Antineoplaston Therapy in Canada 

Antineoplaston therapy is a type of alternative therapy or experimental treatment that is meant to fight cancers. The therapy was developed by Dr Burzynski Stanislaw in the 1970s. He believes that antineoplastons are part of the body’s defence and it can protect against cancers. He also believes that individuals suffering from cancers do not have enough of these antineoplastons.

What are Antineoplastons?

They are naturally occurring chemical compounds that are found in an individual’s blood and also in the urine. They are composed of amino acids and peptides. Dr. Burzynski was able to separate them from the blood and urine as he was developing his therapy. However, since the 1980’s antineoplastons have been manufactured synthetically from chemicals.

What is the principle behind antineoplaston therapy?

In a normal human body, old cells are constantly being replaced by newer cells. When there is an issue or a malfunction in the replication process, cancer then occurs. In cancer, these abnormal cells grow and multiply at a much faster than normal pace, and they also do not die off when they normally should. This leads to a pile-up of these abnormal cells forming tumours. The tumours continue to grow, and if no intervention is done, they can spread and metastasize.

Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski believes that the antineoplastons are part of the natural defense system of the body and they can help in the prevention of abnormal growth of cells. He proposes that the reason some individuals develop cancers is because they do not have enough of these antineoplastons, which leads to the development and growth of cancers unchecked. By supplementing these antineoplastons to an affected individual, he believes that the substance will switch off the cancer cells and revert them to behave like normal cells. He also believes that the substance can cause the death of cancer cells, while not affecting healthy cells. Antineoplastons can be administered orally or injected into the blood.

What are the side effects of the therapy?

There have not been enough clinical trials conducted to fully assess the range and the severity of the possible side effects. However, in the trials that have been conducted, some of the side effects may include:

• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Anaemia
• Abnormal levels of calcium in the blood
• Confusion
• Gas, bloating
• Seizures
• Swelling near the brain
• Slurred speech
• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Fever
• Chills
• Frequent urination
• Joint swelling
• Stiffness
• Body pain
• Vein inflammation
• Irregular heartbeat

There also needs to be more information on the interaction of antineoplastons with food, supplements as well and other medications.

Have any further studies been done to show the effectiveness of the therapy?

While there have been studies that have indicated a positive response to the therapy, these studies, however, have only been conducted in the clinic of Dr. Burzynski, so they are biased. There have also not been any randomized controlled studies which are considered the gold standard of research. Some of the participants in the study also had standard treatments as well as therapy with antineoplastons. This makes it difficult to know the positive responses and the side effects. 

Researchers who are not associated with Dr. Burzynski’s clinic have not been able to replicate the results. There are also no studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. No phase III randomized controlled studies have used antineoplastons to treat cancer. Also, while clinical trials go on for a few years, Dr. Burzynski’s trials have continued for decades now. Other researchers have criticized Burzynski’s clinic trials as they feel while the clinic has been researching this type of treatment for many years, they have not conducted or reported any phase III trials. A large randomized clinical trial is the only way to properly test whether any new drug or therapy works.

How are alternative treatments evaluated?

It is important to examine closely and carefully any alternative or experimental treatment for cancer. Several steps must be taken before a treatment can advance to human trials. The research usually begins with lab and animal studies, and even with these having promising results, it does not mean or prove its effectiveness or safety in human beings. After this, the next step is to submit the study design and safety information to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With the approval of this agency, the researchers can then proceed with clinical trials.

What are the phases of clinical trials?

These phases include:

• Phase I – In this phase, the trials usually involve a small number of people. The emphasis is on the treatment’s safety rather than its effectiveness.
• Phase II – In this phase, the trial involves a larger number of people. They usually receive the same treatment at the same dose. In some of the phase II trials, the studies may be randomized. The focus at this point is on the effectiveness and safety of the drugs.
• Phase III – The phase III trials compare the safety and effectiveness of the potential new treatment with the established standard treatment. The studies are randomized, meaning that while some participants get the standard treatment, others get the new treatment. It is called a double-blind study when neither the researchers nor the participants know which treatment is being used.

Due to a lack of extensive evidence and studies, antineoplaston therapy is not approved by the FDA to treat cancer or any other condition. Burzynski’s clinic in Texas does not have permission to run clinical trials. He has also been the subject of several investigations and legal proceedings.

A word of caution 

While it is understandable that an individual may want to explore and try anything that will help treat or cure their cancer, even trying new and alternative therapies like antineoplaston therapy, an individual can harm their health if they stop their cancer treatment for an unproven treatment. Many websites may promote antineoplaston therapy as a cure for cancer, but no reputable scientific cancer organization supports any of their claims.