Bioflavonoid Quercetin has Anti-Cancer Effects
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: May 15th, 2024
Quercetin has been around for some time as it is a naturally occurring compound found in the peels of citrus, capers, certain herbs, onions, and grapes**. Quercetin is also found in the Chinese Scholar tree, one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Quercetin has some interesting and fairly potent anti cancer effects. First, it has anti inflammatory effects. We now know that cancer development and also cancer progression both rely on low grade inflammation in the body. Inflammation that is low grade may not be visible to the naked eye.
Our bodies and those of our loved dogs are constantly barraged by a host of microscopic, damaging substances daily. This creates inflammation. Excess fat in the body creates inflammation. A diet too rich in certain fats (omega 6 fatty acids) and lacking in others (omega 3 fatty acids) creates inflammation. Smoke, pesticides and herbicides, inhaled exhaust can all create this type of inflammation. Finally, cancers themselves created inflammation.
Quercetin is able to partially block the very same enzymes that are targeted when vets and oncologists use anti inflammatory medication as a part of metronomic chemotherapy. This kind of chemo is low dose, and may help to help lessen the blood flow that helps feed developing or spreading cancers.
This compound also has been shown to attack human breast cancer cells (in a test tube) in a way that is similar to some of the new dog cancer drugs, Palladia and Kinavet K-1 (masitinib).
An injected form was found to shrink sold tumors in mice. But what about taking it as a pill? This works too, but we need to protect it from being broken down so it gets in the bloodstream (this is the method used in Apocaps, and it was for these reasons that rutin, a rich source of quercetin, was included in the Apocaps formulation.).
So how can we use this interesting substance?
First, we need to be sure that we are not creating anti oxidants which could interfere with some chemo drugs and other helpful strategies (these are outlined in the Guide). If we use larger doses of quercetin, we can overcome this effect.
Secondly, we should think of quercetin for tumors of the stomach or intestine which will get the highest dose of a tablet taken by mouth. Quercetin does have other uses, but this is one easy one to remember.
And it has been shown to be safe. 🙂
All my best
Dr D
**Note that onions and grapes may create toxic reactions in dogs.
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Dear Dr. Dressler,
I just bought your guide, and I am getting ready to buy Apocaps and K9
Immunity for my beautiful greyhound, Lily, with osteo.She had amp on 12/16/11-5 rounds of carbo-no mets yet. I am also giving artemisinin(sp?) and n acytyl
cysteine (600mg a day-the vet wants to try it-he said he had good results with
one dog), and a probiotic. Could you please guide me with the correct way to
space these out throughout the day? Also, I’m worried about the NAC and
whether it’s OK to give-would like your input. Also if you feel the NAC is OK-how would I dose it with everything else I am giving? Thank you so much for all you do to help us fight this cancer.
Thank you,
Joan
Dear Joan,
sorry to hear about Lily. OSA is common in the breed.
There is a section in the Guide called the supplement hierarchy which discusses NAC.
The use of this supplement in this case with these other supplements on board is a confused choice. The mechanisms of NAC and the other meds hinder each other.
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/anti-oxidants-versus-pro-oxidants/
I hope this helps.
Dr D
Dear Dr. Dressler,
I just bought your guide, and I am getting ready to buy Apocaps and K9
Immunity for my beautiful greyhound, Lily, with osteo.She had amp on 12/16/11-5 rounds of carbo-no mets yet. I am also giving artemisinin(sp?) and n acytyl
cysteine (600mg a day-the vet wants to try it-he said he had good results with
one dog), and a probiotic. Could you please guide me with the correct way to
space these out throughout the day? Also, I’m worried about the NAC and
whether it’s OK to give-would like your input. Also if you feel the NAC is OK-how would I dose it with everything else I am giving? Thank you so much for all you do to help us fight this cancer.
Thank you,
Joan
Dear Dr. Dressler,
My 8 1/2 year old lab mix, Lucky, the light of my life, has been diagnosed with regenerative anemia. Today, after doing an abdominal ultrasound, multiple cavitated tumors were found in his spleen. The fluid is likely blood and explains his anemia and lethargy. Approximately 75% of spleen masses in dogs are hemangiosarcoma which, as you know, is an aggressive tumor of blood vessels that has a high rate of spread. Tomorrow, his spleen is being removed and a biopsy will be run. Treatment consists of removal of the spleen and followup chemotherapy which will be a combination of an injection in the vein and an oral tablet every 3 weeks for a total of 6 treatments. If it turns out to be hemangiosarcoma, his prognosis is not good. Average survival is 6-8 months. My question to you is will the apocaps help in our situation?
Thank you so much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, Krystyna K
Hi Dr. Dressler,
Thank you for taking time to address fellow guardians’ questions to extremely complex and emotional issues that must be difficult to answer in a blog format. I have been extremely fortunate to have had my dog, Charlie, a pekingnese, for the past twenty years. My bond with him has grown over these years more than I could have ever imagined, as with most guardians, which does not prevent the inevitable from being exceptionally difficult. He has been through many health issues over the years successfully but now has come to an obstacle which I have been told is insurmountable I assume because of his age and its nature. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor two days ago. He redeveloped seizures about 6 months ago, after a three year hiatus, and started circling four days ago. I just purchased your book and Apocaps awaiting their arrival. Charlie was prescribed Prednisone, Phenobarbitol with a low dose of Sodium Bromide (seizures), and just today, Soloxine (thyroid supplement) due to his blood test. I read Phenobarbitol could inhibit the metabolism of protein. Will any of the meds that Charlie is on affect the benefits of Apocaps and the diet recommended in your book?
Sorry for a long question that I thought would be two sentences. My emotions are extremely high and need the exercises in your book to strengthen the guardian so that we can take the best care of our loved ones.
Dear Bill,
I am very sorry to hear about this. 20 years is quite a long time.
These apply:
My dog is on seizure control medication. Can I use Apocaps?
There have been no reported adverse consequences or interactions of Apocaps use in dogs on seizure control medications. However, in human literature, there are reports of glutamine decreasing the effectiveness of seizure control medication in people. A small amount of L-Glutamine is used in Apocaps. Like all health care steps, consult with your veterinarian before using Apocaps. If this is not possible, we advise avoiding the use of Apocaps use in dogs on seizure control medication as the very safest recommendation.
Can I give Apocaps with prednisone, prednisolone or other anti-inflammatory agents?
Yes, but with some caution. Some of the ingredients in Apocaps have an anti-inflammatory effect, so we recommend thinking of Apocaps as a mild anti-inflammatory and following the guidelines generally offered with prednisone and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
We recommend reducing the dose of Apocaps to a half or quarter dose if you are using prednisone or any NSAIDs. Or, if preferred by your veterinarian, you could reduce the dose of the anti-inflammatory, prednisone, prednisolone or NSAID to half or quarter dose. The choice of which to lower would depend upon the effect desired.
Okay, more reading for you:
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/new-technologies-for-brain-cancer-coming-up/
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/homeopathy-for-dog-cancer/
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/man-meets-dog-with-same-brain-cancer-treatment/
https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/neoplasene-as-a-dog-cancer-treatment/
I hope this helps
Best
Dr D
Hi Dr. Dressler
I understand that your interest is in dogs but I have a 16 year old cat with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. He has undergone chemotherapy and stereotactic radiation. At this point all I can do is wait to see if the tumor will begin to grow. We have no Holistic veterinaries in our area. I was wondering if you are aware of tumor suppressing herbs or supplements that I would be able to use to give him a chance to live longer. I have read about the benefits of Quercetin , certain mushrooms and herbs etc and if any of them have good success rates and if so which ones. I am basically on my own trying to find something since I live so far away from anyone offering consultations. At this point I feel helpless and desperate to find our what to do next with my cat’s life hanging in the balance. I heard that yo were the best.
Hi Lynn
I think we addressed your question via e-mail.
This blog is for dogs as you know (although my “interest” includes cats too!)
Consider:
neoplasene
CAS options for kitties
I’m a little leary of quercetin in kitties as the mechanism is a bit dicey.
I’d be feeding the cat jd too and metacam.
Everything should be done under veterinary supervision too…
I hope this helps
DR D
dear dr dressler
my 11yo golden retreiver has an anal gland carcinoma that is reoccurring. he had surgery last july which was very successful but now the tumor is 7x3cm and causing defacating problems. since last july we bought your book and started fish oil,garlic and apocaps. my dog weighs 105lbs and is on enalapril for hbp
what daily dose of apocaps is appropriate and does k9 immunity help retard growth for this kind of tumor? the surgeon advised us against surgery again due to a poor prognosis because tumor is strongly attached to the rectum walls.
any options available cryo or injectables?
i love your book thank you for all the helpful advice
Dear Mike,
Sorry about your Golden.
I am wondering, have you read the seciton on supplement heirarchy and excluded supplements? Since you have the book, you can find the discussion of garlic as a lower priority supplement. There is no different dose for Apocaps. I would also be discussing with your vet the use of Neoplasene and intralesional Matrix 3 cisplatin impregnated beads. K-9 immunity does not directly retard the growth of the tumor but likely helps the immune system, which is often suppressed when coping with cancer.
I hope this helps
Dr D
Thanks Dr. Dressler.
I am in complete agreement with your thoughts on changing if something’s not working being common sense.
Chris…:)
Dr. Dressler,
Hello, i read a post on april 20 from Valerie Gentile Sachs stating that her German Shepard-Mayahad passed and i am sorry to hear that i am going through a similar ordeal with osteosarcoma in a 8.5 year old male Akita named Bear. I was wondering if the full and half bottle of Apocaps she has offered is still available so that i may use them on Bear my e-mail is rjbreese@discoverknoxville.com, this would be greatly appreciated, thanks. Richard Breese and Bear.
Dear Richard,
I am sorry to hear about your Akita. I would contact Ms. Sachs directly as she is an independent Guardian.
Dr D
Dr Dressler, another question for you. What would your opinion be on trying Doxycyline for Mast Cell Tumors? Sasha has no bone involvement that we are aware of, but I see in your book in can limit tumor growth,
Thank you again,
Tracy Knuth
Dear Tracy
It is a medium priority supplement. Check the supplement hierarchy in the Guide. If you are already using the higher priority supplementts I would consider it under veterinary supervision.
All my best
Dr D
Hi Dr. Dressler. I spoke with our oncologist as you suggested and she said that she thought that 72 hours after stopping the piroxicam would be enough time as well. She also said that before she could say what her thoughts were on that approach, she’d want to be able to see two things:
1. MIC (not sure what this means, she just called it out as something in which she’d be interested)
2. Any data around concentration of the medication in urinary excretion
She explained with respect to the second one that because it’s bladder cancer, if the apocaps is effective in reaching the bloodstream, but dilutes before it gets to the urinary tract, it would probably not be particularly efficacious in attacking the TCC since it’s the urine that delivers any chemotherapuetics to the bladder.
Is there any data I could provide her around these two numbers?
Thanks.
Dear Chris,
nope, I don’t have any data on urinary excretion. Just teaming up now with Dr. Phil Bergman who developed the melanoma vaccine to do a multicenter clinical study, so that data will likely be available in the future. However, I can say that if something is not working, it seems basic wisdom to try something else.
D