PC-SPES was, ostensibly, a formulation of eight natural products (seven herbs and one mushroom): Isatis indigotica, Glycyrrhiza glabra ( ]]>licorice]]> ), Panax pseudo-ginseng, Ganoderma lucidium ( ]]>reishi mushroom]]> ), ]]>Scutellaria baicalensis]]> , Dendranthema morifolium, Robdosia rubescens, and Serenoa repens ( ]]>saw palmetto]]> ).

The name PC-SPES was derived from the common abbreviation for prostate cancer (PC) and the Latin word spes meaning hope. After its commercial launch in 1996, PC-SPES received considerable interest from the general public and reputable medical researchers as a treatment for prostate cancer. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a fraud.

PC-SPES was not truly a purely herbal product; samples dating back to 1996 were found to contain a form of pharmaceutical estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES), as well as indomethacin (an anti-inflammatory medication in the ibuprofen family) and warfarin (a strong blood thinner). ]]>19]]> Samples subsequent to 1999 contained less DES; but they also showed less effectiveness in treating prostate cancer.

There is little doubt that DES is active against prostate cancer, but it presents a variety of risks, including blood clots in the legs. The other two pharmaceutical contaminants might actually reduce this risk (which may be why they were covertly added), but present various risks all on their own. For these reasons, we strongly recommend against using PC-SPES at all.

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What Is PC-SPES Used for Today?

The only proposed use of PC-SPES was the treatment of prostate cancer. The formulation was tried at various stages of the disease, and preliminary research indicated that it had potential, particularly for treating prostate cancer]]> that is no longer responsive to hormone therapies. Benefits were reported in the two main types of prostate cancer: hormone-sensitive and hormone-insensitive cancer. However, when the covert addition of pharmaceuticals was discovered, interest in this "herbal" combination ended.

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What Is the Scientific Evidence for PC-SPES?

All the results reported in the following paragraphs are consistent with the known effects of hormones related to estrogen, and may be due to the DES present in PC-SPES, rather than the herbal constituents.

Test tube studies]]> of cancer cells found that PC-SPES decreases cell growth, promotes tumor cell death, and reduces PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels in both hormone-sensitive and hormone-insensitive prostate cancers, and exerts estrogenic effects. ]]>1–5,14]]>

In a rat study, PC-SPES treatment reduced the occurrence of prostate cancer tumors, inhibited their growth, and slowed the rate of cancer spread (metastasis) to the lungs. ]]>6]]>

In one ]]>uncontrolled]]> human study, PC-SPES produced a significant decrease in PSA levels for most of the 33 volunteers tested. ]]>7]]> Similar results were seen in another study of 69 individuals by the same author, ]]>8]]> and a study of 70 people conducted by another researcher. ]]>9]]> Benefits were seen in other uncontrolled trials, as well. ]]>10-13]]>

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Dosage

The standard dosage of PC-SPES was 6 to 9 capsules (320 mg each) per day, taken on an empty stomach at least 2 hours before or after meals.

Safety Issues

Note: Due to the presence of unlisted pharmaceuticals, PC-SPES should not be used.

It's no surprise that side effects of PC-SPES closely resemble those of estrogen when taken by men for the treatment of prostate cancer; 15]]> it may cause breast or nipple tenderness or swelling, loss of body hair, hot flashes, and loss of libido. Some individuals have also reported leg cramps, nausea and vomiting, and blood clots in the legs. ]]>16]]> Side effects of PC-SPES increase with dosage.

There is one case report of PC-SPES taken at twice the recommended dose causing internal bleeding, presumably due to the presence of warfarin (Coumadin), a strong blood thinner. ]]>18]]>