Difference between revisions of "Antineoplaston"

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The '''Antineoplaston-Therapy''' (ANP) according to [[Stanisław Burzyński]] is an [[unconventional cancer treatments|unconventional cancer treatment]] using so-called „antineoplaston remedies“. Burzyński invented the name for a group of peptides. The [[pseudomedicine|pseudomedical]] therapy is known in US since 1977, evidence for efficacy is not available as of yet. Several fatalities are associated with the therapy<ref>http://www.ncahf.org/nl/1998/9-10.html</ref>, it is regarded as inappropriate for the treatment of cancer.<ref>Goldberg P, The Antineoplaston Anomaly: How a Drug Was Used for Decades in Thousands of Patients, With No Safety, Efficacy Data, The Cancer Letter 1998 vol 24, 36</ref><ref>http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/burzynski2.html</ref>  
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The '''Antineoplaston-Therapy''' (ANP) according to [[Stanisław Burzyński]] is an [[unconventional cancer treatments|unconventional cancer treatment]] using so-called „antineoplaston remedies“. Burzyński invented the name for a group of peptides. Despite the [[pseudomedicine|pseudomedical]] therapy has been known in USA since 1977, evidence of its efficacy is not available as of yet. Several fatalities, however, are associated with the therapy<ref>http://www.ncahf.org/nl/1998/9-10.html</ref>; it is regarded as inappropriate for the treatment of cancer.<ref>Goldberg P, The Antineoplaston Anomaly: How a Drug Was Used for Decades in Thousands of Patients, With No Safety, Efficacy Data, The Cancer Letter 1998 vol 24, 36</ref><ref>http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/burzynski2.html</ref>  
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Critics of the method must expect threats by marketers or users of this method.<ref>[http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2011/11/the-burzynski-clinic-threatens-my-family.html The Burzynski Clinic Threatens My Family.], Quackometer, 24. November 2011</ref>
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Critics of the method were threatened by a marketer of the method in 2011.<ref>[http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2011/11/the-burzynski-clinic-threatens-my-family.html The Burzynski Clinic Threatens My Family.], Quackometer, 24. November 2011</ref><ref>[http://rhysmorgan.co/2011/11/threats-from-the-burzynski-clinic/ Threats from The Burzynski Clinic], Blog of Rhys Morgan, November 28, 2011</ref> After a resulting public outrage, Burzynski's Clinic issued an apology and a statement that the marketer in question was not "in a professional relationship with the Burzynski Clinic" anymore. The press release confirmed the marketer had been contracted to "stop the dissemination of false and misleading information" about the antineoplaston therapy. Bloggers will be contacted by lawyers to remove what is claimed to be false or misleading information.<ref name="press_release">[https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzijOpjuex1bMjE4N2JjOGItZGFlOS00NDE0LTk2YzktMThkYjFiOTU2YjNl&hl=en_US&pli=1 Press Release], Burzynski Clinic, November 29, 2011, accessed November 30, 2011</ref>
  
 
==Stanisław Burzyński==
 
==Stanisław Burzyński==
 
[[image:burzynski.jpg|Stanisław Burzyński|right]]
 
[[image:burzynski.jpg|Stanisław Burzyński|right]]
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Inventor is the physician Stanisław Rajmund Burzyński (born January 23, 1943 in Lublin, Poland) living in Houston, Texas. Burzyński claims to have achieved both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in medicine in Lublin in 1967. These claims are dubitable since that university does not have a doctoral program. Additionally, his dissertation cannot be traced.<ref>[http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/burzynski1.html Stanisław Burzyński and "Antineoplastons"], Saul Green, Ph.D., Quackwatch</ref><ref>[http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/burzynski.htm Comment and Opinion, Burzynski Research Institute], The Millenium Project, Peter Bowditch</ref>
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Physician Stanisław Rajmund Burzyński (born January 23, 1943 in Lublin, Poland) lives in Houston, Texas. Burzyński claims to have achieved both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in medicine in Lublin in 1967. These claims are dubitable since this university does not provide doctoral programs. Additionally, his dissertation cannot be traced.<ref>[http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/burzynski1.html Stanisław Burzyński and "Antineoplastons"], Saul Green, Ph.D., Quackwatch</ref><ref>[http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/burzynski.htm Comment and Opinion, Burzynski Research Institute], The Millenium Project, Peter Bowditch</ref>
  
 
Burzyński migrated to the United States in 1970 and was employed at Baylor University in Houston, isolating peptides from rat brains for three years. He received a licence to practice medicine in USA in 1973 and was awarded a three-year grant to study the effects of urinary peptides as an assistant professor. When the grant was not renewed, Burzyński founded his own clinic in Houston.
 
Burzyński migrated to the United States in 1970 and was employed at Baylor University in Houston, isolating peptides from rat brains for three years. He received a licence to practice medicine in USA in 1973 and was awarded a three-year grant to study the effects of urinary peptides as an assistant professor. When the grant was not renewed, Burzyński founded his own clinic in Houston.
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In 1994 Burzyński was convicted for tax insurance fraud.<ref>[ftp://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/pub/93/93-02071.CV0.wpd.pdf United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit summary judgment], July 28, 1994</ref> The Texas Medical board summoned him for a hearing on April, 11 2012 which will debate the revocation of his medical licence.<ref>http://www.burzynskimovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126 Burzyński moviesite, accessed November 26, 2011</ref>
 
  
 
==Composition of Antineoplastons==
 
==Composition of Antineoplastons==
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Antineoplastons are a group of organic chemical compounds which are usually found in urine and blood. They consist mostly of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and peptides, compounds made of two or more amino acids.  
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Antineoplastons are a group of organic chemical compounds usually found in urine and blood. They consist mostly of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and peptides, compounds made of two or more amino acids.  
  
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In 1985 he presented peptides which he called A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. He detected that A2 had the highest effects on tumor cells and named its active ingredient A10. Chemically speaking, A10 is 3-N-phenylacetyl-amino-piperidine-2,6-dione. He developed the products AS&nbsp;2.5 and AS&nbsp;2.1 from this peptide. Burzyński first prepared them from human blood, later from human urine. He developed and patented a manufacturing process for the peptides allowing him to produce them without taking them from human urine. This method is based on synthesis of glutamine and phenylacetyl chloride. Since 1980, the preparation can thus be manufactured synthetically using inexpensive substances commercially available.<ref>ISBN 1-881025-09-8, Ralph Moss, "The Cancer Industry", 1996</ref><ref>[http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/antineoplastons/patient/page2 Questions and Answers About Antineoplastons], National Cancer Institute</ref>
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In 1985 Burzyński presented peptides which he called A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. He detected A2 had the highest effects on tumor cells and named its active ingredient A10. Chemically speaking, A10 is 3-N-phenylacetyl-amino-piperidine-2,6-dione. He developed the products AS&nbsp;2.5 and AS&nbsp;2.1 from this peptide. Burzyński first prepared them from human blood, later from human urine. He developed and patented a manufacturing process for the peptides allowing him to produce them without taking them from human urine. This method is based on synthesis of glutamine and phenylacetyl chloride. Since 1980, the preparation can thus be manufactured synthetically using inexpensive substances commercially available.<ref>ISBN 1-881025-09-8, Ralph Moss, "The Cancer Industry", 1996</ref><ref>[http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/antineoplastons/patient/page2 Questions and Answers About Antineoplastons], National Cancer Institute</ref>
  
 
In alternative medicine, tributyrat PA and PB are known as a kind of preliminary version of Burzyński's antineoplastons.
 
In alternative medicine, tributyrat PA and PB are known as a kind of preliminary version of Burzyński's antineoplastons.
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==Costs==
 
==Costs==
 
An according therapy is estimated at approximately $ 100,000 per year of treatment. Patients have to pay $ 6,000 prior to the start of treatment and instalments of $ 7,500 to $ 9,000 per month. Most insurance companies consider the therapy unproven and do not reimburse costs.<ref>Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin, [http://aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0240.html Antineoplaston Therapy and Sodium Phenylbutyrate]</ref><ref>Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Policy, [http://empireblue.com/provider/noapplication/f2/s5/t9/pw_ad084920.pdf Antineoplaston Therapy]</ref><ref>[http://www.zenosblog.com/2011/11/big-business-in-texas/ Big business in Texas], Zeno's Blog, November 26, 2011</ref>
 
An according therapy is estimated at approximately $ 100,000 per year of treatment. Patients have to pay $ 6,000 prior to the start of treatment and instalments of $ 7,500 to $ 9,000 per month. Most insurance companies consider the therapy unproven and do not reimburse costs.<ref>Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin, [http://aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/200_299/0240.html Antineoplaston Therapy and Sodium Phenylbutyrate]</ref><ref>Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Policy, [http://empireblue.com/provider/noapplication/f2/s5/t9/pw_ad084920.pdf Antineoplaston Therapy]</ref><ref>[http://www.zenosblog.com/2011/11/big-business-in-texas/ Big business in Texas], Zeno's Blog, November 26, 2011</ref>
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==Legal Issues==
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In 1994, Burzyński was convicted for tax insurance fraud.<ref>[ftp://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/pub/93/93-02071.CV0.wpd.pdf United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit summary judgment], July 28, 1994</ref>
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In 2009, FDA issued a caution against the institute due to violations of regulations for the protection of patients.<ref>[http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm192711.htm Warning letter FDA - Burzynski Research Institute / IRB]</ref>
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In 2010, the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners filed a complaint against Burzyński.<ref>[http://www.ministryoftruth.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/tmbvsburzynski.pdf Complaint by the Texas Medical Board], December 8, 2010</ref> The complaint contains the following charges:<ref>[http://www.ministryoftruth.me.uk/2011/11/28/texas-medical-board-vs-burzynski/ Texas Medical Board vs Burzynski], Blog: Ministry of Truth, November 28. 2011</ref>
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*failure to practice medicine in an acceptable professional manner consistent with public health and welfare;
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*failure to meet the standard of care;
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*negligence in performing medical services;
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*failure to use professional diligence;
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*failure to safeguard against potential complications;
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*failure to disclose reasonably foreseeable side effects of a procedure or treatment;
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*failure to disclose reasonable alternative treatments to a proposed procedure or treatment;
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*failure to obtain informed consent from the patient or other person authorized by law to consent to treatment on the patient’s behalf before performing tests, treatments, or procedures; and
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*prescription or administration of a drug in a manner that is not in compliance with Chapter 200 of this title (relating to Standards for Physicians Practicing Complementary and Alternative Medicine) or, that is either not approved by the  Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in human beings or does not meet the standards for off-label use, unless an exemption has otherwise been obtained from the FDA.
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*unprofessional or dishonorable conduct that is likely to deceive or defraud the public or injure the public;
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*providing medically unnecessary services to a patient or submitting a billing statement to a patient or a third party payer that the licensee knew or should have known was improper. “Improper” means the billing statement is false, fraudulent, misrepresents services provided, or otherwise does not meet professional standards.
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The Texas Medical board summoned Burzyński for a hearing to be held on April, 11 2012 which will debate the revocation of his medical licence.<ref>http://www.burzynskimovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126 Burzyński moviesite, accessed November 26, 2011</ref> FDA had put a partial clinical hold on his clinical trials for pediatric patients which even was extended to all clinical trials six months later. FDA inspections of both Burzynski Clinic and Burzynski Research Institute followed in early 2013. However, FDA lifted these bans again in June 2013, despite damning inspection results establishing a rather sweeping non-compliance with FDA constraints by Burzynski. Meanwhile, the Texas Medical Board is again taking action against Burzynski. One of the latest additions to the list of trangressions, the TMB added the use of health care providers with little or no education or skill and representing them to patients as being doctors.<ref>http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-texas-medical-board-vs-stanislaw-burzynski-2014-edition/ </ref>
  
 
==Clinical Trials==
 
==Clinical Trials==
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Burzyński and his assistants tried to prove clinical efficacy of antineoplastons with several clinical studies. The U.S. government register of clinical trials displays 60 entries (as of November 2011) by Burzynski Research Institute.<ref>[http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?spons=%22Burzynski+Research+Institute%22&spons_ex=Y Overview: clinical surveys of Burzynski Research Institute]</ref> The studies are criticized by oncologists due to "flawed research methods" and rated "scientific nonsense".<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-19476029.html Oncologists criticize methods of controversial cancer treatment], Terri Langford, Associated Press, Oktober 1, 1998</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15061600 Alternative cancer cures: "unproven" or "disproven"?], Vickers A., PubMed</ref> Randomized, controlled surveys could not replicate the Burzyński's results. Between 1991 and 1995, more than a million dollars were spent on independent studies at Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering.<ref>[http://ict.sagepub.com/content/3/1/59.abstract Managing Social Conflict in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research: The Case of Antineoplastons], Mitchell R. Hammer, PhD, Wayne B. Jonas, MD, doi: 10.1177/1534735404263448, Integr. Cancer Therapies March 2004 vol. 3 no. 1 59-65</ref><ref name="HoustonPress" /> The studies were cancelled prematurely for ethical reasons because of the method's poor efficacy.<ref>Burzynski SR, Efficacy of antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1, 1999 Mayo Clin. Proc., vol 74 6 Seiten 641-2 PMID 10377942</ref><ref>Buckner JC, Malkin MG, Reed E, Cascino TL, Reid JM, Maes MM, Tong WPY, LIM S, Figg WD: Phase II study of Antineoplaston A10 (NSC 648539) and AS 2-1 (NSC 620261) in patients with recurrent glioma. Mayo Clin Proc, 74, 137-145, 1999</ref>  
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Burzyński and his assistants tried to prove clinical efficacy of antineoplastons with several clinical studies. The U.S. government register of clinical trials displays 60 entries (as of November 2011) by Burzynski Research Institute.<ref>[http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?spons=%22Burzynski+Research+Institute%22&spons_ex=Y Overview: clinical surveys of Burzynski Research Institute]</ref> The studies are criticized by oncologists due to "flawed research methods" and rated "scientific nonsense".<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-19476029.html Oncologists criticize methods of controversial cancer treatment], Terri Langford, Associated Press, Oktober 1, 1998</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15061600 Alternative cancer cures: "unproven" or "disproven"?], Vickers A., PubMed</ref> Randomized, controlled surveys could not replicate Burzyński's results. Between 1991 and 1995, more than a million dollars were spent on independent studies at Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering.<ref>[http://ict.sagepub.com/content/3/1/59.abstract Managing Social Conflict in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research: The Case of Antineoplastons], Mitchell R. Hammer, PhD, Wayne B. Jonas, MD, doi: 10.1177/1534735404263448, Integr. Cancer Therapies March 2004 vol. 3 no. 1 59-65</ref><ref name="HoustonPress" /> The studies were cancelled prematurely for ethical reasons because of the method's poor efficacy.<ref>Burzynski SR, Efficacy of antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1, 1999 Mayo Clin. Proc., vol 74 6 Seiten 641-2 PMID 10377942</ref><ref>Buckner JC, Malkin MG, Reed E, Cascino TL, Reid JM, Maes MM, Tong WPY, LIM S, Figg WD: Phase II study of Antineoplaston A10 (NSC 648539) and AS 2-1 (NSC 620261) in patients with recurrent glioma. Mayo Clin Proc, 74, 137-145, 1999</ref>  
  
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In December 2007, FDA granted [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan_drug orphan drug] status to Burzyński's concoctions for the treatment of gliomas, a group of brain tumors hard to treat.<ref name="HoustonPress">http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-01-01/news/cancer-doctor-stanislaw-burzynski-sees-himself-as-a-crusading-researcher-not-a-quack/</ref> In 2009, FDA issued a caution against the institute due to violations of regulations for the protection of patients.<ref>[http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm192711.htm Warning letter FDA - Burzynski Research Institute / IRB]</ref>
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In December 2007, FDA granted [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan_drug orphan drug] status to Burzyński's concoctions for the treatment of gliomas, a group of brain tumors hard to treat.<ref name="HoustonPress">http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-01-01/news/cancer-doctor-stanislaw-burzynski-sees-himself-as-a-crusading-researcher-not-a-quack/</ref>  
 +
An independent review by American Cancer Society also arrived at negative results and recommended  patients not to spend money on antineoplaston treatments since there is no evidence of positive effects in treatment of cancer. A 2004 medical review described this treatment as a "disproven therapy".<ref name="acs">[http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/33/1/57.pdf Antineoplastons] - American Cancer Society on Antineoplastons ''CA Cancer J Clin'' 1983;33;57-59, DOI: 10.3322/canjclin.33.1.57</ref><ref>[http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/antineoplastons/healthprofessional/page5 Antineoplastons - Human/Clinical Studies], National Cancer Institute, August 24, 2011</ref>
  
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An independent review by American Cancer Society also arrived at negative results and recommended  patients not to spend money on antineoplaston treatments since there is no evidence of positive effects in treatment of cancer. A 2004 medical review described this treatment as a "disproven therapy".<ref name="acs">[http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/reprint/33/1/57.pdf Antineoplastons] - American Cancer Society on Antineoplastons ''CA Cancer J Clin'' 1983;33;57-59, DOI: 10.3322/canjclin.33.1.57</ref>.
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In a November 2011, Burzynski's Clinic listed a "number of studies since 2006" in a press release claiming to prove efficacy of the treatment.<ref name="press_release" /> None of the studies was published in a paper with a high [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_factor impact factor] and most have not been peer reviewed at all. Nine studies are claimed to have been printed by the Journal of Neuro-Oncology which has a good impact factor, but in truth these were just presented as preliminary results at conferences covered by the journal. Contrary to the claim in the press release, there have not been any scientific studies supporting antineoplaston treatment since 2006.<ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/blaghag/2011/11/a-look-at-the-burzynski-clinics-publications/ A look at the Burzynski clinic’s publications], Jen McCreight, freethoughtblogs, November 29, 2011</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/blaghag/2011/11/more-damning-revelations-about-burzynskis-research/ More damning revelations about Burzynski’s “research”], Jen McCreight, freethoughtblogs, November 30, 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.ministryoftruth.me.uk/2011/11/30/burzynski-the-press-release/ Burzynski – The Press Release], Blog: Ministry of Truth, November 30. 2011</ref>
  
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The products are not approved by FDA and may only be used as part of clinical studies.
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The products are not approved by FDA and may only be used as part of clinical trials.
  
 
==The movie "Burzynski - Cancer is Serious Business"==
 
==The movie "Burzynski - Cancer is Serious Business"==
 
In 2010, Eric Merola (a former director of TV commercials) did a movie "Burzynski - Cancer is Serious Business" which dealt with Burzyński's conflicts with authorities. Critics panned the film as one-sided, poorly produced propaganda promoting Burzyński's treatment. Village Voice commented:
 
In 2010, Eric Merola (a former director of TV commercials) did a movie "Burzynski - Cancer is Serious Business" which dealt with Burzyński's conflicts with authorities. Critics panned the film as one-sided, poorly produced propaganda promoting Burzyński's treatment. Village Voice commented:
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:''violates every basic rule of ethical filmmaking: Merola interviews only Burzynski's supporters, produces no patient records other than the doctor's own, and offers no credible proof of the drug's success and no data about its side effects, even as he slams chemotherapy and radiation.''<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-06-01/film/quack-quack-goes-burzynski/ QUACK-QUACK Goes Burzynski], Village Voice, June 1, 2010, accessed November 25, 2011</ref>  
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:''... violates every basic rule of ethical filmmaking: Merola interviews only Burzynski's supporters, produces no patient records other than the doctor's own, and offers no credible proof of the drug's success and no data about its side effects, even as he slams chemotherapy and radiation.''<ref>[http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-06-01/film/quack-quack-goes-burzynski/ QUACK-QUACK Goes Burzynski], Village Voice, June 1, 2010, accessed November 25, 2011</ref>  
  
 
Houston Press dishes out derision:
 
Houston Press dishes out derision:
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:''We're not sure which dictionary Merola has consulted for his understanding of the word "objective," but hey -- we don't necessarily think a puff-piece paean that cherrypicks facts and ignores any criticism of a documentary's subject is a truly horrible thing, as long as viewers understand they're just getting one side of the story.''<ref>[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/06/burzynski_movie.php Stanlislaw Burzynski: New Movie Proves He's A Cancer-Fighting Giant], Houston News, June 2, 2011, accessed November 25, 2011</ref>
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:''"We're not sure which dictionary Merola has consulted for his understanding of the word "objective," but hey -- we don't necessarily think a puff-piece paean that cherrypicks facts and ignores any criticism of a documentary's subject is a truly horrible thing, as long as viewers understand they're just getting one side of the story.!''<ref>[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2010/06/burzynski_movie.php Stanlislaw Burzynski: New Movie Proves He's A Cancer-Fighting Giant], Houston News, June 2, 2011, accessed November 25, 2011</ref>
  
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The cases of cured patients presented in the movie meant to serve as evidence of the efficacy of the treatment particularly excel with fragmentary facts. A thorough analysis of facts known in the three cases concludes they provide no proof for the efficacy of antineoplaston therapy.<ref>[http://anaximperator.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/burzynski-the-movie-does-it-prove-the-efficacy-of-antineoplastons-against-cancer/ Burzynski The Movie: Does It Prove The Efficacy of Antineoplastons Against Cancer?], accessed November 25, 2011</ref>
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The cases of cured patients presented in the movie as evidence of the efficacy of the treatment particularly excel with fragmentary facts. A thorough analysis of facts known in those three cases points out they provide no proof for the efficacy of antineoplaston therapy.<ref>[http://anaximperator.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/burzynski-the-movie-does-it-prove-the-efficacy-of-antineoplastons-against-cancer/ Burzynski The Movie: Does It Prove The Efficacy of Antineoplastons Against Cancer?], accessed November 25, 2011</ref><ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2011/11/burzynski_the_movie_subtle_its_not.php Burzynski The Movie: Hitting you over the head with pseudoscience, just like Burzynski the man], Respectful Insolence, scienceblogs.com, accessed November 29, 2011</ref>
  
 
{{OtherLang|ge=Antineoplaston|en=Antineoplaston}}
 
{{OtherLang|ge=Antineoplaston|en=Antineoplaston}}
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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[[category:Wondertherapy for cancer]]
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[[category:Miracle Therapy Cancer]]

Latest revision as of 19:17, 4 November 2015

The Antineoplaston-Therapy (ANP) according to Stanisław Burzyński is an unconventional cancer treatment using so-called „antineoplaston remedies“. Burzyński invented the name for a group of peptides. Despite the pseudomedical therapy has been known in USA since 1977, evidence of its efficacy is not available as of yet. Several fatalities, however, are associated with the therapy[1]; it is regarded as inappropriate for the treatment of cancer.[2][3] Critics of the method were threatened by a marketer of the method in 2011.[4][5] After a resulting public outrage, Burzynski's Clinic issued an apology and a statement that the marketer in question was not "in a professional relationship with the Burzynski Clinic" anymore. The press release confirmed the marketer had been contracted to "stop the dissemination of false and misleading information" about the antineoplaston therapy. Bloggers will be contacted by lawyers to remove what is claimed to be false or misleading information.[6]

Stanisław Burzyński

Stanisław Burzyński

Physician Stanisław Rajmund Burzyński (born January 23, 1943 in Lublin, Poland) lives in Houston, Texas. Burzyński claims to have achieved both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in medicine in Lublin in 1967. These claims are dubitable since this university does not provide doctoral programs. Additionally, his dissertation cannot be traced.[7][8]

Burzyński migrated to the United States in 1970 and was employed at Baylor University in Houston, isolating peptides from rat brains for three years. He received a licence to practice medicine in USA in 1973 and was awarded a three-year grant to study the effects of urinary peptides as an assistant professor. When the grant was not renewed, Burzyński founded his own clinic in Houston.

Composition of Antineoplastons

Antineoplastons are a group of organic chemical compounds usually found in urine and blood. They consist mostly of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and peptides, compounds made of two or more amino acids.

In 1985 Burzyński presented peptides which he called A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. He detected A2 had the highest effects on tumor cells and named its active ingredient A10. Chemically speaking, A10 is 3-N-phenylacetyl-amino-piperidine-2,6-dione. He developed the products AS 2.5 and AS 2.1 from this peptide. Burzyński first prepared them from human blood, later from human urine. He developed and patented a manufacturing process for the peptides allowing him to produce them without taking them from human urine. This method is based on synthesis of glutamine and phenylacetyl chloride. Since 1980, the preparation can thus be manufactured synthetically using inexpensive substances commercially available.[9][10]

In alternative medicine, tributyrat PA and PB are known as a kind of preliminary version of Burzyński's antineoplastons.

The Therapy

The therapy is available only from Burzyński at the "Burzynski Clinic" in West Houston, Texas. He offers the treatment as part of studies, since the compounds used are not approved. In order to qualify, a patient must have been non-respondent to standard therapies, or the tumour must have been rated incurable. The compound is either injected or taken orally. If a patient's condition improves due to intravenous adminstration, patients may switch to oral administration. During intravenous administration, antineoplastones must be given constantly, thus requiring a programmable pump which patients carry on them.

Costs

An according therapy is estimated at approximately $ 100,000 per year of treatment. Patients have to pay $ 6,000 prior to the start of treatment and instalments of $ 7,500 to $ 9,000 per month. Most insurance companies consider the therapy unproven and do not reimburse costs.[11][12][13]

Legal Issues

In 1994, Burzyński was convicted for tax insurance fraud.[14] In 2009, FDA issued a caution against the institute due to violations of regulations for the protection of patients.[15] In 2010, the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners filed a complaint against Burzyński.[16] The complaint contains the following charges:[17]

  • failure to practice medicine in an acceptable professional manner consistent with public health and welfare;
  • failure to meet the standard of care;
  • negligence in performing medical services;
  • failure to use professional diligence;
  • failure to safeguard against potential complications;
  • failure to disclose reasonably foreseeable side effects of a procedure or treatment;
  • failure to disclose reasonable alternative treatments to a proposed procedure or treatment;
  • failure to obtain informed consent from the patient or other person authorized by law to consent to treatment on the patient’s behalf before performing tests, treatments, or procedures; and
  • prescription or administration of a drug in a manner that is not in compliance with Chapter 200 of this title (relating to Standards for Physicians Practicing Complementary and Alternative Medicine) or, that is either not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in human beings or does not meet the standards for off-label use, unless an exemption has otherwise been obtained from the FDA.
  • unprofessional or dishonorable conduct that is likely to deceive or defraud the public or injure the public;
  • providing medically unnecessary services to a patient or submitting a billing statement to a patient or a third party payer that the licensee knew or should have known was improper. “Improper” means the billing statement is false, fraudulent, misrepresents services provided, or otherwise does not meet professional standards.

The Texas Medical board summoned Burzyński for a hearing to be held on April, 11 2012 which will debate the revocation of his medical licence.[18] FDA had put a partial clinical hold on his clinical trials for pediatric patients which even was extended to all clinical trials six months later. FDA inspections of both Burzynski Clinic and Burzynski Research Institute followed in early 2013. However, FDA lifted these bans again in June 2013, despite damning inspection results establishing a rather sweeping non-compliance with FDA constraints by Burzynski. Meanwhile, the Texas Medical Board is again taking action against Burzynski. One of the latest additions to the list of trangressions, the TMB added the use of health care providers with little or no education or skill and representing them to patients as being doctors.[19]

Clinical Trials

Burzyński and his assistants tried to prove clinical efficacy of antineoplastons with several clinical studies. The U.S. government register of clinical trials displays 60 entries (as of November 2011) by Burzynski Research Institute.[20] The studies are criticized by oncologists due to "flawed research methods" and rated "scientific nonsense".[21][22] Randomized, controlled surveys could not replicate Burzyński's results. Between 1991 and 1995, more than a million dollars were spent on independent studies at Mayo Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering.[23][24] The studies were cancelled prematurely for ethical reasons because of the method's poor efficacy.[25][26]

In December 2007, FDA granted orphan drug status to Burzyński's concoctions for the treatment of gliomas, a group of brain tumors hard to treat.[24] An independent review by American Cancer Society also arrived at negative results and recommended patients not to spend money on antineoplaston treatments since there is no evidence of positive effects in treatment of cancer. A 2004 medical review described this treatment as a "disproven therapy".[27][28]

In a November 2011, Burzynski's Clinic listed a "number of studies since 2006" in a press release claiming to prove efficacy of the treatment.[6] None of the studies was published in a paper with a high impact factor and most have not been peer reviewed at all. Nine studies are claimed to have been printed by the Journal of Neuro-Oncology which has a good impact factor, but in truth these were just presented as preliminary results at conferences covered by the journal. Contrary to the claim in the press release, there have not been any scientific studies supporting antineoplaston treatment since 2006.[29][30][31]

The products are not approved by FDA and may only be used as part of clinical trials.

The movie "Burzynski - Cancer is Serious Business"

In 2010, Eric Merola (a former director of TV commercials) did a movie "Burzynski - Cancer is Serious Business" which dealt with Burzyński's conflicts with authorities. Critics panned the film as one-sided, poorly produced propaganda promoting Burzyński's treatment. Village Voice commented:

... violates every basic rule of ethical filmmaking: Merola interviews only Burzynski's supporters, produces no patient records other than the doctor's own, and offers no credible proof of the drug's success and no data about its side effects, even as he slams chemotherapy and radiation.[32]

Houston Press dishes out derision:

"We're not sure which dictionary Merola has consulted for his understanding of the word "objective," but hey -- we don't necessarily think a puff-piece paean that cherrypicks facts and ignores any criticism of a documentary's subject is a truly horrible thing, as long as viewers understand they're just getting one side of the story.![33]

The cases of cured patients presented in the movie as evidence of the efficacy of the treatment particularly excel with fragmentary facts. A thorough analysis of facts known in those three cases points out they provide no proof for the efficacy of antineoplaston therapy.[34][35]

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Links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ncahf.org/nl/1998/9-10.html
  2. ↑ Goldberg P, The Antineoplaston Anomaly: How a Drug Was Used for Decades in Thousands of Patients, With No Safety, Efficacy Data, The Cancer Letter 1998 vol 24, 36
  3. ↑ http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/burzynski2.html
  4. ↑ The Burzynski Clinic Threatens My Family., Quackometer, 24. November 2011
  5. ↑ Threats from The Burzynski Clinic, Blog of Rhys Morgan, November 28, 2011
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Press Release, Burzynski Clinic, November 29, 2011, accessed November 30, 2011
  7. ↑ Stanisław Burzyński and "Antineoplastons", Saul Green, Ph.D., Quackwatch
  8. ↑ Comment and Opinion, Burzynski Research Institute, The Millenium Project, Peter Bowditch
  9. ↑ ISBN 1-881025-09-8, Ralph Moss, "The Cancer Industry", 1996
  10. ↑ Questions and Answers About Antineoplastons, National Cancer Institute
  11. ↑ Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin, Antineoplaston Therapy and Sodium Phenylbutyrate
  12. ↑ Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Policy, Antineoplaston Therapy
  13. ↑ Big business in Texas, Zeno's Blog, November 26, 2011
  14. ↑ United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit summary judgment, July 28, 1994
  15. ↑ Warning letter FDA - Burzynski Research Institute / IRB
  16. ↑ Complaint by the Texas Medical Board, December 8, 2010
  17. ↑ Texas Medical Board vs Burzynski, Blog: Ministry of Truth, November 28. 2011
  18. ↑ http://www.burzynskimovie.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126 Burzyński moviesite, accessed November 26, 2011
  19. ↑ http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-texas-medical-board-vs-stanislaw-burzynski-2014-edition/
  20. ↑ Overview: clinical surveys of Burzynski Research Institute
  21. ↑ Oncologists criticize methods of controversial cancer treatment, Terri Langford, Associated Press, Oktober 1, 1998
  22. ↑ Alternative cancer cures: "unproven" or "disproven"?, Vickers A., PubMed
  23. ↑ Managing Social Conflict in Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research: The Case of Antineoplastons, Mitchell R. Hammer, PhD, Wayne B. Jonas, MD, doi: 10.1177/1534735404263448, Integr. Cancer Therapies March 2004 vol. 3 no. 1 59-65
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 http://www.houstonpress.com/2009-01-01/news/cancer-doctor-stanislaw-burzynski-sees-himself-as-a-crusading-researcher-not-a-quack/
  25. ↑ Burzynski SR, Efficacy of antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1, 1999 Mayo Clin. Proc., vol 74 6 Seiten 641-2 PMID 10377942
  26. ↑ Buckner JC, Malkin MG, Reed E, Cascino TL, Reid JM, Maes MM, Tong WPY, LIM S, Figg WD: Phase II study of Antineoplaston A10 (NSC 648539) and AS 2-1 (NSC 620261) in patients with recurrent glioma. Mayo Clin Proc, 74, 137-145, 1999
  27. ↑ Antineoplastons - American Cancer Society on Antineoplastons CA Cancer J Clin 1983;33;57-59, DOI: 10.3322/canjclin.33.1.57
  28. ↑ Antineoplastons - Human/Clinical Studies, National Cancer Institute, August 24, 2011
  29. ↑ A look at the Burzynski clinic’s publications, Jen McCreight, freethoughtblogs, November 29, 2011
  30. ↑ More damning revelations about Burzynski’s “research”, Jen McCreight, freethoughtblogs, November 30, 2011
  31. ↑ Burzynski – The Press Release, Blog: Ministry of Truth, November 30. 2011
  32. ↑ QUACK-QUACK Goes Burzynski, Village Voice, June 1, 2010, accessed November 25, 2011
  33. ↑ Stanlislaw Burzynski: New Movie Proves He's A Cancer-Fighting Giant, Houston News, June 2, 2011, accessed November 25, 2011
  34. ↑ Burzynski The Movie: Does It Prove The Efficacy of Antineoplastons Against Cancer?, accessed November 25, 2011
  35. ↑ Burzynski The Movie: Hitting you over the head with pseudoscience, just like Burzynski the man, Respectful Insolence, scienceblogs.com, accessed November 29, 2011
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