PC-SPES and prostate cancer.
PC-SPES (Botanic Lab, Brea, CA) is a combination of eight herbal therapies with activity against prostate cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. Studies in human prostate cancer cell lines demonstrate significant dose-dependent decreases in cellular viability after exposure to extracts of PC-SPES. Clinical studies suggest that PC-SPES can reduce specific antigen levels in both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer patients. Toxicity is mild, thought there is an approximately 5% risk of thromboembolic events with treatment. Although PC-SPES has apparent estrogenic activity, controversy exists over the exact mechanism of its effects.
Department of Adult Oncology, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
William K
WK
Oh
Eric J
EJ
Small
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010936:Plant Extracts; C114209:herbal preparation PC-SPES; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen