PC-SPES

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 13. May 2026

PC-SPES, PC-HOPE, PC-CARE and PC-PLUS are herbal supplements which have been marketed for the promoted for prostate health and treatment of prostate cancer. PC-SPES, the original product consisting of a combination of eight herbs, is no longer available. It was recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 due to concerns over quality control and reported contamination with prescription drugs. Newer products including similar herbs produced under improved conditions to avoid contamination include PC-HOPE, PC-CARE and PC-PLUS.

Carctol®

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 13. May 2026

Carctol® is an Ayurvedic herbal mixture consisting of eight herbal extracts, which was developed by Dr Nandlal Tiwari in India.

Ornish diet and lifestyle modification programme

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 13. May 2026

The Ornish diet and lifestyle modification programme combines a supplemented vegan diet with exercise, stress management, and group support sessions. The programme is claimed to enable patients with early-stage prostate cancer to delay or avoid conventional treatment and/or improve quality of life. However, only one randomized trial and one pilot study have been published, all using surrogate markers for prostate cancer. In prostate cancer patients, the programme was found to improve cardiovascular health parameters, which is important as cardiovascular disease is the primary or secondary cause of death in men with prostate cancer.

Ozone therapy

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 24. Nov 2025

Ozone (O₃) is an unstable gas found in the atmosphere. It consists of three oxygen atoms and is therefore a strong oxidising agent. Medical ozone is generated via high-voltage oxygen conversion. Application methods range from local treatments to rectal insufflation, ozonated water, and autohaemotherapy. Therapeutically it is mainly used for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Claims include treatment of diverse conditions such as cancer, infections, diabetes, and neurological or inflammatory diseases

Aromatherapy

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 24. Nov 2025

Aromatherapy entails the controlled use of essential oils that have been extracted from a variety of plant sources. Therapy is usually given via massage, inhalation or a foot- or full-body bath. In cancer care, aromatherapy is primarily used as a supportive treatment to manage symptoms and adverse effects associated with cancer and its treatment, especially for anxiety, nausea, sleep and some pain. It acts mainly through olfactory/limbic modulation and specific molecular targets.

L-Carnitine

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 18. Nov 2025

Carnitine is the generic term for several compounds including L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine. It is a substance occurring naturally in humans, where it is synthesized endogenously in the liver, kidneys, and brain. Carnitine is naturally present in many foods and most of the daily requirements of L-carnitine is provided through the diet. It is also available as a dietary supplement. In the context of cancer, L-carnitine has been mainly investigated for alleviating adverse effects of chemo- or radiotherapy treatment.

Insulin potentiation therapy

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 18. Nov 2025

In Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) insulin is used alongside conventional chemotherapy. It is claimed that insulin enhances the effects of chemotherapy, enabling a 75–90% reduction in the usual doses of anticancer drugs and thus reducing the risk of adverse effects. Although some hypotheses have been put forward, the mechanisms of the claimed insulin potentiation of chemotherapy remain unclear and the few published in vitro studies do not help to clarify this.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 03. Jun 2025

Milk thistle herbal products are made from seeds of Silybum marianum. Milk thistle has a long history of medicinal use, particularly in the treatment of digestive and liver disorders. Claims in relation to cancer are that milk thistle prevents cancer initiation and development, reduces adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and supports the action of some anticancer drugs.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 28. May 2025

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Ranunculacea family, originating from Eastern North America. Black cohosh rhizome is used primarily for menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes.  Women with a history of breast cancer often experience menopausal symptoms as a result of cancer treatments, and thus this herb is of interest.

Coenzyme Q10

By the CAM Cancer Collaboration | 08. Apr 2025

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring antioxidant produced by the body. CoQ10 is utilised by cells for growth and maintenance. As CoQ10 is produced naturally in the body, CoQ10 deficiency is rare in the healthy population. Nevertheless, CoQ10 supplements are widely used and have been studied for various health indications. Research on CoQ10 has focused primarily on cardiovascular disease, although it has also been used in the context of cancer for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, cancer-related fatigue, inflammation and anti-tumour effects. The underlying mechanisms of action are thought to be antioxidant, immunomodulatory and possible anti-inflammatory.
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