It is not always easy to pioneer a new direction in medicine, or to try and bridge worlds as highly divided as those of conventional and "alternative" medicine. Dr. Katz and his group have had their share of disappointments, the biggest being last year's PC-SPES debacle.
He was among a number of researchers at major medical centers who were testing this botanical combination which it manufacturer claimed was based on a traditional Chinese formula. PC-SPES was widely popular among men with prostate cancer before the California Department of Health ordered its manufacturer, BotanicLab wa eventually shut down, and its principals brought up on criminal charges.
The fact is, PC-SPES did produced marked reductions in PSA levels, not surprising given that it contained DES, which was used as a treatment for prostate cancer several decades ago. Many patients still view PC-SPES as a lifeline that they desperately want back. Dr. Katz said that unfortunately, we will probaly never know if the botanicals in the product had any anti-tumor effects or whether the observed PSA reductions and prolonged survival were solely attribuable to the pharmaceutical contaminants.
The PC-SPES affair underscores the dire need for careful clinical investigation of natural products, especially those used for serious diseases like prostate cancer. Rather than shying away from further botanical studies, Dr. Katz and his team have intensified their efforts in the wake of PC-SPES' demise. Like it or not, many patients with life-threatening illnesses are going to seek treatment options outside of conventional practice, and it is essential to listen to their experiences and study modalities that seem to be working for them.
It is equally important to look closely at the quality of the products patients are using. Dr. Katz said he was particularly interested in New Chapter's Zyflamend, because the company grows most of its own constituent herbs organically, and obtains its extracts using a supercritical C02 process, meaning there are no toxic solvent residues such as acetone or hexane, as is the case with other extraction techniques.
In working holistically with urologic patients, Dr. Katz has learned that there are no one-size fits all protocols for any particular disease. Treatment must always be individualized, making optimal use of all appropriate therapies. Asked what he recommends for a common problem like BPH, he answered simply, "It depends."
"For mild to moderate symptoms, we recommend a combination of B-sitosterol, Saw Palmetto, Pygeum, and Stinging Nettles. For more severe symptoms, I might use those but add in an a-blocker." Flexibility and open-mindedness are the keys to providing effective integrative health care.
