OTA peers into cancer therapy fog

Article Abstract:

The long-awaited, 300-page report by the US Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) concerning unapproved cancer therapies, called Unconventional Cancer Treatments, has already been criticized by supporters of both conventional and alternative treatment approaches. The OTA did not observe any 'obvious, dramatic benefit' from the alternative therapies, even when criteria that would be used to evaluate controlled clinical trials were waived (meaning that the usual standards for evaluating treatments were relaxed.) Some alternative approaches, however, may deserve a closer look; these include certain psychological and dietary therapies. The report itself generated intense controversy, resulting in interest being expressed by fully half the members of Congress to the director of the project, Hellen Gelband. This was partly the consequence of a dedicated campaign by alternative health journals against the project and Gelband. The OTA was simultaneously criticized by the supporters of conventional cancer treatments, for being too uncritical of fraud. It is ironic that supporters of one alternative treatment were the first to demand such a study. The trouble began when a clinic in the Bahamas that promoted a treatment invented by Dr. Lawrence Burton, the clinic's head, was closed by health authorities. The closing followed the detection of AIDS and hepatitis viruses in the serum Burton injected into patients. Patients complained to Guy Molinari, who was a Republican Congressman until 1990. Molinari influenced other Congressmen to petition for a review of Burton's treatment method, but the request was eventually broadened to cover all unconventional cancer therapies. Burton has not subjected his work to peer review or clinical trials; presently, it, and much else from the world of alternative cancer treatments, remains 'unproved'. The document can be obtained through the US Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Reports, Political activity, Biography, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Alternative medicine, United States. Office of Technology Assessment, Gelband, Hellen, Burton, Lawrence, Molinari, Guy V.

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Varmus to rule in fight over cell-sorting technology

Article Abstract:

Harold Varmus will rule on whether to grant CellPro Inc a reduced-cost license for its cell-sorting device for cancer treatment. Johns Hopkins University is suing CellPro for infringing on its patent on the cell-sorting technology.

Cases, Intellectual property, Medical equipment, Patent law, Monoclonal antibodies, Johns Hopkins University, CellPro Inc., CPRO

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Gene therapy's growing pains

Article Abstract:

Some scientists are concerned that the rush to develop gene therapies is trampling basic science. More than 100 clinical trials are in progress even though there is little evidence that gene therapy has therapeutic benefits.

Research, Evaluation, Genetic aspects, Gene therapy, United States. National Institutes of Health, Cystic fibrosis, Adenosine deaminase deficiency, ADA deficiency

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