Stanislaw R. Burzynski, M.D., has given the name "antineoplastons" to substances he claims can "normalize" cancer cells that are constantly being produced within the body.
He has published many papers stating that antineoplastons extracted from urine or synthesized in his laboratory have proven effective against cancer in laboratory experiments.
He also claims to have helped many people with cancer get well.
A 1992 analysis concluded that none of Burzynski's "antineoplastons" has been proven to normalize tumor cells.
In 1988, Burzynski got a tremendous boost when talk-show hostess Sally Jesse Raphael featured four "miracles," patients of Burzynski, who she said were cancer-free.
The patients stated that Burzynski had cured them when conventional methods had failed.
In 1992, "Inside Edition" reported that two of the four patients had died and a third was having a recurrence of her cancer. (The fourth patient had bladder cancer, which has a good prognosis.)
The widow of one of Raphael's guests stated that her husband and five others from the same city had sought treatment after learning about Burzynski from a television broadcast and that all had died of their disease.
In 1995, a federal grand jury indicted Burzynski for mail fraud and marketing an unapproved drug.
The indictment charged that he had billed insurance companies using procedure codes for chemotherapy, even though his treatment was not chemotherapy.
He was tried in 1997 but not convicted.
In 1998, the Texas Attorney General secured a consent agreement stating that Burzynski: (a) cannot distribute unapproved drugs in Texas; (b) can distribute "antineoplastons" only to patients enrolled in FDA approved clinical trials, unless the FDA approves his drugs for sale; (c) cannot advertise "antineoplastons" for the treatment of cancer; and (d) on his website and in promotional material and ads must place a disclaimer that the safety and effectiveness of "antineoplastons" have not been established.
The agreement also called for Burzynski to pay $50,000 to reimburse the Attorney General's office and the Texas Health Department for the cost of their investigation.
The Cancer Letter subsequently noted that although Burzynski has set up many "clinical trials," they do not conform to usual standards.
He has published many papers stating that antineoplastons extracted from urine or synthesized in his laboratory have proven effective against cancer in laboratory experiments.
He also claims to have helped many people with cancer get well.
A 1992 analysis concluded that none of Burzynski's "antineoplastons" has been proven to normalize tumor cells.
In 1988, Burzynski got a tremendous boost when talk-show hostess Sally Jesse Raphael featured four "miracles," patients of Burzynski, who she said were cancer-free.
The patients stated that Burzynski had cured them when conventional methods had failed.
In 1992, "Inside Edition" reported that two of the four patients had died and a third was having a recurrence of her cancer. (The fourth patient had bladder cancer, which has a good prognosis.)
The widow of one of Raphael's guests stated that her husband and five others from the same city had sought treatment after learning about Burzynski from a television broadcast and that all had died of their disease.
In 1995, a federal grand jury indicted Burzynski for mail fraud and marketing an unapproved drug.
The indictment charged that he had billed insurance companies using procedure codes for chemotherapy, even though his treatment was not chemotherapy.
He was tried in 1997 but not convicted.
In 1998, the Texas Attorney General secured a consent agreement stating that Burzynski: (a) cannot distribute unapproved drugs in Texas; (b) can distribute "antineoplastons" only to patients enrolled in FDA approved clinical trials, unless the FDA approves his drugs for sale; (c) cannot advertise "antineoplastons" for the treatment of cancer; and (d) on his website and in promotional material and ads must place a disclaimer that the safety and effectiveness of "antineoplastons" have not been established.
The agreement also called for Burzynski to pay $50,000 to reimburse the Attorney General's office and the Texas Health Department for the cost of their investigation.
The Cancer Letter subsequently noted that although Burzynski has set up many "clinical trials," they do not conform to usual standards.
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