Prospective trial of the herbal supplement PC-SPES in patients with progressive prostate cancer Journal Article


Authors: Small, E. J.; Frohlich, M. W.; Bok, R.; Shinohara, K.; Grossfeld, G.; Rozenblat, Z.; Kelly, W. K.; Corry, M.; Reese, D. M.
Article Title: Prospective trial of the herbal supplement PC-SPES in patients with progressive prostate cancer
Abstract: Purpose: PC-SPES is an herbal supplement for which there are anecdotal reports of anti-prostate cancer activity. This phase II study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and toxicity of PC-SPES in prostate cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty-three patients with androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPCa) and 37 patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPCa) were treated with PC-SPES at a dose of nine capsules daily. Clinical outcome was assessed with serial serum prostate-specific androgen (PSA) level measurement and imaging studies. Results: One hundred percent of ADPCa patients experienced a PSA decline of ≥ 80%, with a median duration of 57+ weeks. No patient has developed PSA progression. Thirty-one patients (97%) had declines of testosterone to the anorchid range. Two ADPCa patients had positive bone scans; both improved. One patient with a bladder mass measurable on computed tomography scan experienced disappearance of this mass. Nineteen (54%) of 35 AIPCa patients had a PSA decline of ≥ 50%, including eight (50%) of 16 patients who had received prior ketoconazole therapy. Median time to PSA progression was 16 weeks (range, 2 to 69+ weeks). Of 25 patients with positive bone scans, two had improvement, seven had stable disease, 11 had progressive disease, and five did not have a repeat bone scan because of PSA progression. Severe toxicities included thromboembolic events (n = 3) and allergic reactions (n = 3). Other frequent toxicities included gynecomastia/gynecodynia, leg cramps, and grade 1 or 2 diarrhea. Conclusion: PC-SPES seems to have activity in the treatment of both ADPCa and AIPCa and has acceptable toxicity. Further study is required to determine whether its effects exceed those expected with estrogen therapy. (C) 2000 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Keywords: adult; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; major clinical study; clinical trial; diarrhea; antineoplastic agent; prospective studies; adenocarcinoma; prostate specific antigen; antineoplastic agents, phytogenic; antineoplastic activity; drug effect; diet supplementation; prostate cancer; prostate-specific antigen; prostatic neoplasms; thromboembolism; plant extracts; herbaceous agent; drugs, chinese herbal; ketoconazole; testosterone blood level; gynecomastia; testosterone; androgens; neoplasms, hormone-dependent; leg cramp; pc spes; humans; human; male; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 18
Issue: 21
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2000-11-01
Start Page: 3595
End Page: 3603
Language: English
PUBMED: 11054432
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 18 November 2015 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. William K Kelly
    115 Kelly