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• ITL Cancer Clinic
• Cancell
• Gerson Therapy
• American Biologics - Mexico SA Medical Center, Tijuana, Mexico

Several of our clients have expressed an interest in non-conventional treatments. One such therapy, which is not approved in the U.S. by the FDA, is offered in the Bahamas at the ITL Cancer Clinic - http://www.immunemedicine.com/, formally the Immuno-Augmentative Therapy Clinic (IAT).  Because several of our clients had traveled to the ITL Clinic and praised the program, we recently went to the Bahamas to take a look for ourselves.

The ITL in Freeport, Grand Bahama, has been offering immuno-augmentative treatment since 1977. Their treatment is predicated on the premise that the body's own immune system is the cancer cell's worst enemy. The objective is to activate the body's immune system to target and kill the cancer cells. The treatment protocol involves the use of a serum that is administered daily based on an analysis of the patient's blood. The patient's blood is drawn once or twice a day and analyzed for "immune system deficiencies." A spectophotometer measures the relevant immune components present in the blood. A serum is then injected several times a day to correct the "deficiencies." The result, according to the ITL , is a treatment program that has been tailored to the particular's patient's needs.

According to the ITL literature, the serum contains low molecular weight proteins, similar to the body's own albumin, designed to boost the levels of tumor-killing immune complexes. This serum (sera) is like a blood supplement, which refuels the body with fresh proteins and other alleged cancer fighting substances that the immune system demands.

Dr. Lawrence Burton founded the clinic in 1977. Dr. Burton's research focused on the blood components that keep the body's immune defense system in balance while at the same time inhibiting the growth of malignant tumors. Dr. Burton advises that his serum program also enhances quality of life as it does not have significant toxic side effects, like many conventional chemotherapy agents.

When Dr. Burton passed away in 1993, his colleague, Dr. John Clement took over the clinic. Speaking with Dr. Clement as well as several of the cancer patients at the clinic, the consenus was that the serum by itself could not eradicate the tumors or cause a complete remission. It was one weapon in the patient's arsenal. Along with the daily serum, the patient is offered a special nutrient rich, low fat diet and is advised to exercise moderately. Chest films and blood analysis allow doctors to chart the patient's progress over the initial three month treatment. After the first three month treatment, patients leave the clinic with enough sera for the next six months. They return to the clinic every six months for follow-ups.

Dr. Clement personally reviews each applicant and discusses their situation with his small but able staff. Cancer patients with a weaker than usual immune system must be carefully considered. Dr. Clement is open and honest regarding acceptance into the clinic.

Each of the patients we spoke with all had the same strong will to live a long productive life. We spoke to several patients at the clinic and were impressed with their fighting spirit. They network among each other and do their best to support each other. We met with patients from all over the world, including patients who were doctors in the U.S.

We have had two mesothelioma clients visit the ITL : Gabe Hoz, age 39 and Charles Talbert, age 67. Both advised me that they thought the program was helpful, mentally and physically. Unfortunately, neither survived beyond the median survival for mesotheliioma patients.

Dr. Clement advised that his clinic has treated many peritoneal mesotheliotics who have achieved "remarkable" results.

A 64 year old gentleman from Buffalo, New York was diagnosed with pleural malignant mesothelioma in early 1998. He underwent the extra-pleural pneumonectomy by Dr. Sugarbaker, followed by three (3) chemotherapy and fifteen (15) radiation treatments in July of 1998. In September, doctors discovered the mesothelioma had spread to his healthy lung. He was given two (2) months to live. He learned of the IAT clinic from his neighbor and traveled to the Bahamas in December. "I should be dead! But here I am! I feel good and I plan on feeling good for a long time."

A 77 year old gentleman, also from Buffalo, was diagnosed with pleural malignant mesothelioma in September of 1997. He was offered no treatment and given radiation only to the biopsy wound. His family researched the Internet and local libraries in search of alternative treatments. They discovered the IAT clinic while reading about alternative therapies in a book. He traveled to the Bahamas in September of 1998. "I had to quit working because of the mesothelioma. All my life I got up in the morning and went to work." After going to the ITL clinic, he no longer gets tired "just sitting around." He is able to walk his dog, pull weeds in his yard and, as he puts it -- he has been blessed with the privilege of living.

Cori Harth was first diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 1997 at the age of 49. She is continuing to live a strong and active life. "Having been told I probably would not make it to my 50th birthday, and having celebrated my 51st in the Bahamas doing fantastic, I have ample reason to be very thankful. The mesothelioma is no doubt still "there", but between the laetrile and ITL and stem cell, plus continuing my usual juicing, vitamins and minerals, regular exercise, as well as a good attitude, faith and prayer, my immune system is giving the tumor one heck of a run for its money!!!! All I can say is that it is not anecdotal - they treat many different types of cancers there, and believe me, all you would have to do is spend some hours in the clinic talking to patients from all walks of life. And Dr. Clement is totally open to having anyone talk to the patients, and most patients are happy to do so."

ITL 's brochure, entitled "Understanding Cancer Research and Treatment," identifies two case histories involving mesothelioma patients. Both were males, ages 45 and 38 respectively, who suffered from peritoneal mesothelioma. Both were diagnosed in 1980. The 45 year old underwent conventional chemotherapy (cytoxan, adriamyein, etc.) prior to arriving at the IAT Clinic. The 38 year old had several of the tumors surgically removed. Both started receiving sera treatment in 1980. As of 1988, both reportedly "were in good health." The brochure is undated.

In addition to mesotheliotics, the ITL treats many other cancers, including, but not limited to brain cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostrate cancer.

I talked to a 79 year old liver cancer patient from Minnesota who was diagnosed over one year ago. He joked: "I look pretty good for being dead. My doctors gave me six weeks to live. I've been to more places and seen more things than most people, but I was not ready to give up." This patient learned of the clinic from a friend of his ex-wife.

I talked to 50 year old breast cancer patient from the East Coast. She was diagnosed two years ago. Her doctors gave her no hope for a cure. She learned of the ITL clinic through her veterinarian. We met a 65 year old prostate cancer patient from Colorado who diagnosed in 1990. His urologist told him of the clinic. He is doing very well.

We met many other cancer patients, including:

* An 80 year old breast cancer patient from New York. She was diagnosed five years ago and underwent several chemotherapy treatments. Her doctors told her she was to begin radiation treatments as soon as she "got her health back." She did not wait and traveled to the clinic. Now, she is "too busy with my life to find time to play golf, which I love!"

* A 50 year old breast cancer patient from Huntsville, Alabama. She was first diagnosed in 1981 and was told of the clinic by a friend who was being treated for brain cancer. She stopped taking the treatments in 1991. In 1994, she was diagnosed with liver cancer and offered the same conventional treatment as was offered by her doctors in 1981. She went back to the clinic and resumed taking the sera. Today, she is active and leading a "normal" life.

* A 60 year old leukemia patient from New York. She was diagnosed in the early 1970's. In fact, she was the third patient ever treated with the sera by Dr. Burton.

* A doctor from Scotland who is in complete remission after being diagnosed fifteen (15) years ago. A doctor from St. Louis, Missouri was diagnosed with colon cancer eight (8) years ago, a doctor from Seattle, Washington diagnosed with prostate cancer nine (9) years ago. Each was advised by their personal doctors that their tumors were beyond the reach of conventional medicine.

We reiterate that the ITL treatment program has not been approved by the FDA in the United States. We offer no opinion on the merits of the protocol.

The treatment, which is administered during a four week stay, is $7,500, not including housing and other special services. For more information, you can contact ITL at 242-352-7455. Or go to http://www.immunemedicine.com/

*** MAY 21, 1999 ***

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Post Script 8/26/99

The sera is disallowed in most of the United States, and the FDA imposed an import ban in 1986. In 1985 the clinic was closed by the Bahamian government due to evidence of HIV, bacterial and hepatitis-B contamination in IAT products. It was reopened the next year when IAT acquired HIV-testing equipment, but since the products are not tested regularly by an independent laboratory, the current risk of biologic contamination is not known.

The benefits of immuno-augmentative therapy remain unverified, although there are numerous testimonials to its effectiveness (see above). In fact, no independent clinical trial of IAT's products has ever been performed, despite direct attempts by the NCI and the Office of Technology Assessment. The American Cancer Society advises against immuno-augmentative therapy. In addition to significant treatment fees, patients must pay for room and board.

Further information:
National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet on Dr. Burton:
http://www.cancer.gov/

British Columbia Cancer Agency's report on Unconventional Cancer Therapies for Patients:
http://bccancer.bc.ca

Report of the Office of Technology Assessment on IAT from the Quackwatch Home Page:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/OTA/ota06.html

IAT Home Page:
http://www.immunemedicine.com

In 1936 James Sheridan, a biochemist at Dow Chemical, began working on a chemical compound to treat cancer by taking away cancer cells' ability to acquire the energy they need to grow. Initially called Entelev/Cantron, it is now referred to as Cancell. Cancell is effected in an untraditional manner--by reducing the amount of oxygen to the cancerous cells, thus enabling the body to dispose of the cancer through natural processes.

While Cancell advocates cannot point to any medical articles which substantiate the efficacy of the product, they do offer anecdotal success stories. Since the FDA has not approved Cancell for use in cancer therapy, Cancell spokes people insist that it is only a food supplement. However, Oli Blezinski believes differently. Oli Blezinski runs a not for profit organization known as the Hope Foundation from her Michigan home. When patients call Cancell with feedback, Cancell refers the caller to Oli, who is at liberty to say what she wants without recourse from the FDA.

How does the "supplement" work? According to Oli, Cancell acts on the electrical impulses in the body. "Many of the drugs act only on the chemical part of the body. As Cancell acts on the electrical part of the body it lowers the voltage of the body, in turn killing harmful cancer cells." Other enzymes are taken with this supplement to help expedite the passage of dead cancer cells. Oli has a number of success stories, everything from stabilizing tumor growth to complete tumor eradication. She states that she has seen this drug effective in fighting AIDS also.

People interested in more information should contact Oli Blezinski at the Hope Foundation, 313-783-5558. The Cancell home page can be reached at http://www.hopefoundation.info/

Gerson Therapy: Center for Integrative Medicine at Centro Hospitalario Internacional Pacifico (CHIPSA), and Hospital Meridian de Playas de Tijuana, Mexico:  There are two clinics in Tijuana, Mexico, which provide treatment based on Gerson Therapy: the Center for Integrative Medicine at Centro Hospitalario Internacional Pacifico (CHIPSA) and Hospital Meridian de Playas de Tijuana. The therapy was developed by Dr. Max Gerson in 1945, and his daughter, Charlotte Gerson Strauss, has continued the therapy since his death in 1959.

Using diet (fresh, raw juices consumed continuously for 13 hours a day ), enemas (including coffee enemas) and other therapies, the Gerson Therapy clinics claim to detoxify the body and restore its natural cancer-fighting abilities. 

According to the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Gerson's methods were reviewed and no convincing evidence of effectiveness against cancer was found. No other independent studies have found that Gerson Therapy is effective against cancer. Until 1989, the dietary regimen included raw calf liver juice, and the use of this juice was associated with several infections due to contamination. Coffee enemas have also been associated with serious side effects such as fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.

Further information:

National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet on Gerson Therapy:
http://rex.nci.nih.gov/INFO_CANCER/Cancer_facts/Section9/FS9_7.html

British Columbia Cancer Agency's report on Unconventional Cancer Therapies for Patients:
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/uctm/11.html

Report of the Office of Technology Assessment on Dietary Treatments, from the Quackwatch Home Page:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/OTA/ota03.html

CHIPSA home page:  http://chipsa.com

Gerson Research Organization home page:  http://www.gerson-research.org/

Gerson Institute and Cancer Curing Society home page:  http://www.gerson.org/

*** POSTED AUGUST 26, 1999 ***

American Biologics-Mexico SA Medical Center, Tijuana, Mexico

The first mesothelioma patient to be treated at this clinic was the actor, Steve McQueen, back in the early 1980s. Since then, there have been anecdotal reports of the success of their treatment , but no conclusive evidence. Several of our clients have travelled to Tijuana in search of treatment (most were advised that no conventinonal treatments were available in the U.S.) Treatment consists of an "individualized approach" to "metabolic therapy", consisting of diet, vitamins, exercise, and other techniques. They claim to "control" cancer and numerous other diseases rather than "cure" them. The AB-Mexico clinic is associated with the Bradford Research Institute.

Further information:
American Biologics Medical Center:  http://www.americanbiologics.com

Report of the Office of Technology Assessment on IAT from the Quackwatch Home Page:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/OTA/ota05.html

British Columbia Cancer Agency report on Unconventional Cancer Therapies for Patients (with information on Laetrile, one of the components of AB - Mexico's treatment):  http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/uctm/23.html

*** POSTED AUGUST 26, 1999 ***

Again, we are not endorsing any products.