Herbal supplement PC-Spes for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy and toxicity of the herbal supplement PC-Spes in prostate cancer patients.

METHODS

Literature search through MEDLINE (1966-October 2001), PubMed, and abstracts from the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (1995-2001).

RESULTS

PC-Spes was associated with biochemical and clinical response in some prostate cancer patients. The mechanisms of action of PC-Spes appeared to be related to its estrogenic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

PC-Spes is associated with some efficacy in prostate cancer patients. Due to the limited data available, it should not be used to replace standard androgen suppression therapy in androgen-dependent patients. PC-Spes may have a role for patients who have failed standard treatments for androgen-independent disease and have no history of thromboembolism or abnormal bleeding. PC-Spes has a toxicity profile similar to those of androgen suppression and estrogen therapy.