The present state of antineoplaston research (1).

Antineoplastons work as molecular switches, which regulate expression of genes p53 and p21 through demethylation of promoter sequences and acetylation of histones. They also inhibit the uptake of growth-critical amino acids, such as 1-glutamine and 1-leucine in neoplastic cells. Phase II trials indicate efficacy of antineoplastons in low-grade glioma, brain stem glioma, high-grade glioma, adenocarcinoma of the colon, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The best results were observed in children with low-grade glioma, where 74% of patients obtained objective response, and in patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon with liver metastases whose survival rate of more than 5 years is 91% versus 39% in controls on chemotherapy. Gene array studies will explain antineoplaston-induced changes in gene expression.