Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy in Complementary Oncology: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Oncology
• Enzymology

Background:

• Proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain, papain, and chymotrypsin are found in fruits and the human body.
• These enzymes are suggested to reduce cancer therapy side-effects and improve outcomes.
• Existing evidence on their role in cancer treatment requires critical examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and critically examine the evidence regarding the role of proteolytic enzymes in cancer treatment.
• To assess the effectiveness and potential harm of enzyme therapy in cancer patients.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted in May 2019 across five electronic databases.
• 15 studies involving 3,008 patients with various cancer types were included.
• Outcomes investigated included side-effects, quality of life, anticancer effects, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• Patients received oral enzyme intake alongside conventional therapies for gastrointestinal, gynecologic, head and neck, lung cancers, and hematological malignancies.
• Conflicting results and moderate study quality indicate insufficient evidence for positive effects of enzymes.
• Enzyme therapy was generally well-tolerated, with mainly gastrointestinal side-effects like diarrhea and meteorism.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence does not support a clear therapeutic benefit of proteolytic enzymes.
• Enzymes are neither effective as supportive therapy nor as part of antineoplastic treatment regimens.
• Further high-quality research is needed to clarify the role of these enzymes in oncology.