A couple of weeks ago, we received a "snipped" version of a press release
from a friend on the Cancer-L maillist, titled "A Potent Therapeutic Remedy
'GcMAF' For a Variety of Cancers", issued at a cancer research seminar in
late June.
>Recently, while I was searching through Medline looking for information
(any information on platelets, Osteosarcoma, etc.), I came across some data
involving vitamin D3: From what I understood, I thought it was interesting
stuff that might have some promise. Was I wrong! If the following posting is
true, we may have a non-toxic, cheap, and simple immunotherapy on our hands.
>I wonder if anyone can confirm this or maybe follow-up with the Dr. in
charge of research (specially, if you have a PHD or MD after your name!)
I don't have a PhD or MD after my name, but have subsequently met with the
lead researcher for several hours and gotten a copy of the full release,
available now on the World Wide Web but unlikely to stumbled on without the
following URL (address):
http://www.wellweb.com/yamamoto/pressrel.htm
It describes a potential new treatment for many forms of cancer based on a
novel (at least to me) approach to enhancing the immune system, and
apparently has no toxic side effects. It also describes a diagnostic marker
which the researchers claim is much more sensitive than other available
diagnostic tools, including PSA. Caveats are that results have only been
measured over a period of less than a year, in only a handful of patients,
and are based on the as yet unproven diagnostic marker.
The press release suggests the treatment may be a major breakthrough. So
far, we've only been able to talk with one of the patients who has had the
treatment, a highly credible MD and professor emeritus from the Harvard
Medical School who told us that he (advanced melanoma) and his wife
(advanced colorectal cancer) both received the treatment and they are
"deeply gratified" because there is now "absolutely no evidence of disease"
in either of them. He also told us about a friend of his, a past research
scientist at the Rockefeller Foundation, who is a patient of advanced PCa
and who's marker is now in what the researchers refer to as the "Healthy
Human" level.
We've contacted journalists and practitioners for feedback about how--or
whether--we should attempt to get this information into wider distribution.
While the evidence is still very early, scant, and in need of elaboration,
professionals we've checked with say the approach has merit. For example,
Dan Keller, a PhD in immunology and close working partner of WellnessWeb,
says the approach appears practical and that since the treatment is a
concentrated form of an immune system activator that is already present in
the body non toxicity is possible. Donald Coffey, President of the American
Association of Cancer Research, (I gave him a copy of the press release at
the "Toward a National Prostate Cancer Coalition" task force meeting in
Dallas last weekend) wrote a note that said "This is certainly interesting
-- sounds like it has potential."
As we see them, the major points to be considered about whether or not this
research should get wide scale publicity are:
1) as has so often happened in the past further research, and clinical
trials (FDA approval will be sought in the next several weeks) may indicate
that the treatment doesn't live to its early promise, and publicity could
mislead and create false hopes by patients;
2) the researchers are working as independents and need funding, which could
be forthcoming sooner if potential sources have access to and read the press
release;
3) patient/consumer pressure and moral suasion may be needed for the FDA to
approve clinical trials in an expeditious manner;
4) the news is already out (producers for a major TV news program have
contacted the researchers) and there ought to be a source (such as the WWW)
where in-depth information is available.
Most of the patients we've contacted (who are probably better informed and
not representative of the patient population at large) tell us to go ahead
and do what we can to bring attention to the research. Practitioners and
researchers for the most part say its too early to publicize to patients.
(Dr. Coffey's notes included: "I think this is OK research -- too early --
too premature to bring to the attention of patients -- needs more data,
confirmation.")
Any additional opinions would be appreciated.
Bart Moran
www.wellweb.com
610-525-1589
bart@wellweb.com
Bart Moran -- 610-525-1589
Bart Moran -- 610-525-1589
WellnessWeb: http://www.wellweb.com
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