Hello,
I read that Immunocal http://www.immunolead.com/products/immunocal.html
by increasing the level of glutathione in healthy cells and decreasing it in cancer cells helps fight the tumor. Beside the studies below:
http://www.immunolead.com/clincalevidence/publishedstudies.h
are there any other studies to support that? Is the following publication valid?
Melnick, SJ, Rogers, P, Sacks, N, Kwyer, TA, Halton, J, Sandler, E, Escalon, E, Ladas, EJ. A Pilot Limited Institutional Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Immunocal®, a Nutraceutical Cysteine Delivery Agent in the Management of Wasting in High-Risk Childhood Cancer Patients. Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference, August 2005.
This pilot study, conducted through the Nutrition subcommittee of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), evaluated the safety and tolerability of Immunocal®, an undenatured whey-protein derivative which provides glutathione precursors. Depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) in various organs including the immune system is a common finding in cachexia, reduced immune function, and poor wound healing, which are among the serious consequences cancer patients endure due to their disease and/or therapy. The study was a 90-day, two-dose evaluation of Immunocal® (0.5 g/kg/d vs. 1.0 g/kg/d) added to the standard institutional nutritional regimen. Twelve patients with high-risk tumors were enrolled from three institutions. Clinical and biochemical data were assessed at baseline and days 45 and 90. Immunocal® was successfully administered by one or more of three routes: oral, gastric tube, and nasogastric tube and was generally well tolerated. Compliance ranged from 50%-100% (7 patients with > 80%). All but 4 patients gained weight ranging from 7.1%-26.9% from the prestudy weight. Though not statistically significant, GSH levels were increased and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels decreased in all but 1 patient. Other observations include the amelioration of severe mucositis in 2 patients and abatement of nausea and vomiting in 2 patients. The findings indicate Immunocal® can be given safely and was well tolerated in the majority of pediatric cancer patients. The results are being used to establish end-points for a double-blind placebo controlled trial to be submitted to the COG scientific committee to evaluate of the efficacy of Immunocal® in high-risk cancer patients.
Thank you very much