**Dichloroacetate (DCA)** is a small molecule that’s been studied for its potential **anti-cancer effects**, especially due to its ability to target **cancer cell metabolism**.
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### **Mechanism of Action**
DCA works by shifting how cells use energy:
#### **1. Inhibits Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase (PDK):**
– PDK blocks the enzyme **pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)**.
– By **inhibiting PDK**, DCA **reactivates PDH**, which forces cells to switch from **glycolysis (sugar fermentation)** to **oxidative phosphorylation** (mitochondrial respiration).
#### **2. Why That Matters in Cancer:**
– Many cancer cells rely on the **Warburg Effect**: they ferment glucose even in the presence of oxygen.
– This helps them survive and resist apoptosis.
– DCA **disrupts this metabolic advantage** and pushes cancer cells toward **apoptosis (cell death)**.
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### **Additional Effects**
– May **reduce lactate production** in tumors, which is involved in immune suppression and metastasis.
– Can **restore mitochondrial function** in some cancer cells.
– Might **sensitize tumors** to other treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation, or hyperthermia).
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### **Evidence**
– **Preclinical data** (cell and animal studies): promising across many cancers (glioblastoma, prostate, colon, breast).
– **Limited human trials**: mostly small, off-label, or experimental.
– Some anecdotal evidence in **integrative oncology** clinics.
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### **Dosing and Safety**
– Doses vary: typically **10–50 mg/kg/day** in divided doses.
– **Main side effect:** **peripheral neuropathy** (numbness, tingling in extremities), which can be reduced by adding **thiamine (vitamin B1)**.
– **Liver enzymes** may rise in some cases — periodic monitoring is important.
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### **Legal & Availability**
– Not FDA-approved for cancer.
– Available **as a research chemical** or in **compounded form** from some integrative medicine providers.
– Use should be **supervised**, especially with other mitochondrial agents (like Methylene Blue).
