[M. von Ardenne's multi-step cancer therapy and variations--universally applicable in oncology? Documentation No.23]

M. von Ardenne advances 2 concepts for the treatment of cancer: the Multistep-Cancer-Therapy (MCT) and the O2-Multistep-Immunostimulation (O2-MIS). Since the properties of cancer tissues postulated by. M. von Ardenne are considered common to all malignant tumours, MCT and O2-MIS can be employed in any type of malignancy. These concepts are recommended for cancer therapy and prophylaxis. The 1989 concept consists of the combination of O2-MIS (thymus) for 18 days followed by MCT on the 19th day. O2-MIS can be done on an outpatient basis, whereas MCT must be carried out in hospital. An investment of 5000 to 10,000 Fr. is needed to provide O2-MIS in a medical practice. In 1959, Prof. Dr. h. c. mult. M. von Ardenne transferred from research in the field of physics to cancer research. He published the basic concept of MCT in 1965, from which the Oxygen-Multistep-Therapy (SMT) and the O2-MIS were later derived. Most of the proponents are found in the former Federal Republic of Germany, where the SMT-Society is responsible for the dissemination of the ideas and apparatus. The mechanism of action of MCT consists of the irreversible occlusion of tumor blood vessels as a result of "elective over-acidification of the cancer cells and tumour tissue by stimulating the aerobic fermentation metabolism of cancer cells discovered by O. Warburg in 1924". O2-MIS, on the other hand, works by potentiating non-specific defences. Contrary to his claims, von Ardenne has so far been unable to demonstrate a reproducible efficacy either for the MCT or for O2-MIS against cancer in man. Despite a supposedly large number of patients treated, no clinical trials have yet been published.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)