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posted by CoolHand on Friday August 19 2016, @05:58PM   Printer-friendly
from the drugs-aren't-always-good dept.

An Anonymous Coward writes in with a story on the misuse of a drug based on Bromopyruvic acid:

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/candidate-cancer-drug-suspected-after-death-three-patients-alternative-medicine-clinic

The drug in question, 3-Bromopyruvate (3BP), has been hailed by some researchers as a potential breakthrough, but so far the only human data about its efficacy and safety are anecdotal. Many scientists say the drug should not be administered to patients except in carefully controlled experimental settings. If the link to the three deaths is confirmed, that could cloud 3BP's commercial prospects.

[...] Media reports suggest that cancer patients often sought Ross's help after they ran out of conventional therapy options, or to avoid aggressive chemotherapy. He offered a 10-week "basic therapy" against cancer for €9900 ($11,057).

On his website, Ross touted 3BP as "currently the best compound to treat tumors."

[...] 3BP has yet to undergo formal clinical trials. PreScience Labs, a U.S. company founded by Geschwind, received approval for a phase I study from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013. Geschwind says the trial has yet to start because the company needs partners to finance it.

[...] Eugen Brysch, head of the German Foundation for Patient Rights in Dortmund, says that the government should regulate practitioners of alternative medicine more strictly. "Creativity in therapy must not negatively affect patent safety,"

Additional links for the story:

Commentary from Dr. Lowe - http://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2016/08/17/3-bromopyruvate-what-a-mess

Lots of extra information from Science-Based Medicine:

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/3-bromopyruvate-the-latest-cancer-cure-they-dont-want-you-to-know-about/


Original Submission #1Original Submission #2

 
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  • (Score: 2) by Gravis on Friday August 19 2016, @08:10PM

    by Gravis (4596) on Friday August 19 2016, @08:10PM (#390241)

    Germany has many such practitioners, and the field is loosely regulated. The public prosecutor in Germany is now investigating whether the case constitutes involuntary manslaughter.
    ...
    A spokesperson for Germany's federal health ministry says there are no plans to overhaul regulation for traditional practitioners; local authorities are responsible for oversight of the field, she says. Those normally take action only after incidents or complaints, however. In the wake of the three deaths, the district of Viersen, where Ross had his center, has banned him from practicing in the district.

    I'm glad to see this isn't happening in my country but I hope Germany gets some better regulatory law.

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