Enzyme therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Enzyme therapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Klek S., Popiela T., Kulig J., Wachol D., Bock P.R., Hanish J., Stauder G.

4th Annual Meeting of European Society of Surgery, Krakow, Dec.3-6, 2000
published in Przeglad lekarski 2000, 57, Suppl.6, abst. 74, pp. 4 - ISSN 00332240

74 KA (19-13-3)


Introduction:
The cancer of the colon is one of the most frequent malignant diseases in Europe. Its therapy (both curative or paliative) includes resection, radio- and chemotherapy. One of the new methods is enzyme therapy. Reports on positive effects of hydrolytic agents in oncologic diseases have been known for more than 20 years. Enzymes can start cell mediated attack on tumor cells by increasing the improvement of monocytic phagocytosis and activation of killer cells.
Aim:
a multicentre retrolective cohort analysis with two parallel groups (one group standard therapy, the other standard therapy + Wobe Mugos) was performed to analyze effects of an additional treatment with enzymes.
Methods:
1242 patients in 213 centers were included and evaluated (616 patients with enzymes and 626 patients with standard therapy only). 92,5% of patients in enzyme group and 94,6% in control group were treated surgically. Patients of both groups received a tumor-destructive therapy (chemo- and radiotherapy) and additionally various forms of aftercare (echinacea, thymus, selen, etc.). Groups were comparable.
Results:
In patients with disease stage Dukes D patients' number and observation time was sufficient to analyze survival; in this group a distinct effect of enzymes on median survival was found. Treatment with enzymes significantly reduced number and severity of adverse reactions of the basic chemo- and radiotherapy (34,2% of test group vs. 63,7% of control group)