> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.sanarelab.science/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Metabolic Therapy + Repurposed Drugs in HR+ Breast Cancer: A 2026 Case Report - URL: https://www.sanarelab.science/metabolic-repurposed-drugs-hr-breast-cancer-2026/ - Published: 2026-08-13T08:22:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-16T07:08:59.000Z - Description: A 2026 Frontiers in Oncology case report documents a patient with metastatic HR+ breast cancer who achieved near-complete response using metabolic therapy combined with repurposed drugs. - Author: Sanare Lab - Tags: #short-read, News, Research, ivermectin, mebendazole Key Takeaway A 2026 case report in Frontiers in Oncology describes a 49-year-old woman with metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer who achieved near-complete response and sustained remission after receiving metabolically supported chemotherapy alongside repurposed drugs (metformin, aspirin, doxycycline, mebendazole, ivermectin, and famotidine), a ketogenic diet, hyperthermia, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This is a single case report (N=1), so the evidence level is early and requires confirmation in larger trials. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide, and metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+) disease is typically considered incurable once resistance to conventional treatments develops. While standard chemotherapy and endocrine therapy can extend survival, durable remissions are rare. A 2026 case report published in Frontiers in Oncology by Slocum and colleagues from the ChemoThermia Oncology Center in Istanbul, Turkey, and Boston College, USA, presents an intriguing multimodal approach that combines metabolic targeting with repurposed antiparasitic drugs. The patient, a 49-year-old woman from Italy with Stage IV HR+/HER2- invasive ductal carcinoma and extensive bone and lymph node metastases, experienced a near-complete response after this comprehensive protocol. Before exploring the details, readers interested in dosing considerations for repurposed drugs may find our [protocol dosing workspace](https://www.sanarelab.science/protocol-dosing-workspace/) helpful. For background on how ivermectin and mebendazole are being studied in cancer, see our articles on [ivermectin and cancer immunotherapy](https://www.sanarelab.science/ivermectin-and-cancer-immunotherapy-what-the-research-shows/) and the [Marik protocol](https://www.sanarelab.science/marik-ivermectin-mebendazole-protocol/). ## Table of Contents - [What Was the Treatment Protocol?](#what-was-the-treatment-protocol) - [What Were the Results?](#what-were-the-results) - [What Does This Mean for Patients?](#what-does-this-mean-for-patients) - [Limitations and Evidence Level](#limitations-and-evidence-level) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#faq) ## What Was the Treatment Protocol? The patient was a 49-year-old female from Torino, Italy, who presented with Stage IV (cT4N1M1) invasive ductal carcinoma that was hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative, and grade 3\. She had extensive osseous (bone) and lymph node metastases, poor performance status (ECOG 3), and severe, debilitating pain. The treatment protocol was administered at the ChemoThermia Oncology Center in Istanbul, Turkey, and consisted of several components: - **Metabolically Supported Chemotherapy (MSCT):** Docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide administered following a 14-hour fast and low-dose insulin-induced mild hypoglycemia. - **Ketogenic Diet:** A strict ketogenic diet maintaining a Glucose Ketone Index (GKI) below 2.0. - **Physical Modalities:** Local and whole-body hyperthermia, plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). - **Repurposed Drugs:** Metformin, aspirin, doxycycline, mebendazole, ivermectin, and famotidine — designed to target metabolic, inflammatory, and survival pathways. ## What Were the Results? The multimodal treatment protocol was well tolerated, with no grade 3 or 4 adverse events observed. The patient reported symptomatic improvement and functional recovery shortly after therapy began. A follow-up PET-CT scan at 3 months revealed reduced tumor burden. At 6 months, the patient was reported to have a near-complete response with resolution of active bone metastases. On a maintenance schedule, the patient remained in sustained remission as of January 2026 — over three years following her initial diagnosis — with a full return to normal daily activities (ECOG 0). ## What Does This Mean for Patients? This case report suggests that a comprehensive metabolic approach targeting cancer cell bioenergetics and the tumor microenvironment may produce durable responses in otherwise poor-prognosis metastatic breast cancer. The combination of therapeutic ketosis, metabolically supported chemotherapy, physical modalities, and repurposed drugs represents an area of active research interest. However, it is essential to emphasize that this is a single case report. The patient may have responded to any individual component of the complex protocol, or to the synergistic effect of multiple components. Without a control group or randomized design, it is impossible to determine which elements contributed to the outcome. ## Limitations and Evidence Level The primary limitation of this report is its design: a single case report (N=1) with no control group, no blinding, and no randomization. The patient was treated at a specialized clinic with a protocol not available at standard oncology centers. Additionally, the patient had multiple interventions applied simultaneously, making it impossible to isolate the contribution of any specific drug or therapy. Selection bias is also a concern — the patient may have had unique biological characteristics that made her particularly responsive to this approach. The case report does not provide detailed molecular or genomic data that might explain the exceptional response. Importantly, off-label use of ivermectin and other repurposed drugs carries real risks. A separate 2026 case report in Postgraduate Medicine described life-threatening neurotoxicity following high-dose ivermectin self-administration by a patient with metastatic breast cancer. This underscores the danger of unsupervised use of these agents. ## Frequently Asked Questions Is this a clinical trial? No, this is a single case report (N=1), which represents the lowest level of clinical evidence. The patient may have responded to any component of the multimodal treatment, making it impossible to attribute the outcome to any specific drug. What drugs were used? The patient received metabolically supported chemotherapy (docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) plus metformin, aspirin, doxycycline, mebendazole, ivermectin, and famotidine, alongside a ketogenic diet, hyperthermia, and hyperbaric oxygen. Can I replicate this protocol? No. This is an experimental protocol administered at a specialized clinic. Self-administration of any of these drugs without medical supervision is dangerous and can lead to serious adverse effects, including neurotoxicity from ivermectin. In Plain Terms This case report describes one woman with advanced breast cancer who received an intensive combination of chemotherapy, repurposed drugs, diet changes, and physical therapies at a specialized clinic in Turkey. After three months, her tumors shrank significantly, and by six months she had near-complete response. She remains in remission over three years later. However, because this is only one patient, we cannot know which part of the treatment worked, or if it would work for others. --- ## Shop Sanare Lab Lab-tested repurposed compounds for researchers exploring metabolic and antiparasitic anticancer strategies. **Fenbendazole 222 mg** 180 capsules — 99% purity, laboratory tested [Buy Fenbendazole 222 →](https://sanarelab.club/product/fenbendazole-222-mg/?ref=sanarelab.science) **Fenbendazole 444 mg** 180 capsules — 99% purity, laboratory tested [Buy Fenbendazole 444 →](https://sanarelab.club/product/fenbendazole-444-mg/?ref=sanarelab.science) **Ivermectin 6 mg** High-purity ivermectin — laboratory tested [Buy Ivermectin 6 mg →](https://sanarelab.club/product/ivermectin-6-mg/?ref=sanarelab.science) **Ivermectin 12 mg** High-purity ivermectin — laboratory tested [Buy Ivermectin 12 mg →](https://sanarelab.club/product/ivermectin-12-mg/?ref=sanarelab.science) **Disclaimer:** Links are informational and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before using any supplement or medication. ## References 1. Slocum AK, Tastekin D, Duraj T, Seyfried TN. Management of advanced HR-positive breast cancer using metabolically supported chemotherapy and repurposed drugs: a case report. Frontiers in Oncology. 2026;16:1795402\. doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1795402 ### Medical Disclaimer The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. Self-administration of repurposed drugs without medical supervision can be dangerous. The case report described here is a single patient experience and does not constitute evidence that this approach is effective or safe for others.