What is antineoplaston therapy?

• What antineoplastons are
• What we know about antineoplastons
• Side effects
• More information about alternative and complementary therapies

Antineoplaston therapy is an alternative therapy. Antineoplastons are chemical compounds found normally in blood and urine. They are made up of amino acids and peptides.

Some people promote antineoplaston therapy as a cancer treatment. But available scientific evidence does not support claims that antineoplaston therapy is effective in treating or preventing cancer. Antineoplaston therapy was developed by Dr. S. R. Burzynski in the 1970’s. He believes that antineoplastons are part of the body’s natural defence mechanisms against cancer and that people with cancer don’t have enough of them. At first, he took these compounds out of urine and blood. Now, it is possible to make them in the laboratory. There are several types of antineoplastons. They are known by the letter ‘A’ and a number such as A10, AS-25 and AS2-1.

Antineoplastons are taken either as a tablet or as an injection into the bloodstream.

There have been a number of phase 1 and 2 trials in different types of cancer. These early phase trials test what dose of treatment people should have, how safe the treatment is, and how well it works. Early trials only give the treatment to small numbers of people. Although Dr Burzynski’s own clinic have reported positive results for these trials, no other researchers have been able to show that this type of treatment helps to treat cancer. Other researchers have criticised the way the Burzynski Clinic trials have been carried out. Despite researching this type of treatment for over 35 years, no phase 3 trials have been carried out or reported. A randomised clinical trial is the only way to properly test whether any new drug or therapy works.

The American Cancer Society say that a year’s course of treatment at the Burzynski Clinic costs between 30 and 60 thousand dollars.

In trials antineoplastons have been found to cause some side effects including

• Low numbers of red blood cells (anaemia)
• Wind
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Feeling and being sick
• Feeling sleepy
• Skin rash
• A high temperature (fever)
• Fits (seizures)

Trials are ongoing in America at Dr. S. R. Burzynski’s clinic. Some laboratory research is being carried out at other cancer centres. But it will be some time before we know whether antineoplaston treatment works as a cancer treatment, what effects it has on the body, and how it interacts with other medicines.

It is important to talk to your cancer specialist before taking any alternative cancer treatment, especially if you are having other treatments for your cancer.

There is general information about alternative therapies in CancerHelp UK’s complementary therapy section. The National Cancer Institute website in the USA has very detailed information about antineoplaston therapy and clinical trials.

For more information about antineoplaston therapy, please visit the Cancer Research UK science blog.