Health Care Professional Information
Clinical Summary
Antineoplastons refer to mixtures of peptides, amino acids, and other organic substances that were first isolated from human urine and blood by Stanislaw Burzynski. He claims to have used antineoplastons to treat a variety of cancers based on the belief that they promote the body's natural defenses against cancer. In 1993, the National Cancer Institute sponsored clinical trials to investigate the antitumor potential of antineoplastons in patients with brain tumors (4). The trials were closed two years later as poor patient accrual precluded conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment. A Mayo clinic study found no benefit (1).
Antineoplastons have also been tested in patients with glioma (6).
Presently, clinical trials using antineoplastons as an investigational drug for various cancers are underway at the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston, Texas (5).
Adverse reactions observed include confusion, sleepiness, and exacerbation of underlying seizures, headache, vomiting, and fatigue.
Constituents
- A10 capsules: 50mg of 3-phenylacetylamino 2,6-piperidinedione
- A10 injection: Mixture of sodium salts of phenylacetylglutamine and phenylacetylisoglutamine in 4:1 ratio
- AS2-1 capsules: 500mg of a 4:1 phenylacetate and phenylacetylglutamine
- AS2-1 injection: Mixture of phenylacetate and phenylacetylglutamine in a 4:1 ratio
(2)
Mechanism of Action
The proposed mechanisms for the anticancer activity of antineoplastons include activation of the tumor suppressor gene p53 by phenylacetate (PN) and AS2-1, metabolites of A10 (3-phenyl-acetylamino-2, 6-peperidinedione) (2). Phenylacetylglutamine (PG), the main component of A10-I is thought to inhibit uptake of amino acids that are essential for cancer cell growth (2). A10 was shown in a study to inhibit neutrophil apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Since depletion of neutrophils is associated with development of cancer, researchers suggest a role for A10 as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancer (3).
Adverse Reactions
- Seizures
- Sleepiness
(1)
- Anemia
- Hypernatremia
- Fever
- Slurred speech
- Skin rash
- Diuresis
(2)
Consumer Information
How It Works
Bottom Line: There is no clear evidence to support the anticancer effects of antineoplastons in humans.
Antineoplastons are compounds that were first isolated from human urine and blood by Stanislaw Burzynski. He claims that they promote the body's natural defenses against cancer. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this theory. Adverse reactions from antineoplaston treatment include confusion, sleepiness, and exacerbation of seizures, headache, vomiting, and fatigue.
Purported Uses
Cancer Treatment
Although a few studies were performed to test the efficacy of antineoplastons, definitive data are lacking.
Patient Warnings
There is no conclusive evidence to support the antineoplaston theory.
Side Effects
- Seizures
- Sleepiness
- Anemia
- Hypernatremia
- Fever
- Slurred speech
- Skin rash
- Diuresis
Special Point
Presently, clinical trials are being conducted at the Burzynski Research Institute in Houston, Texas, using antineoplastons as an investigational drug for a variety of cancers.
Last updated: March 21, 2012
adjuvant therapy (A-joo-vunt THAYR-uh-pee)
Additional cancer treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk that the cancer will come back. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or biological therapy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)antineoplaston (AN-tee-NEE-oh-PLAS-ton)
A substance isolated from normal human blood and urine that is being tested as a type of treatment for some tumors and AIDS.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)apoptosis (A-pop-TOH-sis)
A type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death. This is the body’s normal way of getting rid of unneeded or abnormal cells. The process of apoptosis may be blocked in cancer cells. Also called programmed cell death.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)blood (blud)
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)breast (brest)
Glandular organ located on the chest. The breast is made up of connective tissue, fat, and breast tissue that contains the glands that can make milk. Also called mammary gland.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)cell (sel)
The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)
Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)confusion (kun-FYOO-zhun)
A mental state in which one is not thinking clearly.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)drug (drug)
Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)efficacy (EH-fih-kuh-see)
Effectiveness. In medicine, the ability of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to produce the desired beneficial effect.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)fatigue (fuh-TEEG)
A condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due lack of energy. Fatigue may be acute or chronic.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)glioma (glee-OH-muh)
A cancer of the brain that begins in glial cells (cells that surround and support nerve cells).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)investigational (in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul)
In clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects. A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition, but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions. Also called experimental.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)investigational drug (in-VES-tih-GAY-shuh-nul drug)
A substance that has been tested in a laboratory and has gotten approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in people. An investigational drug may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions. Also called experimental drug and investigational agent.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)neutrophil (NOO-troh-fil)
A type of immune cell that is one of the first cell types to travel to the site of an infection. Neutrophils help fight infection by ingesting microorganisms and releasing enzymes that kill the microorganisms. A neutrophil is a type of white blood cell, a type of granulocyte, and a type of phagocyte.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)urine (YOOR-in)
Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
