PC-SPES

Related Terms

Baicalein, baicalin, Chrysanthemummorifolium (chrysanthemum, mum, Chu-hua), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom, Ling Zhi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Isatis indigotica Fortune (dyer's wood, Da Qing Ye), oridonin, Panax pseudo-ginseng (San Qi), PC-CARE, Ponicidin, Rabdosia rubescens (rubescens, Dong Ling Cao), S. baicalensis, Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap, Huang-chin), Serenoa repens (saw palmetto).
Note: PC-SPES? should not be confused with SPES (a different product) or with other similarly named or marketed products. PC-SPES? has been recalled from the U.S. market and should not be used.

Background

PC-SPES? is a dietary supplement that was sold for the treatment of prostate cancer. The letters "PC" stand for "prostate cancer," and spes is Latin for hope.
PC-SPES? was described as a Chinese herbal formula containing Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) and seven other herbs: Chrysanthemummorifolium (chrysanthemum, mum, Chu-hua), Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom, Ling Zhi), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Isatis indigotica Fortune (dyer's wood, Da Qing Ye), Panax pseudo-ginseng (San Qi), Rabdosia rubescens (rubescens, Dong Ling Cao), and Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap, Huang-chin). PC-SPES? was recalled from the U.S. market in 2002, because it was found to contain the undeclared prescription drugs indomethacin (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)), warfarin (a blood thinner), and the female hormones diethylstilbestrol (DES) and ethinyl estradiol. Similar herbal products without these pharmaceuticals have since been reformulated and reintroduced to the market.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


PC-SPES? has been most commonly investigated as a treatment for prostate cancer. Some studies observed that PC-SPES? improved prostate-specificantigen (PSA) levels, bone scans and X-rays, pain scores, and quality of life in prostate cancer patients. A preliminary report suggested that PC-SPES? was more effective than diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, PC-SPES? was later found to contain DES, along with other undeclared prescription drugs. PC-SPES? has been recalled from the U.S. market and should not be used.
 C


PC-SPES? has been most commonly investigated as a treatment for prostate cancer. Some studies observed that PC-SPES? improved prostate-specificantigen (PSA) levels, bone scans and X-rays, pain scores, and quality of life in prostate cancer patients. A preliminary report suggested that PC-SPES? was more effective than diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the treatment of prostate cancer. However, PC-SPES? was later found to contain DES, along with other undeclared prescription drugs. PC-SPES? has been recalled from the U.S. market and should not be used.
 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
PC-SPES? has been recalled from the U.S. market and should not be used.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
PC-SPES? has been recalled from the U.S. market and should not be used.
PC-SPES? may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
PC-SPES? may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may change in the blood and may cause increased or decreased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients taking any medication should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
PC-SPES? may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, agents that may damage the liver, antiandrogens, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and estrogens.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Chaudhary UB, Rashid M, Keane TE. PC-SPES withdrawal response. Acta Oncol 2004;43(8):772-3.
Chavez ML. PC-SPES for the treatment of prostate cancer? J Herb Pharmacother 2002;2(3):73-89.
Das P, Kaplan I. The role of PC-SPES, selenium, and vitamin E in prostate cancer. Oncology (Williston Park) 2002;16(3):285-91; discussion 291, 295-6, 299-300.
Du G, Zhang ZW, Zhang YK, et al. [Chinese herbal medicine PC-SPES II induces the apoptosis of androgen-independent prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3]. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 2007;13(6):563-7.
Ikezoe T, Yang Y, Saitoh T, et al. PC-SPES down-regulates COX-2 via inhibition of NF-kappaB and C/EBPbeta in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2006;29(2):453-61.
Jensen JB, Langkilde NC. [PC-SPES and ProstaSol: Chinese herbal medicine as a treatment for prostate cancer]. Ugeskr Laeger 2004;166(50):4611-2.
Kosty MP. PC-SPES: hope or hype? J Clin Oncol 2004;22(18):3657-9.
Lee CO. Complementary and alternative medicine patients are talking about: PC-SPES. Clin J Oncol Nurs 2005;9(1):113-4.
Liu JJ, Huang RW, Lin DJ, et al. Ponicidin, an ent-kaurane diterpenoid derived from a constituent of the herbal supplement PC-SPES, Rabdosia rubescens, induces apoptosis by activation of caspase-3 and mitochondrial events in lung cancer cells in vitro. Cancer Invest 2006;24(2):136-48.
Meyer JP, Gillatt DA. PC-SPES: a herbal therapy for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2002;5(1):13-5.
Oh WK, Kantoff PW, Weinberg V, et al. Prospective, multicenter, randomized phase II trial of the herbal supplement, PC-SPES, and diethylstilbestrol in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol 2004;22(18):3705-12.
Olsson C. PC-Spes rears its head again! Curr Urol Rep 2004;5(3):149.
Sadava D, Winesburg J. Contaminants of PC-SPES are not responsible for cytotoxicity in human small-cell lung carcinoma cells. Cancer Lett 2005;220(2):171-5.
Schmidt M, Polednik C, Gruensfelder P, et al. The effects of PC-Spes on chemosensitive and chemoresistant head and neck cancer cells and primary mucosal keratinocytes. Oncol Rep 2009;21(5):1297-305.
Walsh PC. Prospective, multicenter, randomized phase II trial of the herbal supplement, PC-SPES, and diethylstilbestrol in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. J Urol 2005;173(6):1966-7.