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Case Reports
. 2011 Aug;14(8):973-7.
doi: 10.1089/jpm.2010.0472. Epub 2011 Apr 12.

Use of oral dichloroacetate for palliation of leg pain arising from metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma: a case report

Akbar Khan  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Use of oral dichloroacetate for palliation of leg pain arising from metastatic poorly differentiated carcinoma: a case report

Akbar Khan. J Palliat Med. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Dichloroacetate sodium (DCA) is a nonproprietary drug currently used for treatment of inherited mitochondrial diseases. It was discovered in 2007 that DCA promotes human cancer cell death by a novel mechanism. Soon after this discovery, physicians began using DCA off-label for cancer treatment in a palliative setting. A case report is presented of a 71-year-old male with poorly differentiated carcinoma of unknown primary metastatic to the right leg and liver who achieved excellent palliation of leg pain by using oral DCA after failing conventional therapy.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
MRI showing right calf tumor (single arrow) and subcutaneous edema (double arrow).
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
CT showing right calf tumor after 2 months of DCA therapy. Tumor is stable and calf edema has resolved.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
CT showing multiple liver metastases.
FIG. 4.
FIG. 4.
CT after 5 months of DCA therapy showing stable right calf tumor and absence of calf edema.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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