HESA-A: a role for herbal medicine in improving quality of life in cancer patients

 AHMADI A¹, MOHAGHEGHI MA¹, KARIMI M¹, FAGHIHZADEH S², GOLESTANHA SA³,

 ¹Institute of cancer, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Shahed Medical University, Tehran, Iran 

Background: Several therapeutic processes have been potentially considered to improve the quality of life and survival of people who suffering from malignant disorders.

Despite widespread popular use of chemical drugs for this aim and according to the reported side effects due to the consumption of these drugs, their administration has been limited and a rigorous evidence base about their efficacy for cancer-related complications is lacking. In contrast, the use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in improving cancer outcome and patients’ quality of life has been highlighted. The efficacy of HESA-A as a new potential drug which contains biologically active compounds of marine origin in inhibition the growth of cancer cells has been proved. Recently, the improvement of life quality has been considered.

Methods: In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, 30 patients with liver metastatic cancer were administered 50 mg/kg HESA-A daily for 12 weeks and their functional status was evaluated using by the Karnofsky Performance Scale Index.

Results: The results of recent study showed a significant improvement of functional status such as ability to return to work, ability to carry on normal activity, and ability to care for most of the personal needs. Furthermore, no side effects related to the consumption of this drug was observed. In a similar study on 50 patients with liver metastatic cancer, the same results in improving quality of life were observed.

Conclusion: According to the present results, considerable enhancement was shown in patients’ functional class and therefore the improvement of quality of life. Although a variety of drugs and instruments is currently available for the improvement of survival in patients suffering from cancer, further development and refinement of instruments with the least side effects are needed. Therefore, the role of HESA-A as a new agent with natural origin for this aim should be considered.   

Keywords: HESA-A, Cancer, Quality of life,

 Word count:     This abstract including the title, authors’ names and affiliations has 1977 characters without spaces 

Address of the presenting author (including valid fax number and email):

 Presenting author: Amrollah Ahmadi, Dr, MD

Institution: Institute of cancer, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

 Address: Emam Khomeini hospital, Dr Gharib Avenue, Tehran, Iran

Tel (work):+9821 66940021

Fax (work): +9821 66933399

Despite widespread popular use of chemical drugs for this aim and according to the reported side effects due to the consumption of these drugs, their administration has been limited and a rigorous evidence base about their efficacy for cancer-related complications is lacking. In contrast, the use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in improving cancer outcome and patients’ quality of life has been highlighted. The efficacy of HESA-A as a new potential drug which contains biologically active compounds of marine origin in inhibition the growth of cancer cells has been proved. Recently, the improvement of life quality has been considered.

Methods: In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, 30 patients with liver metastatic cancer were administered 50 mg/kg HESA-A daily for 12 weeks and their functional status was evaluated using by the Karnofsky Performance Scale Index.

Results: The results of recent study showed a significant improvement of functional status such as ability to return to work, ability to carry on normal activity, and ability to care for most of the personal needs. Furthermore, no side effects related to the consumption of this drug was observed. In a similar study on 50 patients with liver metastatic cancer, the same results in improving quality of life were observed.

Conclusion: According to the present results, considerable enhancement was shown in patients’ functional class and therefore the improvement of quality of life. Although a variety of drugs and instruments is currently available for the improvement of survival in patients suffering from cancer, further development and refinement of instruments with the least side effects are needed. Therefore, the role of HESA-A as a new agent with natural origin for this aim should be considered.   

Keywords: HESA-A, Cancer, Quality of life,

 Word count:     This abstract including the title, authors’ names and affiliations has 1977 characters without spaces 

Address of the presenting author (including valid fax number and email):

 Presenting author: Amrollah Ahmadi, Dr, MD

Institution: Institute of cancer, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

 Address: Emam Khomeini hospital, Dr Gharib Avenue, Tehran, Iran

Tel (work):+9821 66940021

Fax (work): +9821 66933399