In 1978 and 1980, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) tested Cancell/Cantron/Protocel in animal studies and determined that the mixture lacked substantial antitumor activity. Reviewed in [1]

In 1990 and 1991, samples of Cancell/Cantron/Protocel were evaluated in NCI’s in vitro 60 Human Tumor Cell Line Screen ¹. The test results are available online ². The graphs and the numerical designations for each of the three cancer cell growth criteria (GI50, concentration required for 50% inhibition of cell growth; TGI, concentration required for total inhibition of cell growth; and LC50, concentration required for 50% cell lethality or death) are somewhat complicated, but a technical explanation is provided in the Appendix ³. There is little evidence that any of the constituents of Cancell/Cantron/Protocel would be available in the bloodstream of a patient in significant concentrations after its ingestion. Activity was seen in two-thirds of the cell lines, though at levels that would be roughly 275 times higher than the theoretical maximum concentration achievable in serum. Therefore, the in vitro effects are likely due to nonspecific effects of changes in salt concentration. Furthermore, cells in the NCI Tumor Cell Line Screen are grown in artificial media under conditions that do not truly mimic the in vivo situation in animals or humans, and that results obtained with the screen may not accurately reflect possible effects in humans. To place the findings for Cancell/Cantron/Protocel in perspective any conventional drug exhibiting this low level of in vitro activity in the NCI human cancer cell line screen would normally not be investigated further by NCI.

The principal manufacturers of Cancell/Cantron/Protocel have stated that they have performed numerous animal experiments with the mixture involving tens of thousands of mice. Reviewed in [1-3] Results of these experiments, however, have not been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and no information beyond stating that some of the experiments tested the toxicity of Cancell/Cantron/Protocel has been provided. Reviewed in [3]

References

1. Questionable methods of cancer management: Cancell/Entelev. CA Cancer J Clin 43 (1): 57-62, 1993 Jan-Feb.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Cancell Alternative Cancer Treatment. Available online ⁴. Last accessed March 19, 2008. 
   
   
3. Sheridan JV, Sheridan JE: How Entelev/Cancell Works. 1992. Available online ⁵. Last accessed March 19, 2008. 
   
   

Glossary Terms

Having to do with stopping abnormal cell growth.

A liquid that has been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, including cancer. The ingredients thought to be in Cancell have been tested, and none of them has been shown to be effective in treating any form of cancer. Cancell is not available in the United States. Also called Protocel, Sheridan’s Formula, Jim’s Juice, Crocinic Acid, JS–114, JS–101, 126–F, and Cantron.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body).

In the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory).

Taking into the body by mouth.

The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. The National Cancer Institute conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the National Cancer Institute Web site at http://www.cancer.gov. Also called NCI.

Research using animals to find out if a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful. Preclinical studies take place before any testing in humans is done.

The clear liquid part of the blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed.