Can a drug known for pain and mental health treatments also be a weapon against cancer? In this episode of Talking Ketamine, hosts Helios and Selene delve into a surprising new area of research: ketamine and its potential role in fighting cancer.

The episode explores a 2024 study on “perioperative ketamine and cancer recurrence” and the complex science behind it. You’ll learn how ketamine’s well-known anti-inflammatory effects could be crucial, as chronic inflammation is a key factor in tumor growth and metastasis. Helios and Selene discuss compelling evidence, including a randomized trial of over 100 colorectal surgery patients, where a single, low dose of ketamine significantly reduced inflammatory markers. They also touch on how the drug may work at a molecular level by inhibiting transcription factors that turn on inflammatory genes.

However, the conversation doesn’t shy away from the complexities and contradictions. You’ll hear about a mouse study where ketamine was linked to a reduction in metastases, but also about other research that warns it could potentially suppress immune cells vital for fighting cancer. The hosts also address concerns that ketamine might help cancer cells survive by boosting a protein called BCL2.

This is a double-edged sword, and the episode emphasizes that the context—dose, timing, and type of cancer—is everything. They underscore that more research is needed to understand the long-term clinical implications for patients. If you have a background in science, you’ll appreciate their clear breakdown of the immune system’s intricate relationship with ketamine and the idea that a personalized approach might be the future of this research.

Reference:

Rodriguez Arango, J. A., Zec, T., & Khalife, M. (2024). Perioperative Ketamine and Cancer Recurrence: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(7), Article 1920. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071920