The effects of phytotherapeutic agents on prostate cancer: an overview of recent clinical trials of PC SPES.
The clinical effects of the dietary supplement PC SPES will be reviewed. This herbal extract is a combination of 1 US herb and 7 Chinese herbs shown to be active against both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer. Anecdotal reports on the effectiveness of this agent have led to several clinical trials. These clinical trials have shown prostate-specific antigen partial response rates and overall improvements in quality of life. Although these studies have concluded that there is a possible estrogenic component, evidence exists that this is not the sole reason for the efficacy of PC SPES. At this point, clinical trials have validated PC SPES as an option for patients with prostate cancer, but further study is needed to pinpoint the exact mechanism of action.
Pirani
J F
JF
Clinical Urology Associates, Gadsden, Alabama 35903, USA. jpirani@pol.net
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; C114209:herbal preparation PC-SPES; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen