Evaluation of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer: A north central cancer treatment group trial

Charles L. Loprinzi, Ralph Levitt, Debra L. Barton, Jeff A. Sloan, Pam J. Atherton, Denise J. Smith, Shaker R. Dakhil, Dennis F. Moore, James E. Krook, Kendrith M. Rowland, Miroslaw A. Mazurczak, Alan R. Berg, George P. Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Shark cartilage has been a popular complementary or alternative medicine intervention. The basis for this popularity is the claim that sharks rarely get cancer because of the high proportion of cartilage in the shark's body. However, early studies were equivocal. Therefore, a clinical trial was conducted to look at the impact of shark cartilage in patients with advanced cancer. The primary goal of this trial was to determine whether a shark cartilage product improved overall survival for patients with advanced cancer who were getting standard care. Secondary research goals were to evaluate toxicities, tolerability, and quality of life associated with this shark cartilage product. METHODS. The study was a two-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial. Patients with incurable breast or colorectal carcinoma had to have good performance status and organ function. Patients could be receiving chemotherapy. Patients were all to receive standard care and then to be randomly selected to receive either a shark cartilage product or an identical-appearing and smelling placebo 3 to 4 times each day. RESULTS. Data on a total of 83 evaluable patients were analyzed. There was no difference in overall survival between patients receiving standard care plus a shark cartilage product versus standard care plus placebo. Likewise, there was no suggestion of improvement in quality of life for patients receiving the shark cartilage, compared with those receiving placebo. CONCLUSION. This trial was unable to demonstrate any suggestion of efficacy for this shark cartilage product in patients with advanced cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)176-182
Number of pages7
JournalCancer
Volume104
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2005

Keywords

  • Alternative medicine
  • Complementary medicine
  • Shark cartilage

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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