Treatment for Mesothelioma -Unconventional therapies

number of mesothelioma treatments are outside the mainstream of both established and experimental therapies. As lawyers, not doctors, we are not qualified to judge the value of such unconventional or unproven treatments. In our experience, most doctors disapprove of these treatments, and there is no clear, non-anecdotal evidence of the success of any of these treatments. However, we believe you have the right to all the information available so that you can discuss all possibilities with your physician and make an informed decision about your options.

Antineoplastons:

Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski has been working on antineoplastons as a treatment for cancer since 1967. Antineoplastons are naturally occurring peptides which Dr. Burzynski claims can "reprogram" cancerous cells to behave like "normal" cells again. The success of antineoplaston treatments has been highly controversial, however. The American Cancer Society reports that they have no reliable evidence of the objective benefits of antineoplastons. Dr. Burzynski was also charged in 1995 with fraud and violation of Federal Drug Administration regulations. The Burzynski Research Institute is currently conducting clinical trials of antineoplastons.

Further Information:

* British Columbia Cancer Agency: Unconventional Therapies - Antineoplastons
* National Cancer Institute: Fact Sheet on Antineoplastons
* Report of the Office of Technology Assessment: Unconventional Cancer Treatments - Antineoplastons
* Burzynski Research Institute: Clinical Trials Home Page
* Green, S. Antineoplastons: An Unproved Cancer Therapy. JAMA 267(21):2924-2928 June 3, 1992
* Burzynski, S. Antineoplastons: The Controversy Continues (Letter to the Editor). JAMA 269(4):475, JAN 27, 1993

Cancell (also called Entelev or Cantron):

Cancell is a chemical mixture which is intended to deprive cancerous cells of their ability to get energy. Developed by chemist James Sheridan, proponents claim that Cancell has successfully treated people and animals for cancer for over 30 years without serious side effects. However, supporters of Cancell also recommend avoiding certain vitamins and claim that chemotherapy negates the effect of Cancell. The National Cancer Institute has found no evidence of a biological effect. The American Cancer Society strongly urges against using Cancell as a treatment method.

Further Information:

* National Cancer Institute: Fact Sheet on Cancell
* British Columbia Cancer Agency: Unconventional Therapies - Cancell / Entelev
* Cancell Home Page

Foreign Clinics:

There are numerous clinics, usually located outside of the United States, which claim to use innovative and allegedly successful techniques to cure cancer. Most of these clinics are expensive, and none of them have proven to be effective.

Further Information:

* National Cancer Institute report: "Questionable cancer practices in Tijuana and other Mexican border clinics"

Immuno-Augmentive Therapy (IAT) Centre, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island:

Treatment at the IAT Centre consists of the daily administration of a specially-prepared blood serum which is claimed to boost the immune system and reverse the cancer process.

Lawrence Burton (he has a Ph.D. rather than an M.D.) developed the treatment and is its main advocate. It is disallowed in most of the United States, and the FDA imposed an import ban in 1986. In 1985 the clinic was closed by the Bahamian government due to evidence of HIV, bacterial and hepatitis-B contamination in IAT products. It was reopened the next year when IAT acquired HIV-testing equipment, but since the products are not tested regularly by an independent laboratory, the current risk of biologic contamination is not known.

The benefits of immuno-augmentative therapy remain unverified, although there are numerous testimonials to its effectiveness. In fact, no independent clinical trial of IAT's products has ever been performed, despite direct attempts by the NCI and the Office of Technology Assessment. The American Cancer Society advises against immuno-augmentative therapy. In addition to significant treatment fees, patients must pay for room and board.

Further Information

* British Columbia Cancer Agency: Unconventional Therapies - Immuno-augmentative Therapy
* Report of the Office of Technology Assessment: Unconventional Cancer Treatments - Immuno-augmentative Therapy

American Biologics-Mexico SA Medical Center, Tijuana, Mexico:

The first mesothelioma patient to be treated at this clinic was the actor, Steve McQueen. Since then, there have been anecdotal reports of the success of their treatment , but no conclusive evidence. Treatment consists of an "individualized approach" to "metabolic therapy", consisting of diet, vitamins, exercise, and other techniques. They claim to "control" cancer and numerous other diseases rather than "cure" them. The AB-Mexico clinic is associated with the Bradford Research Institute.

Further Information:

* Report of the Office of Technology Assessment: Unconventional Cancer Treatments - Biologics
* National Cancer Institute: Fact Sheet on Laetrile / Amygdalin
* British Columbia Cancer Agency: Unconventional Therapies - Laetrile / Amygdalin
* American Biologics Medical Center

Gerson Therapy: Center for Integrative Medicine at Centro Hospitalario Internacional Pacifico (CHIPSA), and Hospital Meridian de Playas de Tijuana, Mexico:

There are two clinics in Tijuana, Mexico, which provide treatment based on Gerson Therapy: the Center for Integrative Medicine at Centro Hospitalario Internacional Pacifico (CHIPSA) and Hospital Meridian de Playas de Tijuana. The therapy was developed by Dr. Max Gerson in 1945, and his daughter, Charlotte Gerson Strauss, has continued the therapy since his death in 1959.

Using diet (fresh, raw juices consumed continuously for 13 hours a day ), enemas (including coffee enemas) and other therapies, the Gerson Therapy clinics claim to detoxify the body and restore its natural cancer-fighting abilities.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Gerson's methods were reviewed and no convincing evidence of effectiveness against cancer was found. No other independent studies have found that Gerson Therapy is effective against cancer. Until 1989, the dietary regimen included raw calf liver juice, and the use of this juice was associated with several infections due to contamination. Coffee enemas have also been associated with serious side effects such as fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.

CHIPSA combines Gerson Therapy with treatment methods devised by Dr. Josef Issels. They call it Issels-Gerson Combination Therapy.

Further Information:

* National Cancer Institute: Fact Sheet on Gerson Therapy
* British Columbia Cancer Agency: Unconventional Therapies - Gerson Therapy
* Report of the Office of Technology Assessment: Unconventional Cancer Treatments - Dietary Treatments
* CHIPSA
* Gerson Institute and Cancer Curing Society
* The Issels Treatment
The Issels Foundation

Alivizatos Greek Cancer Cure:

The Greek Cancer Cure was developed thirty years ago by a microbiologist, Dr. Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos. His treatment consisted of a blood test which supposedly diagnosed the location and extent of the cancer, followed by injections of a serum which were meant to boost the immune system and "dissolve" the tumor. Before his death in 1991, Dr. Alivizatos had his license to practice medicine revoked by the Greek government several times due to his use of the serum. He never responded to the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society's request for information on his treatment. He never published his results or allowed an independent review of his claims. When a Seattle doctor posing as a patient discovered that the serum was a mixture of niacin (a B-vitamin) and water, his clinic was closed by the Greek government.

Today, some North American clinics claim to offer the same treatment which is marketed under the names METBAL and Cellbal. The FDA has banned the importation of METBAL.

Information on Treatments

British Columbia Cancer Agency: Unconventional Therapies - Greek Cancer Cure

Quackwatch: Alivizatos Greek Cancer Cure
Further Resources

* National Cancer Institute: Fact Sheet on Unconventional Methods of Cancer Treatment
* Quackwatch: Message on "Alternative" Treatments
* Questionable Cancer Therapies
* Questionable Cancer Therapy: Shark Cartilage