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Complementary and alternative therapies in prostate cancer
1Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Department of Adult Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Seminars in Oncology
|January 8, 2003
Summary
Limited evidence supports complementary therapies for prostate cancer. PC-SPES showed potential but was recalled due to contamination with warfarin, diethylstilbestrol (DES), and indomethacin.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Herbal Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Complementary and alternative therapies are increasingly used by men with prostate cancer.
- Limited data exist on the efficacy of these therapies for prostate cancer.
- Epidemiological studies suggest links between micronutrients and prostate cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies for prostate cancer.
- To examine the evidence for specific agents, including PC-SPES.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on complementary and alternative therapies in prostate cancer.
- Analysis of in vitro and clinical studies on PC-SPES.
- Investigation of reported contaminants in PC-SPES.
Main Results:
- PC-SPES demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cell lines.
- Clinical studies indicated PC-SPES could lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
- PC-SPES was found to be contaminated with warfarin, diethylstilbestrol (DES), and indomethacin, leading to its discontinuation.
Conclusions:
- The efficacy of many complementary and alternative therapies for prostate cancer remains largely unproven.
- PC-SPES, despite initial promising results, posed safety concerns due to contamination.
- Further rigorous research is needed to evaluate the true therapeutic value of nutritional and herbal agents in prostate cancer management.