Antineoplastons

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Antineoplastons (APN) is a term coined by Stanisław Burzyński for a group of peptides , derivatives and mixtures that he uses as an alternative cancer treatment . These preparations are not approved as drugs, but instead are sold and administered by Burzynski himself, as part of clinical treatments performed in his institute. The clinical efficacy of antineoplastons has been tested by Burzynski and his co-workers in such treatments, but no clear evidence of efficacy has been found. So far, he has only published his results in "obscure journals". Oncologists consider the studies to be flawed or even “scientific nonsense”.

There is no convincing evidence in the literature, after conducting randomized, controlled trials , that antineoplastons can be used to treat cancer. The American Food and Drug Administration has not recognized the products as a treatment for any disease. The American Cancer Society does not recommend buying these products because there is no evidence of beneficial effects in the treatment of cancer. A recent medical review describes the treatment as "unproven therapy".

background

Stanisław Burzynski said he began researching antineoplastons after he found out that there were significant differences between the peptides in the blood of cancer patients and the peptides in the blood of a control group. First he determined antineoplastons in human blood. Since similar peptides were also isolated from human urine , Burzynski prepared urine in 1970 in order to obtain antineoplastons from it. Since 1980 it has been obtaining its components synthetically. Since his first discovery, he has succeeded in obtaining dozens of peptides and derivatives that, in his opinion, actively fight cancer and are only slightly toxic.

He named the first active peptide group identified as Antineoplastone A-10 (3-phenylacetylamino-2,6-piperidinedione). From A-10, Antineoplaston AS2-1 was derived, a 4-to-1 mixture of phenylacetic acid and phenylacetylglutamine. The Burzynski Clinic website announces that the active ingredient in Antineoplaston A10-I is phenylacetylglutamine. Phenylacetic acid is a derivative of acetic acid that the body produces during normal metabolism and is converted into the non-toxic phenylacetylglutamine in the liver . The "Antineoplaston A-10" mixture is a product that is created when urine is heated under acidic conditions. The “Antineoplaston AS2-1” mixture is the result of the hydrolysis of “Antineoplaston A-10”. All ingredients are generally cheap and readily available chemicals .

treatment

Since antineoplastons are not approved as drugs, Burzynski is only allowed to sell them as part of a clinical trial. In order for a patient to receive treatment with antineoplastons, they must first show that they are suitable for a series of clinical trials. These include the failure of previous standard treatments for cancer or cancers that cannot be treated by conventional medicine.

Antineoplastons are administered intravenously or orally . Patients who respond positively to intravenous administration can sometimes switch to oral administration. Intravenous antineoplastons are administered continuously, which requires a programmable pump that the patient must always wear on the body.

Antineoplaston treatment is very expensive; the first year of intravenous treatment can cost over $ 100,000. Most health insurances strictly reject the treatment method, as the method is considered unproven.

Antineoplastons, natural peptides and metabolic products, are not generally toxic to cells like many anticancer drugs, both historical and still used today. Only the highest levels of treatment can bring about large amounts of sodium , which requires careful monitoring of the patient's electrolyte balance.

Intended mode of action

Burzynski suspects that the antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 act as inhibitors of oncogenes , trigger cell suicide and activate tumor suppressor genes . Several other modes of action have also been suggested. One factor that allows the cancer to grow uncontrollably is the presence of abnormal enzymes that are a by-product of DNA methylation . In the presence of these enzymes, the normal cell cycle is disrupted and the cells continue to multiply. In laboratory studies, antineoplastons appear to be able to inhibit these enzymes. Recently published studies have shown that inhibitory histone deacetylase (HDAC) promote the activation of the tumor suppressor genes p21 and p53. Phenylacetic acid, which is found in the AS2-1 mixture, appears to be a powerful HDAC inhibitor.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Craig Malisow: Cancer doctor Stanislaw Burzynski sees himself as a crusading researcher, not a quack . In: Houston Press , December 31, 2008.
  2. ↑ Antineoplastons . In: CA Cancer J Clin 1983, 33, pp. 57-59, doi: 10.3322 / canjclin.33.1.57 - statement of the American Cancer Society