Anticancer effects of HESA-A in patients with metastatic colon cancer.
BACKGROUND
HESA-A is a natural biological compound of herbal-marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of HESA-A in patients with metastatic colon cancer.


METHODS
Fifty consecutive patients with end-stage colon cancer and liver metastasis at the Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were studied. Patients received HESA-A 50 mg/kg/d orally in 2 to 3 divided doses for 6 months. The patients were assessed at the start and end of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and 26th weeks of the study. The Karnofsky Performance Scale questionnaire was completed for each patient.


RESULTS
The mean Karnofsky performance score increased from 33.6 +/- 9.8 to 63.3 +/- 11 after 10 weeks of study. No significant hepatic or hematological adverse effects were seen during the study.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that HESA-A is an effective and safe anticancer drug, which can be used in selected patients.
Ahmadi
Amrollah
A
Institute of Cancer Research, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. swt_f@yahoo.com
Mohagheghi
Mohammadali
M
Karimi
Mehrdad
M
Seyed Ali Golestanha
Naseri
Mohsen
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C502848:HESA-A preparation; D028321:Plant Preparations