Alternative pancreatic cancer treatment

Eleven patients with inoperable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (stage II-IV) were treated with 25-40 g/day of a lyophilized porcine pancreatic enzyme product, taken in capsule form, between meals, and spread evenly throughout the day. The enzyme product contained 30-80 USP units of proteolytic activity and 15-40 units of lipolytic activity per mg. The diet emphasized fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly made vegetable juice daily, and plant-based protein sources. Eggs (1-2/day), whole-milk yogurt (daily) and fish (2-3 times per week) were permitted, but red meat and poultry was prohibited. Moderate amounts of vitamins, minerals, and organ concentrates (such as thymus and liver) were also prescribed. Coffee enemas were done twice daily. One patient dropped out of the study. Of the 11 patients who entered the study 9 (81%) survived 1 year, 5 (45%) survived 2 years and 4 (36%) survived 3 years. Two patients are alive and doing well: 1 at 3 years and the other at 4 years. Overall, the median survival was 17 months, a nd the mean was 25.2 months. These results are far above the 25% survival at 1 year and 10% survival at 2 years for all stages of pancreatic adenocarcinoma reported in the National Cancer Data Base from 1995. These results also compare favorably to the median survival of 6 months reported in the literature for patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Comment: Large doses of proteolytic enzymes, along with dietary modifications and various "detoxification" programs have been used for many years as an "alternative" treatment for some forms of cancer. There have been several case reports of positive results, but no clinical trials. Although the present study had no control group, the large increase in survival times suggests that this approach is beneficial. A large-scale, randomized controlled trial, funded by the National Cancer Institute, is now in progress; this study will compare the nutrition/enzyme therapy with the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine.

Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutr Cancer 1999;33:117-124.