Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT)
For Lyme Disease, Co-Infections, and Viruses
(Renamed Q-REstrain)
What is SOT? (Q-REstrain)
SOT stands for Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy and is an individualized IV therapy that treats chronic infections. The goal of SOT is to stop the targeted infections ability to replicate and survive.
What Does SOT Treat?
SOT treats various bacterial and viral infections including:
Lyme disease
Tick borne relapsing fever
Bartonella
Babesia
Anaplasma
Ehrlichia
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
How Does SOT work?
SOT works by shutting down the gene replication sequence of the target pathogen (virus, Lyme, etc.) eliminating the next life cycle and reproduction for that organism. SOT is individualized mRNA technology that has 98% specificity to the target infection genes. SOT does not interfere with any other human cells.
How is SOT administered?
SOT is administered as a single dose IV per target infection. SOT molecules remains active in the system for up to six months, inhibiting the replication cycle of the target.
SOT Process
The SOT process typically takes 1-2 months from your initial consultation to your first infusion. During this process, Dr. Steph will guide you through interpreting test results, choosing an SOT target(s), and determining additional support needed to make your SOT treatment as effective as possible.
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Get started with a comprehensive 75 minute video consultation with Dr. Steph to discuss your healthy history and goals. You will also discuss SOT expectations and preparation.
Positive lab result within the last 6 months for the target infection are required by RGCC to order SOT. It is best if you bring recent lab results to your consultation for review. If you do not have recent lab results, Dr. Steph will order labs for you at the initial consultation. A follow up consultation will be required to review new test results and create an SOT plan.
Dr. Steph often recommends Vibrant Wellness Tickborne Panel 1.0 or 2.0. Test result must be serum-based results (urine are not accepted). Any reputable lab is accepted including but not limited to LabCorp, Quest, IgeneX, Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, TLab, ArminLabs, Galaxy, etc.
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Once your target infection has been decided, a blood draw is collected and sent to RGCC lab in Greece, where your unique SOT is created.
After the blood draw is completed, it takes about 3-4 weeks for the SOT to arrive ready for infusion.
It’s possible to schedule a mobile blood draw with Dr. Steph for an extra fee, or we can assist with finding a local phlebotomist.
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Dr. Steph come’s to you to administer the SOT as a mobile infusion! The IV process takes no more than one hour to complete. Travel fees apply for every infusion and are calculated based on distance from 91942 area code. At this time, all infusions are administered as mobile infusions only.
SOT must be infused one target at a time with a minimum of 21 days between infusions for different targets. There is a maximum of nine (9) total SOT infusions in a 12-month period. SOT for the same target must be spaced at a minimum of (3) three months apart and you must provide updated test results that shows the pathogen is still present before a repeat for the same pathogen will be allowed.
Get started with SOT
Become an established patient with Dr. Steph
What People Are Saying
FAQs About SOT Treatments
Is SOT safe?
Yes, SOT is antisense therapy which has been assessed in thousands of studies for safety. Although it’s more recent that SOT is becoming a popular treatment option for Lyme disease, antisense therapy is not new.
In 1998 the FDA approved fomivirisin, an antisense oligonucleotide drug that effectively stopped the replication of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and was used to prevent blindness from CMV retinitis. Ultimately the drug was discontinued due to low demand but recently there has been a reemergence of anti sense drug research and development. Currently there are 6 anti sense drugs in the US that are FDA approved for a variety of genetic diseases.
Research on SOT/antisense therapy is linked below under the additional SOT resources heading.
What are the side effects of SOT?
While SOT is well tolerated, when dealing with living pathogens in a human body there are potential side effects even with a gene silencing therapy like SOT.
The most common side effects of SOT include:
Headache
Fatigue
Flu-like symptoms
Herxheimer (die off) reactions
Flaring of other co-infections
Many of these symptoms can be managed with additional lifestyle and supplement support. Dr. Steph provides every patient with resources on home drainage support (i.e. infrared sauna, castor oil, epsom salt baths, etc.) and her favorite supplement/herb options to minimize die off reactions.
In Dr. Steph’s experience, most patients have less side effects and die off reactions with SOT than other Lyme treatments they’ve tried.
How many SOT infusions will I need?
The number of SOT infusions needed varies person to person. Dr. Steph advises most patients to expect starting with 2 - 4 SOT infusions spaced 4-6 weeks apart over the first year.
Factors that effect the number of SOT treatments include:
Bacterial/viral load. The more micro organisms you have, the more SOT molecules it will take to effectively stop replication. This can mean multiple rounds of SOT needed for the same target infection. There is not currently any lab testing available that accurately determines the load of infection in your body.
Co-infections. The more different strains of infection you have, the more likely you may need multiple SOT targets. However- this is not always the case. Often times when you clear out immune suppressing infections (i.e Borrelia burgdorferi), other infections clear on their own.
Where does the SOT infusion take place?
Dr. Steph’s SOT infusions happen wherever you are! Our mobile IV clinic services all of San Diego and takes Dr. Steph directly to you so that you can have your infusion administered in the comfort of your own home. Travel fees apply per infusion and are calculated based on the distance from 91942 area code. Inquire for more details.
How much does SOT cost?
The cost of each SOT treatment is $2750. This price includes the SOT from RGCC lab and the administration fee. All infusions are administered as mobile infusions and an additional travel fee is calculated based on your location.
Consultations are priced separately. Please see consultations page for fee schedule. Follow up consultations may be required to review additional labs ordered and finalize SOT targets.
Lab testing and blood draw fees are separate costs that are determined and billed directly by the lab and/or phlebotomist. Costs vary based on the lab company and/or phlebotomist.