New cancer treatment stops aggressive sarcomas

Feb 25 2009

After all standard treatments had failed, a new cancer treatment has stopped the growth of aggressive sarcomas in two recent patients. These results are similar to the new protocol's previous success against several cancers, including melanoma, pancreatic, colon, mesothelioma and other sarcomas.

One of the patients is an 18-year-old with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) that arose in the largest bone of his leg. The cancer spread throughout his lungs, despite aggressive surgery that replaced most of his leg with metal implants. The second patient was losing a battle with desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), a very rare and aggressive cancer. After undergoing multiple surgical procedures and different chemotherapy regimens, the DSRCT still progressed and spread through the abdomen.

After eight weeks of the NeoPlas regimen, scans showed that both patients' cancers had stopped their growth, and some tumors actually had regressed. Additionally, both patients are tolerating the treatment well and are able to carry on normal activities. NeoPlas Innovation Director of Research Dr. Stephen B. Cantrell commented, "These are early results and not statistically valid yet. Still, the sarcomas as a group are so aggressive and uniformly fatal that being able to stop their growth and spread is very exciting. It's a major victory for these individuals, and it mirrors the success we're seeing in the great majority of patients so far." The protocol also is offered for qualifying patients with mesothelioma, colon cancer, renal (kidney) cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma.

This investigative treatment is a combination of lovastatin, typically used as a cholesterol lowering agent, and interferon. According to Dr. Cantrell, "The key to success has been starting with a fresh look and finding the right medicines to combine. When we have administered a precisely timed regimen of low-dose interferon with lovastatin, tumors have begun regressing, sometimes within just a few weeks."

Fatigue is the most notable side effect of NeoPlas Innovation's cancer treatment. Most patients never experience effects commonly affiliated with chemotherapy or radiation (nausea, vomiting, hair loss, bone marrow suppression or immune system suppression). An experienced physician prescribes and monitors the outpatient treatment.