BACKGROUND: HESA-A is a natural biological compound of herbal-marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of HESA-A in patients with metastatic colon cancer. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with end-stage colon cancer and liver metastasis at the Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were studied. Patients received HESA-A 50 mg/kg/d orally in 2 to 3 divided doses for 6 months. The patients were assessed at the start and end of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and 26th weeks of the study. The Karnofsky Performance Scale questionnaire was completed for each patient. RESULTS: The mean Karnofsky performance score increased from 33.6 +/- 9.8 to 63.3 +/- 11 after 10 weeks of study. No significant hepatic or hematological adverse effects were seen during the study. CONCLUSION: It seems that HESA-A is an effective and safe anticancer drug, which can be used in selected patients.
BACKGROUND:HESA-A is a natural biological compound of herbal-marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of HESA-A in patients with metastatic colon cancer. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients with end-stage colon cancer and liver metastasis at the Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were studied. Patients received HESA-A 50 mg/kg/d orally in 2 to 3 divided doses for 6 months. The patients were assessed at the start and end of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and 26th weeks of the study. The Karnofsky Performance Scale questionnaire was completed for each patient. RESULTS: The mean Karnofsky performance score increased from 33.6 +/- 9.8 to 63.3 +/- 11 after 10 weeks of study. No significant hepatic or hematological adverse effects were seen during the study. CONCLUSION: It seems that HESA-A is an effective and safe anticancer drug, which can be used in selected patients.