PC-SPES

PC-SPES is a formulation of eight herbs: seven are plants and one is a fungus. The name is derived from the common abbreviation for prostate cancer (PC) and the Latin word spes meaning hope. (Do not confuse it with a related herbal combination product simply called SPES, also under development as a possible cancer treatment.) Since its commercial launch in 1996, PC-SPES has received increasing interest from the general public and prostate cancer researchers. Some evidence suggests that its constituents may possess various biological actions, including immune stimulation, and antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Seven of the herbs have long histories of use in traditional Chinese medicine; one of these, saw palmetto, is widely recognized as an effective medical treatment for benign prostate enlargement. Although no double-blind trials of PC-SPES have been reported, preliminary evidence suggested that it has significant effects on prostate cancer cells, perhaps due in part to its estrogen-like action. However, chemical analysis reported in 2002 called everything about PC-SPES into question. It appears that PC-SPES is not truly a purely herbal product; lots dating back to 1996 have been found to contain a form of pharmaceutical estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES), as well as indomethacin (an anti-inflammatory medication in the ibuprofen family) and warfarin (a strong blood thinner). Samples subsequent to 1999 contain less DES; but they also have shown less effectiveness in treating prostate cancer. There is little doubt that DES is active against prostate cancer, but it presents a variety of risks, including blood clots in the legs. The other two pharmaceutical contaminants might actually reduce this risk (which may be why they were covertly added), but present various risks all on their own. For these reasons, we strongly recommend against using PC-SPES at all.

The only proposed use of PC-SPES was the treatment of prostate cancer. The formulation was tried at various stages of the disease, and preliminary research indicates that it has real potential, particularly for treating prostate cancer that is no longer responsive to hormone therapies. Benefits were reported in the two main types of prostate cancer: hormone-sensitive and hormone-insensitive cancer. No double-blind trials were performed; this issue became moot, however, after the covert addition of pharmaceuticals was discovered.

All the results reported in the following paragraphs are consistent with the known effects of hormones related to estrogen, and may be due to the DES present in PC-SPES, rather than the herbal constituents. Test tube studies of cancer cells found that PC-SPES decreases cell growth, promotes tumor cell death, and reduces PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels in both hormone-sensitive and hormone-insensitive prostate cancers, and exerts estrogenic effects. In a rat study, PC-SPES treatment reduced the occurrence of prostate cancer tumors, inhibited their growth, and slowed the rate of cancer spread (metastasis) to the lungs. In one uncontrolled human study, PC-SPES produced a significant decrease in PSA levels for most of the 33 volunteers tested. Similar results were seen in another study of 69 individuals by the same author, and a study of 70 individuals conducted by another researcher. Benefits were seen in other uncontrolled trials, as well.

The standard dosage of PC-SPES was 6 to 9 capsules (320 mg each) per day, taken on an empty stomach at least 2 hours before or after meals.

Note: Due to the presence of unlisted pharmaceuticals, PC-SPES should not be used. Its no surprise that side effects of PC-SPES closely resemble those of estrogen when taken by men for the treatment of prostate cancer; it may cause breast or nipple tenderness or swelling, loss of body hair, hot flashes, and loss of libido. Some individuals have also reported leg cramps, nausea and vomiting, and blood clots in the legs. Side effects of PC-SPES increase with dosage. There is one case report of PC-SPES taken at twice the recommended dose causing internal bleeding, presumably due to the presence of warfarin (Coumadin), a strong blood thinner.