A cheap milk protein. The drug version failed to extend survival in advanced cancer; the supplement was never tested for survival. What holds up is smaller: with standard antibiotics it more often clears the stomach infection behind most stomach cancer, plus single studies on chemotherapy anemia and distorted taste. In prostate tissue the signal reverses. Safety is unremarkable. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ferritin | 50–100 ng/mL | Decides whether iron withholding is even possible |
| Transferrin saturation | 25–35% | Distinguishes iron-deficient from iron-replete states |
| Hemoglobin | Men 14.0–15.0 g/dL; women 13.0–14.0 g/dL | Tracks the one benefit with randomized human support |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | Under 1.0 mg/L | Tests the anti-inflammatory mechanism and validates ferritin |
| Absolute neutrophil count | 1.8–4.0 ×10⁹/L | Safety floor, especially during chemotherapy |
| Alanine aminotransferase | 10–26 U/L | Confirms the absence of liver toxicity in trials |
| Estimated glomerular filtration rate | Above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Kidney safety reference and dosing context |
| Disease-specific tumor marker (for example carcinoembryonic antigen or prostate-specific antigen) | No established target for lactoferrin; track the trajectory against the individual's own pre-treatment baseline | Detects any divergence from the expected treatment response |
Cadence: Baseline before the first dose, then ferritin, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, then every 6 months for as long as dosing continues. Tumor markers follow the oncology team's schedule.