What are your thoughts on DCA?

After seeing a recent post on this sub (https://www.reddit.com/r/endometriosis/comments/1o5deju/endo_behaves_like_cancer_stop_gaslighting_yourself/), I got the courage to finally talk about it. To start, cancer and endometriosis are definitely more related than most people think. I’ve been researching this topic for years. Here’s the truth: there are people in my life who have cured both cancer and endometriosis in a similar way: using “metabolic” treatment (compounds such as fenbendazole and DCA). In this post, I want to explain how and why this was possible.

Endometriosis and cancer share similar survival strategies: both involve cells that grow uncontrollably, resist cell death, and thrive in inflamed, low-oxygen environments. The cells of someone with cancer or endometriosis have one key distinction from healthy cells with normal mitochondrial function: they begin producing energy through glycolysis (breaking down glucose for energy), instead of using oxygen. This is called the Warburg effect. Some other similarities between cancer and endometriosis include a constant cycle of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. 

This sciencey infodump is necessary for understanding how DCA could treat endometriosis. DCA directly targets one of the key biological factors driving the disease - abnormal cellular metabolism. DCA works by reprogramming how cells produce energy. It blocks an enzyme called PDK. By doing that, it “reactivates” the mitochondria, restores normal energy metabolism, and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the abnormal cells. To oversimplify, it kills the “bad” cells, while the healthy cells usually remain unaffected because their metabolism is already balanced. DCA has attracted interest as a potential treatment not only for cancer, but also for other conditions involving abnormal cellular metabolism, including endometriosis, pulmonary hypertension, and certain mitochondrial disorders.

It frustrates me to see how many people are still struggling when there’s a potential treatment option out there. One that’s not been approved, and it’s unclear if it ever will be. The clinical trial done in Scotland (EPIC2) had very promising results, with 79% of participants reporting a clinically meaningful reduction in pain scores. Despite its potential, the research is tangled in bureaucratic processes, regulations, and funding barriers that keep it from ever moving forward. 

This is why other people’s experiences are all we currently have. So, has anyone tried DCA? Is anyone considering trying it? 

Thank you for any insights, and let’s continue supporting each other!