Lifespring Cancer Treatment Center

Low Dose / Metronomic Chemotherapy Individually Tailored.

At Lifespring Cancer Treatment Center we explore all possible treatment options and collaborate with patients for the purpose of achieving highly customized care with an emphasis on preserving quality of life. Dr. Chue is happy to explore and utilize treatments other than chemotherapy when appropriate for the patient’s diagnosis. However, if Dr. Chue believes chemotherapy is necessary, the treatment modality utilized at Lifespring Cancer Treatment Center is called, “Metronomic Chemotherapy”. Metronomic chemotherapy has been referred to by many names, including low dose chemotherapy and low dose continuous chemotherapy. However, the most ubiquitous title is metronomic chemotherapy. This chemotherapy regimen entails low dose administrations scheduled at regular weekly intervals. Commonly this treatment style enables patients to receive equivalent or greater than traditional amounts of chemotherapy without the harsh side effects of standard highest tolerated dosing. As well, Dr. Chue has achieved astounding results in several published case studies, along with numerous instances of pioneering experimental treatments which have since been adopted as the mainline standard of practice. Unlike in music, where the tempo may be altered in either direction, the goal with metronomic chemotherapy is to maintain the low dosing frequency at a much higher rate than exists in conventional protocols. Dr. Chue pioneered the use of metronomic chemotherapy in 1998, and has been a leader in treating many cancers with this method. Over the past 20 years, this type of chemotherapy treatment has shown excellent results and has been adopted by many leading cancer centers in several different cancer types such as breast and ovarian. One reason why metronomic chemotherapy is thought to be more effective is that low and continuous doses of chemotherapy appear to exhibit effects on the tumor environment in addition to directly killing the cancer cells. One of the most researched mechanisms is metronomic chemotherapy’s ability to limit the growth of tumors by preventing the formation of new blood vessels, also called angiogenesis. Metronomic chemotherapy is also thought to have effects on the protective layers that develop around tumors, called stromal layers, as well as improve the immune system’s ability to fight the cancer by affecting regulatory T cells. We believe that further research on metronomic chemotherapy will vindicate Dr. Chue’s practice theory and we hope that mainline oncology will further implement this remarkably effective strategy of cancer treatment. As well, Dr. Chue is willing to explore and implement various alternative and complementary therapies, such as high dose Vitamin C IV infusions. Through collaboration with our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Easter Ho, ND, IFMCP, we strive to provide holistic services for the maximum benefit of our patients.