Herbal supplement PC-Spes for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and toxicity of the herbal supplement PC-Spes in prostate cancer patients.


METHODS
Literature search through MEDLINE (1966-October 2001), PubMed, and abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (1995-2001).


RESULTS
PC-Spes was associated with biochemical and clinical response in some prostate cancer patients. The mechanisms of action of PC-Spes appeared to be related to its estrogenic activity.


CONCLUSIONS
PC-Spes is associated with some efficacy in prostate cancer patients. Due to the limited data available, it should not be used to replace standard androgen suppression therapy in androgen-dependent patients. PC-Spes may have a role for patients who have failed standard treatments for androgen-independent disease and have no history of thromboembolism or abnormal bleeding. PC-Spes has a toxicity profile similar to those of androgen suppression and estrogen therapy.
de Lemos
Mário L
ML
Provincial Systemic Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver V5Z 4E6, British Columbia, Canada. mdelemos@bccancer.bc.ca
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D020922:Sleep-Wake Transition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; C114209:herbal preparation PC-SPES; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen