oxygen. Using methods such as ozone therapy, oxygen supplements, hyperbaric chambers and direct administration of oxygen, we strive to improve the cellular concentrations of oxygen, a necessary component for the generation of reactive oxygen species explained below. How SPDT Works: The excited sensitizer stimulates the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from molecular oxygen present in the cell. The impact of ROS on cancer cells is very well documented in the literature. The ROS leads the cancer cell to its death by severely increasing the levels of oxidative stress, causing genetic and cell membrane damage. The death of the cancer cells activates the immune system that responds to the call to clean up the debris and attacking the remaining malignant cells that are finally recognized as invaders. SPDT also blocks the formation of new blood vessels (anti-angiogenesis), the crucial conduit for cancer cell nutrition. All these pathways are described and documented extensively in the scientific literature. Our goal here is not to thoroughly review the science of SPDT, but to provide some examples of what is already known about these therapies: The progress of PDT applications has been reviewed extensively: According to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, PDT using the drug Photofrin® (porfimer sodium) has been approved for various applications worldwide (in Canada, bladder and esophageal cancer; in The Netherlands, lung and esophageal cancer; in Japan, early lung cancer; in France, early and late stage lung cancer; in Germany, early lung cancer). Photofrin®-PDT has been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the palliative treatment of advanced esophageal cancer, Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia, advanced lung cancer (obstruction tumors located in the airway), and the treatment of early stage lung cancer (located in the airway) with curative intent.
Researchers have established that photodynamic therapy (PDT) generates a long-term, anti-tumor immune response elicited by phototoxic damage with an intermediate inflammatory stimulus. The scientific basis for the anti-angiogenic effect of PDT is detailed by researchers who have shown that microvascular collapse is readily observed following PDT, and can lead to persistent post-PDT tumor hypoxia.7 While not as extensively investigated as PDT, Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) also has sufficient precedent as a powerful anti-cancer therapy in the scientific literature. In a recent review, the authors describe the various potential mechanisms of SDT that could range from chain peroxidation of membrane lipids, the physical destabilization of the cell membrane, ultrasound induced free radicals and more. 9 Kuroki and co-authors have reviewed a number of sonosensitizers that can be used for sonodynamic therapy in a recent mini-review. Hundreds of other scientific studies have detailed the efficacy of SDT, which will be reviewed elsewhere in future publications.
Clinical Demonstration: The Effect of Sono-Photo Dynamic Therapy on Tumor Vascularity For the many years during which we have implemented SPDT as one of our key treatment protocols, we have accumulating clinical experience that points towards the efficacy of the protocol as a powerful treatment modality for cancer patients. In unpublished work, we have recently evaluated the effect of SPDT on tumor vascularity. Using High Resolution Color Doppler Ultrasound technology, we routinely monitor not just the tumor size for our patients, but also the degree of Sonodynamic therapy of cancer using novel sonosensitizers. Anticancer Research 27:3673-3677. blood flow in the tumor that correlates to the viability of the tumor. The use of this method is increasing rapidly in cancer patients (alongside the use of contrast-enhanced MRI) for the non-invasive but accurate prognosis, therapy monitoring or prediction of therapy success. This study was conducted entirely at Hope4Cancer Institute's Baja California clinic location. A total of 50 randomly selected patients treated at Hope4Cancer between January 2012 and June 2013 were studied. Two treatment modalities, SPDT and the BX Protocol, were evaluated as independent treatments, or in a combined protocol. The cancer and gender distribution for the study is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2. Gender and Cancer Distribution in Vascularity Study.
The patients were monitored once before and a second time at the end of their stay at the clinic (average of 2-3 weeks). The following chart (Figure 3) shows the drastic reduction in vascularity demonstrating, in particular, the powerful effect of SPDT (Figure 3) where the average reduction of vascularity was over 53.8%.
Conclusion The integration of science-based treatments into traditional natural medicine enables us to provide powerful evidence-based treatment protocols to cancer patients without inducing negative toxicity-induced side effects. As alternative cancer treatments continue to improve, we can envision a world where cancer is treated effectively using combination protocols that take into account the diversity of stimuli that affect the growth and recurrence of cancer.