Know the science behind the alternative remedy
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, MD, and the University of Texas at Houston Center for Alternative Medi-cine Research in Cancer, these are some of the most commonly used alternative remedies for cancer and the science behind them:
Mistletoe
A parasitic plant, mistletoe holds interest as a possible anticancer agent because extracts derived from it have been shown to kill cancer cells in vitro and to stimulate immune system cells both in vitro and in vivo. Several components of mistletoe — alkaloids, viscotoxins, and lectins — may be responsible for those effects.
In modern studies, mistletoe extracts have been administered by intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection (sometimes in the vicinity of a tumor), or intravenous infusion. Mistletoe has been used for centuries to treat a number of ailments in humans, but scientific data from controlled or uncontrolled studies of cancer are limited and often of poor quality.
Several studies involving patients with breast cancer have demonstrated that extracts of Viscum album L, or the lectin ML-I purified from them, can stimulate increases in a variety of white blood cell types and may be able to induce cells to repair damaged DNA.
Shark and bovine cartilage
Cartilage products are widely used in the United States for the treatment of medical conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and psoriasis. It is estimated that more than 50,000 Americans used shark cartilage in 1992, and with media attention increasing, this number is likely to grow substantially. In 1995, more than 40 brand names of shark cartilage products were being sold in the United States. Most purchases are made over the counter. Use of the products is not limited to humans. Products containing shark and bovine cartilage for both human and veterinary use have been marketed and sold throughout the world.
The major components of shark cartilage are proteins (about 40%), glycosaminoglycans (about 5% to 20%), and calcium salts. Chondroitin sulfate, one of the most plentiful glycosaminoglycans found in cartilage, is under investigation to determine if it is one of the active ingredients. Cartilage reportedly has been sold in many forms and is given in many ways. It can be taken orally as a pill, powder, or liquid extract; given as a topical agent, an enema, or an intravenous infusion; or administered as a subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular injection.
During the mid-’70s, several published studies reported that the cartilage, serum, and liver of sharks may have antineoplastic (anti-cancer) properties against lung cancer and leukemia in a marine model. Research continued during the 80s.
However, many results from early studies generated additional questions about the possible mechanism(s) of action of these compounds and provided few definitive answers. The use of shark cartilage as a cancer treatment has drawn attention because of the popular belief that the incidence of cancer in cartilaginous fish (sharks, skates, and rays) is very rare or nonexistent. Literature on cancer in fish, however, shows this may not be true.
Very little scientifically based data have been published on this subject. Two clinical series, one using shark cartilage with 32 breast and prostate cancer patients and another using bovine cartilage with 35 renal cell carcinoma patients, and a phase II trial of oral shark cartilage powder with 60 advanced cancer patients were presented as abstracts at national oncology meetings. Only two bovine cartilage case series and one phase I/II shark cartilage case series have been presented. The majority of studies used bovine or shark cartilage as a treatment for advanced cancer patients, but the response rate to cartilage therapy for those patients has not been impressive. Randomized clinical trials to test whether cartilage may be effective for patients with limited disease have not been conducted.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as CoQ10, Q10, vitamin Q10, ubiquinone, or ubidecarenone) is a benzoquinone compound synthesized naturally in the human body. Coenzyme Q10 is used by cells in a process known variously as aerobic respiration, aerobic metabolism, oxidative metabolism, or cell respiration. CoQ10 also is used by the body as an endogenous antioxidant. In part because of its immunostimulatory potential, CoQ10 has been used as an adjuvant therapy in patients with various types of cancer.
While CoQ10 may show indirect anti-cancer activity through its effect(s) on the immune system, there is evidence to suggest that analogs of this compound are able to suppress cancer growth directly. Analogs of CoQ10 have been shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and the growth of cancer cells transplanted into rats and mice. In view of those findings, it has been proposed that analogs of CoQ10 may function as antimetabolites to disrupt normal biochemical reactions that are required for cell growth and/or survival and, thus, that they may be useful for short periods of time as chemotherapeutic agents.
Several companies distribute CoQ10 as a dietary supplement. In humans, it is usually taken orally as a pill (tablet or capsule). Dosages are usually in the range of 90 mg to 390 mg per day.
In view of the promising results from animal studies, CoQ10 was tested as a protective agent against the cardiac toxicity observed in cancer patients treated with the anthracycline drug doxorubicin. It has been postulated that doxorubicin interferes with energy generating biochemical reactions involving CoQ10 in heart muscle mitochondria and that this interference can be overcome by CoQ10 supplementation. Studies with adults and children have confirmed the decrease in cardiac toxicity observed in animal studies.
Anecdotal reports of CoQ10 lengthening the survival of patients with pancreatic, lung, rectal, laryngeal, colon, and prostate cancers also exist in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature. The patients described in these reports also received therapies other than CoQ10, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
Essiac tea
Essiac is not one herb, but actually a combination of several herbs. It originally contained burdock root, the inner bark of slippery elm, sheep sorrel, and Turkish rhubarb. More recent combinations have added watercress, blessed thistle, red clover, and kelp (to aid with effectiveness and improve taste).
The herbs are combined to form a tea, which is then administered orally in an effort to promote health, strengthen the immune system, improve appetite, relieve pain, improve overall quality of life, and reduce the size of tumors.
None of these herbs are reputed to be "anticancer" rather, the body cleansing and supporting actions are emphasized. If any or all of these effects could be achieved, it would be of obvious benefit to someone dealing with cancer and an added benefit from synergistic effects.
Essiac is widely used among cancer patients.
No completed formal studies have been documented in the literature, and no prospective clinical trials have been conducted. Several attempts have been made to document the effectiveness of Essiac by several Canadian groups, but nothing conclusive resulted from these attempts. Based on testimonials provided to the Canadian Royal Cancer Commission in 1938, of eight patients with confirmed diagnoses of cancer, positive outcomes in two of four patients could be attributed to Essiac.
PSK
In Asian cultures, mushrooms are traditionally combined with herbal mixtures to treat cancer. Reports in 1965 documented health benefits for stomach cancer with Saru-no-koshikake tea containing coriolus versicolor mushroom.
Research has found that this mushroom has antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-tumor properties. The activity is attributed to a protein-bound polysaccharide that can be extracted from its cultured mycelium, thread-like extensions. This polysaccharide K (PSK) also is known as Krestin.
Animal studies have demonstrated that PSK prevents the induction of tumors by chemicals, radiation, or other causes. PSK is considered a promising candidate for chemoprevention because of the multiple effects on the malignant process, limited side effects, and safety of daily oral doses for extended periods of time.
Research shows that healthy people given a 1,000 mg dose experienced significant cellular immune response within 12 hours. After cancer surgery, individuals who were not using conventional therapy had significant immune benefit with 3,000 mg daily and a subsequent reduced dosage of 1,000 mg daily. When chemotherapy or radiation is used after surgery, significant improvements in immunity were achieved with 3,000 mg daily dose. For inoperable patients, a dose of up to 9,000 mg a day was used with no side effects or toxicity.
(Editor’s note: PSK is not widely available in the United States, but it is used extensively in Japan.)
Green tea
Green tea, like black tea, is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but differs from black tea in its preparation. The leaves used for green tea are steamed or pan-dried without fermentation, so the active substances within the leaves can retain their qualities. The tea is consumed by billions of people, not only as a satisfying beverage but to promote health. Green tea reportedly lowers total cholesterol levels and improves the cholesterol profile, reduces platelet stickiness, lowers blood pressure, and enhances the immune system.
It also may decrease the risk of certain cancers, especially cancers of the upper digestive system, and may be beneficial as a weight-loss aid. Studies in animals have reported that green tea polyphenols reduce the metastatic potential of cancer cells.
Green tea contains polyphenols, which include flavanols, flavandiols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids; those compounds may account for up to 30% of dry weight. Constituents of green tea can be fractionated as GTP (green tea polyphenolic compounds) and WEGT (water extract of green tea). GTP is constituted of epicatechin (5.8%), epigallocatechin (5.4%), epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and epicatechin-3-gallate.
These polyphenols may inhibit carcinogenesis by blocking the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds suppressing the activation of carcinogens and trapping of genotoxic agents. Many laboratory studies have also demonstrated inhibitory effects of tea polyphenols against tumor formation and growth.
The effect of tea consumption on cancer is likely to depend on the causative factors of the specific cancer. Therefore, a protective effect observed on a certain cancer with a specific patient group may not be generalizable.
Hydrazine sulfate
This product is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor that has been investigated for more than 30 years as a treatment for cancer and as a therapy to decrease cancer-related anorexia and muscle wasting. It has been studied as a first-line chemotherapeutic agent, in combination with established chemotherapy regimens, and as an adjuvant therapy to decrease symptoms associated with cancer, such as weight loss, fatigue, and decreased appetite.
Hydrazine sulfate usually is created in a laboratory setting, but does occur naturally in tobacco plants, tobacco smoke, and in some mushrooms.
Most of the randomized clinical trials and some clinical series conclude that hydrazine sulfate provides little or no benefit to cancer patients when it is taken alone or in combination with other cancer treatment modalities to improve quality of life and weight gain. Three separate phase III randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials sponsored by NCI also came to this conclusion.
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