The Medical Advisor

Introduction Cancer care has become increasingly sophisticated at the molecular level. Genomic sequencing, targeted therapies, and immuno-oncology have transformed how tumors are classified and treated. Yet despite these advances, long-term outcomes for many cancers remain stubbornly limited . One reason is structural rather than technological. Modern cancer care is fragmented. Oncology focuses on tumor-directed interventions, while primary care manages metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, inflammation, and aging. These domains rarely intersect in a coordinated way. From a systems perspective, this separation makes little biological sense. Coupling oncology with primary care is emerging as a critical — and largely missing — strategy for durable cancer control. Cancer Is Not an Isolated Tumor Problem Cancer does not develop or progress in isolation. It arises within a host environment shaped by metabolism, immune function, inflammation, hormonal signaling, and mitochondrial health. M...

Introduction: The Rise of Metabolic Therapy in Cancer Care The field of oncology is generally based on three treatment areas: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology. However, another area is looming on the horizon, quickly gaining traction as a new and exciting frontier of cancer treatment. Metabolic oncology, also known as cancer metabolism, focuses on how cancer cells use energy and nutrients differently than normal cells. Scientists working in metabolic oncology look for targets in these metabolic processes to create treatments that can specifically attack cancer cells while protecting healthy cells. Leading researchers have discovered innovative ways to prevent diseases from spreading and drastically improve patient outcomes. A groundbreaking approach is emerging in oncology that targets cancer cell metabolism. This innovative strategy targets the unique way cancer cells process energy and nutrients, offering new hope for patients and clinicians ...

What Is Systems-Level Cancer Control? Systems-level cancer control is a therapeutic framework that views cancer as a disease of whole-body biological dysfunction , rather than a problem caused solely by isolated genetic mutations. It focuses on modifying the host environment —including metabolism, immunity, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and the tumor microenvironment—to limit cancer growth, adaptation, and recurrence. Unlike mutation-centric oncology models, which prioritize targeting individual oncogenic pathways, systems-level cancer control addresses the biological systems that allow cancer to emerge, survive, and resist treatment . In this framework, targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are considered tools, not cures. Their effectiveness depends on the systemic conditions in which they are deployed. Why Targeted Therapy Alone Is Insufficient Targeted cancer therapies are designed to inhibit specific molecular drivers such as EGFR, BRAF, ALK, or KRAS. While...

Over the past two decades, oncology has invested enormous hope in targeted therapies — drugs designed to inhibit specific mutations, receptors, or signaling pathways thought to drive tumor growth. These treatments promised precision, fewer side effects, and durable control. Yet real‑world outcomes tell a more sobering story. Despite unprecedented molecular detail, most targeted therapies produce modest survival gains , rapid resistance, and limited benefit in metastatic disease. In contrast, interventions that influence systemic metabolism and immune function — though less glamorous — often show broader, more durable effects across cancer types. This contrast reveals a deeper truth: Cancer outcomes are shaped more by the metabolic–immune environment than by any single molecular target. What Targeted Therapy Does Well — and Where It Breaks Targeted therapies are designed to interrupt specific oncogenic drivers such as EGFR, BRAF, HER2, or ALK. In carefully selected populations, they c...

An evidence‑aware guide to off‑label cancer therapies, integrative oncology, and emerging research — without hype or false promises. This page serves as the central hub for OneDayMD’s coverage of repurposed drugs in cancer care, integrating conventional oncology standards with systems biology, real‑world data, and ethical analysis. What This Hub Covers (Quick Overview) This hub explains: What repurposed drugs are — and what they are not. Which drugs show credible anti‑cancer signals vs speculation. How repurposed therapies may (or may not) integrate with standard oncology. The evidence hierarchy used across OneDayMD. Safety, ethics, and regulatory realities. It is designed for patients, clinicians, and researchers seeking clarity rather than promotion . Diverse cancer hallmarks targeted by repurposed non-oncology drugs. This figure was created with Biorender.com. Source:  Nature 2024 Executive Summary Repurposed drugs in cancer care refer to existing, FDA‑approved medications or...

Modern oncology tends to describe cancer as a disease of rogue genes. But beneath the genetic chaos lies a more fundamental and far less discussed driver: mitochondrial failure . Across virtually all cancer types, stages, and grades, one feature is remarkably consistent — abnormal cellular energy metabolism . This observation is not incidental. It is central. Cancer behaves less like a genetic accident and more like a cellular survival program triggered by chronic mitochondrial dysfunction. Understanding cancer through the lens of mitochondria helps explain why tumors are metabolically distinct, why genetic mutations are unstable and heterogeneous, and why many modern therapies struggle to produce durable cures. The Mitochondria: More Than a Powerhouse Mitochondria are often described simplistically as the cell’s “power plants.” In reality, they are command centers that regulate: ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation Reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling Apoptosis (progra...

The common denominator for overall health—including longevity, brain health, gut health, liver health, immune health, and kidney health—is mitochondrial health. Many chronic diseases can be traced to mitochondrial dysfunction. Seemingly diverse conditions—including  diabetes ,  hypertension ,  heart disease ,  cancer , allergies, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and even various mental illnesses—can be understood through a “unified theory” of mitochondrial imbalance. Mitochondria are involved in many vital processes in human cells, including energy production, fatty-acid oxidation, and the Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) cycle, calcium signaling, apoptosis (cellular death), and heat production. However to simplify things let’s talk about energy and longevity which is what their function translates to for practical purposes. And to help this occur, we can review the health practices, along with the best supplements to improve mitoch...