Krebiozen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Krebiozen (aka Carcalon, substance X, drug X[1], creatine monohydrate [2]) is an alleged treament for cancer. Its efficacy has been disputed and the current mainstream consensus is that it has no therapeutic value.

It is claimed that krebiozen, originally called substance X, came from horses inoculated with Actinomyces bovis by Dr. Stevan Durovic. Dr Durovic claimed that krebiozen had been useful in the treatment of spontaneous cancer, mainly in cats and dogs.

Dr. Durovic met Dr Andrew Conway Ivy in 1949 and told him about 'substance X'. The idea resonated with Dr. Ivy's knowledge of how chemicals might control cell growth[3]. Dr Ivy took the drug himself and then administered it to a colleague, then to a dog and eventually started trials on patients.[3] He became convinced that the drug could cure cancer[4].

Dr Ivy announced the trial results on March 27 (or 26th[1]), 1951 at a press conference at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, to an audience of journalists, politicians, doctors and potential investors. Of the 22 patients in the trial, 14 were listed as alive and none as having died of cancer. In fact, ten patients had died of cancer at the time of the trial, and none from other causes.[3]

Shortly after, the Krebiozen Research Foundation was established by the Durovic brothers, with Dr Ivy as president[1].

Ten hospitals and cancer research centers followed up on the trial, and observed no effect on cancer. A compilation of the multi-institutional negative data was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1951. Krebiozen's backers claimed a conspiracy against the drug.[3] One allegation was that after two Chicago businessmen tried to get control of the distribution rights to Krebiozen, but were rebuffed, they tried to ruin Krebiozen and everyone connected with it using a connection with the American Medical Association[5]. Another allegation is that because krebiozen is 'unorthodox', its use had to be suppressed[6].

In 1959 Dr Ivy produced his own version of the drug under the name Carcalon[7].

A report published by the Krebiozen Foundation in 1962 indicated that 3,300 physicians treated 4,227 patients with krebiozen.

The reports claimed objective improvement, with a decrease in tumor size of 61% of brain and spinal cord tumors, a 70% decrease of metastases to the brain, and a 48% decrease of breast cancers. The report, however, was disproven by the FDA and the National Cancer Institute. (For a discussion see [3]).

Samples of krebiozen were provided on two occasions to the National Cancer Institute, and on one occasion to the FDA in the form of dry powder. All three samples proved to be creatine monohydrate, sometimes in mineral oil[3][7][8][4][6].

On October 28, 1964, Mr. Durovic, Dr. Durovic, Dr Ivy and the Krebiozen Research Foundation were indicted for introducing mislabeled drugs into interstate commerce in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. After fifteen months and a nine-month trial, the case ended with a hung jury and they were acquitted[3][9][1][6].

The committee's [1973] report of the 504 case records clearly established that 'Krebiozen' does not possess any anticancer activity in man. The National Cancer Institute has completed its consideration of 'Krebiozen.' There is no justification for a clinical trial, and from a scientific standpoint we regard the case closed. (NCI director) [7][4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d http://www.chilit.org/Papers%20by%20author/Chertow%20--%20Krebiozen.HTM Sheldon Chertow (1998) Krebiozen
  2. ^ krebiozen, CAS Number: 60-27-5
  3. ^ a b c d e f g http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/krebiozen.html The Krebiozen Story
  4. ^ a b c http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/UnconventionalTherapies/Krebiozen.htm Krebiozen
  5. ^ www (dot) whale (dot) to/cancer/ivy.html The History of a Tragedy - blacklisted website.
  6. ^ a b c http://www.alkalizeforhealth.net/Lburzynski.htm Dr. Ivy & Krebiozen, Dr. Burzynski & Antineoplastons
  7. ^ a b c http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Krebiozen.asp?sitearea=ETO Krebiozen - American Cancer Society
  8. ^ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,896964,00.html Krebiozen Analyzed Time Magazine 13/9/1963
  9. ^ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,842474,00.html The Krebiozen Verdict Time Magazine 11/2/1966