Anticancer Effects of HESA-A in Patients With Metastatic Colon Cancer

• Published in: Integrative cancer therapies 2009-03, Vol.8 (1), p.71-74
• Main Authors: Ahmadi, Amrollah, Mohagheghi, Mohammadali, Karimi, Mehrdad, Seyed Ali Golestanha, Naseri, Mohsen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - therapeutic use; Cancer Care Facilities; Colonic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Colonic Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Humans; Iran - epidemiology; Karnofsky Performance Status; Liver Neoplasms - drug therapy; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Preparations - adverse effects; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 1534-7354; 1552-695X
• DOI: 10.1177/1534735408327995

Background: HESA-A is a natural biological compound of herbal—marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of HESA-A in patients with metastatic colon cancer. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with end-stage colon cancer and liver metastasis at the Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were studied. Patients received HESA-A 50 mg/kg/d orally in 2 to 3 divided doses for 6 months. The patients were assessed at the start and end of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and 26th weeks of the study. The Karnofsky Performance Scale questionnaire was completed for each patient. Results: The mean Karnofsky performance score increased from 33.6 ± 9.8 to 63.3 ± 11 after 10 weeks of study. No significant hepatic or hematological adverse effects were seen during the study. Conclusion: It seems that HESA-A is an effective and safe anticancer drug, which can be used in selected patients.