calcium channel blockers make PCa hormone resistant?

hopeful and optimistic
hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,339 Member
I heard a talk or read a book by Dr. C. "Snuffy" Myers where he discussed various blood pressure meds.

"Calcium Channel blockers...makes prostate cancer hormone resistant

GOOD BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS

Ace inhibitors, 30% reduction in diabetes, can cause PSA to drop

ARB's are even better meds than Ace Inhibitors

NOT GOOD BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS

Beta blockers(prevents burning fat and cut perpromance)...exception: Bistolic"

Since I take a calcium channel blocker, and might be interested in taking Avodart, I mentioned to my GP that "Calcium Channel blockers...makes prostate cancer hormone resistant, per Myers" He asked me to cite the source. Can use some help(and/or input)...... since I am having a problem locating the source .........Thanks

Comments

  • caseyh
    caseyh Member Posts: 63
    This is close
    Ca-channel blockers blunt androgen ablation PSA response
    Myrick SE, Panov AV, Graham SD, Jr., et al.
    J Urol 159:132A, 1998.

    Abstract Conclusion: “Calcium channel blocker medications reduce the number of
    prostate cancer patients responding to androgen ablation by GnRH
    agonists as measured by PSA response.”
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,638 Member
    Alarming Thread
    Hopeful

    Most of the info related to CCBs in PCa has links to Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer, which classification you have not.

    I read some articles on the matter at Dr. Myers Prostate Forum (www.prostateforum.com). The info is reliable but many doctors do not agree with Myers’s findings. Studies published at pubmed.gov, on the relationship between the calcium channels blockers and risks with cancer are not so compelling and your doctor may disregard them if you pass him a link.
    Here are two of them;
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9880123
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19067188

    I have been taking both drugs you comment as bad and good. Adalat 30, a calcium channel blocker and Diovan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). ARBs antagonists are preferred and recommended by Dr. Myers in patients on HT.

    You probably know that Dr. Charles Myers has been a researcher in his life, extensible to his times at NCI where he was a scientist. He is a medical oncologist, biologist and nutrition expert and wrote books and many papers published in major medical journals. He is respected worldwide and there should be no reason for your doctor to doubt any of his affirmations.

    In the Prostate Forum you can find some references to blood pressure medications/drugs, with comments regarding the “calcium channels” to which one can read; “During androgen withdrawal, calcium channels must open for cancer cell death to occur”.
    He also comment about the benefit in blocking the Angiotensin Receptor saying this; “Angiotensin II makes prostate cancer cells grow more rapidly.”, and “Angiotensin may act to replace testosterone in hormone refractory prostate cancer”, (meaning that the cancer would mutate and start feeding on another androgen, in this case on aldosterone which is manufactured by the adrenal glands and that helps in avoiding anemia).

    In summary, blocking what is not good would achieve two purposes; care for hypertension and help in the cancer treatment. But not in avoiding it.

    Some drugs interfere with the body’s ability (at liver) to clear prescription drugs. Too much of unneeded stuff may cause variations to the worse. Antagonists can prejudice treatments using several chemicals at the same time and interaction is dangerous.
    You may also be interested in this study where they comment that the Angiotensin Receptor has no role in the androgens activity but that low levels of serum testosterone may act together to the risk of cancer mutation from androgen sensitive to androgen refractory.
    http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork/ny0403/03_4637ny0403_18_26.pdf

    At PCRI you can also read some references. Here is the link to their Insights;
    http://web.me.com/gcmain4/News,_Views_and_Testemonials/PCRI_Insights.html

    Regards
    VGama
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,339 Member

    Alarming Thread
    Hopeful

    Most of the info related to CCBs in PCa has links to Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer, which classification you have not.

    I read some articles on the matter at Dr. Myers Prostate Forum (www.prostateforum.com). The info is reliable but many doctors do not agree with Myers’s findings. Studies published at pubmed.gov, on the relationship between the calcium channels blockers and risks with cancer are not so compelling and your doctor may disregard them if you pass him a link.
    Here are two of them;
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9880123
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19067188

    I have been taking both drugs you comment as bad and good. Adalat 30, a calcium channel blocker and Diovan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). ARBs antagonists are preferred and recommended by Dr. Myers in patients on HT.

    You probably know that Dr. Charles Myers has been a researcher in his life, extensible to his times at NCI where he was a scientist. He is a medical oncologist, biologist and nutrition expert and wrote books and many papers published in major medical journals. He is respected worldwide and there should be no reason for your doctor to doubt any of his affirmations.

    In the Prostate Forum you can find some references to blood pressure medications/drugs, with comments regarding the “calcium channels” to which one can read; “During androgen withdrawal, calcium channels must open for cancer cell death to occur”.
    He also comment about the benefit in blocking the Angiotensin Receptor saying this; “Angiotensin II makes prostate cancer cells grow more rapidly.”, and “Angiotensin may act to replace testosterone in hormone refractory prostate cancer”, (meaning that the cancer would mutate and start feeding on another androgen, in this case on aldosterone which is manufactured by the adrenal glands and that helps in avoiding anemia).

    In summary, blocking what is not good would achieve two purposes; care for hypertension and help in the cancer treatment. But not in avoiding it.

    Some drugs interfere with the body’s ability (at liver) to clear prescription drugs. Too much of unneeded stuff may cause variations to the worse. Antagonists can prejudice treatments using several chemicals at the same time and interaction is dangerous.
    You may also be interested in this study where they comment that the Angiotensin Receptor has no role in the androgens activity but that low levels of serum testosterone may act together to the risk of cancer mutation from androgen sensitive to androgen refractory.
    http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork/ny0403/03_4637ny0403_18_26.pdf

    At PCRI you can also read some references. Here is the link to their Insights;
    http://web.me.com/gcmain4/News,_Views_and_Testemonials/PCRI_Insights.html

    Regards
    VGama

    Casey, Vasco
    Thank you for the responses.

    Since Imy knowledge is very limited about hormone therapy, it took me some time to go through the responses.

    Vasco, please excuse this basic question, you mentioned,

    "In the Prostate Forum you can find some references to blood pressure medications/drugs, with comments regarding the “calcium channels” to which one can read; “During androgen withdrawal, calcium channels must open for cancer cell death to occur”.
    He also comment about the benefit in blocking the Angiotensin Receptor saying this; “Angiotensin II makes prostate cancer cells grow more rapidly.”, and “Angiotensin may act to replace testosterone in hormone refractory prostate cancer”, "

    I went to Dr. Myers prostate forum site; a I was not able to figure out how to find this information(or any information) at the site...I wonder if you can spell out how I can document the above.

    Thanks
  • VascodaGama
    VascodaGama Member Posts: 3,638 Member

    Casey, Vasco
    Thank you for the responses.

    Since Imy knowledge is very limited about hormone therapy, it took me some time to go through the responses.

    Vasco, please excuse this basic question, you mentioned,

    "In the Prostate Forum you can find some references to blood pressure medications/drugs, with comments regarding the “calcium channels” to which one can read; “During androgen withdrawal, calcium channels must open for cancer cell death to occur”.
    He also comment about the benefit in blocking the Angiotensin Receptor saying this; “Angiotensin II makes prostate cancer cells grow more rapidly.”, and “Angiotensin may act to replace testosterone in hormone refractory prostate cancer”, "

    I went to Dr. Myers prostate forum site; a I was not able to figure out how to find this information(or any information) at the site...I wonder if you can spell out how I can document the above.

    Thanks

    CCBs and ARBs
    Hopeful

    You may find his opinions on CCBs and ARBs in several issues. You can find that at the;
    Volume 9 Issue Number 12 – Dostinex, Vitamins & Angiotensin Receptor Blockers,
    Volume 12 Issue Number 4 – Mediterranean Diet, BPA & Plastics, Arthritis & Calcium, & More
    Volume 11 Issue Number 1 – High Cholesterol & Prostate Cancer Progression
    Volume 11 Issue Number 5 – Effects of Medications for Other Diseases

    Casey above also refers to a study on CCBs in HT patients. Here is a link to a discussion on the matter;
    http://www.health-forums.com/alt-support-cancer-prostate/question-about-calcium-channel-blockers-23677.html

    I hope this guides you to what you are looking for.

    Best
    VG
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,339 Member

    CCBs and ARBs
    Hopeful

    You may find his opinions on CCBs and ARBs in several issues. You can find that at the;
    Volume 9 Issue Number 12 – Dostinex, Vitamins & Angiotensin Receptor Blockers,
    Volume 12 Issue Number 4 – Mediterranean Diet, BPA & Plastics, Arthritis & Calcium, & More
    Volume 11 Issue Number 1 – High Cholesterol & Prostate Cancer Progression
    Volume 11 Issue Number 5 – Effects of Medications for Other Diseases

    Casey above also refers to a study on CCBs in HT patients. Here is a link to a discussion on the matter;
    http://www.health-forums.com/alt-support-cancer-prostate/question-about-calcium-channel-blockers-23677.html

    I hope this guides you to what you are looking for.

    Best
    VG

    Thank you
    for helping me.