New dietary supplement may arrest, lower rising PSA in men with recurrent prostate cancer

Apr 9 2012

Preliminary findings from an FDA-approved clinical trial indicate that the experimental dietary supplement Prostate Health Cocktail (PHC®) may arrest and in some cases lower rising PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) in men with recurrent prostate cancer. Principal investigator Tanya Dorff, MD, reported this early research data at a February meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. PHC was associated with PSA stabilization in more than four out of every five research participants and a PSA decline in nearly one out of every three subjects. Conducted at the University of Southern California's Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, the study remains ongoing.

"The purpose of the study is to test whether the ingredients in PHC can induce PSA declines," explains Dr. Dorff. Thus far, 28 men ages 58-64 have participated and been treated with three PHC capsules daily. Prior to enrolling in the study, all had been diagnosed with recurrent prostate cancer, indicated by rising PSA after prostatectomy and/or radiation therapy. Twenty-three of the men (83%) experienced PSA stabilization; and eight out of 27 (29.6%) experienced a PSA decline.

"In contrast to hormonal therapies, PHC was associated with no significant decrease in testosterone levels," reports Dr. Dorff. "So it appears that this non-toxic dietary supplement may be able to offer meaningful benefit without undesirable side effects, such as erectile dysfunction."

The recurrent prostate cancer treatment, Prostate Health Cocktail, is a blend of nutrients, minerals, vitamins and herbs. Previous laboratory tests and clinical trials have indicated that these ingredients -- individually and in various combinations -- can inhibit prostate cancer cell development, in some cases kill prostate cancer cells, and improve urinary symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement.

PHC was formulated by physician scientist Jacek Pinski, MD, PhD, an associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Medial Oncology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. An internationally recognized oncologist and laboratory researcher, Dr. Pinski is Co-Director of the Prostate Cancer Research Program at the Norris Center and Hospital, where he combines clinical care with basic research on the biology of prostate cancer.

One out of six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. In the U.S. alone, the disease kills more than 30,000 men annually, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in males. After undergoing prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate gland) or radiation, nearly 30% of patients subsequently relapse. At this time, no reliably effective standard of care currently exists for them.

Dr. Pinski created PHC to contribute toward an improved recurrent prostate cancer treatment plan for these men and other men. "My hope is that these early research findings will be followed by further evidence that PHC can serve as a non-toxic weapon in the arsenal we use to fight this disease."