What is LDN? It is a lower dosage of the FDA-approved drug, naltrexone which is used to treat heroin and opium addiction by blocking the body’s opioid.

Low Dose Naltrexone

Elizabeth PhanEnglish 101 Section 08Final Research Project

What is LDN?

• It is a lower dosage of the FDA-approved drug, naltrexone which is used to treat heroin and opium addiction by blocking the body’s opioid receptors that causes euphoria

• It was discovered by Dr. Bernard Bihari, MD– He found that when naltrexone is used at a low

dose (1.5-4.5mg), instead of blocking the opioid receptors, their numbers and strength increases, producing opioids which in turn, help regulate the body’s natural immune defense system

How would LDN help benefit cancer patients on island?

Is cancer actually a big issue here?

Cancer in the CNMI

• In an article by Moneth Deposa in Saipan Tribune, according to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp, as of 2010, non-communicable diseases are part of the Top 5 causes of death in the CNMI and among these NCDs, cancer is the number one killer on the islands

Cultural Heritage

• In an academic journal on cultural alteration of human teeth in the CNMI, excavations at the Academy Gym site located in Guam unearthed four skeletal remains of individuals estimated to be from earlier than the year 1521. Dental studies conducted on the remains of all subjects show signs of dark reddish-brown staining, evidence of areca nut chewing (Ikehara & Douglas, 1997, p. 386).

Interview: Johnny S. Aldan

• What is the most common form of cancer here?– Oral cancer followed by cervical cancer

• Do we have treatment here? For what type of cancer?– Chemotherapy treatment

• What happens if there is not treatment for a particular form of cancer on island?– Refer patient off island; Philippines or Hawaii

• Is there a possibility of importing or bringing new medication for treatment here?– Yes

A Work in Progress

These are the types of cancers that have been reported to respond to LDN according to Dr. Bernard Bihari:

• Bladder Cancer• Breast Cancer• Carcinoid• Colon & Rectal Cancer• Glioblastoma• Liver Cancer• Lung Cancer (Non-Small Cell)• Lymphocytic Leukemia (chronic)• Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's)• Malignant Melanoma• Multiple Myeloma• Neuroblastoma• Ovarian Cancer• Pancreatic Cancer• Prostate Cancer (untreated)• Renal Cell Carcinoma• Throat Cancer• Uterine Cancer

HPV, an STD that often cervical cancer, can also cause head and neck cancers

Although oral cancer is not listed here, LDN can treat some cancers related to or that can be caused by oral cancer

Since LDN has still not been clinically tested, it leaves open opportunities to finding more diseases it can treat

What I learned? What would I have done different?

References

Aldan, Johnny S. (2013, December 1). Personal Interview with G. Ngiraibuuch.

Deposa, Moneth. (2013, January 28). “CHCC: 90 deaths due to NCDs noted in 2010.” Saipan

Tribune. Retrieved from http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?

cat=1&newsID=124862.

Gluck, David. (n.d.). LDN and Cancer. Retrieved from

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/ldn_and_cancer.htm.

Ikehara-Quebral, Rona & Douglas, Michele Toomay. (1997). Cultural Alteration of Human Teeth in

the Mariana Islands. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 104, 381-391. Retrieved

November 29, 2013, from

http://www.academia.edu/2511708/Cultural_alteration_of_human_teeth_in_the_Mariana

_Islands.